2026 UF Livestock Judging Camp

All camps are open for ages 8yo through a senior in high school.

We are following the same format as last year to better accommodate our three camp tracks. Please pay special attention to dates for each camp track-- Not all camps start and end on the same day.

Beginning Basics and Intro to Reasons run at the same time on the 15th so participants can only register for ONE of these two camp tracks. If they complete one of the two camp tracks on the 15th and want to come back on the 16th for the Advanced camp, they can register for that camp as well. They do not have to register for a camp on the 16th to register for the Advanced Reasons Camp.

Designed for true beginners with limited livestock and judging experience. Students should expect to spend most of the time in the classroom learning the topics listed below. They will also spend some time placing both video classes and live classes. Campers are invited to return to participate in the mock contest on July 19th.

Topics include:

• Animal Functions and Terminology
• Breeds and Anatomy
• Contest Format
• Breeding and Market Evaluation

Designed for students with basic understanding of judging that are new to Oral Reasons. Participants should expect to spend some time in the clasroom reviewing evaluation priorites and begin developing their first sets of reasons. Campers are invited to return to participate in the mock contest on July 19th.

Topics Include:

• Breeding and Market Evaluation
• Note taking
• Reasons Format and Presentation

This camp track is designed for students that already understand the basics of placing a class and are ready to focus on and sharpen their reasons. This track will include one and a half days of instruction and a mock contest on the 3rd day. Campers should expect to give at least 20 sets of reasons throughout the duration of camp; If participants are unwilling to give that many sets then we would encourage them to sign up for the Intro to Reasons camp.

Schedule

* daily schedule subject to change final schedule will be emailed out before the start of camp.

• 9:30 - 10:00 AM Registration
• 10:00 - 10:15 AM Welcome and Split into Camp groups
• 10:15 - 12:00 PM Instruction
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
• 1:00 - 4:00 PM Livestock Evalaution
• 4:00 PM Wrap Up

• 8:30 - 9:00 AM Registration
• 9:00 - 9:15 AM Welcome
• 9:30 - 10:30 AM Cattle Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 10:30-11:30 Sheep and Goat Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 11:30 - 12:30 Lunch
• 12:30 – 1:30 Sheep and Goat Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 1:30 – 2:30 Swine Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 3:30 - 4:00 Reasons
• 4:00 PM Wrap Up

• 1:00 - 2:00 Registration
• 2:00 – 2:30 Welcome and Split into Camp groups
• 2:30 – 4:30 Reasons Evaluation
• 4:30 – 4:45 Divide into Small Groups
• 4:45 – 6:30 Note Taking, Basic Terminology and Reasons
• 6:30 – Dinner

• 9:00 – 11:30 Cattle Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 11:30 – 12:30 Lunch
• 12:30 – 3:30 Sheep and Goat Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons
• 3:30 – 6:00 Swine Discussion, Judge Class, and Reasons

• 8:00 – 3:00 Mock Contest
• 3:30 Awards and Wrap Up

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher UF Animal Sciences Department