Livestock Evaluation
OVERVIEW
During the Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event (CDE), students work within teams to rank breeding and market classes of beef, sheep and swine and give oral reasons to back up their decisions.
Students participating in this CDE make accurate and logical observations of livestock, decide on the desirable traits in marketing and breeding livestock, and select and market livestock that will satisfy consumer demands and provide increased economic returns to producers.
Understanding what makes a good market or breeding beef, sheep or swine is valuable knowledge for the decisions every livestock producer has to make. This CDE also encourages students to communicate proficiently, interpret data and work as a team — skills that translate into other career opportunities.
EVENT LOCATION & TIME
The livestock evaluation event will be held at Virginia FFA's annual state convention in June.
ELIGIBILITY
Individuals and teams of 4, from grades 6-12 are eligible to compete.
2026 Updates
- Remove Keep/Cull Class(es)
- Increase number of evaluation/judging classes from 8 to 10.
- Eliminate Questions on Classes as an individual component.
- Team Activity will be 10 questions on one of the Judging Classes with a scenario and/or performance data – Teams will have an allotted time to study their notes, put notes away, and then work together to answer those questions as a Team Activity. The Team Activity will be recorded and scored via Scantron.
- Team Activity will be completed by the Top 8 Senior Teams and Top 5 Junior Teams that are called back for Reasons and will be completed at the conclusion of the Reasons portion of the contest.