The Blinn College District has opened registration for its 2026 Livestock Judging Camps, continuing a long-standing tradition of training and developing young livestock judges from across Texas. The camps, hosted each summer on the Blinn College–Brenham Campus, are open to both novice and experienced youth involved in 4-H and FFA programs.
Camp organizers note that the 2026 dates differ from previous years and encourage families to register early. Enrollment is limited, and registration will close either when camps reach capacity or by the April 1 deadline, whichever comes first.
The camps will take place at the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex, located on Blinn’s Brenham campus at 1501 Old Mill Creek Road. Participants will have the opportunity to experience a collegiate agricultural environment firsthand, including tours of Blinn’s livestock facilities and its newer livestock handling complex.
Two sessions will be offered based on age and experience level. The Experienced Camp, for participants ages 14 and older, will be held May 26–28, 2026. The Novice Camp, designed for youth ages 8–13, will follow on May 29–31, 2026.
Instruction in both camps focuses on the evaluation of breeding and market animals, with content tailored to each group. The experienced camp places additional emphasis on oral reasons, cattle grading, and keep-or-cull decision-making, while the novice camp concentrates on judging fundamentals, notetaking, answering questions, and an introduction to oral reasons.
Camps will be led by a combination of current and former Blinn College livestock judging team members, along with Blinn College faculty and coaching staff. This structure allows participants to learn from individuals with firsthand experience in competitive collegiate judging.
The cost of camp is $350 per participant. That fee includes on-campus housing, all meals, snacks and drinks, a Blinn bag, Blinn t-shirt, livestock judging manual, printed educational materials, steno, pencils, and all judging supplies needed during the camp. Campers also take home many of the materials for continued practice after the session concludes.
Blinn’s Livestock Judging Camps are geared toward youth who want to sharpen their skills, build confidence in competition settings, and gain insight into livestock judging at the collegiate level. In addition to instruction, participants receive an inside look at Blinn College and its agricultural sciences programs.
Registration is available HERE. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Brice Mund at 979-224-4423, Quest Newberry at 361-449-5824, or Adrian Austin at 618-315-2040.
With hands-on learning, experienced instructors, and a strong focus on skill development, the 2026 Blinn College Livestock Judging Camps continue to serve as a valuable training opportunity for young judges across the state.
