Cattle judging checklist and planning guide

A cattle judging event needs more than a judging ring and a list of entrants. You need clear inspection rules, class divisions, animal-handling equipment, safe routes, and a workable registration point. Plan the main arrangements several weeks ahead, then use the final week to confirm participants, permits, supplies, weather, and power. On the day itself, finish stalls, barriers, cooling, signage, and judging equipment before animals and visitors arrive.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

Confirm date and location
Set inspection rules
2 people
Assign judges
Arranging a veterinarian
Send invitations
2 people
Open the registration form
Register participants
2 people
Assign class divisions
2 people
Confirm participants
Collect dietary requirements
Order prizes and ribbons
Check permits
Check power supply
2 people
Check the weather forecast
Check the shopping list
Do the shopping
2 people
Collect prizes and ribbons
Inspect animal enclosures
2 people
Clean cow stalls
3 people
Set out the animal route
2 people
Set up the judging ring
3 people
Barrier off the public route
2 people
Fill refrigerators and coolers
2 people
Set out the supplies
2 people
Set up registration desk
2 people
Sort bib numbers
2 people
Register the cows
3 people
Check the animals
2 people
Wash and brush the animals
4 people
Welcome the judges
Hang up the inspection schedule
Test audio and microphone
2 people
Set up coffee station
2 people
Set out lunch and snacks
3 people

Event

Welcome the audience
3 people
Announce the program
Call the judging classes
Guide the animals into the ring
5 people
Record inspection results
2 people
Keep the judging ring clear
3 people
Giving the animals water
3 people
Serve coffee and tea
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Refill snacks
2 people
Empty trash bins
2 people
Check toilets
Judge the final class
3 people
Present prizes
3 people
Publish results
2 people
Inform the audience about departure
Bring the animals back
5 people
Check the final animals
2 people

Aftercare

Clear out the audience area
4 people
Dismantle furniture
4 people
Take down inspection ring
3 people
Clean animal enclosures
4 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Collect waste
3 people
Clean the grounds
4 people
Clean materials
3 people
Count inventory
Store materials
2 people
Return borrowed materials
2 people
Send results to participants
Organize invoices and receipts

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Registration desk
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 10
Crowd barriersqty 20
Cow boxesqty 30
Feed bowlsqty 30
Water tubsqty 20

Tableware

Coffee cupsqty 80
Glassesqty 100
Platesqty 100
Knivesqty 100
Forksqty 100
Spoonsqty 100

Equipment

Coffee machinesqty 2
Kettlesqty 2
Refrigeratorsqty 2
Coolersqty 4
Microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Scale

Animal care

Haltersqty 35
Cow ropesqty 35
Brushesqty 20
Bristle brushesqty 10
Hoof pickersqty 6
Water hosesqty 3
Bucketsqty 20
Hay balesqty 20
Hay balesqty 30
Scoopsqty 6
Wheelbarrowsqty 3
Manure forksqty 6
Disinfectantqty 5

Registration

Bib numbersqty 40
Inspection formsqty 100
Pensqty 30
Clipboardsqty 15
Prize ribbonsqty 40
Cups and rosettesqty 40

Decorations

Flagsqty 12
Bannersqty 6
Route signsqty 15

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
Work lightsqty 4
Light Stripsqty 3

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 12
Work glovesqty 20
Flashlightsqty 6
Warning tapeqty 4

Kitchen

Thermos flasksqty 6
Cutting boardsqty 4
Snack plattersqty 12
Serving tongsqty 8
Cooling matsqty 8

Cleaning

Broomsqty 5
Floor squeegeesqty 3
Buckets for cleaningqty 5
Microfiber clothsqty 20

Catering

Groceries

Tips

Set the date, location, inspection rules, judges, and veterinarian before opening registration. Participants need the rules and class structure before they can enter correctly.
Close or review registration early enough to assign class divisions and confirm every participant. Collect dietary requirements at the same time so catering is not an event-day guess.
Walk the full animal route before setup is complete. Check cow stalls, enclosures, water tubs, feed bowls, halters, ropes, and brushes, then separate the public route with crowd barriers.
Check power before bringing in coffee machines, kettles, refrigerators, coolers, microphones, and speakers. Count extension cords and power strips, and keep cables away from animal and visitor paths.
Use the final weather forecast to decide how party tents, tables, chairs, waste bins, and the registration desk will work on site. Keep prizes and ribbons together, but do not wait until judging starts to collect or arrange them.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a cattle judging event?: Set the date, location, rules, judges, and veterinarian at least 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Open registration soon after, so you have time to assign classes and confirm participants before event week.
What should I check one week before cattle judging?: Review permits, the participant list, dietary requirements, shopping list, prizes, power supply, and the weather forecast 5 to 7 days before the event. Use that review to replace missing supplies and adjust the site plan.
How do I prepare the site for cattle judging?: Inspect animal enclosures and clean the cow stalls before setting out feed bowls, water tubs, halters, ropes, and brushes. Mark the animal route, set up the judging ring, and barrier off the public route before arrivals begin.
When should I set up the registration desk?: Set up the registration desk before participants arrive, with the confirmed registration information and any required supplies ready. Allow at least 60 minutes for tables, chairs, signage, microphones, refreshments, and a final route check.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.