CONTESTS

New for 2026, the Texas Pork Producers Association and our ambassador team will host two (2) competitive contests for our exhibitors to showcase their knowledge of the pork industry!

general information

  • Entries will open on November 1st and will remain open until the day of the contest.

  • All entries will be $20 per participant, per contest.

  • Entries must be completed and paid before competing in the contest.


Pork Public Speaking Contest

CONTEST SCHEDULE

  • Check in: Thursday, February 12th at 3 PM

  • Speaking Order Announced: Thursday, February 12th at 3:30 PM

  • Contest: Thursday, February 12th at 4 PM

Age Divisions

The contest will be divided into two age divisions. Age as of January 1, 2026.

  • Junior (Individual Competition) Ages 8-10

  • Intermediate (Individual Competition) Ages 11-14

  • Senior (Individual Competition) Ages 15-18

Contest Format

The event will be held in the following contest format:

JUNIORS

  • Contestants will be randomly assigned a speaking room and order on the day of the contest.

  • Contestants MUST compete in their assigned speaking room.

  • Speeches in the Junior Division must fit within one of the designated categories (see below) but will not be judged by category.

    • Categories:

      • Swine health and well-being

      • History of the swine industry

      • Careers within the pork industry

  • Speech must be no longer than 7 minutes.

  • The top two Junior contestants in each speaking room will advance to the finals to compete for the Overall Junior Age winner.

INTERMEDIATE

  • Contestants will be randomly assigned a speaking room and order on the day of the contest.

  • Contestants MUST compete in their assigned speaking room.

  • Speeches in the Intermediate Division must fit within one of the designated categories (see below) but will not be judged by category.

    • Categories:

      • Swine health and well-being

      • History of the swine industry

      • Careers within the pork industry

      • Meat science (in relation to the pork industry)

      • Advocacy for the pork industry

  • Speech must be no longer than 7 minutes.

  • The top two Intermediate contestants in each speaking room will advance to the finals to compete for the Overall Intermediate Age winner.

SENIOR

  • Contestants will be randomly assigned a speaking room and order on the day of the contest.

  • Contestants MUST compete in their assigned speaking room.

  • Speeches in the Senior Division must fit within one of the designated categories (see below) but will not be judged by category.

    • Categories:

      • Swine health and well-being

      • History of the swine industry

      • Careers within the pork industry

      • Meat science (in relation to the pork industry)

      • Advocacy for the pork industry

      • Policy/current issues impacting the pork industry

      • Communications (related to the pork industry)

      • Swine management systems

  • Speech must be no longer than 10 minutes.

  • The top two Senior contestants in each speaking room will advance to the finals to compete for the Overall Senior Age winner.


Swine Quiz Bowl

CONTEST SCHEDULE

  • Check in: Friday, February 13th at 9 AM

  • Contest: Friday, February 13th at 9:30 AM

Age Divisions

The contest will be divided into two age divisions. Age as of January 1, 2026.

  • Junior (Individual Competition) Ages 8-13

  • Senior (Individual Competition) Ages 14-18

Teams

Each quiz bowl team will be made up of four (4) individuals. Teams do not have to be comprised of members from the same FFA or 4-H chapter. Teams must sign up together during check-in.

If an exhibitor would like to participate but does not have a full team, teams will be randomly assigned with other individuals who do not have a team.

Contest Format

The event will be held in the following contest format:

JUNIORS

  • Teams will be randomly assigned a round and order on the day of the contest.

  • Contestants MUST compete in their assigned round and order.

  • Each round will have 10 questions. There will be 3 rounds per rotation.

    • Each round will begin with each participant answer.

  • The final two teams will have three (3) rounds of 15 questions.

SENIORS

  • Teams will be randomly assigned a round and order on the day of the contest.

  • Contestants MUST compete in their assigned round and order.

  • Each round will have 15 questions. There will be 3 rounds per rotation.

    • Each round will begin with each participant answer.

  • The final two teams will have three (3) rounds of 20 questions.