The Calf Scramble Program began in 1942 and is designed to teach the youths of Texas responsibility, and foster opportunity, in the local areas. These goals are still pursued today. Since the conception of the Calf Scramble, it has contributed over 21M$ in the form of Certificates, Awards and Bonuses to over 24K Texas youths. In 2024 alone this program contributed over $855,000 to winners. The winners receive certificates that can be used to purchase registered beef heifers or steers to exhibit at the 2025 rodeo.

Today, the Calf Scramble Committee consists of 547 active Committeeman. Which are divided into four subcommittees and the names of each of these subcommittees is indicative of their function or role:

Arena
Donors
Greeters
Judging

Each night, the Arena Committeeman lead 30 Scramblers into the arena , they form a line in the center of the arena wearing the distinctive red –white numbered shirts, 14 calves are introduced into the Arena, and with the drop of a hat the arena is transformed into managed chaos, calves running in all directions. The 30 youngsters armed with only a rope halter, and a dream, scramble to catch a calf, halter it and lead it back to the winners’ square.

Once the all the calves are caught the Scramble event is over, everyone comes upstairs, those that didn't catch a calf are returned to their Family and the Exhibitors transition to the Donor Committeeman and Donor which provided the funding, enabling the Exhibitor to purchase a calf of their choice for their 4H or FFA project. They then transition to their Greeter Committeeman, which will be responsible for them the remainder of the year. They will contact them once or twice a year, based on the needs of the exhibitor.

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