BEEF SHOWS

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture Beef Program annually sponsors five Preview Shows, five District Shows, three Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos and the Fall Classic. These events allow youth exhibitors to showcase their steers, market heifers or breeding stock across the state. Included in these shows there are divisions for Kentucky Proud and/or bred & owned participants. KDA staffs are responsible for organizing and managing each of these shows. Exhibitors accumulate points throughout the season in competition for awards to be presented at a Points Banquet at the conclusion of the season.

District Beef Shows

·         Showmanship will be offered at all KDA sponsored show (District/KJLE’s)

·         No Bred-and-Owned female classes will be offered at any KDA Beef Show

General Rules & Regulations

1.       These shows are open to regularly enrolled Kentucky 4-H and FFA members engaged in an approved beef project. All entries must be under the supervision of the extension agent or vocational agriculture instructor.

2.       All KY origin animals for exhibition shall be individually identified on a certificate of veterinary inspection written within the current calendar year. January 1 through December 31.

3.       All animals must be shown by youth, and all adults shall remain outside the show ring. Each exhibitor must show his/her animal unless incapacitated or has more than one entry in the class, then another youth may show the animal. The rules committee must approve any exhibitor changes prior to the show. Exhibitors must be present during the show.

4.       All Market Steers and Market Heifers must be KUIP tagged.

5.       Eligible Breeds/Breed Classifications: To qualify for a breed show, there must be a minimum of eight head. Less than eight head will show in a purebred AOB Division.

1.          A.   Purebred AOB - Any animal issued a full blood or purebred registration certificate in a breed with less than 8 head the day of the District Show will compete in a purebred AOB Division

2.          B.   Percentage AOB - Any animal that does not meet the percentage requirement issued by each national breed association, but has a percentage breed registrations certificate, will be shown in the percentage AOB division. To qualify for a breed show, there must be a minimum of 8 head. The percentage AOB division will include, but is not limited to: Chianina with less than 6.25% Chianina, Balancer, Percentage Simmental, Mainetainer, Composite Charolais, Optimizer, and Appendix Shorthorn. LimFlex will show with Limousin.

3.          C.   Commercial Division - Commercial Heifers only. Animals must not have been issued a registration paper.

6.       All entries must be halter broken. Any exhibitor that loses control of his/her entry more than two times will be asked to leave the ring. Any animal that the show committee considers to be a hazard to exhibitors, spectators, etc. will be excused from the show and will be ineligible for class placement and premiums.

7.       Exhibitors are expected to treat their animals in a manner consistent with good animal husbandry and display proper sportsmanship at all times.

8.       The use of dyes or other coloring agents to camouflage the natural coloring of an animal is prohibited. Use of false tail heads or switches will be prohibited.

9.       Each show will appoint a rules committee to interpret and enforce any and all rules. This committee will be made up of the following representatives: 4-H, FFA, Show Chairperson, and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

10.    4-H & FFA: Adult/youth partnerships are acceptable for breeding animals and market animals providing each partner’s full name is on the registration certificate. Animals registered in a farm only are not allowed.

11.    An exhibitor violating any of the regulations may be denied the opportunity to participate in the event and/or forfeit all premiums won. Any violation of the rules shall be reported to a representative of Shows and Fairs Division who, in turn, shall inform the appropriate youth agency. Said violation of the rules may, at the discretion of the youth agency, result in a suspension from showing.

12.    All times and dates were correct at time of printing. They are subject to change or rescheduling due to weather.

13.    Due to limited stalling space, exhibitors are requested to conserve space. Exhibitors may be required to move animals, tack or blocking chutes to accommodate others. Local committees may refuse reserve stalling requests.

14.    A Purebred cow with a percentage calf will be classed within the breed of the cow.

15. Classes will be offered for registered and commercial heifers and for registered bred-and-owned bulls. Commercial heifers must be permanently identified with verification of ownership and birth date of the animal confirmed by the 4-H agent or vo-ag instructor on the appropriate form. Registration papers from a recognized breed association are required to show in breed classes. Registered animals must be permanently identified per breed association requirements.
16. Ownership of animals by the exhibitor is required.  Heifers shall be owned by June 1^st. All heifers owned in partnership must conform to exhibitor's organization requirements.
17. If there is a question concerning ownership of an animal, official registration papers are the preferred documents of record. In the event they are not available, a copy of the animal's registration, along with an application for transfer, a bill of sale, or other appropriate documents may be accepted.
18. All animals must be registered in order to show in the registered division of the show. Entries must be owned by exhibitor by June 1 of the current show year and positively identified per breed association requirements.
19.  The number of entries an exhibitor may show is ten. EXCEPTION: No more than five market animals.
20.  All exhibitors and animals are eligible to participate in as many District and Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos as they wish.
21.  No animal will be allowed to show more than once except for championship drive, or cow-calf classes.
22.  Individual breeds may provide special awards.
23. "Bred and Owned" definition: The owner of a "bred and owned" animal is the person owning the dam of an animal at the time of that animal's conception and listed as breeder on the original registration certificate. Bulls only, there will not be any Bred-and Owned female classes offered at any District Beef Show or Junior Livestock Expo
24. Only registered Bred-and-Owned Bull classes will be offered.

Market Animal Division

To be eligible to compete at the Kentucky State Fair, all 4-H/FFA beef market animals must compete in at least one District Show or Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture between the dates of March 15, 2025 through July 26, 2025. 4-H/FFA market steers or heifers that have not competed in one of these shows will not be eligible to show at the Kentucky State Fair.

1.       All General Rules apply where applicable.

2.       Individual class breaks for market animals will be made by the local rules committee. Weights will be used to break classes. No bulls or bullocks will be eligible for market animal classes.

3.       Individual exhibitors will be permitted to show a maximum five animals.

4.       No re-weighs will be permitted. We encourage 4-H and FFA members to have their vo-ag teacher or 4-H agent present when the animal is being weighed. An exhibitor shall have the right to challenge the weight of the animal, remove the animal from the scales, have the weighman balance the scales, then re-weigh their animal one time before another animal is weighed. The market animal cannot leave the immediate area of the scales before being re-weighed.

5.       Market animals may be exhibited in any District Shows, and Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos.

6.       Any market animal offered for sale through a bona fide 4-H or FFA steer show prior to the district show is not eligible for entry.

7.       Animals with horns are not eligible to show.

8.       There will be no weight limit for market animals.

9.       MARKET STEERS - Steer breed classes have been added to all beef market animal shows at the KDA Districts and Junior Livestock Expos. All of these steers must follow the guidelines set forth for all steers and must be KUIP tagged. The breed steers must have a registration certificate issued by a breed association. Breed classes will be offered for breeds with more than 3 head. If there are less than 3 head, those breed steers will show in an AOB class. A Cross-bred steer class will continue to be offered for steers without a registration certificate.

Market Heifer Division

1.       In terms of validation, market heifers will be treated just like market steers (i.e., They must be KUIP tagged and have DNA samples collected). All validation guidelines, including rules for co-tagging apply to market heifers.

2.       Heifers at KDA shows will be exhibited by weight. A Champion and Reserve Champion Market Heifer will be selected. The heifer winners will compete against steer division winners for grand and reserve champion market animal.

3.       Market Heifers must be open.

Commercial Heifer Division

1.       A commercial heifer division will be offered at each district show. All commercial heifers exhibited must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor and be a part of the exhibitor's breeding program. Verification of ownership must be made by the 4-H agent or vo-ag instructor and must be included with the entry forms.

2.       All animals must be permanently identified by legible tattoo or brand and be in the possession of the exhibitor by June 1 of the show year.

3.       Commercial animals can be exhibited in the commercial division only.

4.       Classes will be broken by weight.

5.       Any heifer that has been issued a registration certificate by a purebred breed association is not eligible to show in the commercial division.

District Youth Showmanship Rules

o    A showmanship contest will be provided. Division and age breaks are as follows:

§  Division I: 9-11

§  Division II: 12-13

§  Division III: 14-16

§  Division IV: 17 and above.

o    All ages are as of January 1 of the current show year.

o    Showmanship contest will be held at all KDA Sponsored Beef Shows

o    The Department of Agriculture will provide awards.

o     Each exhibitor must show his/her own animal.

The local committee has the right to break classes into smaller classes if the need arises

General Health Requirements

·   1.  All Kentucky origin livestock must meet the exhibition requirements in 302 KAR 20:065, as listed below. For additional or updated information, contact the Office of the State Veterinarian at (502) 573-0282 or visit the website at: http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/302/020/065.htm.

·   2.  Kentucky is classified as a Brucellosis and Tuberculosis free state; therefore, no Brucellosis or Tuberculosis test is required.

·   3.  Livestock exhibiting signs of any infectious, contagious or communicable disease such as, but not limited to, warts, ringworm, pinkeye or foot rot are not eligible for exhibition. All KY origin animals for exhibition shall be individually identified on a certificate of veterinary inspection written within the current calendar year. January 1 through December 31.

2025 District Beef Shows

To be eligible to compete at the Kentucky State Fair, all 4-H/FFA beef market animals must compete in at least one District Show or Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture between the dates of March 15, 2025 through July 26, 2025. 4-H/FFA market steers or market heifers that have not competed in one of these shows will not be eligible to show at the Kentucky State Fair. KY Beef Expo will not qualify market animals for State Fair.

Dates & Locations

·  March 15- Green River District Show

·  Ohio County Fairgrounds, Hartford

·  8 - 10 am CDT Check-In

·  10:30 am CDT Show

·  April 5- Ohio Valley District Show

·  Meade County Fairgrounds, Brandenburg

·  8 - 10 am EDT Check-In

·  10:30 am EDT Show

 ·  April 19- Germantown District Show

·  Germantown Fairgrounds, Germantown

·  8 - 10 am EDT Check-In

·  10:30 am EDT Show

·  Eligible Animals

·  Green River, Germantown, Licking River, Ohio Valley District Shows

·   1.  Market animals KUIP tagged

·   2.  Beef heifers born between September 1, 2023 and December 31, 2024

·   3.  Bred and owned bulls born between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024

·   4.  Bulls 6 months of age and older must have a Bull Lead or Nose Ring

·   5.  Cow/Calf Class- Calf must show with cow. Calves cannot be older than 250 days of age on show date.

·         May 3- Top of KY District Show

·         Boone County Fairgrounds, Burlington

·         8 - 10 am EST Check-Ins

·         10:30 am EST Show

·         May 10- Lincoln Trail District Show

·         Nelson County Fairgrounds, Bardstown

·         8:00 - 10:00 am EDT Registration

·         10:30 am EDT Show

·         June 3- KJLE East

·         Derrickson Ag Complex, Morehead

·         June 14- KJLE Western Rivers

·         William “Bill” Cherry Ag Expo Center, Murray

·         June 21- Central Kentucky  District Show

·         Clark County Fairgrounds, Winchester

·         8 - 10 am EDT Check-in

·         10:30 am EDT Show

·         July 8- Southern Kentucky District Show

·         Hart County Fairground

·         8:00 - 9:00 am CDT Registration

·         9:30 am Show

·         July 26- KJLE

·         Western KY University, Bowling Green

Eligible Animals

·         Bluegrass, Lincoln Trail, Central KY, Southern KY

·         1. Heifers born September 1, 2023 - April 30, 2025

·         2.   Cow/Calf Class- Calf must show with cow. Calves cannot be older than 250 days of age on show date. Calves may be split off the cow and shown in  separate classes. If calf is shown separately, it must be nominated on the form. It will count as a separate entry other than the Cow/Calf entry.

·         3.   Bred and owned bulls born January 1, 2024 - April 30, 2025 are eligible to show. Bulls 6 months of age and older must have a Bull Lead or Nose Ring

Premium Scale For Beef Animals

These premiums have been adjusted accordingly and could change due to available funding. Beef Cattle KY Proud Non KY Proud

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Kentucky 4-H/FFA Market Animal Validation