Showmanship is judged on how well the exhibitor presents their animal — handling, ring awareness, grooming, and poise. Five tiers, broken by age as of January 1, 2026.
Previous Winners
★ PRIOR SENIOR WINNERS
Returning winners of past Senior Showmanship divisions show in their own class.
Senior Showmanship
★ AGES 15+ · OR PREVIOUS INTERMEDIATE WINNER
Ages 15 and older as of January 1, 2026, plus previous Intermediate Showmanship winners.
Intermediate Showmanship
★ AGES 12–14 · OR PREVIOUS JUNIOR WINNER
Ages 12 to 14 as of January 1, 2026, plus previous Junior Showmanship winners.
Junior Showmanship
★ AGES 9–11 (CURRENT FAIR YEAR)
Ages 9 to 11 during the current fair year. Many exhibitors start here.
Overall Grand Champion Showman
Winners of the Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Showmanship classes return to compete for the Overall Grand Champion Showman. Winners of Class 01 (Previous) and Class 08 (Overall) advance to Round Robin Preliminary Showmanship.
★DIVISIONS 02 – 09★
Breeding Stock
Eight breed divisions plus a Champion Female of Show. Breeding stock must be owned and pre-registered by June 15, 2026. Registration papers required for breed classes — animals without papers go to crossbred.
Angus
★ DIVISION 02
Black Hereford
★ DIVISION 03
Hereford
★ DIVISION 04
Maine-Anjou
★ DIVISION 05
Shorthorn
★ DIVISION 06
Simmental
★ DIVISION 07
AOB All Other Breeds
★ DIVISION 08
Crossbred
★ DIVISION 09
Age classes within each breed
Each breed division offers six age classes plus a Grand & Reserve Champion class.
CLASS
BIRTH DATE RANGE
Junior Heifer Calf
Born on or after January 1, 2026
Senior Heifer Calf
Born July 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
Junior Yearling Heifer
Born January 1, 2025 – June 30, 2025
Senior Yearling Heifer
Born August 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
Two- & Three-Year-Old
Born August 1, 2023 – July 31, 2024
Aged Cow
Born before August 1, 2023
Division 10 — Champion Female of Show
Breed Grand Champions and Reserve Champions return for selection of the Overall Grand & Reserve, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Female of Show.
★DIVISION 11★
Feeder Calf
Ownership & Registration
Owned and pre-registered by June 15, 2026.
Halter Required
Feeder calves must be broken to halter before show day.
Weigh-In
Saturday, August 1, 2026 — after market steers.
Weight Range
Must weigh between 350 and 650 lbs at weigh-in.
★DIVISION 12★
Market Steers
Market steers are shown in three weight divisions with Grand and Reserve Champions selected from each. The three division Grand Champions advance for the Overall Grand Champion Market Steer.
Light Weight
Lower weight bracket. Grand & Reserve Champion + 3rd Place selected.
Medium Weight
Middle weight bracket. Grand & Reserve Champion + 3rd Place selected.
Heavy Weight
Top weight bracket. Grand & Reserve Champion + 3rd Place selected.
Ownership Date
Must be owned by December 13, 2025 to show and sell at the 2026 fair.
Tagging Date
Brought to fairgrounds and ear-tagged on December 13, 2025.
Days On Feed
Minimum 120 days on feed prior to show. Broken to halter required.
Sale Minimum Weight
Minimum 1,100 lbs required to sell at the auction.
Full Beef Department Class Codes
Every class number, breed division, and weight class — formatted for the show ring.
