What the Kern County Fair Junior Livestock Auction Is
The Kern County Fair is a twelve-day fair in Bakersfield with a large FFA and 4-H livestock program, and its Junior Livestock Auction is where that program pays off. The auction supports agricultural education programs throughout Kern County, and each purchase directly finances an individual youth exhibitor. Youth spend three to nine months and countless hours raising and caring for their projects, and the sale helps pay for future animal projects as well as their schooling and other experiences. The 2026 fair ran September 23 to October 4.
Only market beef, goats, lambs, hogs, rabbits and poultry judged "market ready" may sell, and that includes the Grand Champion of each species. In other words, buyers get the best of the best.
How It Works: The 2026 Sale Schedule
| Day | Location | Order of sale |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, October 1 | Sales Pavilion | 5 p.m. dairy replacement heifers, followed by beef open and bred replacement heifers, market beef, then ag mechanics |
| Friday, October 2 | Swine Arena | 1 p.m. market swine, followed by market rabbits and fryers, market turkeys and pens of poultry |
| Saturday, October 3 | Sales Pavilion | 1 p.m. market goats, followed by market lambs |
Each day has a published sale order that lists the lots in the order they will sell.
For Exhibitors: What to Know
- Exhibitors may show multiple animals, but only one animal sells. Add-on money placed on a different animal is moved to the animal the exhibitor declares as the selling animal.
- Not every animal makes the sale. An animal that misses the weight or grade requirement cannot sell, and add-on money given to it is returned unless the exhibitor has another eligible animal.
- Auction lot numbers change once the actual sale order is set. The numbers used during the add-on period are only for add-ons.
For Buyers: How to Take Part
- Register as a buyer. There are separate forms for returning buyers and new buyers.
- Buyers receive high-quality, locally raised food for their family.
- Add-ons are an extra contribution that goes to a specific exhibitor. All add-ons are handled online. As each species' entries close, the entries appear on the website, and those exhibitors and their animals become eligible for add-ons. Add-ons must be paid for online at the time of submission. Carts are not saved, so a cart that is left unpaid is deleted.
What Exhibitors Get
The sale price goes to the youth exhibitor, along with any add-ons attached to the animal. The money helps finance future animal projects as well as exhibitors' agricultural and general education. Exhibitors also build responsibility, animal care skills and entrepreneurship.
Where
Kern County Fairgrounds, 1142 South P Street, Bakersfield, CA 93307. The fair office number is 661-833-4900. For questions about participating in the livestock auction, call (661) 529-6249.
Questions
Can an exhibitor sell several animals?
No. Several animals may be shown, but only one is sold.
Can a Grand Champion skip the sale?
Grand Champions are among the animals eligible to sell, provided they are judged market ready.
Can I add money online?
Yes. All add-ons are online and must be paid at the time of submission.
Official Links
California Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
California county and district fairs are where most 4-H and FFA members show and sell market animals. CDFA counts 80 fair organizations: District Agricultural Associations, county fairs, citrus fairs and Cal Expo.
Timing
Fairs run nearly all year. CDFA's 2026 list had Riverside in February and March, Salinas Valley in mid-May, the State Fair from July 17 to August 2 and Big Fresno in October.
Rules to watch
State and 4-H rules require 60 consecutive days of ownership for market sheep, swine and goats and 120 for market beef, per the 4-H handbook. Junior livestock exhibitors must also complete YQCA training each year.
Auctions
Monterey's 2025 livestock rules describe a terminal sale with a 9.0 percent selling charge and required thank-you letters. Other fairs differ.
Next steps
Get your fair's exhibitor book from the fair office or Extension 4-H office and mark ownership, entry and YQCA dates. Dates and weights change each year.
Read the full guide: California Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kern County Fair Junior Livestock Auction
Three-day sale running dairy heifers, beef and ag mechanics on Thursday, swine and poultry on Friday, and goats and lambs on Saturday. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 1 to 3, 2026.
1142 South P Street, Bakersfield, CA 93307 | 661-529-6249 | Organizer: Kern County Fair Official event details - Desert Empire Fair
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