What the Grand National Junior Livestock Show Is
The Grand National Junior Livestock Show is a jackpot-style youth show at the Cow Palace in Daly City, held during the Grand National Rodeo season. Young exhibitors are judged on their skill in raising and handling livestock, with judges the organizers describe as among the best in the country giving feedback. The 2026 show ran October 1-4. Champions are announced in the arena during the Women of Rodeo performance, where the Champion Parade passes through the rodeo.
Species and Classes
- Swine: market swine, breeding gilts and showmanship.
- Sheep: market sheep, wether dam ewes, registered breeding sheep and showmanship.
- Goats: market goats, wether dam does, dairy goats and dairy goat showmanship.
- Cattle: market beef steers, commercial heifers, breeding heifers, an open cattle show and showmanship.
- AGBA and JABGA shows with showmanship.
A Judging Contest is also held on opening day.
How the 2026 Show Ran
Thursday, October 1
Gates open at 7 a.m. for load-in. The Judging Contest checks in 7-8 a.m. and starts at 8:30. The livestock office opens at 8 a.m. for paper and exhibitor check-in. Breeding gilt scales open noon to 9 p.m.; gilt weight cards are due at 9 p.m. Barns close at 10 p.m.
Friday, October 2
Load-in for all species runs 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gilt showmanship and the breeding gilt show start at 9 a.m., and the dairy goat show at 9:30 a.m. Registered breeding sheep show at 3 p.m. Official cattle weigh-in for market beef and commercial heifers is at 5 p.m., and the open cattle show at 6 p.m. Papers for breeding heifers are due by 7 p.m., SHOW A weight cards by 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 3
At 8 a.m., swine, sheep, goat and cattle showmanship begin, followed by market swine, market sheep, market goats and the steer shows. SHOW B weight cards are due at 4 p.m. The Champion Parade is planned for 6:45 p.m.; animals and exhibitors must be present and all champions must attend.
Sunday, October 4
Swine, sheep and goat showmanship and market shows repeat the Saturday format at 8 a.m., followed by cattle showmanship and the heifer shows.
Paperwork Deadlines
| Item | Deadline |
|---|---|
| AGBA papers | Oct 2, 8:00 a.m. |
| Dairy goat papers | Oct 2, 8:30 a.m. |
| Registered sheep papers | Oct 2, noon |
| Breeding heifer papers | Oct 2, 7:00 p.m. |
Entry fees, premiums, sale details and full eligibility rules are in the Jr. Livestock Exhibitor Guidebook, a PDF on the show page.
Where
Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA 94014. Swine and market sheep and goat shows are in the South and North Halls, and steers and heifers show in Bay F.
Questions
Who do I call?
The Cow Palace office, 415-404-4100.
Where do I find rules?
In the Exhibitor Guidebook linked from the show page.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- San Mateo County Fair
Ten-day county fair at the San Mateo County Event Center in San Mateo, scheduled June 5-14, 2026, with agricultural exhibits and 4-H and FFA youth projects.
2495 S. Delaware St., San Mateo, CA Official event details - Grand National Rodeo
Long-running professional rodeo at the Cow Palace on the San Francisco peninsula, with performances October 9-10, 2026, and a stated mission of promoting agriculture. Also hosts a Miss Grand National Rodeo title.
2600 Geneva Avenue, Daly City, CA 94014 | Organizer: Cow Palace Official event details - CCPRA Finals Rodeo
Season-ending finals of the CCPRA circuit in Red Bluff, November 27-28, 2026.
Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details - San Joaquin County Fair
Winter holiday-season fair at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds in Stockton, scheduled December 3-20, 2026. Family entertainment and local exhibits.
1658 S. Airport Way, Stockton, CA Official event details - NYE Kick-Off CCPRA Rodeo
New Year's Eve rodeo in Red Bluff, December 31, 2026, that starts the next CCPRA season.
Red Bluff, CA | Organizer: California Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.