What the Harvey County Beef Show Is
The beef show is the Sunday-morning showcase of the Harvey County Fair in Newton, where 4-H and FFA members bring market steers and heifers, breeding heifers and cow-calf pairs into the ring at the Harvey County Fairgrounds. The 2026 show was judged at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 2. Market animals can go on to the fair's livestock sale the next evening.
Who Can Show and How Many
- Only Harvey County 4-H members and qualified FFA members may show in the ring.
- Each exhibitor is limited to five head in total.
- Market animals are beef-breed steers or heifers, weighed and tagged at county weigh day. The owner or a representative must be present for weigh-in, and animals are weighed only once.
- Steers must weigh at least 1,000 pounds to sell. Lighter animals can still show.
- Steers in breed classes need a breed verification form or registration.
- Breeding females must be registered in the exhibitor's name by May 1, or certified if commercial. Registration papers are required at check-in.
Classes
Breed classes include Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Hereford, Maine-Anjou, Red Angus, Shorthorn, Shorthorn Plus, Simmental, ROB and crossbred, plus a market heifer class. Breeding classes are divided by breed and age. Cow-calf pairs are shown together. Show order is market beef, cow-calf, breeding, then showmanship.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Enter online: All 4-H entries go through FairEntry and were due July 17.
- Friday, July 31, 10 a.m.: Breeding beef check-in. Market animals must be in the barn by 10 a.m.
- Friday, July 31, 11 a.m.: Market beef weigh-in.
- Sunday, August 2, 9 a.m.: Beef show.
- Sunday by 4 p.m.: Tell the superintendent which animal you plan to sell, or it goes to the bottom of the sale order.
- Monday, August 3, 7 p.m.: 4-H/FFA Livestock and Champion Food Auction.
Beef superintendents are Tara Bina, Jim Schwarz and Gail Lanier. Animals other than cows must be in the barn between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Hanging fans only, blowing left to right from the aisle.
Fees, Sale and What You Get
Entry fees are generally not charged unless a division notes one. Each 4-H or FFA member may sell one animal or food item. Sale fees were sponsored in 2026, and beef and swine self-market. Buyers pay the Fair Association within two weeks of invoice, and checks to youth begin August 24, 2026. Youth must write thank-you notes and pick up checks at the Extension Office by November 30, 2026 or face sale restrictions. Prize money is paid after the fair.
Health Rules
Cattle with active ringworm, warts or contagious disease are sent home. Out-of-state exhibitors need health papers. Drugs must be labeled for the species, with withdrawal times followed; unapproved drugs or diuretics mean forfeiture of all awards. Non-sale livestock are released Sunday at 5 p.m.
Where
Harvey County Fairgrounds, 800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114.
Questions
Can I show a steer that is under 1,000 pounds?
Yes, but it cannot sell.
How many animals can I bring?
Five head total.
Who do I call?
The Harvey County Extension Office, 316-284-6930.
Official Links
- 2026 Harvey County Fair Book: rules, beef division, sale and schedule
Kansas County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Kansas county fairs run a 4-H and FFA livestock division, and many counties add a spring weigh-in and tagging day. Extension agents coordinate weigh-ins and ownership checks, and each county writes its own fair book.
ID and deadlines
Animals usually must be tagged at the county weigh-in to show in the 4-H division. For the Kansas State Fair Grand Drive or Kansas Junior Livestock Show, market animals must also be nominated online: market beef by May 1, and small livestock and commercial heifers by June 15, with DNA envelopes ordered earlier and current YQCA certification.
Species and sales
Fair books set ownership periods, weights and ID by species for beef, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and dairy. Neosho and Allen counties each let a member sell one market animal in the premium sale. Check your county's fair book for exact dates.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Harvey County Free Fair
The 138th Harvey County Fair covers 4-H and open class exhibits at the Newton fairgrounds, with carnival, concert and demolition derby events in the second week, July 30 to August 9, 2026.
- Harvey County 4-H Swine Show
Swine check in and weigh in the evening before; the judging at 5:30 PM Friday allows three breeding gilts and three market hogs per exhibitor, with market hogs needing 220 pounds to sell. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-31.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Harvey County 4-H and FFA Poultry Show
Poultry entries check in Thursday evening or Friday morning and are judged at 12:30 PM Friday, followed by a champion drive in the livestock show arena. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-31.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Harvey County 4-H Rabbit Show
Rabbits check in Thursday evening and are judged at 2 PM Friday, with a champion drive in the livestock show arena; each exhibitor is limited to twelve entries. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-31.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details - Harvey County 4-H and Open Dairy Cattle Show
Dairy cattle check in Saturday at 11 AM and are judged Sunday morning, followed by the dairy goat show, at the Harvey County Fairgrounds in Newton. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-02.
800 West 1st, Newton, KS 67114 Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.