What the Club Calf Sale Is
The Kansas Livestock Foundation Club Calf Sale is the auction that closes out the Kansas Junior Livestock Show weekend in Hutchinson. Youth consign club calves, a futurity showback and exhibition set the sale order, and the sale commissions fund Youth in Agriculture scholarships through the Kansas Livestock Foundation. The 2026 sale was the 45th annual, held Saturday, October 3, 2026 with the auction starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
What Can Be Consigned
- Steers: purebred and crossbred steers. Purebred steers should be tattooed and have registration papers or certificates from their breed association.
- Heifers: registered and crossbred heifers born after January 1, 2026. Registered heifers need papers with a matching tattoo at check-in; heifers without papers sell as commercial. Heifers must be calfhood vaccinated and should have a breeding soundness exam showing they are open and eligible for breeding. Health papers are not required.
- Shorthorn futurity: the sale features the Kansas Shorthorn Futurity. Shorthorn entrants contact Kevin Gibler at (816) 809-7148.
Animals listed under a specific breed must qualify for that KJLS breed class, and several breeds require papers before the breed name is advertised. Enter animals exactly as they should appear in the sale catalog.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Friday, October 2, 10:00 a.m.: calves may begin arriving.
- 4:00 p.m.: all calves must be on the grounds.
- 4:00-6:30 p.m.: calves are weighed, DNA sampled and lot tagged.
- 7:00 p.m.: Futurity Showback classes in the Prairie Pavilion.
- Saturday, October 3, 10:00 a.m.: exhibition in the Dairy Tie Barn to determine the sale order.
- 7:30 p.m.: auction in the Dairy Tie Barn.
- Departure: allowed after the sale and by 9:00 a.m. Sunday.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- September 11, 2026: entry forms postmarked, with the $50 entry fee. The Kansas Livestock Association's release also gives September 11 as the online consignment deadline.
- October 2: check-in, weigh-in and futurity showback.
- October 3: exhibition and sale.
Fees and What You Get
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry fee | $50 per animal, non-refundable; applied to commission for calves that make the sale |
| Futurity fee | $15 for all animals qualifying for the sale |
| Commission | 10% for current Kansas Livestock Association members; 15% for non-members |
Membership dues can be included with the entry form for anyone renewing or joining before the show. Sale commissions go to Youth in Agriculture scholarships through the Kansas Livestock Foundation.
Rules to Know
- KJLS show animals may not be stalled or groomed in the club calf stalling area.
- Families with both club calves and youth show cattle will work out of both buildings.
- The KJLS rulebook is posted at KJLS.net.
Where
Dairy Tie Barn and Prairie Pavilion, Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502.
Questions
How do I enter?
Use the entry form mailed with the consignor letter, or enter online through the Events and Meetings section of the Kansas Livestock Association site.
Can I sell a heifer without papers?
Yes, as a commercial heifer, as long as she was born after January 1, 2026 and meets the vaccination and breeding soundness guidance.
Who do I call?
Stephen Russell at the Kansas Livestock Association, (785) 273-5115. The office is at 6031 SW 37th Street, Topeka, KS 66614.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Kansas Beef Expo
Youth livestock show with junior breeding and market classes, a female sale, a trade show and a judging contest at the Kansas State Fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 11-14, 2025.
2000 N Poplar St, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 785-259-4122 Official event details - Abbyville Frontier Days PRCA Rodeo and BBQ
PRCA rodeo with a barbecue at the Abbyville Rodeo Grounds in Reno County. Held each year; the most recent performances were May 15 and 16, 2026, both starting at 8 PM.
- Kansas Junior Angus Preview Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 6-7, 2026. Junior Angus exhibitors preview their show cattle at the Prairie Pavilion on the Hutchinson fairgrounds before summer shows.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 620.874.4273 | Organizer: Kansas Angus Association Official event details - National Junior Charolais Association Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were June 20-26, 2026. Charolais youth from across the country show cattle, compete in leadership contests and meet fellow exhibitors in Hutchinson.
2000 N. Poplar, Hutchinson, KS 67502 | 816.464.2474 | Organizer: National Junior Charolais Association Official event details - Pretty Prairie Kansas Largest Night Rodeo
Night rodeo held each July in Pretty Prairie, Reno County. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 17-20, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.