What the Kansas Junior Livestock Show Is
The Kansas Junior Livestock Show, known as KJLS, is the state's big fall show for 4-H and FFA livestock exhibitors. Kansas youth bring beef, swine, sheep and goats to the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson to compete in market and breeding classes, showmanship and a leadership program called the LEAD Challenge. The Kansas Livestock Association runs the show; Kansas FFA lists it as a state program. The 2026 show ran October 2-4.
Scale gives a sense of the field. The 93rd KJLS in 2025 drew 2,104 animals from 845 exhibitors: 183 market steers, 359 breeding heifers, 257 market hogs, 343 breeding gilts, 258 market lambs, 290 breeding ewes, 211 market goats and 203 commercial does.
Divisions and Ways to Compete
| Species | Market show | Breeding show |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | Market steers | Breeding heifers |
| Swine | Market hogs | Breeding gilts |
| Sheep | Market lambs | Breeding ewes |
| Goats | Market goats | Commercial does |
Showmanship entry happens at the same time as show entry. Registered heifer, gilt and ewe shows also name bred-and-owned breed champions and reserves, and the 2025 show added a supreme female drive to pick the top five breeding females of each species.
How Entry Works
- Nominate. Market animals in divisions that require nomination must be nominated first. A nomination only makes the animal eligible; the exhibitor must still complete entry.
- Enter online. Only online entries are accepted, through the KJLS ShoWorks link at kjls.net. Families who nominated animals log in with the exhibitor name and password created during nomination. Market animals are picked by Tag ID or validation number from a drop-down list; registered breeding females are entered with their registration papers.
- Verify YQCA. Youth showing only registered breeding females submit YQCA verification when they enter.
- Get your receipt. Exhibitors receive an emailed receipt confirming the entry.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- August 15 (midnight): regular entry deadline, and the deadline for scholarship applications.
- August 15-31: late entries accepted at double the entry fee. No entries after August 31.
- October 2-4, 2026: the show at the Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson.
- October 3, 2026: the Kansas Livestock Foundation Club Calf Sale (see the separate sale page).
The 2026 announcement noted several schedule changes; the full schedule is posted at kjls.net.
Awards and What You Get
Cash goes to the top five animals in the market and breeding shows for all four species. In 2025 the payouts ranged from $2,500 to $250 for steers and heifers, $1,500 to $250 for hogs and gilts, and $1,250 to $300 for lambs, ewes, goats and does. Showmanship buckles go to the top showman in the junior, intermediate and senior divisions of each species.
Scholarships
Exhibitors who are high school seniors or enrolled in post-secondary school may apply for KJLS Scholarships, which recognize academic and agricultural accomplishments. The 2025 show was the 32nd year of the program, which has awarded $577,550 to 398 exhibitors since 1993, including $23,000 to 13 people the year before.
The LEAD Challenge
LEAD is open to exhibitors in junior, intermediate and senior divisions. It builds showing ability, livestock knowledge and advocacy through four parts: Listen and Learn sessions, livestock showmanship, skill stations and a career development activity. In 2025 that included prepared speeches and a mock job interview.
Where
Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N. Poplar Street, Hutchinson, KS 67502.
Questions
How do I enter?
Online only, at kjls.net, by midnight August 15. Late entries double the fee through August 31.
Can a high school senior apply for money?
Yes. Seniors and post-secondary students who exhibit can apply for the KJLS Scholarships by August 15.
Who do I call?
The Kansas Livestock Association at 785-273-5115, or the Kansas FFA Association at 785-532-6424.
Official Links
- Entries open for 2026 KJLS (Kansas Livestock Association)
- Kansas FFA: Kansas Jr. Livestock Show
- K-State 4-H entry announcement
- 2025 KJLS entry numbers, awards and scholarships
- Visit Hutch listing
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
- 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.