What the Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo Is
The Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos (KJLE) are youth livestock shows sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Three are held each summer: KJLE East at Morehead State University (June 1-2, 2026), KJLE Western Rivers at Murray State University (June 12-13) and KJLE Bowling Green at the L.D. Brown Center, Western Kentucky University, 406 Elrod Rd, Bowling Green (July 24-25, 2026). Exhibitors may show at all three. For hog exhibitors the Expos matter twice over: a hog qualifies for the Kentucky State Fair only by competing and placing in a swine class at a district show or an Expo.
Who Can Enter
- Kentucky youth only, who are regularly enrolled 4-H or FFA members in an approved livestock project supervised by an extension agent or agriculture instructor.
- Junior division is age 13 and under and senior is 14 and older, by age on January 1 of the current year. 4-H and FFA members show together in all classes.
- Animals must be owned by the exhibitor. Beef heifers must be owned by June 1 and beef steers by March 31.
Species and Entry Limits
| Species | Limit per exhibitor |
|---|---|
| Beef | Up to 3 market animals and 6 total beef entries; up to 6 female beef heifers |
| Goats | 4 entries |
| Swine | 6 entries (market hogs 280 pounds maximum) |
| Lambs | 6 entries |
| Dairy | 6 animals |
Minimum weights are 35 pounds for goats and hair lambs and 60 pounds for wool lambs.
Health, Identification and Weigh-In
- Every animal needs an individual Certificate of Veterinary Inspection written in the current calendar year.
- Goats, sheep, swine, steers and market heifers must be tagged and validated in the Kentucky Uniform Identification Program (KUIP).
- Market animals check in with weight cards by the deadline for each Expo and may be re-weighed. Tolerances over declared weight are 5 pounds for lambs and goats, 15 pounds for hogs and 50 pounds for steers and market heifers. A hog 15 pounds or more over its declared weight is disqualified.
- Exhibitors must be present during the show to qualify for premiums and furnish their own feed and bedding.
Contests
- Skill-A-Thon: multiple-choice questions on breeds, feeds, retail meat cuts, equipment, species knowledge, EPDs and livestock calculations, plus an applied division.
- Livestock Judging: individual and team (3-4 members, top three scores count) over eight classes: two each of swine, sheep, goat and cattle. Seniors give three sets of reasons; juniors give one set and answer two question classes.
- Dairy Judging: classes depend on available stock; both divisions give one set of oral reasons.
- Round Robin Showmanship: species champions compete for Supreme Overall Showman.
Awards and Premiums
Each species has a Commissioner's Award belt buckle based on showmanship, judging, Skill-A-Thon and the highest-placing animal; a buckle can be won only once per species per year. Premiums cover Grand and Reserve Champion market and breeding animals, dairy cattle and commercial ewes and wether dams, plus Kentucky Proud Champion premiums. Premium checks are mailed from the Kentucky State Treasurer.
Questions
Can my child show at more than one Expo?
Yes. Exhibitors may show at all three.
Do I need to be in 4-H or FFA?
Yes. Exhibitors must be regularly enrolled 4-H or FFA members in an approved livestock project.
Who do I ask?
The Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Shows and Fairs Branch (manager Lashley Stith) and your extension agent or ag teacher. The KJLE packet carries check-in and show times by species.
Official Links
- Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos rules: dates, eligibility, contests and awards
- Dates and times: Bowling Green location
- Kentucky Department of Agriculture swine shows: health, ID and State Fair qualification
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North American International Livestock Exposition
NAILE draws about 30,000 entries from ten livestock species across more than 140 competitions, plus a Sale of Champions, a Quarter Horse show and a championship rodeo. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 5-19, 2026.
937 Phillips Lane, Louisville, KY 40209 Official event details - Kentucky FFA Middle School Career Development Events at Hardin County
Middle school FFA career development contests hosted by the Hardin County Cooperative Extension office as part of the Kentucky FFA calendar. Held each year; the most recent date was November 19, 2026.
KY | Organizer: Kentucky FFA Association Official event details - Kentucky Farm Bureau Annual Meeting
Kentucky Farm Bureau's Federation annual meeting is scheduled in Louisville for December 2-5, 2026, the yearly gathering where members set policy and recognize county Farm Bureaus.
Louisville, KY | Organizer: Kentucky Farm Bureau Official event details - Kentucky Farm Bureau Young Farmer Leadership Conference
Kentucky Farm Bureau's Young Farmer Leadership Conference brings young farmers to Louisville for training and networking, scheduled for February 5-6, 2027.
Louisville, KY | Organizer: Kentucky Farm Bureau Official event details - Kentucky Cattlemens Association Annual Convention
The two-day Kentucky Cattlemen's Association convention in Owensboro is open to guests across Kentucky who want to learn about the beef industry. Held each year; the most recent dates were January 15-16, 2026.
501 West 2nd St, Owensboro, KY 42301 | 270-687-8800 | Organizer: Kentucky Cattlemen's Association Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.