What the Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo Is
The Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo is a free, one-day trade show and educational program for beef cattle and poultry producers in south-central Mississippi. It combines a hall of agribusiness and organization exhibits with short seminars on current industry problems, an equipment area, a scholarship presentation, a producer award and door prizes. The 21st annual expo was held Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and it is open to the public as well as producers.
The expo is hosted by the Mississippi State University Extension Service offices of Covington, Jones, Jasper, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith counties.
How the Day Runs
- 8:00 a.m., trade show opensAgribusinesses and organizations staff exhibits in the Magnolia Center.
- 9:00 a.m., welcomeThe program opens, followed by the Charles Waldrup Memorial Scholarship presentation.
- 9:45 a.m., poultry seminarIn the upstairs meeting room.
- 11:15 a.m., cattle seminarOn the Main Stage.
- Through the day, door prizesPrizes are awarded throughout the day.
- 1:30 p.m., expo ends
The 2026 Seminars
Biosecurity Starts with Proper Composting
Presented by Dr. Jim Watson, State Veterinarian with the Mississippi Board of Animal Health, and Jonathan Moon of the Mississippi State University Poultry Department.
The benefits of vaccinating calves for market
Presented by Dr. Kale Katten of Pine Belt Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Che Trego of Merck Animal Health, Jeff Easterling of the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation and Darrel Hoover of Superior Livestock Auction.
Awards and Scholarship
- Charles Waldrup Memorial Scholarship: presented to a graduating high school senior or a current college student studying agriculture.
- Producer of the Year: recognizes a beef and/or poultry producer in Covington, Jasper, Jones, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson or Smith County.
Cost and What You Get
Admission is free. Producers who attend can visit the exhibitors, sit in on both seminars and enter the door prize drawings. In past years prizes have included a Traeger grill as the grand prize and a Polaris Sportsman for producers in attendance, with extra prizes given out during the educational sessions. The 2026 sponsors included Community Bank, Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation, Pro Flow Motorsports, First Financial Bank, John Deere AGUP Equipment, Mississippi Poultry Association Inc., Ozark-Ag, Farm Systems Inc., Circle C Tractor and MSU Extension.
Where
Magnolia Center, Laurel Fairgrounds, 1457 Ellisville Blvd., Laurel, MS 39440.
Questions
Do I need to register?
No registration is announced. The expo is free and open to the public, so producers can arrive any time during the show hours.
Who is this for?
Beef cattle and poultry producers, and anyone interested in the two industries. The hosting counties are Covington, Jones, Jasper, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith.
Who do I call?
The Jones County Extension Office at 601-428-5201. The expo also posts updates on its Facebook page.
Is it held every year?
Yes. It is an annual event, and the most recent edition was April 9, 2026. Dates for the next edition have not been announced.
Official Links
- MSU Extension: Magnolia Beef and Poultry Expo: date, time, place and Jones County Extension contact
- Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce release: 2026 seminars, awards, hosts and sponsors
- Magee News: expo heads to Laurel: 2023 program and prizes
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MSFB Classic Livestock Show
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Classic Livestock Show fills the Livestock Arena at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-22, 2026.
- Tri-State Rodeo Finals
Rodeo finals are held at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, with flag girl tryouts alongside. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-21, 2026.
- Dixie National Junior Round-Up
Youth beef, sheep, goat, swine and dairy exhibitors compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. The 2027 show is set for February 1-11, with ownership deadlines of September 1 and December 1, 2026 by division.
- MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
Farm, ranch and outdoor exhibitors gather at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson for a three-day expo scheduled for February 19-21, 2027.
Jackson, MS Official event details - Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
The 61st Dixie National Rodeo ran nine performances over two weekends at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year in February; the most recent dates were February 13-21, 2026.
All Mississippi events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.