What the Oklahoma Youth Expo Is
The Oklahoma Youth Expo is the state's premier junior livestock show, open to Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members ages 8 to 19. Exhibitors bring cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and ag mechanics projects to compete for the title of Grand Champion. The show has run since the 1920s and draws roughly 7,000 or more 4-H and FFA members, with more than 13,000 head of livestock and ag mechanics projects, from all 77 Oklahoma counties. The next edition runs March 10 to 19, 2027, and admission for spectators is free.
Organizers say the Expo awards nearly $2 million to exhibitors each year and more than $400,000 in academic scholarships. About 90 scholarships went to seniors in 2026, and breeding scholarships are presented throughout the show.
Divisions and Ways to Enter
| Area | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Cattle | Heifers and steers, the Supreme Heifer Drive, plus a Heifer Futurity Sale and a Steer Futurity Sale, each with a showback |
| Swine | Market hog shows and breeding gilt shows, with breeds including Chester, Hereford, Poland and Spot, and the Night of Stars Gilt Sale |
| Sheep and goats | Market lambs and goats, and the Wether Dam Breeding Doe Sale for goat exhibitors |
| Ag Mechanics and Engineering | Welding, design and structural engineering projects in classes such as livestock equipment, trailers, decorative, wood only and tractor restoration |
| Contests | Legislative Showmanship, The STOMP, and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Skillathon |
How It Works: The Timeline
- Exhibitors enter through the show's online entry system and follow the general rules and each species' rulebook.
- Animals move in during the first days of the show, and each species has its own show day. In 2026, hog move-in began on the first Monday at 5:00 p.m.
- The futurity sales and showbacks, gilt sale and breeding sales run through the middle of the show.
- The Grand Drive crowns the champions, and academic and leadership scholarships are awarded at the Grand Drive and other ceremonies.
- The Sale of Champions closes the show. In 2026 it was held on the final Friday with bidding starting at 4:00 p.m., offering 213 animals from all four species. Bidders do not need a bidder number, and the sale is broadcast for people who cannot attend.
Ag Mechanics Rules at a Glance
For the 2025 show, the entry fee per ag mechanics project was $40 if submitted by the February deadline, with late fees of $140 and $250 after that. An exhibitor could enter six individual projects, no more than one per division, and student groups of up to four could enter six group projects. Projects had to be built by 4-H and FFA members, could be shown only once at the Expo, and had to include welding unless entered in the wood division. Premiums were $80, $60, $40, $25 and $10 for first through fifth in classes with at least three entries. Judging is on a 150-point scale covering workmanship, design, documentation, difficulty, knowledge of the project and safety. Check the current year's guidelines before building.
Skillathon
The Skillathon is a written exam on beef, swine, sheep and goats, open to all Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members whether or not they exhibit at the Expo. Students must complete YCQA certification and register before the deadline. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture offers $10,000 in scholarships, split among the top five individuals in each of junior, intermediate and senior divisions. The top ten scores per division move to a finals identification practicum.
Where
The 2027 Expo is listed at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, 3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73147. In 2026 the main show moved to the OG&E Coliseum at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, with the Pavilion hosting Ag Mechanics, Jim Norick Arena hosting Legislative Showmanship and the Expo Hall hosting the gilt sale. Allow extra time to move between barns and the arena.
Questions
Who can show?
Oklahoma 4-H and FFA members ages 8 to 19.
What does it cost to attend?
Spectator admission is free.
Where does the money go?
Champions sell at the Sale of Champions and the futurity and breeding sales, and the Expo pays out premiums and scholarships to exhibitors.
Who do I call?
The Oklahoma Youth Expo office at 405-948-6700.
Official Links
- Oklahoma Youth Expo schedule
- Oklahoma Youth Expo on TravelOK
- OSU Agriculture event page
- 2026 Expo kickoff report
- Sale of Champions report
- Ag Mechanics rules (2025)
- Skillathon contest
Oklahoma County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Oklahoma counties run their own junior livestock shows for 4-H and FFA members, and each county writes its own show book. Kay County's 2026 rules, for example, required nomination by December 5, 2025, with animals continuously owned and fed by the exhibitor from that date, while Tulsa County's nomination date was December 22, 2025. Choctaw County requires exhibitors to own their animals individually and keep them at home unless the board approves otherwise.
Tags and papers
Cattle at the Tulsa County show need an 840 RFID ear tag, sheep and goats need a scrapie tag, and swine need original negative test papers and a premises ID. Premium sales have their own limits, so read the current book.
Oklahoma Youth Expo
The Oklahoma Youth Expo has its own nomination and ID process. Under the 2024 OYE rulebook, exhibitors keep continuous ownership from nomination to show day, and an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) official validates every health certificate before stalls are assigned. ODAFF's swine permit bars swine shown after March 1 from the Expo, and Oklahoma swine need an ear notch and an 840 electronic tag. Check okyouthexpo.com for the current year.
Read the full guide: Oklahoma County Junior Livestock Shows: How They Work
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Farm City Festival
Farm City Festival in Oklahoma City on February 12 during Farm Bureau Week, connecting urban visitors with agriculture.
Oklahoma City, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Official event details - Oklahoma City Farm Show
Farm show with more than 250 exhibitors held at the OKC Fairgrounds after moving to earlier March dates.
- Oklahoma Farm-to-Table Festival
Local food and farm festival in Oklahoma City listed for March 20. Dates come from a festival guide listing and are not yet confirmed by organizers.
Oklahoma City, OK Official event details - Ag Day at the Capitol
Agriculture advocacy and promotion day at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, listed for April 29, 2026.
Oklahoma City, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Official event details - Oklahoma Youth Leading Agriculture Conference
Farm Bureau youth leadership conference in the Oklahoma City area, listed for May 26-29, 2026.
Oklahoma City, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma Farm Bureau Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.