What the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show Is
The Eastern Oregon Livestock Show (EOLS) in Union combines a 4-H and FFA junior livestock show with a week of rodeo, racing and community events. For young exhibitors it is the main stage of the year: market beef, lambs, goats and hogs, breeding stock, small animals and horses are shown, judged and, for market animals, sold at the Junior Livestock Auction. The show is held the first full week of June. The 2026 show ran June 7 to 14, and the 4-H information page lists the next show for the week of June 6 to 12, 2027.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H and FFA members. Out-of-county 4-H members may enter by choosing their own county and typing in their club name.
- Age divisions are counted as of September 1 of the prior year: Cloverbud 5-8 (small animals only), Junior 9-11, Intermediate 12-14 and Senior 15-19.
- Exhibitors must show their own animals, and each exhibitor must enter at least one showmanship class.
- Sheep and goat exhibitors are limited to five head in total, and an animal can be in only one class (breeding groups and horse classes excepted).
Ownership, Weight and Auction Rules
Most market and breeding animals must be in the exhibitor's possession for 60 days; steers need 120 days. Possession is verified online with a photo of the exhibitor and animal, and homegrown or leased animals need their own forms.
| Species | Market weight range |
|---|---|
| Steers | 1,050-1,700 lbs (maximum age 20 months) |
| Hogs | 230-310 lbs |
| Lambs | 100-170 lbs |
| Goats | 70-130 lbs |
Sale weight is arrival weight minus a 2 percent shrink. Animals outside the range cannot sell at auction but can still show in feeder, overweight or showmanship classes. Each exhibitor may sell one market animal, and the sale is terminal. Market lambs must be slick shorn, males must be castrated and healed, and hogs fed Ractopamine are ineligible. No decorating of sale animals is allowed.
Key Dates and Deadlines (2026 Edition)
- Possession deadlines: steers February 10; horses April 1; market swine, lambs, goats and all breeding stock April 11.
- Online entries closed May 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. The 4-H page says entries run February 1 to May 1, and that market beef and horse entries open in January.
- Market weigh-in: Wednesday, June 10, 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Record books due Thursday, June 11 at 9:00 a.m.
- Junior Auction: Saturday, June 13 at 8:00 a.m.
- Breeding stock release: Friday, June 12 at 8:00 p.m.
How It Works: The Show Week
Horse showmanship starts Sunday evening, with western and English classes, gaming and a horse awards presentation Monday and Tuesday. Small animals are checked in and shown Monday, and dairy goats follow on Wednesday. Market classes run Thursday and Friday starting at 8:00 a.m., with livestock judging Thursday afternoon. Cowboy breakfasts start at 6:30 a.m., the Main Street Parade is Friday at 2:00 p.m., and PRCA rodeo with pari-mutuel horse racing runs Friday through Sunday.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The 4-H entry fee is $15 per exhibitor, paid once however many clubs the member enters. It is non-refundable. FFA members do not pay and get a code from their advisor. The auction commission is 4 percent, and checks are mailed within 90 days of the sale, so keep a current mailing address on file. Awards include market buckles for grand champions, the Cheryl Graham Memorial Home-Grown Award for the grand champion homegrown animal in each species, a Fastest Gaining Steer award, and $50 awards for citizenship and for junior, intermediate and senior exhibitors who complete an interview and record book. Ribbons follow the Danish system: blue for 85 to 100 percent, red for 70 to 84, white for 69 and below.
Where
The show is in Union, Oregon. Small animal and horse awards events are held at the Becker Sale Pavilion, and presentations and royalty events at the EOLS Clubhouse. Mail goes to PO Box 1052, Union, OR 97883.
Questions
Can my child sell more than one animal?
No. Each exhibitor may sell one market animal.
What if my animal is over the weight limit?
It cannot sell at the auction, but it can still be shown in feeder, overweight or showmanship classes.
When do buyers get thanked?
Exhibitors send thank-you notes to buyers and to anyone who bid the price up. Buyer addresses are at the auction office on sale day and on the sale check.
Who do I call?
The Union County Extension Office at 541-963-1010, or the EOLS grounds office at 541-562-5631.
Official Links
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Union County 4-H Livestock Tag-In
Evening tag-in sessions for sheep, goat and swine projects held at the Union County Fair Grounds in late May before the fair. Next dates are May 19, 20 and 26, 2027.
La Grande, OR | 541-786-1788 | Organizer: Union County 4-H Official event details - Elgin Stampede
Elgin Stampede brings professional and community rodeo action to Elgin in Union County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-07-07 to 2027-07-10, and organizers may adjust them.
- Union County Fair
Annual county fair in La Grande for Union County residents, with exhibits, livestock and community entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-07-27 to 2027-07-31, and organizers may adjust them.
- Cove Cherry Fair
Cherry fair in Cove, a small fruit-growing town in the Grande Ronde valley. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-08-14, and organizers may adjust them.
Cove, OR Official event details - High Desert Stampede
High Desert Stampede brings professional and community rodeo action to Redmond in Deschutes County. Held each year; the most recent dates posted were 2027-03-31 to 2027-04-03, and organizers may adjust them.
Redmond, OR Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.