What the Virginia Junior Beef Roundup Is
The Virginia Junior Beef Roundup (VJBR) is the state's youth beef weekend, held alongside the Virginia Beef Expo at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg. It gives 4-H and other youth cattle exhibitors a state-level stage with breed shows, prospect steer and commercial heifer classes, showmanship, and a run of contests the days before. The most recent Roundup was Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, 2026.
Shows and Contests
| Event | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| State Youth Cattle Working Contest | Wed., April 15, 2026 | Spectators welcome; teams qualify through competition and regional results |
| Youth Beef Challenge | Thu., April 16, 2026; check-in 4:15 PM | Register online by April 9 |
| State Youth Tractor Driving Contest | Thu., April 16, 2026 | |
| Youth Cattle Fitting Contest | Fri., April 17, 2026, 11:00 AM | Register by 9:00 AM that day; sponsored by the Virginia Junior Hereford and Virginia Junior Angus Associations |
| Showmanship | Fri., April 17 | No entry needed; exhibitors are placed in classes by birth date at no fee |
The Roundup also features the State Stockmen's Contest, the State Beef Ambassador Contest, and commercial heifer and prospect steer shows.
How It Works: The Timeline
- April 9, 2026: ownership deadline and entry deadline (5:00 PM). Late entries are not accepted.
- April 13: mailed checks must be received.
- Thursday, April 16: no youth cattle or tack setup in the barns during the day. Sale cattle pens must be cleared first, and barn access is expected mid-to-late evening.
- Friday, April 17: showmanship scratches due by 10:30 AM; the order of go is set that morning.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Entries are made online through FairEntry at jrbeefroundup.fairentry.com.
- Ownership applies to commercial heifers, crossbred or non-registered steers, registered steers, bred and owned bulls, and registered heifers by the April 9 deadline.
- Registered animals need a copy of the original breed association registration certificate. Eligibility follows the association's issue date, not the sale date. Commercial and crossbred heifers and crossbred steers do not need certificates.
- Identification is an 840 RFID button from a state or federal animal health program, or a metal ear tag. An animal without ID is tagged on site, and if the owner refuses it is ineligible.
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from an accredited veterinarian, issued within 30 days of the show, is required. It must list each animal's ID, age, sex, breed, brucellosis vaccination status, and test results. An animal with no CVI cannot show.
- Animals must be free of ringworm, warts and pinkeye unless the vet's written statement is on the CVI.
Fitting rules (new for 2026)
Fitting is allowed, including paints, paint products and colored adhesives, except that showmanship is a clean, dry show. Prohibited: adding twine, hair or similar material (including false tailheads, switches or polls), painting that changes the animal's natural color pattern, cutting, tearing, gluing or removing tissue to change shape, and injecting any gas, solid or liquid under the hide.
Fees and Payment
The entry fee is $35 per head. A credit card in FairEntry is preferred. Checks go to "Virginia Beef Expo" with "VJBR" in the memo, mailed to Katherine Carter, 175 W Campus Drive, 380 Litton Reaves, Blacksburg, VA 24061, and must arrive by April 13.
Stalling
Exhibitors choose barn stalls or trailer parking when they enter. Trailer tents are subject to a maximum size set by the Rockingham County Fair. Exhibitors are notified about barn access and should not go to the barns to ask about stalls.
Where
Rockingham County Fairgrounds, 4808 S Valley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA 22801. A fairgrounds map is posted on the Extension site.
Questions
Do I need to enter showmanship ahead of time?
No. There is no FairEntry entry and no fee.
Can I bring a late entry?
No. The April 9 deadline is firm.
Who do I call?
Katherine Carter, Extension Youth Animal Science Specialist, 540-231-2257. Scott Greiner is at 540-231-9159 and Hunter Liles at 540-231-6345. The Virginia Cooperative Extension state office is 540-231-9347, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Official Links
- Virginia Junior Beef Roundup: Extension event page
- VJBR 2026 rules
- Tentative schedule
- Youth Livestock Program
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Winter in the Woods 4-H Specialty Camp
Winter weekend outdoor specialty camp for 4-H youth at Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are December 5 to 6, 2026.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Fluvanna 4-H County Contest Day
Fluvanna 4-H members compete at County Contest Day, scheduled for January 16, 2027 at the Fluvanna Community Center. It is the only contest on the county 4-H calendar this season.
VA | Organizer: Fluvanna 4-H Official event details - Holiday Lake Cloverbud Camp
Summer weekend camp for young Cloverbud 4-H members at Holiday Lake in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 18 to 20, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Woods and Wildlife Camp
Five-day summer 4-H camp on forestry and wildlife held at the Holiday Lake 4-H Center in Appomattox. Held each year; the upcoming dates are June 21 to 25, 2027.
Appomattox, VA | Organizer: Virginia 4-H Official event details - Loudoun County Fair
Loudoun County's annual fair in Leesburg supports local 4-H youth, with animal exhibits for members aged 5 to 19, rodeos and a Friday evening livestock auction. The 2027 dates are July 20 to 24; the 90th fair ran July 21 to 25, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.