2026 Douglas County Spring Livestock Show
General Rules
- The purpose of this show is to create an educational yet fun, laid-back, and rewarding atmosphere for Kansas 4-H/FFA members between the ages of 7-18 as of January 1, 2026. All exhibitors will receive a T-shirt and a small prize.
- This is a County Fair Prospect Show only and an opportunity for youth to learn and practice their show skills.
- All exhibitors and attendees of the Expo do so at their own risk. The Douglas County Extension Council assumes no liability for accidents that occur and/or for loss or injury of livestock due to theft, mysterious disappearance, or sickness.
- Only animals from Douglas County exhibited at the April 25th Spring Show will be tagged the day of the show. 5. The exhibitor must own their animal. All species, except bucket calves, must have a 4-H Tag, Premise ID Tag, Scrapie Tag, or ear notches.
- Exhibitors are strongly encouraged to do their own grooming. Assistance may be given by family members, leaders, and other 4-H/FFA members.
- Breeding and Market animal show grooming may include adhesives, paints, and powders. Artificial materials or hair not from the animal itself are not allowed.
- Exhibitors must show their own animals. In the case of a 4-H/FFA member having two animals in one class, another 4-H/FFA member may show their second animal.
- The breeding classes are female only. No intact male of any species will be allowed.
- Females may be entered in both market and breeding.
- Showmanship classes will be broken down by ages 7-8 | 9-11 | 12 -14 | 15-18. Youth from the same family may share a showmanship animal if necessary. 12. The judge’s decision will be final. The judge will place animals based on their quality compared to the breed standard. 13. Show Times are Subject to Change.
- Pens and stalls are limited; pens and stalls are first-come, first-served, and exhibitors may show off trailers. (Use of stalls is subject to change.)
- Exhibitors are required to bring their shavings and are encouraged to wear the Spring Livestock Expo exhibitor t-shirt.
- Exhibitors MUST clean all pens and stalls before leaving the fairgrounds. Please bring the necessary tools to do so!
- Livestock will be released after the respective species are shown.
- Rules not listed above default to the Douglas County Fair rules. Questions about rules can be directed to Nickie Harding at nharding@ksu.edu
Weigh In and Check in for Bucket Calves and Beef Cattle 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Brief Educational Clinic for Beef and Bucket Calf exhibitors at 8:15 a.m.
Bucket Calf Show begins at 8:30 a.m. The Beef Show immediately follows the conclusion of the Bucket Calf Show.
Prospect Market Classes will be split by breed and weight if there are sufficient entries. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
Breeding Beef (Born after August 1, 2024). Classes will be determined by breed and age.
Brief Educational Clinic for Beef and Bucket Calf exhibitors at 8:15 a.m.
Bucket Calf Show begins at 8:30 a.m. The Beef Show immediately follows the conclusion of the Bucket Calf Show.
Prospect Market Classes will be split by breed and weight if there are sufficient entries. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
Breeding Beef (Born after August 1, 2024). Classes will be determined by breed and age.
- We recognize the following breeds: Angus, Charolais, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Shorthorn/Shorthorn Plus, Simmental/Percentage Simmental (Foundation), AOB, and Crossbred. Three entries or more will constitute a breed class. Otherwise, registered animals will be shown as All Other Breeds (AOB).
Weigh-In and Check-In for Sheep and Goats 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Brief Educational Clinic for Meat Goat and Sheep exhibitors, 15 minutes before show time.
The Goat Show begins at 11:30 a.m., and the Sheep Show will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Goat Show.
Goat Show
Sheep Show
Lambs must be born on or after Jan. 1 of the current year
Brief Educational Clinic for Meat Goat and Sheep exhibitors, 15 minutes before show time.
The Goat Show begins at 11:30 a.m., and the Sheep Show will follow 20 minutes after the conclusion of the Goat Show.
Goat Show
- Prospect Market Classes: Will be determined by weight.
- Breeding Classes: Will be determined by weight
Sheep Show
Lambs must be born on or after Jan. 1 of the current year
- Prospect Market Classes will be split by breed and weight if there are sufficient entries. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
- Breeding Classes will be determined by breed.
- We recognize the following breeds: Colombian, Dorset, Hampshire, Natural, Southdown, Speckle Face, Suffolk, AOB, and Crossbred. Three entries or more will constitute a breed class. Otherwise, registered animals will be shown as All Other Breeds (AOB).
Weigh-In and Check-In for Swine Show 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Brief Educational Clinic for Swine exhibitors 15 minutes before show time.
Swine Show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Prospect Market Classes will be split by breed and weight if there are sufficient entries. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
Breeding Classes will be determined by breed and weight if sufficient entries exist. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
Brief Educational Clinic for Swine exhibitors 15 minutes before show time.
Swine Show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Prospect Market Classes will be split by breed and weight if there are sufficient entries. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
Breeding Classes will be determined by breed and weight if sufficient entries exist. If there aren't enough entries, classes will be divided by weight. The Expo committee reserves the right to decide based on the number of entries.
- We recognize the following breeds: Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland, China, Spot, Yorkshire, AOB, and Crossbred. Three entries or more will constitute a breed class. Otherwise, registered animals will be shown as All Other Breeds (AOB).
Entry Information
- Entry Fee: $40 per exhibitor. (Checks can be payable to the Douglas County Extension Council.)
- Pre-entries are due by April 6, 2026. Final Registration Deadline 11:59 p.m. April 17, 2026.
- Entries will be accepted electronically at: https://bit.ly/DGLivestockExpo
- Questions about entries can be directed to Nickie Harding at nharding@ksu.edu.