2024 Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show Rules

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2024 Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show

Please read all the rules before attending. (Portions that have been changed or updated since last year are highlighted in yellow).

General Rules

    1. Illinois Beef Expo will have two rings. Ring A will be open to all Illinois and out-of-state exhibitors. Ring B will be open to Illinois exhibitors only. All exhibitors in Ring B must be Illinois residents, currently enrolled or a graduate of an Illinois K-12 school, and their cattle must be maintained in Illinois.
    1. All exhibitors in both rings must be Illinois Beef Association Junior members. Annual dues are $25 per member. Exhibitor’s membership will be verified at check-in and dues can be paid when picking up exhibitor numbers or online at https://membership.illinoisbeef.com/producerform
    1. Exhibitors must be at least 8 years of age and under 22 years of age as of January 1, 2024.
    1. This is a prospect show open to heifers born after September 1, 2021, or steers born after January 1, 2022.
    1. It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to remove all hanging ear tags, i.e. sale or farm tags prior to entering the ring. Animals will not be allowed to show with hanging farm tags. Button EID and official calfhood vaccination tags will not be removed from the ear
    1. All cattle are to be shown in their natural conformation. The addition of hair, hemp or any substance to any part of the animal is prohibited.
    1. If an animal gets loose from an exhibitor three times, the exhibitor and that animal will be excused from the show ring. The show management reserves the right to excuse any exhibitor whose animal is unruly or acting in a manner that is a danger to other exhibitors.
    1. Once a class begins walking, it is considered closed. Any exhibitor not in the ring at this time will have missed his or her class.
    1. Breed and class premiums will be determined by breed and junior show representatives based on the number of head in each breed or class.
    1. Site-specific protests must be filed at the Illinois Beef Expo office. Any person wishing to have an animal inspected is required to submit a written protest and be accompanied by $100.00. The person placing the protest is responsible for all costs incurred to verify the protest. Written protest must state plainly the cause of the complaint and must be filed before the championship drive at the sanctioned show. If inspection is not sustained, the protest money will be forfeited. Protests will be handled by the Illinois Beef Expo Junior Show Coordinator and Board of Directors.
    1. Under-age drinking on the fairgrounds will be prohibited. Two police officers will patrol the Expo on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Anyone under the age of 21 caught drinking will be barred from participating in all Illinois Beef Expo activities for two years.
    1. No handbills posted in Livestock Center or barns except on provided boards in the entrance areas; violators will be fined $100.
    1. Anyone found tampering with electrical outlets or breaker boxes will be barred from exhibiting at the show for two years and/or fined $250.
    1. Our priority always has, and always will be, the health and well-being of our exhibitors, vendors, volunteers and staff. Exhibitors and attendees of the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo will be expected to follow all rules and regulations put forth by the Illinois Beef Expo Board of Directors and Illinois State Fairgrounds at a date closer to the event.
    1. Entries & Check-In

    2. All exhibitors MUST pre-enter virtually for the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo. A link to the virtual entry form will be posted on the Illinois Beef Expo web site and Illinois Beef Expo Facebook page. If internet access is a problem for you, please feel free to call Cori Malone, Junior Show Coordinator, for assistance with entry forms during the set time frame.
      1. Early virtual entry forms will be open from Monday, February 5, 2024 at 8:00am until Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:59pm. Early virtual entries are $55/head per ring.
      2. Late virtual entry forms will be accepted for increased fee until Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 7:00pm for all breed steers showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine), and Friday, February 23, 2024 at 11:00am for Simmental steers, crossbred steers, market heifers and all breeding heifers.
      3. All breed steers showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine) MUST be virtually entered and checked-in by 7:00pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
      4. All Simmental steers, crossbreed steers, market heifers and breeding heifers MUST be virtually entered and checked-in by 11:00am on Friday, February 23, 2024.
    1. A digital copy of registration papers for all breed animals must be uploaded with your entry. All animal and owner information will be checked upon entry submission. Original registration papers will not be required to be present at the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo, as long as each animal has a digital copy on file with their entry. Show management and the Illinois Beef Expo committee reserve the right to verify tattoos on any and all entries.
    1. Exhibitors must declare on the virtual entry form which breed a multi-registered animal will be shown. An animal can only be shown in one breed and division at the Expo.
    1. Entry fee is $55 per head per ring if virtual entry form is completed prior to Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 11:59pm. After this, late virtual entry forms will be accepted until 7:00pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024 for breed steers showing on Friday at the rate of $75/head per ring, and until 11:00am on Friday, February 23, 2024 for Simmental steers, crossbred steers, market heifers and breeding heifers at the rate of $75/head per ring. Entry fees are non-refundable after entry slip is processed.
    1. All entries MUST be registered in the name of the exhibitor. The only exceptions are:

    a. A sibling can show an animal in the event of an approved conflict with written permission from the junior show coordinator before the show.

    b. For any calf purchased during the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo by a junior exhibitor. The junior exhibitor must provide the bill of sale at check-in, listing the junior as the sole owner of that calf. The new owner must show the calf. These sale cattle must be checked in within one hour after the completion of the multi-breed sale in which they were purchased. For breeds that allow multiple-owned heifers (ie: all siblings listed on registration certificate), the exhibitor must be designated at time of check-in.

    1. All animals must be shown by the exhibitor in whose name they are checked in. The only exceptions are for those exhibitors with a doctor’s note excusing them from showing due to a medical issue, which must be presented at the time the animal is checked in, or if they have another animal in the opposite show ring at the same time. The animal must then be exhibited by another junior member.
    1. All heifers must have health papers from a veterinarian. Steers are not required to have health papers.
    1. In-person check-in will occur on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm and Friday, February 23, 2024 from 8:00am – 11:00am. All breed steers showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine) must check-in and weigh before 7:00pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024.
    1. All steers, market heifers and commercial heifers must be present to weigh. Breed heifer exhibitors do not need to bring their breed heifers to the check-in process.
    2. Exhibitor Number cards will be given out at check-in, and IBA dues and any remaining stalling fees will need to be paid (if applicable) at this time.
    1. Breeding Females
    2. Registered heifers will be shown by age- youngest to oldest. All commercial breeding heifers will be shown by weight- lightest to heaviest.
    3. Commercial heifer exhibitors will need to bring their animal to in-person check-in on either Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm or Friday, February 23, 2024 from 8:00am-11:00am to weigh.
    4. Heifer classes will be offered for any breed that has at least ten (10) head, including but not limited to Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Commercial, Hereford, Limousin/Lim-Flex, Maine-Anjou, Mainetainer, Polled Hereford, Red Angus, Shorthorn, ShorthornPlus, Purebred Simmental, Percentage Simmental (Simmental that are less than ½ will show as AOB). Registered females with less than 10 head per breed will show in the All Other Breeds division.
    5. Exhibitors of Angus heifers must not use any coloring materials of any kind during their breed show. When competing in the supreme heifer drive, exhibitors of the champion and reserve Angus heifers can use coloring agents.
    6. A maximum of 4 divisions per breed will be allowed.
    7. Due to the size of the make-up area, only the exhibitor and one other person shall accompany each breeding female into the west show ring make-up area.
    8. Each animal will need to complete a virtual entry form prior to arriving at the show. All commercial heifers will need to be present for in-person check-on on either Thursday, February 24, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm or Friday, February 25, 2024 from 8:00am-11:00am to weigh. Breed heifers are not required in-person for the check-in process, but their exhibitor will still need to check them in during this time frame.
    1. Market Animals
    1. All market animals will be shown by weight, including market heifers, lightest to heaviest.
    1. Market animal exhibitors will need to bring their animal to in-person check-in.
      1. Breed steers showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine) must check-in and weigh on Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
      2. Simmental steers, Crossbred steers and market heifers may check-in and weigh on either Thursday, February 22, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm or Friday, February 23, 2024 from 8:00am-11:00am.
    1. Steer classes will be offered for any breed that has at least 10 head, including but not limited to: Angus, Charolais/Composite, Chianina, Hereford/Polled Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou/Mainetainer, Shorthorn, ShorthornPlus, Simmental (50% or higher). Registered steers with less than 10 head per breed will show in the All Other Breeds division. Steers without registration papers will show as crossbreds.
    1. Exhibitors of Angus steers must not use any coloring materials of any kind. When competing in the supreme steer drive, exhibitors of the champion and reserve Angus steers can use coloring agents.
    1. Due to the size of the make-up area, only the exhibitor and one other person shall accompany each breeding female into the west show ring make-up area.
    1. Hereford steers are required to have a verified DNA profile on file with the American Hereford Association (AHA). Hereford steer exhibitors are required to present the letter from the AHA stating their steer’s DNA profile is on file with the AHA along with their steer’s registration paper at check-in.
    1. Each animal will need to complete a virtual entry form prior to arriving at the show. All market animals will need to be present for in-person check-on on either Thursday, February 24, 2024 from 4:00pm-7:00pm or Friday, February 25, 2024 from 8:00am-11:00am to weigh. All breed steers showing on Friday are required to check-in and weigh by 7:00pm on Thursday, February 24, 2024.
    1. Stalling

    2. The stalling request form for the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo will open on Friday, January 5, 2024. Stalling assignments will be done in the order the stalling reservation forms are received. Exhibitors wishing to pre-reserve stalls must do so by Friday, January 19, 2024 (no reservation requests will be accepted after this date). Stalling assignments will be emailed with invoices on January 20, 2024, and all invoices must be paid by Saturday, February 3rd at 11:59pm to reserve your stalls. Any stalls not reserved and paid for by February 3, 2024 will become available first-come, first-serve to junior exhibitors upon arrival at the Illinois Beef Expo. All first-come, first-serve stalls must be paid for by 12:00pm on Friday, February 23, 2024.
    1. Pre-reserved stalls are available in the following barns:
    • 18A-E for $40/box stall
    • 18F-G: $25/tie stall
    • 25C-K: $40/box stall
    • 25M-Q: $15/tie stall
    • 36A-36D, 36F: $10/stall
    • 36E: $20/stall
    • 112, 113, 118: $10/stall
    • 110: $25/stall
    1. Stalling requests can be submitted using the Stalling Request Form available on our Illinois Beef Expo website and Illinois Beef Expo Facebook Page starting Friday, January 5, 2024 at 7:00am. Any stalling related questions should be directed to Cori Malone at 309-533-2697 or harrison@yahoo.com.
    1. Junior cattle are not allowed to stall or tie out in Barns 16A, 16B, 19, 114.
    1. ALL Junior Show cattle must be stalled in designated barns. NO EXCEPTIONS! Cattle not stalled in designated barns or fees not paid by Friday at 12:00 PM exhibitor will be ineligible to show, lose their entry fees and will not be allowed to show at the Illinois Beef Expo for two years.
    1. No tie-outs will be allowed outside of the barns on the fairgrounds. There will be no cleanout of livestock trailers in the parking area. Trailers should be parked in the Midway Area. Violators will be fined $100 and banned from the event.
    1. Junior show cattle and tack are allowed to begin arriving on the fairgrounds at 4:00pm on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. No junior show cattle or tack are allowed to arrive prior to this time.
    1. Show Order

    Friday, February 23, 2024- 2:00 PM

    • Market Show Ring A will begin at 2:00 PM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Shorthorn steers in Ring A. Show order for both rings (breeds must have at least 10 head or will show as AOB on Saturday):
      • Shorthorn steers
      • Charolais/Composite steers
      • Shorthorn Plus steers
      • Hereford steers
      • Angus steers
      • Chianina steers
      • Maine steers

    Saturday, February 24, 2024- 8:00 AM

    • Market Show Ring A will continue at 8:00 AM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Simmental steers in Ring A. Show order for both rings:
      • Simmental steers
      • Any breed not previously mentioned with at least 10 head
      • AOB steers (any breed with less than 10 head)
      • Crossbred steers
      • Market heifers
    • Ring A Top 5 Market Animals
    • Ring B Top 5 Market Animals
    • Breeding Heifer Show Ring A will start 30min after the conclusion of Ring B Top 5 Market Animals. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Division 1 in the Angus heifer show. Show order for both rings (breeds must have at least 10 head, or will show as AOB on Sunday):
      • Angus heifers
      • Charolais heifers
      • Horned Hereford heifers
      • Chianina heifers
      • Polled Hereford heifers
      • Limousin/Lim-Flex heifers

    Sunday, February 25, 2024- 8:00 AM

    • Breeding Heifer Show Ring A will start at 8:00 AM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of the Maine heifer show. Show order for both rings (breeds must have at least 10 head, or will show as AOB):
      • Maine heifers
      • MaineTainer heifers
      • Maine-Angus heifers
      • Red Angus heifers
      • Shorthorn heifers
      • Simmental heifers
      • Shorthorn Plus heifers
      • % Simmental heifers
      • Any breed not previously mentioned with at least 10 head
      • Commercial heifers
      • AOB heifers
    • Ring A Top 5 Breeding Animals
    • Ring B Top 5 Breeding Animals