2024 Illinois Beef Expo Schedule of Events

Pre-Show Deadlines

January 5, 2024– Stalling Request Form opens for Junior Show Cattle

January 19, 2024 – Stalling Request deadline for Junior Show Cattle

January 20, 2024- Stalling Assignments will be e-mailed with invoices

February 3, 2024– Reserved stalls must be paid. After this day, any unpaid stalls will be released for first-come first serve stalling once the 2024 Illinois Beef Expo begins.

February 5, 2024– Virtual Entry Form opens for Junior Show ($55/head per ring).

All exhibitors must complete a virtual entry form and in-person check-in.

2024 Illinois Beef Expo Schedule of Events

Wednesday, February 21

8 a.m.                 Trade Show Set up begins                                     Livestock Center, Lower Level
8 a.m.                  Performance Tested Bull check-in                        Barn 13-14
5 p.m.               I P T Bull Sale meeting                                          Artisans Building
4 p.m.                 Junior Cattle & Tack allowed on grounds
11:59 p.m.          Early Virtual Entry Form closes for Junior Show

Any cattle checked-in after this deadline will pay an increased entry fee.

Thursday, February 22

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        Trade Show open                                       Livestock Center, Lower Level
8 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.        No unloading of cattle or tack will be allowed on Central Ave. to accommodate IPT Bull Sale traffic.
11 a.m.                            I P T Bull Sale                                           Artisans Building
4 p.m. - 7 p.m.              Junior Show Check-In begins.
All steers, market heifers, and commercial heifers must be present to weigh. Breed heifer exhibitors will just need to come verify information, pay fees (if applicable), and pick-up exhibitor cards. All breed steers showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine) must check-in at this time.  

7 p.m.                           Late Virtual Entry Form at an increased fee and Check-In ends for steer breeds showing on Friday.

Friday, February 23

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        Trade Show open                                   Livestock Center, Lower Level
8 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.        Junior Show Check-In continues.
All steers, market heifers, and commercial heifers must be present to weigh. Breed heifer exhibitors will just need to verify information, pay fees (if applicable), and pick-up exhibitor cards. 

11:00 a.m.           Late Virtual Entry Form ends for Junior Show cattle showing on Saturday and Sunday at an increased fee. No check-ins will be accepted after this!

8:30 a.m.             Livestock Judging Contest Registration       Livestock Center, Upper
9:00 a.m.             Livestock Judging Contest                             Livestock Center, Upper
11:00 a.m.           Junior Beef Skillathon                                    TBA
12:00 p.m.          Illinois All-Breeds Sale                                    Artisan’s Building
1:30 p.m.             Illinois Genetics Sale                                      Artisan’s Building
2:00 p.m.             Junior Market Show Begins                          Livestock Center, Upper

*Ring A will begin at 2:00 PM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Shorthorn steers in Ring A and will follow the same order. 

Show Order (all breeds must have at least 10 head or will show as AOB on Saturday): Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine.

6 p.m.                         Illinois Simmental Association Banquet           Artisans Building
6 p.m.                           Illinois Shorthorn Association Banquet         Upper Meeting Room Bldg 30

Saturday, February 24

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.        Trade Show open                                      Livestock Center, Lower
7:45 a.m.                         IJBA Top Ten Awards                              Livestock Center, Upper
8:00 a.m.                      Junior Market Show resumes                    Livestock Center, Upper

*Ring A will begin at 8:00 AM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Simmental steers in Ring A and will follow the same order. 

Show Order (all breeds must have at least 10 head or will show as AOB on Saturday):
Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine.

Top 5 Overall Market Animals in Ring A, followed by Ring B.

Junior Breeding Heifer Show will begin in Ring A 30 minutes after the

Top Five Market Animal Selection in Ring B.

*Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Division 1 Angus heifers in Ring A and will follow the same order. 

Show order (all breeds must have at least 10 head or will show as AOB): 
Angus, Charolais, Horned Hereford, Chi, Polled Hereford, Limousin.

Sunday, February 25

8 a.m. – 2 p.m.             Trade Show open                                   Livestock Center, Lower Level
8 a.m.                         Junior Heifer Show Resumes                  Livestock Center, Upper Arena

*Ring A will begin at 8:00 AM. Ring B will begin following the conclusion of Maine heifers in Ring A and will follow the same order. 

Show Order (all breeds must have at least 10 head or will show as AOB on Saturday):
Maine, MaineTainer, Maine-Angus, Red Angus, Shorthorn, Simmental, Shorthorn Plus, %Simmental, Commercial, AOB.

Top 5 Overall Market Animals in Ring A, followed by Ring B.