Livestock Exhibitors

January 6-21, 2024

It only happens in Denver!

The Super Bowl of livestock shows is extremely excited to welcome back our exhibitors for the 118th NWSS, January 6-21, 2024! The livestock shows in Denver have been the backbone of the National Western Stock Show since its inception in 1906. Whether it’s a snowy walk through the Yards or a view from the infamous green seats in Stadium Arena, the NWSS embodies tradition.

We are proud to serve the livestock and agricultural communities and look forward to elevating the exhibitor experience in January of 2024.

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Exhibitor resources and specs
Junior Market exhibitors
Enter Livestock Shows

Important Dates!!

Deadlines for the 2024 show will be here before you know it!

Junior Market:

  • Swine Draw: June 1 - August 1
    • Extra Swine DNA:  August 3- September 1
    • DNA Postmarked by November 1 
  • Junior Market Goat, Lamb and Steer DNA Orders: September 1 - October 15
    • DNA Postmarked by November 1
  • Junior Market Entry Deadline: November 1
  • Catch-A-Calf: September 1 - December 15 

Cattle:

  • Open/Junior Breeding Cattle: October 1 - November 20
    • Jr. Breeding Heifer Ownership Deadline: December 1
  • Yards - Pen/Carload Cattle: October 1 - November 20
  • Late Entry Open/Junior/Yards Cattle:  November 21 - December 20
  • Open Prospect Steers & Heifers: October 1 - December 20

Sheep:

  • Open Breeding Sheep: October 1 - December 15
  • Junior Ewe Lambs: October 1 - December 15

Goat:

  • Open Boer Goats: October 1 - December 15
  • Junior Wether Does: October 1 - November 20

Specialty:

  • Wool Show: September 1 - December 15
  • Llama Show: October 1 - December 15
  • Alpaca Show: October 1 - December 15
  • Stock Dogs: October 1 - December 15   
  • Poultry: October 1- December 15 
            
2023 Show Results
2023 Premium Book-Available Now.
Questions?

If you have questions, please contact:

Jennifer Boka
Director of Livestock Operations
[email protected]

Alyssa DePorter
Livestock Operations Assistant
[email protected]

Leon Vick
 VP of Rodeo, Horse & Livestock 
[email protected]

2024 Schedule will be posted late summer 2023. Below are the schedules from January 2023 as examples.
Catch-A-Calf
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They come from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming to compete in the National Western Stock Show’s longest-running program of practical beef cattle management. In just over 80 years, the Catch-A-Calf Contest has awarded nearly 3,000 steers to 4-H members hailing from the western United States.
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Judging Contests
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The NWSS livestock, wool and meats judging contests are coveted elements to the Best 16 Days in January. For generations, our judging contests have propelled hundreds if not thousands of people into success and careers in agriculture.
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Premier Exhibitor Contest
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presented by:   

The livestock Premier Exhibitor competition is a unique educational opportunity provided to all sale qualifying junior market livestock exhibitors.

Each year, 96 participants (out of the almost 1500) from the junior market goat, lamb, swine & steer shows qualify to sell their animal in the Junior Livestock Auction. This elite set of kids are then required to take an industry-related quiz, give a 2-minute speech on an industry-related topic and complete an interview with a panel of judges. Other components included in their overall Premier Exhibitor score include their live placing, showmanship placing & participation. Divisions included in each species are Young Premier Exhibitor (ages 12 & under) and Senior Premier Exhibitor (ages 13-18). Although the Young division winners receive a banner and plaque, the Senior Champion & Reserve Champions in each species are awarded $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships respectively. These winners are announced during the Junior Livestock Auction on the final Friday of the NWSS every year.
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Specialty Shows
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Hosting over 25 different breeds of cattle and more than 12,000 head of livestock moving in and out of the gates each year, visitors can watch traditional competitions including breeding, market, and showmanship, or those primarily aimed for recreation or companionship (llamas, alpacas, poultry, and stock dogs). Viewing these events is all part of the Stock Show experience and can be done with a grounds admission ticket!
Junior Market Shows
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Known for the infamous Grand Drives on the green carpet in historic Stadium Arena, NWSS is home to some of the most elite junior market shows in the country. Between junior market goats, sheep, hogs and steers we welcome more than 1300 head of 4-H/FFA livestock in and out of our gates every January. Our Auction of Junior Livestock Champions wraps things up on the final Friday of show, grossing over $1 million dollars in recent years.
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Auction of Junior Livestock Champions
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Of the thousands of junior market animals that compete at the National Western Stock Show each year, only 96 of the very best qualify for the exciting Auction of Junior Livestock Champions. The auction is the final marketplace for the ribbon-winning steers, lambs, hogs, and goats that were raised by 4-H and FFA junior market exhibitors. Denver’s 9NEWS televises the live auction of the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion animals where the winning bids have reached as high as $150,000!

The Junior Livestock Auction continues to encourage today’s youth to seek a future in agriculture and to further their education. A majority of the winning bid price goes directly to the Junior Exhibitor and 10% is donated to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.

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