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SALT LAKE COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK RULES
 
I. GENERAL RULES: 
The 2026 Salt Lake County Junior Livestock Show (Show) will be open to ALL 4-H and FFA exhibitors in the state of Utah. The Salt Lake County Jr. Livestock show is a state-sanctioned show under the Utah Junior Livestock Show Association (State Show). We make every attempt to be consistent, but if there is any conflict between these rules and the State Show rules, the State Show rules will supersede. Utah Junior Livestock Association - Show Rules, Junior Livestock. 
 

  1. Pens will be available through the individual species reps once you have concluded your weigh-in(s). All pens for market and breeding animals must be cleaned and mats replaced, if needed. Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning their own stalls. 

  2. Exhibitor’s project market animals must remain for the duration of the show. Market animals can only be removed upon approval by the Board. Breeding animals may leave the grounds at any time. 

  3. Members must exhibit their own animal(s) in market, showmanship and the sale. Exceptions to this rule apply if the exhibitor has two animals in the same market class or star class. 

  4. The Salt Lake County Junior Livestock Show will not be held responsible for any accident, injury, illness, loss or damage of animals or property that may occur during the show or in route to or from the show. 

 
II. TAGGING: 
 

  1. All exhibitors must ensure that they enter via Fair Entry by the entry deadline(s). The entry deadline(s) is typically 45 days prior to the start of the show. Late entries may be accepted up to 30 days prior to the start of the show along with a $50 fee per exhibitor. Exceptions will be given only for extenuating hardship. THIS RULE WILL BE ENFORCED. 

  2. Scrapies tags are required for ewes and does. 

  3. Each exhibitor is allowed to enter three (3) exhibits per market species and breeding species. However, they are only allowed to weigh in and show two (2) exhibits in each species. A limit of two (2) animals per exhibitor can sell as long as the animals are of different species – only one (1) animal of each species sells; i.e., 1 lamb and 1 goat or any combination thereof. Exceptions to this rule: All Grand Champions and Reserve Champions must sell. 

  4. Under extenuating hardship, exhibits may be tagged within two weeks of the announced tagging date. There will be a fee for animals being tagged after the tagging deadline. Upon the death or major injury of a project animal, a substitution may be allowed only by permission of the Board. Immediately notify the Livestock President to make contact with the Board and determine if substitution of another animal may be permitted. However, not all requests will be accepted, so it is strongly advised to tag additional show animals when possible. Please refer to the above tagging rules for more information. 

  5. Any change to the tagging procedure must be approved by the Board. 

  6. Tagging deadlines and Ownership/Possession of animals - The exhibitor will own/possess, feed, and care for his/her project animal(s) for not less than 100 consecutive days for market beef and 60 consecutive days for market swine, market sheep and market goats, prior to the show they intend to participate in. No interruption of ownership or possession can occur. 

 
III. WEIGH IN: 
 

  1. Market animals will be weighed in only during the specified time. 

  2. The following weight limitations will be strictly enforced. 

 
   
Species 
Beef 
Minimum Weight  1100 lbs. 
Maximum Weight  None 
Lambs 
Minimum Weight 100 lbs. 
Maximum Weight  None 
Hogs 
Minimum Weight 215 lbs. 
Maximum Weight  300 (pay out) 
Goats
Minimum Weight 50 lbs. 
Maximum Weight  None 
 
 

  1. Hogs weighing over 300 pounds will be allowed to show; however, they will not be paid for weight over this amount. 

  2. Underweight animals may remain at the fairgrounds and show in showmanship classes only. Other participation by the exhibitor is prohibited with that specific animal. Underweight animals are not eligible to participate in the Auction. 

  3. Exhibitors showing steers must bring brand inspections during weigh-in and to obtain entry into the Show. Proof of ownership must be provided for breeding beef. 

  4. If animals meet the minimum weight requirement, they WILL NOT be allowed to cross the scale again. However, animals that DO NOT meet the minimum requirement can cross the scale one additional time prior to the closing of weigh-in. No drenching of animals will be allowed, and animals must be dry when crossing the scale. Blankets must be removed prior to crossing the scale. Weights are final when animals leave the scale. 

 
IV. PREMIUMS: 
 

  1. Premium amounts may vary from year-to-year. 

 
V. AUCTION: 
 

  1. A limit of two (2) animals per exhibitor can sell as long as the animals are of different species – only one (1) animal of each species sells; i.e., 1 lamb and 1 goat or any combination thereof. Exceptions to this rule: All Grand Champions and Reserve Champions must sell. You must specify which animals you will sell. 

  2. Exhibitors are responsible for buyer recruitment for the Auction. 

  3. White ribbon animals are not sold at the Auction nor will they receive premiums. 

  4. A 4% commission is charged on sold animals at the Auction, including any boost(s) applied to the animal. 

  5. Ownership of animal is transferred at time of sale. 

  6. Only Grand and Reserve exhibits from the sale order list are eligible to receive added boost money during the Auction, but only after the project animal is sold. All other animals may receive added boost money through the livestock office. 

  7. Grand Champion and Reserve Champion exhibits are required to sell. 

  8. Auction checks will be handed out at the Fall General Meeting, which is typically held in October. If you do not attend this meeting, checks will be mailed to the address on file. 

  9. Animals sold through an auction at a livestock show prior to the Salt Lake County Junior Livestock Show, will not be permitted to participate in our show. 

 
VI. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SALE: 
 

  1. Each buyer should register in advance of the sale. A complete address and phone number is needed. 

  2. Terms of sale are cash, check or credit card at the time of the sale. 

  3. The decision of the auctioneer is final in the case of a disputed bid. 

  4. Buyers who wish to purchase an animal for their own use will be charged the total bid price. Buyers must arrange for their own purchased animals’ transportation. 

  5. The Board has arranged for a contractor to buy Auction animals at the floor price, which is near the current market price. The total price paid for an animal is usually a combination of the floor price and a boost price. Sponsors who wish to boost the bid beyond the floor price will be charged only for the amount above the floor price with the livestock contractor paying the floor price and receiving the animal. 

  6. Many bids are a combination of multiple boosters arranged before the Auction. Junior Livestock Exhibitors are encouraged to find their own sponsors for the booster bids and to have someone present to do the bidding. In the case of multiple boosters on a single animal, the total should be combined into one bid and be under one bidder’s signature and paid with one check. 

  7. The person making the winning bid will sign for the final price of the animal and be responsible for full payment at time of sale. 

  8. Except for the Grand and Reserve animals, no additional boost money will be accepted after the final bid is taken by the auctioneer. All other amounts are final when the auctioneer sets the price. 

  9. Members of the Board are available to help you with bidding procedures or any questions you may have. Please feel free to contact a member of the Board. 

 
VII. MARKET STEERS 
 

  1. Exhibitors showing steers must bring brand inspections during weigh-ins and to obtain entry into the show. Brand inspections are required by law, even if cattle are not branded, when going to slaughter, changing ownership or leaving the state. 

  2. There will be a minimum weight of 1,000 pounds for all market steers at the time of weigh-in. There will be no maximum weight on market beef animals. Steers under 1,000 pounds will only be allowed to participate in showmanship class. 

  3. All male animals must be castrated. 

  4. No animal shall have horns over 3 inches. 

  5. Animals must be able to be handled. Any animal endangering human life is not allowed to remain on the fairgrounds. Animals not manageable should be withdrawn. 

  6. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. 

  7. No white ribbon animals will be sold or given premiums. 

  8. Paint and adhesive will be allowed below the hocks/knees and on the tail head only. 

 
VIII. MARKET STEERS SHOWMANSHIP 
 

  1. Exhibitors will be divided into equal groups by age (Junior, Intermediate & Senior Divisions). 

  2. All exhibitors must have ownership of the animal. Only market beef will be shown in showmanship. 

  3. 4-H and FFA dress code must be followed. 

 
IX. BREEDING BEEF 
 

  1. All heifers must be owned by the Exhibitor and proof of ownership must be presented at the time of weigh-in. 

  2. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. 

  3. Breeding beef will not be allowed to show in market. 

 
X. MARKET HOGS 
 

  1. There will be a minimum weight of 215 pounds on all market hogs at the time of weigh in. There is no maximum weight on market hogs, but they will only be paid up to 300 pounds in weight at the Auction. 

  2. All hogs must be under 1 year of age. 

  3. All male animals must be castrated. 

  4. Animals will be broken down into classes by sex and weight. A top ten will be placed in both gilts and barrows. 

  5. No white ribbon animals will be sold or given premiums. 

 
XI. MARKET HOG SHOWMANSHIP 
 

  1. Exhibitors will be divided into equal groups by age (Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions) 

  2. All exhibitors must have ownership of the animal. 

  3. 4-H and FFA dress code must be followed. 

 
XII. MARKET LAMBS 
 

  1. There will be a minimum weight of 100 pounds on all market lambs at the time of weigh in. There will be no maximum weight on market lambs. Lambs under 100 pounds will only be allowed to participate in the showmanship class. 

  2. Lambs are to have no longer than ¼ inch of wool at the time of weigh in. Butt patterns are not allowed. 

  3. Lambs are to be docked and must still have their baby teeth. Market lambs or breeding sheep showing any signs of contagious disease or current or recent signs of prolapse, or with an open sore on the dock (rosebud), will be sifted. 

  4. All male animals must be castrated. 

  5. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. There will be 3 divisions: lightweight, middleweight & heavyweight. The top 5 in each division will return to compete in the final drive. 

  6. No white ribbon animals will be sold or given premiums. 

  7. Market lambs will not be allowed to show in breeding. 

  8. For safety purposes, muzzles will be allowed. 

 
XIII. MARKET LAMB SHOWMANSHIP 
 

  1. Exhibitors will be divided into equal groups by age (Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions) 

  2. All exhibitors must have ownership of the animal. Only market lambs will be shown in showmanship. 

  3. 4-H and FFA dress code must be followed. 

 
XIV. BREEDING SHEEP 
 

  1. All ewes must be owned by the Exhibitor for at least 60 days prior to the show. If breeding ewes are tagged with state tags, please use these tags for registration purposes. Otherwise, scrapes tags are sufficient. Tags will be verified at weigh-in.

  2. Exhibitors may show a maximum of 2 ewes. 

  3. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. 

  4. Breeding sheep will not be allowed to show in market. 

  5. For safety purposes, muzzles will be allowed. 

 
XV. MARKET GOATS 
 

  1. There will be a minimum weight of 50 pounds on all market goats at the time of weigh in. There will be no maximum weight on market goats. Goats under 50 pounds will only be allowed to participate in showmanship class. 

  2. All market goats must have milk teeth in place. 

  3. Market Goats must be clipped and ready to show at weigh-in. They must have no more than 3/8” of hair (or less) above the knees and above the hocks. A tail switch may be left. 

  4. All market goats will either be disbudded or have horns tipped with blunt ends prior to arrival at the fairgrounds. This means that the horn must be flat on top with no tip present. It is preferable that no horn is present at all. Goats with horns including those that have not been tipped will not be permitted in the market show. This does not apply to the breeding show. 

  5. Exhibitors are permitted to show with chains or collars in the show ring. 

  6. All male animals must be castrated. 

  7. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. There will be 3 divisions: lightweight, middleweight & heavyweight. The top 5 in each division will return to compete in the final drive. 

  8. No white ribbon animals will be sold or given premiums. 

  9. Market goats will not be allowed to show in breeding. 

  10. For safety purposes, muzzles will be allowed. 

 
XVI. MARKET GOAT SHOWMANSHIP 
 

  1. Exhibitors will be divided into equal groups by age (Junior, Intermediate and Senior Divisions) 

  2. All exhibitors must have ownership of the animal. Only market goats will be shown in showmanship. 

  3. 4-H and FFA dress code must be followed. 

 
XVII. BREEDING GOATS 
 

  1. All does must be owned by the Exhibitor for at least 60 days prior to the show. If breeding does are tagged with state tags, please use these tags for registration purposes. Otherwise, scrapes tags are sufficient. Tags will be verified at weigh-in

  2. Does in these classes need not be disbudded or have their horns tipped. 

  3. Exhibitors may show a maximum of 2 does. 

  4. Animals will be broken down into classes by weight. 

  5. Breeding goats will not be allowed to show in market. 

  6. For safety purposes, muzzles will be allowed. 

 
 
AS AN OFFICIAL STATE SANCTIONED SHOW, WE WILL ADHERE TO THE UTAH JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW ASSOCIATION RULES. https://utahjuniorlivestock.com/rules

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