72 years of ag tradition

Sponsored by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce

The Sioux Empire Livestock Show promotes and celebrates agriculture through an annual, authentic experience that educates and entertains the community; assists youth exhibitors financially with academic endeavors; and generates economic impact through national livestock consignments and trade show opportunities.

The low down on the Sioux Empire Livestock Show 

The annual Sioux Empire Livestock Show is a great way for South Dakota’s largest city to celebrate the state’s number one industry, while recognizing the vital impact of agriculture in our lives.

The five-day Show features six purebred cattle shows and sales, with a $12,000 purse (The First National Bank in Sioux Falls, First Bank & Trust and The Cattle Business Weekly) that is split between the consignors and the buyers of the Supreme Champion Bull and Heifer. The Sioux Empire Livestock Show also hosts a 4-H/FFA invitational calf show, junior shows including: market hog, market lamb, market goat, market beef, prospect calf, and breeding heifer shows, as well as livestock judging contests. Additionally, check out our commercial exhibits and don’t miss the Sale of Champions!

Purebred Cattle Shows & Sales

The Sioux Empire Livestock Show is proud to feature a Purebred Cattle Show & Sale! New since 2021, we have added an All Other Breeds (AOB) Show & Sale. If any breed consigns less than ten (10) head by the entry deadline, that breed will be transferred to the AOB Show & Sale.

View the Purebred Cattle Sale & Show Rules and Regulations

All the details you need to know to prepare for the purebred cattle shows and sales.

Register for the Purebred Cattle Show & Sale!

 

 

 

Supreme Row

$3,500 to consignor
$2,500 to buyer

of Supreme Champion Bull and Supreme Champion Heifer

Thanks to our Purebred Prize Sponsor, EBY Trailers, Supreme Row consignors have the chance to win a 1-year lease on a EBY trailer.

On Wednesday evening, the Supreme Bull and Supreme Heifer will be announced at the Supreme Row Social. Enjoy light appetizers and beverages while socializing with cattlemen and cattlewomen from around the region. All Champions will be also featured in a presentation at the Sale of Champions on Friday evening. 

Junior Livestock Exhibitor Information

The Sioux Empire Livestock Show hosts a 4-H/FFA invitational calf shows, and the following junior shows: breeding heifer, prospect calf, market beef, market goat, market lamb, and market hog shows. Visitors are encouraged to watch exhibitors compete free of charge.

View the Exhibitor Handbook

All the details you need to know to exhibit your livestock.
NOW available!

Junior Show Enteries

Internship Opportunities

Because our mission is deeply rooted in education, the Sioux Empire Livestock Show offers four paid livestock internship positions. These hands-on internships provide students with experience in event management, logistics, communications and consumer relations. This internship includes countless opportunities for networking with ag industry professionals. 

This paid internship is geared toward those applicants interested in learning how to work, manage, and execute livestock shows and sales. Interns will assist in execution of all areas of the Sioux Empire Livestock Show, which will be held January 21-26, 2025, at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Expo Building in Sioux Falls, SD.

Interns will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Help facilitate move-in/set-up and tear-down of the event
  • Learn basics of ShoWorks software system to assist in show check-ins, as necessary
  • Assist in working alongside volunteers and staff to execute all events/shows
  • Answer exhibitors’ questions via phone, email and in the barn
  • Gather, organize and process livestock paperwork, health papers and registration papers

Internship Application Information

See details on requirements, working hours and how to apply for this position. Applications are due November 15, 2024.
Join our team!

Contests

Entry Deadline & Fees

  • Early online entries accepted through January 5th at a rate of $10 per contestant. Entries can be submitted here. More information can be found in the exhibitor handbook. 
  • Late entries accepted at check-in, with an additional late fee of $10 per individual contestant ($20 per contestant, if you register at check-in). ABSOLUTELY NO REFUNDS.

Rules and Regulations

  • This is an individual contest. There will be NO TEAMS.
  • The contest is open to youth/students who fit into the age divisions below. Contestants can only judge in the following age divisions:
  • Age Divisions:
    • Beginner: Age 8-10 on or before Jan. 1
    • Junior: Age 11-13 on or before Jan. 1
    • Senior: Age 14-18 on or before Jan. 1
Entry Deadline:Jan. 3Online
Coaches MeetingJan. 256 p.m.W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Expo Building
Contest:Jan. 268 a.m.W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds Expo Building
  • Eligibility: Junior colleges and senior colleges in the U.S. are eligible to enter the Livestock Judging Contest. The entry form, however, must be signed by the official team coach, confirming that all members of the team are eligible to compete in the contest. Colleges can enter as many teams as they desire. To be considered eligible to compete, contestants must have attended full time at the school from which they are competing.
  • Participation: Each Livestock Judging Team will consist of five (5) eligible members and all team scores will count in the team total. Each team member, along with individual participants/alternates, will be eligible for individual overall awards in their division.
  • Divisions:
    • Junior College – Freshman – Contestants entered in this division must be enrolled in a junior college and cannot compete in this division more than two years.
    • Junior College – Sophomore – Contestants entered in this division must be enrolled in a junior college and cannot compete in this division more than two years.
    • Senior College – Contestants must be enrolled in a senior college.

Entry Deadline January 19th

  • Entries can be made by emailing bhendrickx@siouxfalls.com or sending a message to the SELS Facebook Messenger. Include; Lot number, Photo Name, Exhibitor Name, and Contact information. 
  • Lot Areas:
    • Lot 1: Farm/Ranch Scene
    • Lot 2: Show Season
    • Lot 3: Farm Animals
    • Lot 4: Generations on the Farm
  • Late entries will not be accepted. 
  • Voting will take place on the SELS Facebook page from Sunday Jan. 21st – Saturday 27th.

Show Results

2024 Schedule

Barn hours are 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily. Click here for a printable schedule. Schedule subject to change.

WhenWhatWhere
Tuesday, January 21
9:00 a.m.Move-In: 4H/FFA Invitational CalvesExpo Building
1:00 p.m.Check-In: 4-H/FFA Invitational Calf ShowCheck-In Area
4:30 p.m.72nd Annual Ribbon CuttingBackdrop Area
5:00 p.m.Purebred Consignor MeetingNorthside of Expo Building
6:00 p.m.4-H/FFA Invitational Calf ShowGrand Falls Casino Ring
Wednesday, January 22
9:00 a.m.Move-In: Junior Market Hogs & Junior Market BeefExpo Building
9:00 a.m.Purebred Cattle ShowsShow Rings
12:30 p.m.Purebred Cattle SalesSale Ring
4:00 p.m.Check-In: Junior Market HogsCheck-In Area
5:30 p.m.Supreme Row JudgingShow Ring
6:00 p.m.Supreme Row SocialSale Ring
Thursday, January 23
8:00 a.m.Junior Market Hog ShowShow Ring
8:30 a.m.Check-In: Junior Market BeefCheck-In Area
9:00 a.m.Move-In: Junior Prospect CalvesExpo Building
11:00 a.m.Move-In: Junior Market Lambs & Junior Market GoatsExpo Building
12:00 p.m.Check-In: Junior Market Lambs & Junior Market GoatsCheck-In Area
2:00 p.m.Check-In: Junior Prospect CalvesCheck-In Area
3:00 p.m.Junior Market Beef ShowShow Ring
4:00 p.m.Junior Market Goat ShowShow Ring
6:00 p.m.Junior Market Lamb ShowShow Ring
Friday, January 24
8:00 a.m.Move-In: Junior Breeding HeifersExpo Building
8:00 a.m.Junior Prospect Calf ShowShow Ring A
9:00 a.m.Junior Prospect Calf ShowShow Ring B
11:00 a.m.Check-In: Junior Breeding HeifersCheck-In Area
4:00 p.m.Sale of Champions Exhibitors MeetingNorthside of Expo Building
5:00 p.m.Mayor's Round-Up SocialNorthside of Expo Building
6:00 p.m.Sale of Champions Northside of Expo Building
Saturday, January 25
9:00 a.m.4-H Skill-a-thonNorthside of Expo Building
10:00 a.m.Junior Breeding Heifer ShowShow Ring A
10:30 a.m.Junior Breeding Heifer ShowShow Ring B
6:00 p.m.Collegiate Livestock Judging - Coaches MeetingNorthside of Expo Building
Sunday, January 26
7:30 a.m.Collegiate Livestock Judging - AnnouncementsExpo Building Bleachers
8:00 a.m.Collegiate Livestock Judging ContestExpo Building
12:00 p.m.Check-In: 4-H/FFA Judging ContestCheck-In Area
1:00 p.m.4-H/FFA Livestock Judging ContestExpo Building