Superintendent: Adam Thompson
865-661-2317
Beef Advisor: Wayne Loveday
Registration begins August 1 and ends September 4
BEEF CATTLE
PLEASE NOTE ALL ENTRIES MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE
Special Rules
1. Application for entry must be made at www.tnvalleyfair.org, accompanied by a fee of $15.00 for each exhibitor's ticket and $15.00 per head animal entry fee. ANYONE ENTERING THE FAIRGROUNDS MUST HAVE AN ADMISSION TICKET OR EXHIBITOR WRISTBAND. Exhibitor passes must be paid for at registration. Exhibitor passes will be a 5 day admission armband which includes parking. When entries exceed stall or pen capabilities, animals will be accepted according to the date entries are received or date postmarked, whichever is first.
2. All applications for entry of cattle in individual lots must be accompanied by the animal’s name, breed, sex, registration number, exact date of birth, and breeder information. Animals composing a competitive herd or group need not be named in application for entry.
3. All animals must be registered in their respective breed associations and exhibitors must have the original registration certificate on each animal available for inspection at the show. Any animal, upon check-in, which does not have a legible tattoo, corresponding to its registration certificate, is ineligible to show. Once disqualified, due to an incorrect or illegible tattoo, animals cannot be re-tattooed and rechecked at the show.
4. Animals must be entered under the recorded ownership name or co-owners’ names as of show date. Partnership animals must be so registered and entered under the partnership designation.
5. Exhibitors of livestock must inform themselves when their stock will be judged and stock must be in show ring promptly after being called. Stock not in the ring on time may not be allowed to compete.
6. Any female shown with a calf at side, calf must be cow’s most recent, natural calf, and the calf must be registered by show date and have the original registration certificate at check-in.
7. EXHIBITORS MAY NOT SHOW MORE THAN TWO ENTRIES IN ANY ONE LOT.
8. Beef cattle will not be permitted to be removed from exhibition barn before 8:00 p.m. daily and must be tied in areas designated by the management. Violation of this rule may result in forfeiture of any premium money awarded.
9. Any product administered internally or used externally to alter the conformation and/or appearance of any animal for exhibition is prohibited. Any animal found to be in violation will be barred from the show ring.
10. Any breed failing to exhibit a total of 40 animals average or more from a minimum of 5 farms each year in a 3 year period may be cause for discontinuing that breed in future shows.
11. Nose leads must be used with all bulls 12 months or older.
12. No torching of hair; no tattooing on fairgrounds
13. If you need additional stall space for supplies, hay, fans, camping, chairs, etc. you may purchase a 12ft wide panel/stall for $40.00. This fee must be paid upon registration, is non refundable, and will be assigned at the Superintendent's discretion at check-in. No more than 3 panels per registered Farm.
Premiums For All Classes
Schedule A
1st - $95.00 2nd - $75.00 3rd - $55.00 4th - $45.00 5th - $35.00
Schedule B
1st - $95.00 2nd - $75.00 3rd - $40.00 4th - $35.00 5th - $30.00
Schedule Information
Open Show - Friday, September 18 5:00 p.m. by breed
Class 1 - All other breeds (AOB)
To be judged Friday, September 18
All animals must be in place by 2 p.m., Friday,
September 18, and will be released after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18
Class 2 - Simmental
To be judged Friday, September 18
All animals must be in place by 2 p.m., Friday,
September 18, and will be released after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18
Class 3 - Hereford
To be judged Friday, September 18
All animals must be in place by 2 p.m., Friday,
September 18, and will be released after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18
Class 4 - Angus
To be judged Friday, September 18
All animals must be in place by 2 p.m., Friday,
September 18, and will be released after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18
Animals can begin arriving at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 17 . Gates will close at 12:00 a.m. each night. If you are planning to stay with your animals inside the barns, please make sure you have reserved the proper amount of stalls needed.
10 - Junior Female and Reserve Junior Female Champions
(Lots 1-9) ____________________________________$60, $35
11 - Senior Yearling Heifer - Sept. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2024___________A
12 - Two Year Old Female with Calf - Cow must be born after
Jan. 1, 2024. Calf must be under 255 days of age and nursing_A
13 - Mature Cow and Calf - Cow must be born before Jan. 1, 2024
Calf must be under 255 days of age and nursing____________A
14 - Senior Female and Reserve Senior Female Champions
(Lots 11, 12 & 13)_______________________________$60, $35 15 - Grand Champion & Reserve Grand Champion Female
(Lots 10 & 14)_________________________________$100, $50
Bulls
Lot
16 - Spring Bull Calves - After March 1, 2026___________________B
17 - Junior Bull Calves - Jan.1 thru Feb. 28, 2026_______________B
18 - Winter Bull Calves - Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2025______________B
19 - Senior Bull Calves - Sept. 1 thru Oct. 31, 2025______________B
20 - Late Summer Yearling Bulls - July 1 thru Aug. 31, 2025_______B
21 - Summer Yearling Bulls - May 1 thru June 30, 2025___________B
22 - Spring Yearling Bulls - Mar. 1 thru Apr. 30, 2025_____________B
23 - Junior Yearling Bulls - Jan. 1 thru Feb. 29, 2025_____________B
24 - Junior Champion Bull and Reserve Junior Champions Bull
(Lots 16-23)____________________________________$60, $35
25 - Senior Yearling Bulls - Sept. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2024____________B
26 - Summer Senior Yearling Bulls - May 1 thru Aug. 31, 2024______B
27 - Two Year Old Bulls - Jan. 1 thru Apr. 30, 2024_______________B
28 - Senior Champion Bull and Reserve Senior Champion Bull
(Lots 25, 26 & 27)_______________________________$60, $35
29 - Grand Champion Bull and Reserve Grand Champion Bull
(Lots 24 & 28)_________________________________$100, $50
Groups
Lot
30 - Breeder’s Herd - Four animals, either sex, bred and owned by exhibitor. All animals must be shown in their individual lots to be eligible_________________________________$200, $150, $100
Females
Lot
01 - Spring Heifer Calves - March 1, 2026 and after _____________ A
02 - Junior Heifer Calves - Jan. 1 thru Feb. 28, 2026 _____________A
03 - Late Senior Heifer Calves - Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2025_________A
04 - Early Senior Heifer Calves - Sept. 1 thru Oct. 31, 2025________A
05 - Late Summer Yearling Heifer - July 1 thru Aug. 31, 2025______A
06 - Early Summer Yearling Heifer - May 1 thru June 30, 2025_____ A
07 - Late Spring Yearling Heifer - April 1 thru April 30, 2025________A
08 - Early Spring Yearling Heifer - Mar. 1 thru Mar. 31, 2025_______ A
09 - Junior Yearling Heifer - Jan. 1 thru Feb. 28, 2025____________ A
Lot Rosettes will also be awarded for Lots 1-4
01 Supreme Champion Junior Female__________$300.00
02 Reserve Supreme Junior Champion_________$150.00
03 Supreme Champion Female________________$750.00
04 Reserve Supreme Female Champion________ $500.00
Class 5 - SimAngus
To be judged Friday, September 18
All animals must be in place by 2 p.m., Friday,
September 18, and will be released after 10:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18.
Class 6 - Supreme Champion beef classes
The Supreme Champion Beef Classes will be selected from the Grand Champions and Jr. Champions from the breeds shown in the open beef show.
These classes will be judged after the completion of the beef breed show by the judges from the breed shows.
Prize money for these classes is in addition to the prize money
JUNIOR BEEF CATTLE
General Rules and Regulations for the Junior Beef Show
1. Junior Beef members and Vocational Agriculture students are required to have been enrolled in the 4th grade on Jan. 1, of current calendar year in order to be eligible to exhibit their beef animals in this show and will become eligible at the end of the calendar year following their graduation from high school or on their 20th birthday, whichever comes first.
2. Entries may be submitted online August 1st, 2026 by visiting the Tennessee Valley Fair’s website. There is a no entry fee for the Junior Beef Show. Junior Exhibitor, vehicle and a parent/guardian will be admitted to the Fairground at no charge. Entries deadline: September 4, 2026.
3. All animals entered in the Junior Beef Show must be registered in the name of the Junior Exhibitor or transferred to the boy or girl in whose name the entry is made before August 1, prior to the show. Registration papers or transfer certificates and health certificate, properly executed, must be presented to the Director of the Show when cattle arrive at the Fairgrounds, or before the time of judging. Any other Junior Exhibitor may show another Exhibitor's animal if the case shall arrive. The replacement Exhibitor, must already be an Officially Registered Exhibitor in the show.
4. Exhibitors are allowed to enter no more than two animals in any one lot.
5. All cattle to be exhibited in the Junior Division must conform to health rules and regulations as outlined and required by the Division of Animal Disease Control. See TN Department of Agriculture-Regulatory Services-Animal Health guidelines.
6. Judging will take place Saturday, September 19 starting at 9:00 a.m.
7. All heifers must be exhibited in the show by their Owner unless the owner has two heifers in the same lot, or other special circumstances arise. If this is the case, the second heifer must be shown by another registered Junior member. Exceptions to this rule may be presented to the Beef Committee.
8. All animals must be in place by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18. You will not be allowed to officially check in until the Open Beef Show concludes. Animals will be released after the Saturday show or at the discretion of exhibitor with approval of the Superintendent.
9. Classes will be provided for those breeds that have at least 10 entries. Those breeds entered that do not have 10 entries will be shown in the “All Other Breeds” class
ATTENTION ALL EXHIBITORS
PLEASE NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO EXHIBIT!
Premiums
Premiums For Registered Heifer Show Classes 1 - 4
1st - $47.00 2nd - $42.00 3rd - $37.00 4th - 32.00
5th - 27.00 6th - 23.00 7th - 20.00 8th - 20.00
9th - 20.00 10th - 20.00
Premiums For Class 5 - Angus
1st - $49.00 2nd - $44.00 3rd - $39.00 4th - 34.00
5th - 29.00 6th - 25.00 7th - 22.00 8th - 22.00
9th - 20.00 10th - 20.00
Premiums For Class 6 - SimAngus
1st - $49.00 2nd - $44.00 3rd - $39.00 4th - 34.00
5th - 29.00 6th - 25.00 7th - 22.00 8th - 22.00
9th - 20.00 10th - 20.00
Premiums For Class 7 - Commercial Beef Heifer
1st - $47.00 2nd - $42.00 3rd - $37.00 4th - 32.00
5th - 27.00 6th - 23.00
1st - 3rd Rosettes will be awarded
Premiums For Class 8 - Feeder Steer Show
1st - $47.00 2nd - $42.00 3rd - $37.00 4th - 32.00
5th - 27.00 6th - 23.00
1st - 3rd - Rosettes will be awarded
Premiums For Class 9 - Showmanship
1st - $47.00 2nd - $42.00 3rd - $37.00 4th - 32.00
5th - 27.00 6th - 23.00
Registered Heifer Show
All classes to be judged Saturday, September 19 9:00 a.m.
Class 1 - Horned & Polled Herefords
Class 2 - Simmental
Class 3 - Shorthorn
Class 4 - all other breeds
Lot
01 - Junior Heifer Calves - after Jan. 1 2026
02 - Late Senior Heifer Calves - Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2025
03 - Early Senior Heifer Calves - Sept. 1 thru Oct. 31, 2025
04 - Late Summer Yearling Heifers - July 1 thru Aug. 31, 202
05 - Early Summer Yearling Heifers - May 1 thru June 30, 2025
06 - Late Jr. Yearling Heifers - March 1 thru April 30, 2025
07 - Early Jr. Yearling Heifers - Jan 1 thru Feb 28, 2025
08 - Senior Yearling Heifers - Sept.1 thru Dec 31, 2024
09 - Grand Champion____________________________$75
10 - Reserve Grand Champion_____________________$50
Class 5 - Angus
Lot
01 - Junior Heifer Calves - after Jan. 1 2026
02 - Late Senior Heifer Calves - Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2025
03 - Early Senior Heifer Calves - Sept. 1 thru Oct. 31, 2025
04 - Late Summer Yearling Heifers - July 1 thru Aug. 31, 2025
05 - Early Summer Yearling Heifers - May 1 thru June 30, 2025
06 - Late Jr. Yearling Heifers - March 1 thru April 30, 2025
07 - Early Jr. Yearling Heifers - Jan 1 thru Feb 28, 2025
08 - Senior Yearling Heifers - Sept.1 thru Dec 31, 2024
09 - Grand Champion____________________________$75
10 - Reserve Grand Champion_____________________$50
Class 6 - SimAngus
Lot
01 - Junior Heifer Calves - after Jan. 1 2026
02 - Late Senior Heifer Calves - Nov. 1 thru Dec. 31, 2025
03 - Early Senior Heifer Calves - Sept. 1 thru Oct. 31, 2025
04 - Late Summer Yearling Heifers - July 1 thru Aug. 31, 202
05 - Early Summer Yearling Heifers - May 1 thru June 30, 2025
06 - Late Jr. Yearling Heifers - March 1 thru April 30, 2025
07 - Early Jr. Yearling Heifers - Jan 1 thru Feb 28, 2025
08 - Senior Yearling Heifers - Sept.1 thru Dec 31, 2024
09 - Grand Champion____________________________$75
10 - Reserve Grand Champion_____________________$50
Class 7 - Commercial Beef Heifer
Open to nonregistered beef heifers of any breed or combination of beef breeds. Requirements for this class are:
a. Heifers must be weaned.
b. Heifers must either be polled or dehorned.
c. Heifers will be assigned to lots based on hip height
measurements.
d. Heifers shown in this class are not eligible to show in Registered Show.
Class 8 - Feeder Steer
Steers will be shown at halter and must be broken to lead. Each exhibitor is limited to three (3) entries. Steers must weigh a minimum of 500 pounds (shrinkage will be considered) and a maximum of 1200 pounds. Steers entered must be of Beef Breed, and the quality must meet market standards of feeder cattle. They must also be castrated and healed. Calves must be either polled or dehorned and healed. Steer will be shown by weight, not by breed. There will be no sale. Steers must be in place and available for weighing and classifying by 9:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Lot
01 - Light Weight Steers - 500lbs. to 750lbs.
02 - Medium Weight Steers - 751lbs. to 1000lbs.
03 - Heavy Weight Steers - 1001lbs. to 1200lbs.
Class 9 - Junior Beef Showmanship
Participants must have been enrolled in their respective grades: of January 1, 2026, and may show either a Registered Heifer,
Commercial Beef or Feeder Steer.
Lot
01 - Junior Division (grades 4 thru 6)
02 - Junior High Division (grades 7 thru 8)
03 - Senior Division Level 1 (grades 9 thru 10)
04 - Senior Division Level 2 (grades11 thru 12)
Little Cow Buddies
Will be held following the Feeder Steer Show. Open to any boy or girl up to the 4th grade. All entries must be heifers. Calves need not be owned by children exhibiting them. Open to all breeds. Will receive prize.