As a livestock producer, this is like going to the Mall of America for finding that new sire for your herd, or adding that extraordinary donor female. It is always great to take an animal onto the green shavings in Louisville, and a time to catch up with old friends, meet new producers, and just enjoy talking, listening, and learning as much as possible about this industry.
NAILE is November 5-21 so yes it already underway with Quarter Horse Shows November 5-13. It is an exciting show with both open and youth classes. Check out this link for the complete Quarter Horse Show Schedule:
http://www.livestockexpo.org/images/Documents/NAILEQuarterHorseShowBill.pdf
This weekend, is a great time to visit if you would like to see dairy cattle, hogs, dairy goats, llamas and alpacas, as well as the continuing Quarter Horse show. The Guernsey Junior Show and the Milking Shorthorn Junior Show both begin Friday at 3:30 pm. Dairy Goat Show at 4:00 pm, and Llama and Alpaca Show at 7:00 pm.so you have great options for a Friday afternoon and evening visit. Dairy shows continue Saturday morning with Jersey and Holstein Junior Shows beginning at 7:30 and 8:00 am respectively with open shows concluding on Tuesday so don't miss an opportunity to see the country's top dairy cattle at some of the most prestigious shows.
The Llama and Alpaca Show begins at 8:00 am and Junior Swine Showmanship begins at 12:00 pm. For a complete livestock show schedule, click on the following link:
http://www.livestockexpo.org/images/Documents/2019NAILESchedule.pdf
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| Photo from NAILE website. |
This weekend is also the 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl as well as the youth, and Junior and Senior Collegiate Dairy Judging Contests so you can expect to see teams dressed professionally in matching sports coats in the hallways, practicing their reasons on Sunday.
In past years, the first weekend, November 8-10, has fewer visitors than rodeo weekend, November 14-16, so visitors have closer parking and a smaller crowds walking through the livestock and exhibits. This first weekend is also the best opportunity to visit the North American Marketplace in the North Wing. You can shop for hours with booths filled with the latest in western wear, boots, livestock show supplies and gear, artwork, jewelry, handmade crafts, boots, livestock handling equipment, livestock trailers, feed, supplements, signs, and so much more! Did I mention boots? Store hours vary so be sure to check out the schedule which I copied directly from the NAILE website.
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Our son owns Champion Show Supply and he is in the North American Marketplace, booth # 705 near the Northwest entrance and Freedom Hall. Be sure to stop by for your livestock show supplies for all species, including show boxes, grooming chutes and stands, blowers, and supplements.
The junior swine show begins Saturday at 12:00 pm with showmanship and continues Sunday and Monday with breed shows and the market show. It's a great opportunity to see quality hogs and top junior exhibitors from across the country.
The Mule and Jack Show is a favorite for many with shows beginning Thursday, November 14 through Saturday, November 16. Check out this link for the complete show schedule:
The Draft Horse Show is always entertaining. The lead classes are held on Friday, November 15, with the cart, and 4 Horse, and 6 Horse classes on Saturday, November 16. It is a must-see event to watch the talented drives move the teams around the ring. Make time for this and find the schedule at the link:
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| Photo from NAILE website |
The highlight of the NAILE for many is the Championship Rodeo which begins Thursday, November 14 through Saturday, November 16. The rodeo is always a family event with excitement and fun for all ages! It's a great rodeo to cheer on competitors from the region and see everything from barrel racing to bull riding. I always enjoy the entertaining clowns who keep us laughing but have one of the most dangerous jobs of keeping the competitors safe.
Sheep begin arriving on Wednesday, November 13, and the sheep shows begin Friday, November 15 with the junior showmanship shows and continue Saturday morning with the Junior Market Wether Show, purebred classes at 8:00 am and the Junior Breeding Sheep Show also at 8:00 am. The Junior Wether Show and the Junior Breeding Sheep Show conclude Sunday with final classes and championship drives. Please see the schedule link above for all the open sheep shows.
The beef cattle shows are my favorite at the North American. You can visit with producers at the stalls, see their animals at the shows, and then often have the opportunity to purchase, either in a sale or by private treaty. The junior beef cattle shows begin Saturday and conclude on Sunday with the Junior Beef Heifer Shows on both days, and the Supreme Junior Beef Heifer chosen on Sunday evening. The Junior Market Steer Show is held on Sunday, November 17. The open beef shows are held Monday, November 18 - Thursday November 21. Please check out the link for complete show schedule:
The feeder calf show/sale has always received a lot of attention in Louisville. It's a great place to see the calves and have the opportunity to visit with the breeders prior to both the show and sale. The show begins at 1:00 pm with the sale following 1 hour after the completion of the show.
The National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest is Tuesday, November 19, and the National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest is Monday, November 18. It's always encouraging to visit with our industry youth and see them participating in national contests.
The Junior Market Goat Showmanship and Commercial Doe Show will be held Tuesday, November 19, at 8:00 am with the Junior Market Goat Show held on Wednesday, November 20, at 8:00 am. The ABGA will be held on Thursday, November 21, beginning at 8:00 am.
It's obvious the North American International Livestock Exposition has something for everyone, even the non-livestock producer, it's an educational goldmine, filled with experienced producers, exhibitors, educators, enthusiastic youth, and quality livestock. Check out the schedule, plan your visit, and enjoy your stay in Louisville!
