As the American Royal closes the books on a very successful 2014 season, it is pleased with the growth of its Livestock Show. Now in its 115th year, the American Royal Livestock Show continues to draw exhibitors showing the best livestock from across the country. This year’s event saw an increase of 8% for the total livestock entered (3,977) and a 7% increase in exhibitors (1,792 from 34 states) who came to the show.

“The roots of the American Royal are in the livestock show. The first American Royal in 1899 was a national Hereford cattle show held in a tent. Today our livestock show includes several breeds of cattle, hogs, lambs and goats. There are more than 25 different shows within our overall event that takes place for two weeks in the American Royal Complex,” says Mariner Kemper, Chairman of the American Royal.

In 2014 the Livestock Show included twelve open breeding cattle shows, eight junior heifer shows, four junior market shows (steer, hog, lamb, & goat), and a junior pedigreed gilt show.

The Livestock show focuses greatly on the purpose of the American Royal by providing scholarships, youth agriculture education, awards, and competitive learning experiences that help instill hard work, leadership skills and agrarian values. The American Royal Junior Shows are highly regarded in the livestock industry and award junior exhibitors between the ages of nine and twenty for their hard work throughout the year in raising their livestock projects.