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November 9, 2012

Local animals headed to world’s largest, purebred livestock expo

Rushville Republican

RUSHVILLE — Louisville, Ky. - Will Schakel of Knightstown has entered one head of sheep in the Suffolk division of the 39th annual North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). The NAILE is recognized as the world’s largest purebred livestock show with more than 24,500 entries and nearly $700,000 in prizes and awards. Scheduled for November 3-16, the event takes place at the Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, KY.

Purebred farms from nearly every state and Canada bring livestock to compete in one of ten expo divisions: dairy cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, beef cattle, quarter horses, draft horses, mules & donkeys, sheep, swine, and llamas & alpacas. More than 200,000 American and foreign visitors attend the hundreds of individual breed shows, sales and events. In addition to the recognition and prize money that comes with winning at the NAILE, the value of the champion breeding stock is significantly enhanced.

Breed association events are not the only NAILE feature. The expo is also home to numerous youth events that are an important part of the livestock industry’s traditions, including: Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup; Youth, Junior College and Senior Collegiate Dairy Judging Contest; 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl; National Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest; National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest; National 4-H Skill-A-Than Contest; Junior College Livestock Judging Contest; and National 4-H Poultry & Egg Conference.

Additionally, youth exhibitors enter market animals, those targeted for meat production, in the Junior Steer Show, Junior Market Swine Show or Junior Wether Show. These youth shows are sponsored by Farm Credit Services of Mid-America and are nationally recognized for both the quality of competition and prestige of winning. Champions from these shows are sold at the Sale of Champions on November 15 at 6:00 p.m.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Great Lakes Circuit Rodeo Finals takes place November 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets for the invitational finals rodeo are $25 on Thursday, $30 on Friday and $32 for Saturday’s performance. Children under 12 get in for $5 on Thursday and $10 on Friday and Saturday with paid adult. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

From the 200,000 square foot giant country store and food court, to the entertaining PRCA Rodeo, NAILE visitors find lots to do and see in addition to attending the livestock competitions.

The NAILE is produced by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Kentucky State Fair Board. It is held at the Commonwealth’s giant Kentucky Exposition Center, which features over 1,200,000 square feet of climate-controlled exhibition space.



– Rushville Republican

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