The Illinois Beef Expo is an annual event held the last full weekend of February at the Illinois State Fairground in Springfield, Illinois. One of the premier cattle events of the Midwest, the event hosts multiple sales, a junior show, and a large industry trade show.

The first Illinois Beef Expo was held February 24-28, 1988, after a progressive group of cattlemen came together in 1987 to bring multiple breed sales and a junior prospect show together. The first expo saw nine breed sales and a prospect show for heifers and steers from all over the United States. The Illinois Beef Expo has been held in the same format every year since, with the exception of two years- 2008 and 2021.

Today, the Illinois Beef Expo hosts the Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale and Angus, and Simmental sales. The trade show is always popular with over 75 vendors filling the basement and surrounding the Livestock Center for the duration of the event.

Schedule of Events:

9:00am-5:00pm - Trade Show Open
11:00am - Illinois Performance Tested Bull Sale Afternoon, Tradeshow Social & Reception
4:00pm-7:00pm - Junior Show Check-In begins- All steers, market heifers, and commercial heifers must be present to weigh. Breed heifer exhibitors will just need to verify information, pay fees (if applicable), and pick-up exhibitor cards. Livestock Center, Lower Level Artisan's Building Livestock Center, Lower Level Barn 26
All market animals showing on Friday (Shorthorn, Charolais/Composite, Shorthorn Plus, Hereford, Angus, Chi, Maine Steers and Market Heifers) must check-in at this time.