Southwest Livestock Show

09/02/2026

Today is the last day to submit your scholarship applications! If you qualify and haven’t submitted yours today is it!

08/25/2026

September 9th-12th is coming up on us quick and we want to let you know of somethings that are a little different from years past.
1: we will be able to utilize the new addition to the Diamond Z Arena this year, it has an indoor wash rack and it gives us more space which we are excited about. With that being said there will be no fitting or clipping in the new addition area! Keep that stuff in the original barn.
2: The show ring will be in the new addition which means hog showmen you will have to walk your pigs from where the pens normally are to the south end of the barn. Plan accordingly and get to your class on time.
3: No reserving pens. No need to show up on Tuesday and reserve pens, because your pen assignment will be given to you at weigh in! YES YOU WILL BE ASSIGNED PENS!
4: Hog people there will be someone at the barn Wednesday the 9th at 6-630AM to let you bring in your pigs in before school or work. Once again you will have assigned pens. Talk to the board member and they will show you where your pen is.
5: Show tack and supplies will be allowed in the barn on Wednesday morning.

Let’s have fun this year and make some memories.

08/25/2026

We want to introduce our beef and swine judge Tony Morris. Tony Morris has been active in the livestock industry for his lifetime. Not only competitively showing and raising cattle, but also judging shows and competing on and coaching livestock judging teams. He was a member of the 2003 Oklahoma State Livestock Judging Team. His experiences have allowed him to judge shows in several states at varying levels of competition. Beyond this, he has coached High School livestock judging teams to state and national championships. He currently work as the Agribusiness Sales Manager for Ingredion Inc.

Q1: What is your favorite part about working with the next generation of agriculture in the show ring?

My favorite part about working with the next generation in the show ring. It’s just the passion and fire that young people have when they are working hard and and have a cause and a goal that they’re that they they’re fully committed to.. I’m getting to the age we’re seeing driven young people that wanna be great is really inspiring to me and it gives me a lot of hope. Maybe for our future when I see young people that are just willing to fight like crazy to get something they want.

Q2: Biggest pet peeve in showmanship in cattle and hogs?

My biggest pet peeve in cattle showmanship is when people don’t use the whole ring. I think it’s really important that you understand that your calf is much bigger than you are and they can’t turn in the same size circles and they can’t look their best if you force them to work in small areas so my advice to everybody whether you have 10 in a class or you’re the only one in your classes to use the whole ring.

My biggest pet peeve in swine, really there are two. The first is you are required to make a good first impression so don’t come in the gate hoping you get to the right spot come in the gate with a plan for a pattern so that I see all the views of your animal and that you are coming in with purpose not just hoping to get to the right area. Second, I’m not a huge believer in showmanship rules. I don’t really care if you have to use your free hand to get them to look their best or if you cross over the correct way every time I think your job is to make that animal look their best and the way you drive them to win the show is the way you drive them to win showmanship if you’re showing to tony Morris

Q3: What is your “must have” in cattle and hogs you judge?

Must haves for me and cattle and hogs really any livestock species are really the same. They need to be correct in the skeleton. They need to be really balanced and attractive from the side and they need to have a lot to them and I don’t think one of those things is more important than the other, but I think that’s the required to be good livestock

Q4: Go to road trip music and snack?

My go to road trip music is a combination of the Turnpike Troubadours, Sturgill Simpson, and the Grateful Dead.

And my go to snacks are beef jerky and Oreos so my breath on the road trip is horrible

08/10/2026

Registration is due tomorrow. No late registration!

*Important Buyer Note: Buyers must request a new Buyer Number for the live auction each year. First create your website account on swjl.showandfair.com and then request your Buyer Number for this year's auction. If you already created an account and need help resetting your password, please go here.

08/06/2026

Last call for buckle and banner sponsors! We could use your sponsorship.

Buckle & Banner Sponsors

08/05/2026

Introducing Nathan Haws - lamb and goat judge

Nathan Haws was born and raised in Skidmore, Texas where he grew up on a diversified livestock operation. He and his family raised and showed cattle, hogs and sheep. Nathan attended Texas A&M Kingsville where he graduated with a Bachelors in Education. Currently, Nathan, his wife Erin and their children live in Beeville, Texas where they own and operate Haws Genetics & Club Lambs. Nathan wholeheartedly believes no better investment can be made than teaching a love of God, family and an appreciation for agriculture.

Q1: What is your favorite part about working with the next generation of agriculture in the show ring?

Honestly, I just enjoy getting out and having fun with these exhibitors. I want to make their experience in the show ring a memorable one and give each and every one of them the fair shake they deserve. We need these kids in agriculture.

Q2: Biggest pet peeve in showmanship in lambs and goats?

Probably smacking the lamb or goat. Our industry battles enough issues without giving people an excuse to further scrutinize livestock agriculture. I like to see a pair that has worked together so much they operate as one unit.

Q3: Do you prefer to judge livestock on the move or in profile?

I think it has to be a combination of both. To make those hard decisions, there’s always going to be some give and take. When I’m struggling to separate a pair or a trio, I always walk them. Sometimes that’s what seals the deal and confirms the direction I’m leaning.

Q4: What is your “must-have” in the lambs and goats you judge?

Like all judges, we’re searching to find one that has it all. I want the combination of a Sasquatch, Unicorn, a Clydesdale, and a Thoroughbred all wrapped into one package. I want the perfect balance of ruggedness, power, elegance, and muscularity.

When I sort livestock, I work from the ground up. Do their feet and legs function the way they should? Are they stout-featured?

Then I start at the front end and work my way back. Does the neck and shoulder tie together correctly? If so, which one does it in the most unique way?

Next, I evaluate center body and rib shape. I generally prefer one that’s a little rounder and shallower over one with a giant rib that’s just a little too deep.

From there, I want them to progressively get deeper and wider as we move back toward their loin edge and flank.

I want that loin edge to transition smoothly into a big, three-dimensional hip and lower stifle that is proportional, matches from behind, and ties into the shank with good balance and symmetry in relation to the flank.

I know that’s a tall order. At the end of the day, my job is to identify the ones that put all of those pieces together to the highest degree while still being able to move around the ring the way I think they should….flexible, athletic, and free.

Q5: Go-to road trip music and snack?

The music is usually some form of country. I enjoy a lot of today’s country, but late ’80s and early ’90s country is what I grew up on.

I’m not much of a snacker, but you can usually find me trying to track down the best sweet tea in the area.

08/04/2026

We are down to a week to register your animal for the Southwest Junior Livestock Show. There will be no late entries.
It is simple just register online it takes 5 minutes. You also have until August 11, to make any corrections to your registration as well!
Make sure you are registered and in good standing with 4-H.

07/23/2026

Registration is due Tuesday August 11, 2026!

*Important Buyer Note: Buyers must request a new Buyer Number for the live auction each year. First create your website account on swjl.showandfair.com and then request your Buyer Number for this year's auction. If you already created an account and need help resetting your password, please go here.

07/09/2026

This clinic is being putting on by Canyon View FFA. they have been putting on this great clinic for the past few years and it has been very helpful for Southwest Junior Livestock Show Exhibitors. All counties are welcome and coaches will be past winners of the Southwest Junior Livestock Show.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdA2kAaVqgv5YZqQV9nF9frSed70SDOzjv_NMAk6wAr9BqAAw/viewform

06/30/2026

Here’s the sign up sheet to sponsor a buckle or banner multiple. We really do appreciate all the sponsors and we are excited to celebrate America’s 250th in patriotic fashion this year! All buckles and banners will be American Themed!

Buckle & Banner Sponsors