By Lois Bachle, 2026 Sunbelt Ag Expo Social Media Intern
Across the Beef Barn, Dairy Exhibit, Poultry Building, Equine Exhibit and Sheep and Goat Barn, visitors can experience hands-on demonstrations, interact with industry experts and discover the innovations shaping livestock production throughout the Southeast.
From nationally recognized clinicians and educational exhibits to family friendly activities and inspiring stories of service and stewardship, the livestock area offers a firsthand look at the people and animals that keep one of agriculture’s most important sectors moving forward.
All About Beef:
Visitors to the Beef Barn at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo will find more than just cattle on display. Visitors will have the opportunity to see educational demonstrations, industry exhibitors and Extension professionals representing universities and Extension programs from across the Southeast.
Jason King, Senior Sales Representative for Elanco Animal Health, said the beef barn will include representatives from feed, animal health, pesticides and other agricultural companies, allowing producers an opportunity to learn about products and services available to those in the beef industry.
Live demonstrations throughout the expo will include cattle chute and other equipment demonstrations, highlighting proper cattle handling techniques. There will be educational displays to provide producers with information that they can take back to their own operations.
The Beef Barn showcases the many sectors of the beef industry while giving visitors a better understanding of the role beef production plays in agriculture. The exhibit highlights an industry that continues to be a vital part of American Agriculture, it’s an exhibit visitors won’t want to miss.
Stockman and Stewardship Program:
For the second year, an educational opportunity is coming to the Beef Barn as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association brings its Stockman and Stewardship program to the Sunbelt Ag Expo. The live cattle handling demonstrations are centered around Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles and best management practices, providing producers with techniques they can implement in their own operations.
Michaela Clowser, senior director for producer education for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the program goes beyond simply teaching cattle handling techniques by focusing on practices producers can take back to their own operations.
“The program emphasizes low-stress cattle handling, animal health and worker safety, while helping producers better understand cattle behavior,” Clowser said.
World-renowned stockmanship clinician Curt Pate will lead different demonstrations, sharing practical handling methods based on cattle’s natural behavior. Demonstrations will cover topics such as flight zones, points of balance, and chute-side handling techniques to improve both cattle welfare and efficiency. These are designed for producers of all experience levels, from those just starting in the cattle industry to seasoned cattlemen looking to improve their management practices.
The program is built around the principles of Beef Quality Assurance, a national education program that promotes responsible cattle care, proper handling techniques and consumer confidence in beef production.
Howes Hall of Fame:
This year, visitors to the Sunbelt Ag Expo will have the opportunity to meet Majors. Eric and Angela Czasja, the newest inductees, into the Howes Hall of Fame.
Established by Howes Products, the Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and organizations whose leadership, innovation and service have made lasting contributions to the trucking, agriculture, diesel and transportation industries. The annual recognition honors those whose work strengthens their industries while leaving a legacy for future generations.
U.S. Army Special Forces officer Eric Czaja, leads the Regenerative Grazing Open Air Lab. This initiative demonstrates how regenerative grazing can improve military readiness, reduce wildfire risk and restore military lands.
U.S. Army Reserve Major Angela Czaja is seventh generation Wisconsin farmer. She founded Boots to Roots, a nonprofit that prepares veterans for careers in regenerative agriculture through hands-on training, mentorship and workforce development.
Together, they have shown how military service and agriculture share common values of leadership, stewardship and resilience.
During the Expo, attendees can learn more about the Czajas’ work, and the impact regenerative agriculture is having on veterans, rural communities and the nation’s natural resources. Their induction reflects the mission of the Howes Hall of Fame, recognizing those whose dedication and innovation continue to strengthen agriculture while inspiring the next generation of industry leaders.
Equine in Action:
From nationally recognized clinicians to opportunities to meet industry ambassadors, the exhibit combines education with live demonstrations that showcase the skills, partnerships and traditions that define the horse industry.
Headlining this year’s lineup is renowned horseman Curt Pate, who will present daily horsemanship and stockmanship demonstrations in the Priefert Arena beginning at 10:30 a.m. Visitors can also watch ranch roping demonstrations and learn practical handling techniques rooted in real world ranch work.
Joining Pate is Garrett Shanks, an accomplished Mustang trainer and clinician whose passion for teaching has inspired horse enthusiasts across the country. Expo visitors will have the opportunity to meet the newly crowned Miss Sunbelt Rodeo Queen and the Princess Division winners, who serve as ambassadors for Georgia’s equine industry.
Beyond the demonstrations, the Equine Exhibit offers visitors the chance to connect with exhibitors, manufactures and agricultural experts while learning about horse health, nutrition, management and the latest industry innovations. Designed for experienced horse owners and newcomers alike, the exhibit aims to leave every visitor inspired, informed and with a greater appreciation for the role the equine industry plays in agriculture across the Southeast.
Dairy in Action:
The Dairy Exhibit gives visitors an opportunity to experience Georgia’s dairy industry in a fun, hands-on way. Designed with consumers and families in mind, the exhibit combines interactive activities with educational displays that help visitors better understand where dairy products come from and the people who produce them.
Throughout the Expo, guests can watch live milking demonstrations, meet a baby calf, and try a simulated milking station that allows visitors to experience the milking process firsthand. The University of Georgia Dairy Science program will also be on hand to answer any questions and share information about modern dairy production.
The Dairy Alliance will provide dairy products for visitors to enjoy. Popular milking competitions, held each day of the Expo, are expected to once again draw crowds from across the grounds as teams compete in one of the Dairy Exhibit’s most anticipated traditions.
Beyond the family friendly activities, the exhibit highlights the importance of Georgia’s dairy industry. The state is home to 67 dairy farms and approximately 88,000 dairy cows with the industry contributing nearly $4 billion annually to Georgia’s economy.
Whether visitors stop by to cool off with a treat, pet a calf or learn more about modern dairy farming, the Dairy Exhibit offers something for every age while celebrating one of Georgia’s most important agricultural industries.
Birds of a Feather:
Georgia’s poultry industry continues to lead the state’s agricultural economy, with broilers and eggs ranking as Georgia’s top two agricultural commodities. As producers navigate challenges such as avian influenza, rising production costs and increasing consumer interest in food safety, this year’s Poultry Building at the Sunbelt Ag Expo offers visitors a chance to learn how one of the state’s most important industries continues to evolve.
Inside the exhibit, visitors can explore a commercial poultry house setup, view equipment used in both commercial and backyard operations and attend educational presentations covering food safety, biosecurity, nutrition, small flock management and poultry processing.
The sessions are designed to give both producers and consumers a better understanding of modern poultry production and the management practices used to keep birds healthy. Claudia Dunkley, a University of Georgia Poultry Science public service associate, explained that educating the public about the industry’s impact is one of the exhibit’s primary goals.
Many Georgians do not realize the size and the importance of the poultry industry or the role it plays in the state’s economy. With biosecurity remaining a top priority, visitors, especially backyard flock owners will also learn practical steps they can take to help prevent the spread of avian influenza and protect Georgia’s poultry industry.
Whether you’re a lifelong producer, a first time Expo visitor or simply curious about agriculture, the livestock exhibits at this year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo offer something for everyone.
