2026 Michigan 2-Day Cattle Grad Program®

Our program is a 2-day fun-filled FREE event where students can bring their animals and work one on one with the industry's best and most talented. Topics covered include: daily care, clipping, fitting, proper breakdown, and showmanship. Participants will walk away motivated and prepared for success! This clinic is an excellent experience for new exhibitors as well as experience showman. This program is sponsored by Sullivan Supply, Andis, and Purina.

Age of Participants

Typically, the age range for Stock Show University Grad Programs is 7-21, but we make exceptions for kids that might be a little younger that are really willing to learn.

*NEW — Health Papers

New in the fall of 2026, Stock Show University is requiring health papers for all animals that attend our programs. We want to ensure that all animals are healthy that are attending our programs for biosecurity purposes.

Address: Kent County Fairgrounds; 13801 Cascade Rd SE, Lowell Township, MI 49331

Stock Show University Graduate Program Schedule –Subject to Change

Saturday, May 30, 2026

• 9:00am—Registration + Have animals fed and put away in designated area (YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WASH — WE WILL DO THAT AS A GROUP)
• 9:30am—Welcome; Bleachers
• 9:45am—Daily Care Demo—Followed by Professors One on Ones
• 12:00pm—Lunch, sponsored by Sullivan Supply®
• 1:00pm—Showmanship Demo—Followed by Professor One on Ones
• 3:30pm— Fun Activities with Professors
• 5:00pm— Closing Comments for the Day from Stock Show U

Sunday, May 31, 2026

• 8:00am—Have animals washed, dried, and ready for the day
• 8:30am—Welcome; Bleachers
• 8:45am— Clipping Demo—Followed by Professor One on Ones
• 11:30am—Lunch, sponsored by Sullivan Supply®
• 12:15pm—Fitting Demo—Followed by Professors One on Ones
• 3:30pm— Closing Finale

*Note — The facility/fairgrounds will be open on the Friday night before for participants that will be traveling a distance to the event. All registered participants will receive a detailed email with all the final times and details two weeks before the program.

Supply Packing List

This is a list for the participants that are bringing animals to the Grad Program. All participants are advised to bring lawn chairs to sit in during the professor demos — whether they are brining an animal or not.

• Generator, if possible
• Bedding
• Wheelbarrow and shovel (for clean-up)
• Feed and feeding supplies
• Chute/Stand
• Fitting mats
• Washing supplies – hose, foamer, shampoo, scrub brush
• Blower
• Combs and brushes (plastic, metal, and roto brush w/ cordless drill)
• Adhesives
• Adhesive removers
• Clippers and blades
• Show halter
• Showstick/Whip
• *Again, this is a suggested list, there will be supplies available for purchase on site

Other Information For Participants

• If you are wanting to camp at the facility, you need to reach out to the fairgrounds/facility directly. Stock Show University does not manage or is not responsible for any lodging for participants.

• Animals that come to the Grad Program can come unclipped. During the one-on-one clipping portion, the Professors will be assisting the kids with this task.

• As there will be more participants than Professors/staff, we ask that each participant that bring an animal works on one animal during the program to make the time with the Professors more fair and even. If your animal does need a companion animal, you are more than welcome to bring that animal along for the ride.

• Do I have to bring animals with me to attend? As it is not mandatory to bring animals with you to the Grad Program, we highly recommend that you do! Our program is based around the individuals that do bring their animals and learn with us hands-on. Our schedule will not be modified for participants that choose to not bring an animal with them. (Suggestion: Even if you have an old show animal at home, bring them! It doesn’t have to be your current show animal.)

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Host or Publisher Tess Mittag - Stock Show University