The Department of Live Stock planned its section as a working exhibit in itself. Instead of scattering small barns, it built eight large ones around an oval stadium or "Forum," so animals could walk straight from their stalls into the show ring. The Guide says the barns themselves could be "regarded as a working exhibit of this industry," with model drinking troughs, dipping tanks and seven great silos. The dairy barn stood apart so its milk could not absorb stable odors. Nearby, Congress Hall, a bungalow with a 500-seat audience hall, housed the department offices and breeders' meetings.
Prize money came to $426,950: the exposition's own appropriation of $175,000 plus $251,950 from breed associations, not counting $227,000 in harness-racing purses (Official Guide). An international egg-laying contest ran from November 1, 1914 to November 1, 1915. The big breeding shows came in October and November, but a livestock quarantine kept most of the cattle away. Only 699 beef and dairy animals were shown, out of 1,834 original entries (Todd).