What the Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup Is
The Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup is a statewide weekend for youth livestock exhibitors, run by University of Arizona Cooperative Extension. The 2027 show is January 30 and 31 at the Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S Houghton Rd, Tucson. It combines largestock and smallstock shows with knowledge contests, and two of the contests qualify winners for national events.
Divisions and Classes
| Area | What is offered |
|---|---|
| Largestock | Market cattle, swine, market lamb, market goat, dairy cattle, dairy goat. Showmanship, market and breeding classes; dairy cattle and dairy goat have showmanship and breed shows |
| Smallstock | Rabbit, cavy, poultry, geese, pigeon, quail, guineas, pygmy goat. Showmanship and breed shows |
| Knowledge contests | Largestock Quiz Bowl, Avian Quiz Bowl (all ages), Smallstock Skill-a-thon, Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging (all ages) |
Largestock Quiz Bowl qualifies for the Western National Roundup. Poultry Judging and Avian Quiz Bowl qualify for the North American International Livestock Exposition.
Who Can Enter
4-H members, FFA members and non-4-H youth may enter. Showmanship age divisions are Junior (8-10), Intermediate (11-13) and Senior (14-18). Junior and intermediate showmanship classes need at least six participants; if not, they merge into one junior class for ages 8-13. 4-H members register through a ZSuites link, FFA members through a separate ZSuites link. Livestock judging teams also register through a Google Form, and every member still registers through ZSuites.
Fees and Deadlines
- Registration closes January 15, 2027. No late entries are accepted, and fees are non-refundable.
- Livestock: $30 per entry. Smallstock: $10 per entry. Knowledge contests: $5 per entry.
- Non-4-H exhibitors pay an extra $15.
- Tie-outs or pens: $5 per pen, paid at registration. Shavings can be purchased.
- RV dry camping: $30 per night. Full hookup: $45 per night. Power is limited, so bring a generator.
Rules That Matter
- A current Arizona State Livestock Board Seasonal Pass is required with the member's name; without it the entry is disqualified.
- Proof of ownership or lease and registration papers must be in the exhibitor's or family herd's name.
- Animals need ear tag, ear notch or permanent ID, and are weighed once.
- All animals are health-screened before tying or penning. Intact males are not eligible, except dairy cattle.
- Exhibitors must show and care for their own animals, and entries cannot be switched to another exhibitor once the show starts.
- Dress: 4-H members wear a white or green long-sleeve button-down shirt, long pants, belt and closed-toe shoes (leather for largestock handlers). FFA members are encouraged to wear Official Dress.
Check-In
Check in at the registration table and get a show number before weigh-in. Animals are not allowed at the registration table.
Questions
Can a non-4-H kid show?
Yes, with the extra $15 fee and the same rules.
Where do I find the schedule and map?
The Extension event page links a stock show schedule, a venue map and the species rules.
Who do I call?
For RV parking, the Pima County Fair office is 520-762-8579. Show questions go to the event contact listed on the Extension page.
Official Links
- Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup: registration and rules
- General rules (2025 edition)
- Knowledge contests
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Arizona: The Essentials
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has offices in all 15 Arizona counties and five Native American nations, per the local offices directory. Its experts live and work in the communities they serve, and most families first meet Extension through 4-H or the county fair.
4-H basics
Per the Mohave County 4-H page, Cloverbuds are 5 to 7 and members are 8 to 18, based on age on January 1 of the club year. The 4-H year runs October 1 to September 30, and a $20 enrollment fee is due each year. Families pick a club, contact its leader and enroll in ZSuite. Details vary by county, so confirm with your own office.
Shows and projects
Extension lists events such as the Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup, scheduled January 30 and 31, 2027 in Tucson, and the Pinal County 4-H Fair, held March 18 to 22, 2026.
Beyond 4-H
Offices also handle gardening, agriculture and natural resource questions. Yavapai County, for example, offers a Zoom-based home horticulture class.
Next steps
Call your county office, such as Maricopa at 602-827-8200 or Pima at 520-626-5161, and ask about clubs, fees and fair deadlines.
Read the full guide: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension in Arizona
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Arizona Association FFA Spring Conference
Statewide FFA spring contests on February 26-27, 2027 at the University of Arizona campus and farm; dairy, vet science and horse evaluation are held off campus.
Tucson, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA Official event details - Pima County Fair
The 2026 Pima County Fair ran April 16-26 in Tucson with swine, lamb, goat, beef and dairy shows, livestock judging, round robins and large and small stock auctions.
- Arizona FFA Summit Conference - Tucson
Southern Arizona FFA Summit Conference on September 28, 2026 at the Sheraton Hotel Tucson, part of the statewide leadership series.
Tucson, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA Official event details - Central Arizona Farmer Field Day
Annual morning field day for central Arizona growers run by the University of Arizona Pinal County agronomy program, with cotton, small grain and forage research results; set for November 18, 2026.
Casa Grande, AZ | 520-836-5221 | Organizer: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Official event details - Arizona National Livestock Show
Billed as the largest livestock show in the Southwest, it draws youth exhibitors with about 2,500 cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine; 2026 runs December 27-31.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.