What the Winter Dairy Showcase Is
The Winter Dairy Showcase is a commercial dairy heifer show for Georgia 4-H and FFA members, hosted by Elbert County FFA and its alumni at Athens Technical College's Elberton campus. Hart EMC sponsors the show. Exhibitors bring commercial dairy heifers, which are judged in weight classes, and compete in showmanship by grade level. The most recent edition was held January 31, 2026, and the next is listed for Saturday, January 30, 2027.
Classes
- Commercial dairy heifers: Divided into weight classes.
- Registered division: May be added at show management's discretion, depending on how many entries come in. Registered heifers must have their breed association paperwork at check-in.
- Showmanship: Divided by grade level and may be split into heats depending on entries.
- Top 5: The five best dairy heifers are selected in the final drive.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Only Georgia 4-H and FFA members may compete.
- Each heifer needs a current health certificate from a licensed veterinarian and a clean, readable Georgia state ear tag. Entries without a readable ear tag are not accepted.
- Heifers must weigh under 850 pounds at check-in and are not reweighed after leaving the scale.
- There is no limit on entries per exhibitor, but each entry can be shown by only one exhibitor. An exhibitor may show another student's calf only if that calf's owner has two entries in the same class.
- The show committee may refund entry money if entries exceed the show's capacity.
Fees and Deadlines
| Item | Regular (postmarked by January 12, 2026) | Late (from January 13, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Per heifer | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Showmanship, per exhibitor | $5.00 | $10.00 |
Checks are made payable to Elbert County FFA Alumni. Entries are mailed to Maggie Branson, 1108 Athens Tech Road, Elberton, GA 30635.
How It Works: The Show Day Schedule
- Evening beforeFor overnight stalling, the barn opens at 4:00 p.m. and closes at 10:00 p.m. on the Friday before the show (January 30 in 2026).
- 6:30 a.m.Check-in begins.
- 9:00 a.m.The scale closes.
- 10:00 a.m.The show begins with showmanship, followed by the weight classes and the final drive.
Awards and What You Get
Class premiums and payouts depend on the number of entries received, and the entry form does not list set amounts. The top five dairy heifers are chosen in the final drive.
Where to Go
Athens Technical College, Elberton campus, Elberton, Georgia.
Questions
Can a 4-H member from another county enter?
Yes. The show is open to Georgia 4-H and FFA members, not only Elbert County students.
How heavy can my heifer be?
Under 850 pounds at check-in. She will not be reweighed once she leaves the scale.
What paperwork do I bring?
A current health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, a readable Georgia state ear tag, and breed association papers if she is registered.
Who do I call?
The Elbert County school contact on the entry form, 706-213-4200 extension 6311.
Official Links
- 2026 Winter Dairy Showcase rules and entry form: schedule, fees, eligibility and mailing address
Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Georgia's youth livestock season runs from January jackpots to the Georgia National Fair in Perry, which ran through October 18 in 2026, per WTOC. The top show is the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show in Perry: lambs and goats October 7 to 11, 2026, and hogs, beef, heifers, ewes and does February 17 to 20, 2027, per Georgia 4-H.
Who can show
Georgia 4-H and FFA members who have not finished high school. Grade minimums run from 1st grade for lambs and goats to 4th grade for beef.
Tags and papers
Market lambs and goats need state ear tags by August 1 and hogs by December 5. Livestock need a veterinary inspection certificate.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension agent or ag teacher for the fair book and entry dates.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Georgia County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Elberton 12 County Fair
Regional fair held in Elberton in Elbert County, running eleven days from late October into November. Held each year; the most recent dates were Oct. 22 to Nov. 1, 2026.
- Blue Ridge Cattle Classic
Two-day junior cattle show at the Union County Agricenter in Blairsville, part of the Georgia 4-H and FFA winter show circuit.
Blairsville, GA Official event details - Rockin The Ridge Market Hog Show
Market hog show for 4-H and FFA exhibitors at the Fannin County Ag Facility in Blue Ridge, run by the county FFA Alumni.
- Syrup City Harvest Classic Cattle and Pig Show
Three-day cattle and pig show in Cairo, the Syrup City, scheduled for November 13-15, 2026. Held each year as part of the fall youth livestock circuit.
Cairo, GA Official event details - MAC Attack Cattle Show
One-day junior cattle show held in the MAC Building in Hazlehurst, Jeff Davis County, on the Georgia 4-H show calendar.
Hazlehurst, GA Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.