What the Georgia Junior National Livestock Show Is
The Georgia Junior National Livestock Show (GJNLS) is the state championship stage for Georgia 4-H and FFA youth livestock exhibitors. It is held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, hosted by Georgia 4-H, Georgia FFA and the UGA Rhodes Animal and Dairy Science Department. The 2027 show runs February 17 to 20, with move-in on February 16 from 4 to 10 p.m. The program states its mission as providing opportunities to develop life skills and enhance knowledge in an ethical manner.
Divisions and Ways to Enter
| Show | Who | Online entry due | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market hog | 3rd grade or older | Dec. 5, 2026 | $30 each for the first 3, $35 for the 4th to 10th (up to 10 entered, 2 taken) |
| Breeding doe | 1st grade or older | Dec. 5, 2026 | $30 each for the first 3, $35 for the 4th and 5th |
| Breeding ewe | 1st grade or older | Dec. 5, 2026 | $30 each for the first 3 |
| Breeding heifer | 4th grade or older | Nov. 1, 2026 | $30 per heifer |
| Market beef | 4th grade or older | Nov. 1, 2026 | $30 per animal |
| Prospect beef | 4th grade or older | Jan. 5, 2027 | $30 per animal |
Grade is measured as of September 1, 2026, and exhibitors must not have completed high school. Mailed entry forms with payment are accepted a week later than the online dates (for example Dec. 12 for hogs, Nov. 8 for beef). Each county or chapter mails all entries with one check or money order; individual checks are not accepted. Commercial dairy heifers and the market lamb and goat shows (held earlier, October 7 to 11, 2026) have their own entry dates.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Exhibitors must be Georgia 4-H or FFA members. Market goat and breeding doe exhibitors must be Georgia residents.
- The exhibitor must own, possess and provide primary care for the animal from entry to show day, and may not show it under another name.
- Official ear tags (and tattoos for cattle) must be in place by the entry date; replacing a sick or dead animal after entry is not allowed.
- Market hogs must have a declared weight of 215 to 290 lbs. Market steers must weigh at least 950 lbs and market heifers at least 850 lbs.
- Market hogs are a non-terminal show. Barrows must be physically castrated.
- All entries are subject to drug and residue testing. Diuretics, tranquilizers and anti-inflammatory drugs are banned.
- Dogs and pets (other than service dogs) and alcohol are prohibited, and camping in the barns is not allowed.
How It Works: The Timeline
Wednesday, February 17
Barns open at 8 a.m. Hog unloading 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; hog weight cards and registered hog check-in 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; heifer and steer check-in 1 to 4 p.m.; beef fitting clinic and contest at 4 p.m. All hogs, heifers and steers must be weighed and in place by 4 p.m.
Thursday, February 18
Swine showmanship (3rd to 12th grade) and cattle showmanship (4th to 12th grade) at 8 a.m.; barrow weight cards due by noon; beef heifer show after 2 p.m.; breeding doe check-in 9 a.m. to noon; dairy heifer check-in 1 to 4 p.m.
Friday, February 19
Market barrow show at 8 a.m. (purebreds, then crossbreds); gilt weight cards due by noon; breeding doe show at 8 a.m.; dairy heifer showmanship at 9 a.m.; breeding ewe check-in 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, February 20
Market gilt show and first-year market beef show at 8 a.m.; breeding ewe show at 8:30 a.m.; invitational prospect and market beef show at 10 a.m.; dairy heifer show at 8 a.m.; County Group of 5.
Awards and What You Get
- Prospect beef: Grand Champion $500 and banner; Reserve Grand Champion $250 and banner.
- Bred and Owned Angus show (Feb. 19): Grand $250, Reserve $125. Hereford (Feb. 18): Grand $100, Reserve $75. Limousin (Feb. 19): Champion $250, Reserve $125.
- Breeding heifer and hog premiums depend on available funds and entries.
- Master 4-H and Supreme FFA showmanship are held for each species.
- There is no market beef sale at the state show.
Where to Go
Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter, Perry, Georgia.
Questions
Can a 3rd grader show?
Yes, in market hogs. Market lamb, goat, breeding ewe and doe open at 1st grade; beef and heifers start at 4th grade.
What if I miss the deadline?
Late entries are only by written appeal within 14 days of the deadline, filed by the County Agent or Agriculture Teacher. Acceptance is not guaranteed.
Who handles health papers?
Georgia Department of Agriculture Animal Health, (404) 656-3667, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Official Links
- 2026-2027 GJNLS rulebook
- Georgia FFA GJNLS page
- Georgia 4-H state livestock show rules
- UGA Extension calendar listing
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
- ABAC Sigma Alpha Emerald Exhibition
Weekend livestock exhibition in Perry hosted by the ABAC Sigma Alpha chapter at the Georgia National Fairgrounds.
Perry, GA Official event details - GJLF Expo
Four-day Georgia junior livestock expo at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, scheduled in the 4-H and FFA winter calendar.
- Georgia 4-H / FFA Rabbit Show
Statewide rabbit show for 4-H and FFA members held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
Perry, GA Official event details - Houston County High FFA Dairy Heifer Show
Dairy heifer show hosted by Houston County High FFA at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry.
Perry, GA Official event details - Georgia National Fair
Georgia state fair in Perry with livestock shows, a midway, concerts and Georgia Grown exhibits. Held each year; the 2026 fair ran Oct. 8-18 and the 2027 fair is slated for Oct. 7-17.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.