What the Mississippi State Fair Junior Livestock Shows Are
The junior livestock shows are the fall half of Mississippi's 4-H and FFA show season. Youth bring market steers, lambs, hair sheep, goats and hogs, along with breeding beef, dairy cattle, goats and sheep, to the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson during the Mississippi State Fair. The most recent edition ran October 8-18, 2026, and the entry dates below are from that year's rule book. The shows run under the same rules as the Dixie National Junior Round-Up in February, and the stated mission is to promote agriculture and Mississippi youth through livestock education and competition. An official show veterinarian from the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine is on site.
Divisions and Ways to Enter
| Species | Fair classes |
|---|---|
| Beef | Market steers, commercial beef heifers, beef breeding animals |
| Sheep | Market lambs, market hair sheep, wether dams, breeding hair sheep |
| Goats | Market goats, commercial meat goat does, registered breeding Boer does, commercial and registered dairy goats |
| Swine | Market hogs |
| Dairy cattle | Commercial and registered dairy breeding females |
Showmanship classes are open to exhibitors in each species.
Who Can Enter and Rules
Exhibitors must physically live in Mississippi and belong to a 4-H club or FFA chapter in the state. Age is counted on January 1 of the show year: at least 8 and not yet 18, with an exception for a high school student who has not turned 19. Parents and exhibitors must complete the Mississippi Youth Livestock Producer Quality Assurance program.
Entries are made by the county Extension agent or agriculture teacher. The exhibitor must own and care for the animal from the ownership date through show day, and animals owned in partnership with an adult are not eligible. Market and commercial animals carry an 840 USDA official EID ear tag. A veterinarian's health certificate is needed to get on the fairgrounds, and the 60-day health record form is uploaded in the MSU livestock show check-in app, which is also used to check in all livestock. Drug use and unethical fitting lead to disqualification and loss of premiums.
How It Works: The Timeline (2026 Edition)
- September 1, 2026 is the ownership date and the county Extension office deadline for market steers, lambs, goats, hair sheep, hogs, beef breeding animals, commercial heifers, dairy and meat goat females and breeding sheep.
- September 4 (end of day) is the Showman app deadline, with a $10 per head nomination fee.
- September 14-16 is classification and DNA hair collection week: Hattiesburg on Monday, September 14 (7 a.m. to noon), Raymond on September 15 (8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), Greenwood on September 16 (8 to 10:30 a.m.) and Pontotoc on September 16 (2 to 6 p.m.).
- September 18 is the final Showman app deadline for Fair entries, with a $5 per head entry fee.
- October 8-18 is the Fair itself in Jackson.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
Exhibitors pay $10 per head to nominate and $5 per head to enter. The rule book provides for class and showmanship premiums and champion awards. Classes are capped at 15 animals, with larger classes split in two, and first- and second-place market animals must weigh back as soon as their class ends.
Where
Mississippi Fairgrounds, Jackson. The fairgrounds administrative office is 601-961-4000.
Questions
Can a family enter directly?
No. The Extension agent or agriculture teacher submits all entries.
When must I own the animal?
By September 1, 2026 for the Fair, and continuously through show day.
Is there a health paperwork requirement?
Yes. A veterinarian's health certificate and the 60-day health record are both required.
Official Links
- General Rules, 2026 Mississippi State Fair and 2027 Dixie National Junior Round-Up
- Beef Division
- Swine Division
- Junior and Open Livestock Show Premium Book
- Mississippi Fairgrounds
Mississippi County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Mississippi's youth livestock circuit runs from the State Fair in October through district shows in January to the Dixie National Junior Round-Up, February 1 to 11, 2027, per MSU Extension's general rules. County fairs set their own dates.
State fair
The 2026 Mississippi State Fair ran October 8 to 18 in Jackson, per WLOX. Exhibitors must be 4-H or FFA members, at least 8 and not yet 19 on January 1.
Ownership and tags
Ownership and county entry dates were September 1 and December 1, 2026. Market and commercial animals need 840 EID ear tags and a veterinarian's health certificate, per the general rules.
Health papers
Brucellosis and tuberculosis tests are not required while Mississippi stays free of those diseases, and exhibitors also submit a 60-day animal health record in the check-in app.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor for your fair book, tagging dates and sale rules.
Weights and entry rules differ by species and show. The 2025 State Fair drew 1,283 animals and 827 youth exhibitors, per the October 2025 newsletter, so book your barn and check-in times early.
Read the full guide: Mississippi County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- MSFB Classic Livestock Show
The Mississippi Farm Bureau Classic Livestock Show fills the Livestock Arena at the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-22, 2026.
- Tri-State Rodeo Finals
Rodeo finals are held at the Kirk Fordice Equine Center on the Mississippi Fairgrounds in Jackson, with flag girl tryouts alongside. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 20-21, 2026.
- Dixie National Junior Round-Up
Youth beef, sheep, goat, swine and dairy exhibitors compete in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. The 2027 show is set for February 1-11, with ownership deadlines of September 1 and December 1, 2026 by division.
- MS Ag and Outdoor Expo
Farm, ranch and outdoor exhibitors gather at the Mississippi Trade Mart in Jackson for a three-day expo scheduled for February 19-21, 2027.
Jackson, MS Official event details - Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo
The 61st Dixie National Rodeo ran nine performances over two weekends at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. Held each year in February; the most recent dates were February 13-21, 2026.
All Mississippi events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.