What the Market Goat Show Is
The Missouri State Fair Market Goat Show is the wether (market) class for Boer meat goats, open to 4-H and FFA members only. It is held the day before the fair opens: the most recent show was Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia. For 2026 the show moved to this slot, and Percentage Bucks classes were added to the 4-H and FFA Boer goat shows. The goats are graded in three weight divisions, so a lighter goat competes against goats of similar size.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Open to 4-H and FFA members. 4-H members must be in good standing in their county.
- The goat must be a wether one year old or younger, registered as in the open show, and owned by the exhibitor before June 1 of the show year.
- You may nominate up to 10 wethers, but only 2 per weight class are eligible. Goats are weighed once and placed in the light, medium or heavy division.
- 4-H members in food animal projects, including meat goats, had to complete Missouri Show-Me Quality Assurance certification or an equivalent by June 1, 2026.
- DNA hair samples for market goat classes must be witnessed by an Agriculture Teacher or Extension Agent and mailed to the fair office with a postmark on or before June 15. Faxes are not accepted.
- Goats may not leave the barn after arrival without permission from the superintendent or State Veterinarian. Drenching is prohibited unless the State Veterinarian authorizes it for health reasons; penalties include withheld premiums, suspension or probation.
- Wethers must be clipped to 1/4 inch before arriving; no additional clipping is allowed in the Sheep Barn.
- All goats need an official scrapie ear tag or other state-veterinarian-approved permanent ID, listed on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, and are inspected at check-in.
How It Works: The Timeline
- June 1: goat ownership and Quality Assurance certification deadlines.
- June 15: DNA hair sample postmark deadline.
- July 13, 5 p.m.: livestock entries due. No late entries are accepted.
- July 25: last day for substitutions, within the same class only, with no exceptions.
- August 12, 11 a.m.: market goat show.
- August 13 to 23: the fair, with the 4-H/FFA showmanship and commercial doe shows on August 11 and the open breed show on August 17.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
Two feed-company premium programs apply to the champions. The MFA Feed Division pays $150 to the 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Meat Goat and $100 to the Reserve, for animals enrolled in the MFA 4-H/FFA Livestock Premium Program on MFA-recommended feeds. Purina Animal Nutrition pays $1,000 to the Overall Grand Champion Meat Goat and $500 to the Overall Reserve for goats fed the Purina Honor Show Chow program.
Exhibitors age 12 and under get free admission to the 11-day fair with a wristband sponsored by MFA, Inc. Exhibitors 13 and older can buy up to 40 single-day tickets at $8 each or a season wristband for $88 at entry or at the Business Office through August 12. These do not include exhibitor parking.
Showmanship
Anyone with a market, breeding or commercial goat entry may also enter Boer goat showmanship using their own animal. Age brackets (as of January 1): 4-H 8-10 Junior, 11-13 Intermediate, 14-18 Senior; FFA 16 and under, and 17 and over. First place in each class earns a plaque, and first-place winners must move up a division the next year.
Where
Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301. Goat exhibitors report for inspection at the Race Horse Barns on the east side of the grounds (Gate 11); arrival times are in the Premium Guide.
Questions
Can I show a doe in the market show?
No. The market class is for wethers only. Breeding does show in separate classes.
Are bucks allowed in showmanship?
No. Bucks are not allowed in showmanship, and exhibitors must show meat goats to compete.
Can I use muzzles?
No. Goats may be hand-held or led by rope or halter.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office: 800-422-FAIR (3247).
Official Links
- Livestock Entry and What's New in Livestock
- Competition Updates for 2026
- 4-H/FFA Boer Goats Rules & Classes
Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Fair dates
Missouri county fairs run through the summer. In 2026 the Benton County fair in Lincoln was June 17 to 20 and the Livingston County fair in Chillicothe was July 11 to 17, per fair listings. The Missouri State Fair in Sedalia ran August 13 to 23, per the News Tribune.
Who can show
State Fair 4-H members must have passed their 8th birthday but not their 19th before January 1, and food animal exhibitors need Show-Me Quality Assurance, per the livestock rules.
Deadlines
State Fair livestock entries were due July 13 at 5:00 p.m. with no late entries. Beef steer ownership is March 1 and swine May 1.
Health and sale rules
Cattle and swine need a veterinary inspection certificate dated within 30 days of the show, and needles are not allowed in the barns. A market animal that has been offered for sale cannot be shown at the State Fair.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for your fair book, ownership dates and weigh-in details.
Rules differ by fair.
Read the full guide: Missouri County Fairs and State Fair Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Missouri State Fair
Missouri's 122nd state fair on roughly 396 acres in Sedalia, with premier livestock shows, competitive exhibits, agribusiness displays, a carnival midway and concerts, running August 13-23 in 2026.
- Missouri State Fair IPRA Pro Rodeo
International Pro Rodeo Association performances in the Parson Arena at 6 p.m. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 13, 14 and 15, 2026, with $15 to $20 adult tickets.
- Missouri State Fair Lamb BBQ Competition
Lamb barbecue cook-off hosted by Missouri Sheep Producers during the state fair. Held each year; the most recent date was Sunday, Aug 16, 2026.
- Missouri State Fair Zebra Camel and Ostrich Races
Free evening races with zebras, camels, ostriches, emus and ducks. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 17 and 18, 2026.
2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO, Sedalia, MO 65301 | Organizer: Hedrick's Zebra, Camel, Ostrich, Emu & Duck Races Official event details - Missouri State Fair Knights of Valour Jousting Show
Mounted jousting performances in the state fair arena, $10 adult and $5 youth. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 19 and 20, 2026.
2503 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO, Sedalia, MO 65301 | Organizer: Knights of Valour Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.