What the MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Livestock Shows Are
The 4-H and FFA livestock program at MontanaFair is the youth side of Montana's biggest annual fair, held at MetraPark in Billings. Over nine days, Yellowstone County youth bring horses, rabbits, poultry, cavies, pocket pets, sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas, beef and dairy cattle, and swine to the Expo Center and SuperBarn. Each species has its own show and showmanship class, and the week ends with the Junior Livestock Sale, where market animals sell to area buyers. The 2026 edition ran August 3 to August 16, with the animal shows on August 6 through 14.
Shows and Contests at a Glance
| Area | 2026 dates | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Horse (SuperBarn) | Aug 6-8, archery Aug 10 | Showmanship, trail, ranch classes, team penning, mini trail |
| Poultry, rabbit, cavy, pocket pet (Expo) | Aug 7-9 | Check-in, shows, showmanship, rabbit agility, poultry show block |
| Sheep, goat, llama and alpaca | Aug 8-13 | Breeding and market classes, ultrasound, showmanship, obstacle course |
| Beef and dairy cattle | Aug 9-11, fitting Aug 14 | Ultrasound, breeding beef, dairy show, showmanship, market steer and heifer show, beef fitting contest |
| Swine | Aug 12-13 | Check-in, showmanship, costume animal parade, market and breeding shows |
How It Works: The Timeline
- Entries are made online through the MontanaFair entry system. The 2026 online deadline was Friday, June 26 at 11:59 p.m.; entries made after that and before 11:59 p.m. on July 3 carried a $50 late fee per exhibitor, and nothing was accepted after July 3.
- Monday, August 3: all 4-H and FFA exhibitors pick up packets, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- August 6 to 13: species check-in, mandatory meetings and shows. Horses have a mandatory meeting on August 6 at 1:30 p.m., and small animal exhibitors have one on August 7 at 4 p.m.
- Tuesday and Wednesday, August 11 and 12: skillathons; Tuesday also has a small animal judging contest.
- Thursday and Friday, August 13 and 14: small animal and large animal round robin contests.
- Friday, August 14: animals not in the sale or round robin check out from 6 to 9 a.m.; Department A awards are at 6:30 p.m. in the Expo.
- Saturday, August 15: Junior Livestock Sale.
The Junior Livestock Sale
The sale is on Saturday, August 15 in the Expo Center, with a preview at 11 a.m., a buyer lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the Metra Exhibit Hall, animals ready at 12:15 p.m., and the sale starting at 12:30 p.m. The 2026 sale order listed 212 entries: 97 swine, 47 beef, 34 lambs, 28 goats, 2 turkeys, 2 broilers and 2 rabbits. Market animals over the limit are paid for a capped weight: swine 300 lbs, beef 1,450 lbs, lamb 150 lbs and goat 115 lbs. Buyers can pay on sale day or be billed by the sale committee, and credit cards carry a 3 percent fee. Buyers may keep the animal, send it back to the seller, or use a processor from the sale list.
Contests, Clinics and Extras
Besides the shows, the week includes round robin training clinics, a Quiz Bowl, a Foods Festival, a 4-H dance on August 12, an Ag Breakfast on August 13 and daily Cloverbud activities for the youngest members at 11 a.m., meeting outside the Department A office. Check-out for non-animal Department N items is Sunday, August 16.
Who Can Enter and What You Get
The program is for 4-H and FFA members in Yellowstone County. Exhibitors show for ribbons and awards, can earn showmanship placings, and market animal exhibitors can sell in the Junior Livestock Sale. The Yellowstone County 4-H Foundation reported that the 2025-2026 sale brought in $34,200, which helped fund 4-H scholarships.
Questions
How do I enter?
Online through the MontanaFair entry system. Families without a computer can call the Yellowstone County Extension office to set up a time to enter there.
Who do I call?
The MontanaFair entry office at 406-869-5200 for entry questions, or the Yellowstone County Extension office at 406-256-2828.
Where is it?
MetraPark, 308 6th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101, in the Expo Center, SuperBarn and Montana Pavilion. The next fair dates have not been announced.
Official Links
- MontanaFair 4-H and FFA events
- 2026 4-H/FFA MontanaFair schedule
- Yellowstone County Extension MontanaFair page
- 2026 Junior Livestock Sale program
- 2026 Department A worksheet
Montana County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Montana county junior livestock shows follow local fair books written through MSU Extension offices, so weights, deadlines and sale rules differ by county. Published examples come from Flathead, Broadwater, Chouteau and Marias Fair.
Before the fair
Most counties require Livestock Quality Assurance training, tagging by a spring or winter date, and drug withdrawal forms. Flathead lets members tag a primary and back-up animal, and Broadwater requires an interview and a finished record book to sell.
Weights and species
Flathead lists 110 to 160 pounds for lambs, 220 to 295 for hogs and 1,050 to 1,550 for steers. Chouteau lists 70 to 120 pounds for sale goats and pays hogs on 210 to 300 pounds.
Show and sale
Most counties require showing in both market class and showmanship to sell, and white-ribbon animals are often left out of the sale. Cattle crossing county lines need brand inspection under Montana Department of Livestock rules.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Montana Farm Bureau Annual Convention and Trade Show
The 107th annual convention of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Billings, November 15 to 18, 2026.
27 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 | Organizer: Montana Farm Bureau Federation Official event details - Montana Stockgrowers Annual Convention and Trade Show
Montana Stockgrowers Association convention with trade show, Stockgrowers Colleges, policy sessions and a Grand Finale Banquet, December 3 to 5, 2026, at the DoubleTree and the Northern Hotel in Billings.
- Chase Hawks Rodeo
One-day rodeo in Billings on December 26, 2026, on the Montana pro rodeo calendar. Held each year around the holidays.
Billings, MT Official event details - Montana Wool Growers Association Annual Convention
Sheep industry convention of the Montana Wool Growers Association. Held each year; the most recent dates were December 4 to 7, 2025, in Billings.
Billings, MT | Organizer: Montana Wool Growers Association Official event details - MontanaFair 4-H and FFA Junior Livestock Shows
Two-week 4-H and FFA program at MontanaFair in Billings, from interview judging to horse, small animal, sheep, goat and livestock classes. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 3-15, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.