What the MontanaFair Junior Livestock Sale Is
The Patrick K. Goggins 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Sale is the closing-day auction of MontanaFair in Billings, where 4-H and FFA members sell the market animals they raised. The 2026 sale was held Saturday, August 15, 2026 in the Expo building at MetraPark. The 2026 program listed 212 entries sold in order: 97 swine, 47 beef, 34 lambs, 28 goats, and two each of turkeys, rabbits and broilers. The Yellowstone County 4-H Foundation, a nonprofit, reported $34,200 from the sale in its 2025-2026 balance sheet.
Species and Weight Limits
| Species | Maximum paid weight | Resale price per pound |
|---|---|---|
| Beef | 1,450 lbs | $2.225 |
| Swine | 300 lbs | $0.80 |
| Lamb | 150 lbs | $2.70 |
| Goat | 115 lbs | $2.50 |
Animals over the limit are paid at the limit weight. Grand Champion and Reserve Champion animals, carcass champions and showmanship winners are announced in the sale program.
Who Can Sell
Yellowstone County 4-H and FFA members sell their market beef, sheep, swine and goat animals through the sale. Each exhibitor may sell only one animal. Exhibitors from outside Yellowstone County pay a $50 fee per animal tagged, can sell only if they place in the top 5 of their class, and pay a higher selling fee or percentage set after the sale. Each exhibitor may tag up to three animals per species, but must choose two to weigh and exhibit at check-in. Animals tagged for MontanaFair cannot be shown or sold at another junior livestock show or county fair. All livestock exhibitors must complete an MSU Extension Animal Quality Assurance training before the entry deadline.
How It Works: The 2026 Timeline
- TaggingBeef tagging was January 4, 2026; swine, sheep and goat tagging was May 2, 2026, both at Public Auction Yards in Billings.
- Online entryEntries were due June 26 at 11:59 p.m., with late entries to July 3 and a $50 per exhibitor late fee.
- Fair weekMarket steer and heifer show Tuesday, August 11 at 9 a.m.; market and breeding swine Thursday, August 13 at 8 a.m.; large animal round robin Friday, August 14 at 10 a.m.; Department A awards Friday at 6:30 p.m.
- Sale day, Saturday, August 15Sale preview at 11:00 a.m., buyer lunch at 11:30 a.m., exhibitors ready by 12:15 p.m., sale at 12:30 p.m.
What Sellers and Buyers Get
Buyers can pay the afternoon of the sale or be billed; checks are made payable to Yellowstone County 4-H Sale Committee, and cards carry a 3 percent fee. Processing choices in the 2026 program included Ranch House Meat Company, Cowboy Meat Co. of Forsyth, Blue Creek Marbled Meats (beef only), Producer's Partnership, Special K Ranch and Veteran's Meat Locker, or buyers could keep the animal or send it back to the seller. Buyers can also make an Add-On gift to support youth by scanning a QR code printed in the program.
Where
Expo Center at MetraPark, 308 6th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101. Questions about the fair can go to MontanaFair at 406-256-2400; 4-H questions go to the Yellowstone County Extension office at (406) 256-2828, 2320 3rd Ave N, Billings.
Questions
Do I have to attend the sale?
Animals ready for the ring must be in place by 12:15 p.m. on sale day.
Can I enter online?
Yes. Entries are made through the MontanaFair online entry system; if you lack internet access, the Extension office can schedule a time to help.
Official Links
- 2026 MontanaFair 4-H/FFA schedule
- 2026 Jr. Livestock Sale program
- 2026 out-of-county tagging letter
- MontanaFair 4-H and FFA exhibitors page
- Yellowstone County Extension MontanaFair page
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.