What the Clover Kids Livestock Show Is
The Gage County Clover Kids Livestock Show is a non-competitive livestock show for children ages 5 to 7 at the Gage County Fair. It gives young children a first turn in the ring beside older 4-H and FFA members. The next show is Saturday, July 31, 2027 at the Gage County Fairgrounds in Beatrice. Check-in runs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the show starts 30 minutes after check-in or at 1:00 p.m.
Who Can Enter
- Children who are 5 to 7 years old as of January 1 of the show year.
- Clover Kids must enroll in 4-H on 4HOnline. In 2026 the enrollment deadline was June 15, and there is no fee for Clover Kids if the steps in the county instructions are followed.
- Pre-entry is through the Showman App; the 2026 deadline was July 15 at 11:59 p.m.
- Owning an animal is not required. A Clover Kid may use livestock from a 4-H or FFA member already on the grounds, or bring their own, and must say which at entry.
How It Works
- Enroll in 4-H on 4HOnline.
- Pre-enter in the Showman App, naming the animal and whose animal it is.
- Check in on show day between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. All livestock are weighed.
- Show. Order of species is hogs, beef, cattle, dairy cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, then sheep.
- Collect your award. Every participant gets the same ribbon and a T-shirt.
Rules
- All livestock must weigh under 350 lbs, which is state 4-H policy.
- A Clover Kid may show as many species as they like, with one entry per species.
- The show is blow-and-go only.
- Stalling is minimal. Livestock that arrive on show day must leave that day, with no overnight stalling, and you may show out of your trailer.
What Clover Kids Get
The event is not scored against other children. Each child receives the same ribbon and a T-shirt. Clover Kids can also take part in PeeWee showmanship and open class at the fair. More broadly, the county Clover Kids program offers projects in science, animals, gardening, crafts and healthy living, with group projects and special events for 5 to 7-year-olds.
Where
Gage County Fairgrounds, Beatrice, Nebraska. The Gage County Fair office handles questions at 402-223-3247 (June hours Tuesday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; July hours Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon).
Questions
Does my child need their own animal?
No. They can show a 4-H member's animal.
Will there be ribbon placings?
No. Everyone gets the same ribbon.
Official Links
Nebraska County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Nebraska county junior livestock shows follow each county's own fair book, but share common requirements: 4-H enrollment (new members by June 15), YQCA quality assurance training, animal ID, and online entry. Beef, swine, sheep, goat, rabbit, poultry and horse projects each have their own ID rules.
Typical ID
Market beef use a 4-H or EID ear tag, sheep and meat goats a USDA scrapie tag, and rabbits a left-ear tattoo, with ID sheets or certificates turned in to Extension.
Show format
Buffalo County's 2026 fair ran check-in, species showmanship and judging across several days, then a premium sale (swine, goat, sheep, beef) on Monday. Entry is online and late entries are often refused. Planning for State Fair? Nominations ($7 per animal) and DNA are due June 15.
Planning
Premises ID is required for market animals with EID tags in some counties, and animals can be identified in only one county. Keep copies of every ID sheet and DNA envelope, and read your county's premium book for head limits and check-in times.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Gage County 4-H Team Quizbowl
Team quizbowl for Gage County 4-H members, scheduled for Saturday July 31, 2027 at 3 pm at the Gage County Fairgrounds during fair week.
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