What the Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale Is
The Nevada Junior Livestock Show and Sale gives FFA, 4-H, youth Grange and independent youth a chance to exhibit livestock projects to the public. Its aim is to encourage excellence in livestock production, skills and practices, along with sportsmanship, leadership, citizenship and responsibility. It is run by the Nevada Junior Livestock Show Board and held at the Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, Nevada State Fairgrounds. In 2026 the show moved from May to June to sit inside the State Fair of Nevada, with show days June 11 to 13, check-in beginning June 10 and animals released by June 14.
Species and Ways to Enter
Youth show market, feeder and breeding animals across beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, market and dairy goats, poultry, turkeys and rabbits. Judges for 2026 were Frank Ward (beef), Mike Portlock (dairy goats, market goats, rabbits) and Nick Hofschulte (sheep, swine, dairy cattle, poultry).
Age divisions (as of January 1)
- Pee Wee: ages 5 to 8, age-appropriate contests only
- Junior: ages 9 to 10
- Intermediate: ages 11 to 13
- Senior: ages 14 to 19 (FFA members may compete through December 31 of their graduation year)
- Novice: any age, for exhibitors who have never shown any species in an organized show
Who Can Enter
Exhibitors must be FFA, 4-H, Grange or independent members in good standing from Nevada or from these California counties: Alpine, El Dorado, Inyo, Lassen, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas and Sierra. Youth complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) every year by April 1 and put the certificate number on the entry. Independent exhibitors submit a signed Show Ring Code of Ethics and bring a project record book to weigh-in. Limits: up to 4 large and 4 small market animals per exhibitor, no more than 2 per species, and up to 2 sellable market species (one large, one small).
Key Dates and Deadlines
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Beef ownership and ear tag | January 15 |
| Goat, sheep and swine ear tag | March 16 |
| Poultry ownership | March 15, 2026 |
| YQCA completed | April 1 |
| Dairy cattle and dairy goat ownership | April 1 |
| Market, breeding and feeder entries; dairy entries; poultry entry form | May 1 (postmarked) |
| Rabbit ownership / rabbit entry form | May 10 / May 15, 2026 |
Late entries are not accepted.
Fees
- Ear tag: $20 each, covering that animal's class entry fees
- Breeding entry: $10 per class
- Administrative fee: $10 for all exhibitors
- Poultry and rabbit entry: $20 per entry
How It Works: The Timeline
- Wednesday, June 10: weigh-in and check-in of all livestock, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; exhibitor check-in 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, June 11: weigh-in 7:00 to 8:30 a.m.; orientation at 9:00 a.m.; breeding shows and swine showmanship; Youth Advisory Council fun night at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, June 12: sheep, swine, rabbit, beef, poultry and market goat shows; showmanship classes; buyers sign up 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; champion drives and banners at 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 13: Round Robin Showmanship at 8:30 a.m.; brand inspections at 1:00 p.m.; awards at 4:00 p.m.; the Governor's Sale of Champions followed by the auction.
- Sunday, June 14: animals released from 7:00 a.m.; grounds clear by 11:00 a.m.
Rules, Judging and Sale
Market animals are judged by the Danish system (blue, red and white ribbons) and the American system, leading to Supreme Champion and Supreme Reserve. Showmanship is scored 60 percent showmanship, 20 percent grooming, 10 percent fitting and 10 percent knowledge of project. Animals must be fed and cleaned by 8:00 a.m. daily. Market steers must weigh at least 1,100 pounds and sell at no more than 1,350 pounds; market goats must weigh at least 70 pounds and sell at no more than 120 pounds. Blue and red ribbon market animals sell; white ribbon animals do not. Commission is 7 percent on goat, rabbit, sheep, swine and poultry and 6 percent on beef, with a carcass recognition fund deduction. Scholarships are awarded through an application and interview process.
Where
Reno-Sparks Livestock Events Center, 1350 N. Wells Avenue, Reno, NV 89512. Mail to the board goes to P.O. Box 8026, Reno, NV 89507, and the board email is NJLSB@agri.nv.gov.
Questions
Do I have to qualify first?
There is no qualifying show; the requirements are membership, YQCA, ownership and tag deadlines.
Can my child be 8?
Yes, in the Pee Wee division, which has age-appropriate contests only. Juniors must be 9 to show.
Are dogs allowed?
No, except service animals.
Official Links
- 2026 rule and information book
- 2026 schedule
- State Fair of Nevada: Youth Agriculture Programming
- The Nevada Independent
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Washoe County 4-H Livestock Show
Washoe County 4-H youth show and prepare their animals here ahead of the Nevada Junior Livestock Show in June. Free for the public to attend; exhibitors register and pay fees in advance.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | (775) 784-4848 | Organizer: UNR Extension 4-H Office Official event details - State Fair of Nevada
The official Nevada State Fair returned to the Reno fairgrounds in June 2026 with the Junior Livestock Show, the 4-H State Expo, the Governor's Sale of Champions, a farmers market pavilion and junior bull riding. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 11-13, 2026.
- Governor's Livestock Sale of Champions
Premium sale of grand and reserve champion junior livestock held during the 2026 State Fair in Reno, where bidders support the youth exhibitors who earned top placings.
- Next Generation Youth Bull Riding
Friday-night junior bull riding added to the 2026 State Fair program in Reno, sold as a separate add-on ticket ($25 adults, $15 kids) on top of regular fair admission.
1350 N Wells Ave, Reno, NV 89512 | Organizer: Nevada Department of Agriculture Official event details - Nevada 4-H State Expo
Statewide 4-H Expo with small animal, livestock and static competitions, folded into the State Fair in 2026; youth show animals and projects from 8 am to 5 pm on Saturday, June 13.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.