What the 4-H/FFA Beef Show Is
The 4-H/FFA Beef Show is the point show for North Dakota youth who bring market and breeding cattle to the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. It is run by the fair's 4-H/FFA livestock department, and the most recent show was held Thursday, July 23, 2026, starting at 8:00 a.m. in the All Seasons Arena. Exhibitors compete for ribbons, class premiums, champion awards and a place in the fair's showmanship round robin.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H members must be 8 to 18 and active in at least one North Dakota county club for the 2025-2026 year. Cloverbuds cannot exhibit.
- FFA members must be enrolled in agricultural education classes or be a graduate on the chapter roster.
- Every livestock exhibitor needs quality assurance training (YQCA, LQA, BQA, PQA, or an accredited FFA chapter with a formal ag course).
- A youth shows in 4-H or FFA, not both, though the same animal can also be shown in the Open and Junior shows.
- Alcohol, tobacco, vaping and illegal drugs are prohibited; violators face disqualification and loss of awards.
How It Works: The Timeline
- By May 1Livestock entries go in through 4-HOnline (the county Extension agent submits them) or on a form to the FFA advisor. Market beef must be owned or leased by March 1; breeding beef by May 1.
- Tuesday, July 21Entry and check-in run 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Animals are inspected before unloading, and all beef is weighed in at 12:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 23, 8:00 a.m.The 4-H/FFA Beef Show in the All Seasons Arena.
- Saturday, July 25Round robin showmanship at 8:00 a.m., awards at 9:30 a.m., and release of point-only 4-H/FFA cattle from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., depending on distance from Minot.
Rules That Matter at the Barn
- Each exhibitor may enter 12 head in total, with no more than two per class per breed.
- Every animal needs a USDA 840 ear tag or a matching registration tattoo. Registered cattle must have papers at check-in; unregistered animals show as commercial.
- Breeds with fewer than three entries move to All Other Breeds.
- Market steers and heifers show as finished, in weight groups of no more than 10 posted the evening before. Recommended market weight is 1,000 to 1,500 pounds (dairy steers up to 1,600).
- Beef is stalled on fair-provided wood chips or sand. Straw is not allowed in the beef stalls, and fans are banned from barn aisles.
- Animals tie out at 6:30 p.m. and must be back in the barn by 8:00 a.m.
- Animals with warts, ringworm or infectious eye or skin lesions are dismissed. Grand and reserve champion market beef are drug screened, and any drug given within 45 days needs a signed veterinarian statement at check-in. Out-of-state animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days of travel.
Awards and What You Get
Premiums are paid on blue, red and white ribbons, with extra premiums for first place in market classes and for breeding champions and reserves. Amounts vary by species, and checks are mailed in September. Showmanship also pays premiums. The ND Stockmen's Association sponsors the champion 4-H/FFA beef showmanship award, and IBAND gives belt buckles to champion beef in the market, breeding and cow/calf divisions. A Herdsman Award recognizes responsibility, sportsmanship and animal care.
Showmanship runs in age divisions (as of September 1, 2025): Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-16 and Advanced 17-19. Two exhibitors per division from beef advance to the round robin.
Cost
No 4-H or FFA entry fee is published. Beef exhibitors add a beef stall fee and any vehicle passes during registration. Livestock vehicle passes cost $5 per day, and one free load/unload pass is available per family. Livestock trailers park off the grounds, and passes are not sold at the gate. Gate admission for 4-H members is a $10 season ticket with proof of membership.
Where
All Seasons Arena, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot, North Dakota. The fair ran July 17-25 in 2026; the next dates have not been announced.
Questions
Can my 4-H steer also be shown in the Open or Junior show?
Yes. An animal can show in 4-H or FFA, not both, and can also be shown in the Open and Junior shows.
When must the animal be owned?
Market beef by March 1 and breeding beef by May 1.
Do I need to be present at 8 a.m. with the animal already weighed?
Yes. Weigh-in is the Tuesday before at 12:30 p.m., and the show starts at 8:00 a.m. Thursday.
Who do I call?
The North Dakota State Fair office, (701) 857-7620. The 4-H office on the grounds during the fair is (701) 852-4974.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock schedule: show times and venues
- 2026 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book: eligibility, rules and awards
- 4-H exhibitor book: beef classes, fees and contacts
- 2026 beef book: barn and vehicle rules
- How to enter: online registration steps
North Dakota County Fairs: The Essentials
North Dakota county fairs run from June into the fall and combine an open class, a 4-H division run by NDSU Extension, and often FFA exhibits. Each county sets its own fair book, dates and deadlines, so get yours from the Extension office early. History: laws from 1897 and 1905 let county commissioners levy taxes to support county fairs.
Examples
Grant County's 2025 fair (August 14-17, Carson) required six club meetings, set market beef ownership at March 1 and other species at May 1, and used interview judging for static projects. Cass County's 2021 Red River Valley Fair opened registration June 1 and paid static blue $3.50, red $2.50 and white $1.50.
State fair
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 in Minot. Static exhibits needed a blue ribbon or higher at a county event supervised by Extension, and exhibitors needed to be enrolled in 4-HOnline. Livestock entries were due May 1, with YQCA or equivalent quality assurance training required, and premiums were mailed in September. Read your county book for the dates that apply locally and for any residency rules before you enter.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- North Dakota Farm Bureau Living Ag in the Classroom Minot
A Living Ag in the Classroom session in Minot for teachers. Next session posted for January 27, 2027; the city comes from the event title.
Minot, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Farm Bureau Official event details - Ward County 4-H Air Rifle and Pistol Match
County 4-H shooting sports match held February 21, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot, with a Fun Match for all ages at 1 p.m.
2005 E Burdick Expy, Minot, ND 58701 | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Rodeo Minot
Friday brings an NDRA rodeo and Saturday a PRCA rodeo at the State Fair Center, with adult tickets at $15 and $20. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 10-11, 2026.
2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701 | 701-857-8206 Official event details - Ward County 4-H Achievement Days
The 94th annual Ward County 4-H Achievement Days ran June 12-18, 2026, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds with 264 members showing projects, horses and livestock; free to attend.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - NDSA Spring Roundup Berthold
NDSA District 6 spring roundup in Berthold, a free cattlemen's meeting that starts with a 5 p.m. social. Held each year; the most recent roundup was 2026-06-08.
210 Main Street, Berthold, ND | Organizer: North Dakota Stockmen's Association Official event details
All North Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.