What the 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show Is
The 4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show is the junior dairy point show at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Open to all breeds, it was held Friday, July 24, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. in the Gooseneck Arena. It follows the Open Class dairy show on Thursday and comes before the ND State Dairy Cattle Show and the free Kiddie Calf Show on Saturday, so a dairy family can take part in several shows in one week.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H members aged 8 to 18 who are active in a North Dakota county club for 2025-2026. Cloverbuds cannot exhibit.
- FFA members enrolled in agricultural education, or graduates on the chapter roster.
- Quality assurance training is required (YQCA, LQA, BQA, PQA, or an accredited FFA chapter with an ag course).
- Dairy animals must be owned or leased by May 1. Livestock entries are due May 1 through 4-HOnline (the county Extension agent submits them) or on a form to the FFA advisor.
- Limits: 12 animals per exhibitor and two per class per breed.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Tuesday, July 21Entry and check-in run 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. No dairy cattle may unload before 7:00 a.m., after veterinary checks.
- Friday, July 24, 8:00 a.m.4-H/FFA Dairy Cattle Show, Gooseneck Arena.
- Saturday, July 25Round robin showmanship at 8:00 a.m. and awards at 9:30 a.m. in the All Seasons Arena. 4-H and FFA dairy are released from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., depending on distance from Minot.
Animals that leave before official release forfeit all premiums.
Animal Rules
- Registered animals need papers at check-in; grade females show as commercial.
- All animals must be dehorned.
- ID is a USDA 840 tag, a USDA silver tag or a matching registration tattoo. Written tags are not accepted.
- A junior champion may be selected when a breed has five or more entries.
- Animals with warts, ringworm or infectious eye or skin lesions are dismissed. Out-of-state animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days of travel.
- Any drug given within 45 days of the show requires a signed veterinarian statement at check-in.
- Milk collection facilities are provided, but no milk revenue is paid. Straw is available for purchase, and fans are not allowed in barn aisles.
Showmanship and Awards
Dairy showmanship classes are open to all exhibitors, who must show their own animal and also show it in another 4-H/FFA class. Age divisions as of September 1, 2025 are Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-16, Advanced 17-19 and Legacy 20-21. Two exhibitors per division advance to the round robin. The ND Veterinary Medical Association sponsors the junior and intermediate round robin champions, and the ND FFA Foundation sponsors the senior and advanced champions. A Herdsman Award recognizes responsibility, sportsmanship and animal care.
Premiums are paid on blue, red and white ribbons, with extra premiums for breeding champions and reserves. Amounts vary, and checks are mailed in September.
Cost
No 4-H or FFA entry fee is published. Entries go in through the county or chapter, and stall fees and vehicle passes are paid during online registration. Livestock vehicle passes cost $5 per day, one free load/unload pass is available per family, and trailers park off the grounds. A 4-H gate ticket is $10 for the season with proof of membership.
Where
Gooseneck Arena, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot, North Dakota. The 2026 fair ran July 17-25; the next dates have not been announced.
Questions
Do I need a purebred?
No. Grade females may show as commercial; registered animals need papers.
Can I leave after my class?
No. Animals must stay until release or premiums are forfeited, unless early release is approved.
Is there a show for young children?
The free Kiddie Calf Show on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. is for children under 8 who are not in a 4-H or FFA project. A calf is provided and each child gets a trophy.
Who do I call?
The North Dakota State Fair office, (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock schedule
- 2026 dairy book: barn times, release and rules
- 2026 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book
- 4-H exhibitor book
- How to enter
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.