What the 4-H/FFA Dairy Goat Show Is
The 4-H/FFA Dairy Goat Show is the youth dairy goat class at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. It is a non-sanctioned show for North Dakota 4-H and FFA members, held in the Gooseneck Arena. The most recent show was Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 9 a.m., during a fair that ran July 17-25. It comes the day before the separate Open Class Dairy Goat Show (Thursday, July 23, 2 p.m.), and ahead of the ND Junior Goat Show that same afternoon.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H: members ages 8-18 active in at least one North Dakota county club for 2025-2026.
- FFA: students enrolled in 2025-2026 agricultural education classes, or graduates on the chapter roster.
- Goats must be owned or leased, with daily management by the exhibitor, by May 1. Kids born after May 1 must be owned from birth.
- Entries are due May 1 through 4-HOnline, or on a form to the FFA advisor.
Classes and Rules
- Up to 12 animals per exhibitor and two per class per breed.
- Breeds recognized by ADGA show as a breed when at least three are entered; the show picks a champion and reserve male and female in each breed.
- Classes: showmanship (1306-1310); does under 24 months not in milk and never freshened (1331-1334); milkers (1335-1338); dry doe (1339); buck (1340). A junior female champion may be named when five or more animals are in classes 1331-1334.
- No horns are allowed on dairy goats.
- Registered animals need papers at check-in. Grade animals, and registered animals without papers, show as commercial.
- Does and bucks need an official scrapie ID tattoo or tag; wethers need a scrapie ID or USDA 840 ear tag.
How It Works: The Timeline
- May 1Entries due in 4-HOnline or to the FFA advisor.
- Tuesday, July 21, 8-11 a.m.Entry and penning of 4-H and FFA goats. All goats must be penned by 11 a.m. Barn arrival opened Monday, July 20, 4 to 9 p.m..
- Tuesday, July 21, 4 p.m.Weigh-in for all goats.
- Wednesday, July 22, 9 a.m.4-H/FFA Dairy Goat Show, Gooseneck Arena.
- Saturday, July 25Round Robin at 8 a.m., awards at 9:30 a.m., then release timed by distance from Minot.
Showmanship and the Round Robin
Showmanship opens the species show. Divisions run by age as of September 1 of the prior year: Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-16, Advanced 17-19 and Legacy 20-21. You must show your own animal, and it must also be entered in another 4-H/FFA class. The top two dairy goat showmen advance to the Saturday Round Robin, where the animal must be the same one that won the division. The North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association sponsors the junior and intermediate Round Robin awards, and the ND FFA Foundation sponsors the senior and advanced awards.
Health and Quality Assurance
The fair veterinarian inspects every animal before unloading, and the decision is final. Non-resident animals need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days of travel. Exhibitors must hold YQCA, LQA or another recognized QA credential. Each exhibitor receives a show shirt to wear at every show.
Awards and What You Get
Premiums are paid by points for blue, red and white ribbons, with extra for breeding champions and reserves, and checks are mailed in September. The Herdsman Award recognizes care and sportsmanship. Youth exhibitors are invited to the Youth Exhibitor Picnic on Tuesday, July 21, 5-7 p.m.
Where
Gooseneck Arena, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot. Livestock trailers park off grounds in the Industrial Lot (north side of 4th Ave. SE, east of 27th St. SE). Load/unload and vehicle passes must be requested ahead at ndstatefair.com.
Questions
Can the same doe show in 4-H/FFA and the open show?
A youth cannot show the same animal in both 4-H/FFA and the open dairy goat show.
Are fans allowed in the barn?
No. Fans, fan stands and butt fans are not allowed in the aisles.
Who do I call?
The fair office: (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock schedule
- 2026 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book
- 4-H online book
- 2026 dairy goat department book
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.