What the 4-H/FFA Sheep Show Is
The 4-H/FFA Sheep Show is the youth sheep competition at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Members of North Dakota 4-H and FFA bring market lambs, breeding ewes and rams to the Livestock Expo Barn, where they are placed against one another and also compete in showmanship. The most recent show was held Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at noon in the Expo Barn, during a fair that ran July 17-25.
Who Can Enter
- 4-H: members ages 8-18 who were active in at least one North Dakota county club for 2025-2026.
- FFA: students enrolled in 2025-2026 agricultural education classes, or graduates listed on the FFA membership roster. Students who joined in fall 2026 were not eligible unless they met those requirements.
- Exhibitors must be accompanied by an advisor, agent, parent or guardian.
- Sheep must be owned or leased, with daily management by the exhibitor, by May 1. Lambs born after May 1 must be owned from birth. FFA members showing an SAE animal bring a copy of the SAE agreement.
- An animal can be shown once in the 4-H/FFA show (showmanship excepted), and it can be 4-H or FFA, not both.
Classes and Sheep Rules
- Up to 12 entries per exhibitor and two per class per breed.
- Showmanship, breeding ewe and ram classes, and market classes for ewe lambs and wether lambs.
- Registered sheep show by breed and the papers must be shown at check-in. Breeds with fewer than three entries combine into All Other Wool Breeds or All Other Meat Breeds. Commercial ewes are weighed and shown in weight heats.
- Market lambs must be shorn and come to the scale dry and bare. The suggested market weight is 105-170 lb, and a lamb must weigh at least 90 lb to be considered for champion. Underweight lambs show in a premier class. Miniature breeds have their own weight group. Market classes hold no more than 10 per group, and first and second place lambs advance to champion and reserve.
- Ewes and rams need an official scrapie tag or tattoo; market wethers can carry a scrapie ID or a USDA 840 ear tag.
- No muzzles on the grounds, and no lifting or slapping; a quick lift to set the front legs is allowed. A second member may set legs in breeding classes only.
How It Works: The Timeline
- May 1All livestock entries are due through 4-HOnline, or on a completed form to the FFA advisor. County agents enter 4-H members who show at a county fair or achievement day.
- Tuesday, July 21, 8-11 a.m.Entry and penning at the Livestock Expo Barn. All sheep must be penned by 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, July 21, 12:30 p.m.Sheep weigh-in, after a noon exhibitor meeting.
- Wednesday, July 22, noon4-H/FFA Sheep Show, Expo Barn.
- Saturday, July 25Round Robin at 8 a.m., awards at 9:30 a.m., and staggered release from 3 to 6 p.m.
Health, Quality Assurance and Dress
Every animal is inspected by the fair veterinarian before unloading. In-state sheep need no health certificate. Rams 12 months or older from out of state need an approved Brucella ovis test or negative flock-of-origin status, and non-residents need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days of travel. Exhibitors must hold current YQCA certification, an LQA certificate, another industry QA credential such as BQA, or be in an accredited FFA chapter with a formal agricultural course. Each exhibitor gets one show shirt, worn at every show. The Grand and Reserve Champion market lambs are drug tested.
Awards and What You Get
Premiums are paid on a points basis for blue, red and white ribbons, with extra premiums for first-place market classes and for champion and reserve breeding sheep. Showmanship earns ribbon premiums as well. Amounts vary by animal type, and checks are mailed in September. The Herdsman Award recognizes care, sportsmanship and mentoring. Top showmen can advance to the Saturday Round Robin. Exhibitors are also invited to the Youth Exhibitor Picnic on Tuesday, July 21, 5-7 p.m.
Where
Livestock Expo Barn, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot. Livestock trailers must park off grounds, and the free lot is the Industrial Lot on the north side of 4th Ave. SE, east of 27th St. SE. Load/unload passes (one per family) and vehicle passes must be requested ahead at ndstatefair.com and are not sold at the gate.
Questions
Do 4-H and FFA members pay a separate entry fee?
The 4-H/FFA exhibitor book lists no fee amount for the youth show; entries go through 4-HOnline or the FFA advisor by May 1.
Can I show the same lamb in the open show too?
A lamb can also show in the Open and Junior shows, but you must check the 4-H/FFA box and list the class number on the entry form. The youth entry is separate.
Can I leave before release?
No. Exhibitors stay until the scheduled release, and early release needs approval from the veterinarian and state staff.
Who do I call?
The fair office: (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 livestock schedule: show times and locations
- 2026 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book: eligibility, rules, check-in, awards
- 4-H online book: sheep divisions and premiums
- 2026 sheep department book: check-in and release times
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.