What the ND Junior Goat Show Is
The ND Junior Goat Show is the statewide junior Boer goat show at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot (Department 106). It is open to young breeders from anywhere who meet the age limit, whether or not they belong to 4-H or FFA, and it is judged on registered Boer goats. The most recent show was Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 4 p.m. in the Gooseneck Arena, after the morning 4-H/FFA dairy goat class.
Who Can Enter
- Youth who were not older than 21 on October 1, 2025.
- Point show membership is not required.
- To show in Divisions A or B (does), goats must be ABGA registered and entered in the herd book by the fair's opening day. Original registration papers are required; photocopies are not accepted. For kids under three months, a stamped copy of the registration application may be accepted.
- Every animal needs an official scrapie ear tag; written tags are not permitted.
- Goats must be exhibited in the registered owner's name.
- Each exhibitor may enter two animals per individual ring, and premiums are paid on two entries per class.
Divisions and Classes
| Division | Goats |
|---|---|
| A | Percentage does |
| B | Fullblood/purebred does |
| C | Percentage bucks |
| D | Fullblood bucks |
| H | Commercial does (weight class) |
| I | Market goats (wethers and does born on or after January 1, 2026) |
Breeding classes run by age: 0 to under 3 months (born after 4/6/2026), 3 to under 6, 6 to under 9, 9 to under 12, 12 to under 16, 16 to under 20, 20 to under 24, 24 to under 36 months, and 36 months plus. The age base date is July 6, 2026. Classes of more than 24 head are split by birthdate. A breed show runs only if five paid entries in that breed arrive before the deadline.
How It Works: The Timeline
- July 6, 5 p.m.Entry deadline. Late entries were accepted at triple the fee through 5 p.m. Friday, July 10.
- Monday, July 20, 4-9 p.m.Arrival opens. Early arrivals and releases are not allowed.
- Tuesday, July 21, 11 a.m.All goats must be penned.
- Tuesday, July 21, 4 p.m.Junior weigh-in in the barn. Weights for Division D and market goats are taken from the open, 4-H and FFA weigh-ins.
- Wednesday, July 22, 4 p.m.ND Junior Goat Show, Gooseneck Arena.
- Thursday, July 23, 10 a.m.Exhibitor meeting for all Boer goat exhibitors, Main Expo Ring.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The entry fee is $7 per head. Premiums per class are on a sliding scale: with 1-2 entries, $11 and $8; with 3-4 entries, $15, $12, $10 and $8; with 5 or more, $22, $17, $15, $13, $12 and $10. Junior, yearling and senior division champions and reserves get ribbons, breed division champion and reserve selections earn $50 and $25, and the overall champion and reserve selections earn $200 and $100. Cash awards were mailed in September. The Herdsman Award goes to the exhibitor with the neatest, best-run pen and the best cooperation and courtesy.
Barn Rules and Where
Gooseneck Arena and goat barn, North Dakota State Fairgrounds, Minot. Livestock trailers must park off grounds. One load/unload pass per family must be requested on the entry form before the fair begins, and tack from off-grounds storage may be unloaded 6-10 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. Fans of any type are not allowed in barn aisles. Bring your own divider panels; straw and wood chips are for sale. Removing goats before 6 p.m. on the closing day forfeits all premiums.
Questions
Do I have to be in 4-H or FFA?
No. The show is open to youth up to the age limit, and point show membership is not required.
Can I enter online?
Yes, at ndstatefair.com; the fair's how-to-enter guide walks through registration.
Who do I call?
The fair office: (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 Boer goat department book: rules, classes, premiums
- 2026 livestock schedule
- 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.