What the ND Junior Market Hog Show Is
The ND Junior Market Hog Show is the Saturday finale of the swine program at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Unlike the 4-H and FFA shows, it is open to any young exhibitor, and you do not have to be a member of a point show to take part. Barrows and gilts that have already been weighed for the fair compete by class, then class champions meet for division champion, and division champions meet for overall champion. The 2026 show started at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, in the main Expo Ring.
Divisions and Classes
The junior show is Division M of the swine department. The entry fee is $7 per head, and no class has more than 15 animals.
| Classes | What is shown |
|---|---|
| 28 to 37 | Registered breeding gilts by breed: Poland China, Chester White, Berkshire, Hampshire, Yorkshire, Spotted, Duroc, Landrace, Hereford, Other Breeds |
| 38 | Crossbred breeding gilt |
| 39 | Market gilts |
| 40 to 49 | Purebred barrows by breed, same breeds as above |
| 50 | Market barrow |
Who Can Enter and Rules
- The show is open to all youth not older than 21 by Oct. 1, 2025.
- Entries close July 6 at 5:00 p.m. through the online entry system on ndstatefair.com. Late entries are taken until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10 at triple the normal fee, and only entries received by July 6 appear on the show program.
- Declaration of weight procedures from the open, 4-H and FFA weigh-ins are used, so your pig is weighed once on Tuesday and that weight carries over. Weight cards must be turned in by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, one for each show a pig is entered in.
- Pigs need a USDA 840 official ear tag; written tags are not allowed. Breeding animals need association registration papers and must be exhibited in the recorded owner's name.
- Breeds need five paid entries by the check-in deadline, or the animals show with the other breeds.
- A weigh-back applies, and a pig outside the 15-pound weight allowance does not place or compete for champion.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Enter online by July 6.
- Arrive Monday, July 20 from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. or Tuesday, July 21 from 7:00 a.m. Pigs must be in place by 11:00 a.m. Tuesday and check in with the swine superintendent for pens.
- Weigh your own hogs Tuesday, July 21, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and turn in weight cards by 4:00 p.m.
- Show Saturday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m.
- Release junior-show-only pigs at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
The entry fee is $7 per head. Ribbons and class placings go to the winners, with class champions advancing to division and overall champion. The fair's Herdsman Award for swine exhibitors recognizes neatness, general appearance, cooperation and courtesy across the week. In the open swine market show the fair pays an overall grand champion $800 and reserve champion $500, which gives a sense of the scale of swine premiums at the fair; check the swine department rules for the junior show's own payouts. Registry bonuses of $50 to $100 apply to a qualifying overall champion barrow from a recorded litter, if the owner sends proof of registry and a photo within 60 days.
Where
Main Expo Ring, Expo Barn, North Dakota State Fair, 2005 Burdick Expressway East, Minot, ND 58701. Livestock trailers must park off the grounds, and one free load/unload pass per family is requested on the entry form. Bedding wood chips can be bought on site, and no fans are allowed in barn aisles.
Questions
Do I need to be in 4-H or FFA?
No. Any youth not older than 21 by Oct. 1, 2025 can enter.
Can I show in this and the open show?
Yes, a pig can enter more than one swine show, with a separate weight card for each.
Who do I call?
The State Fair office at 701-857-7620. The swine superintendent is Brian Zimprich, 701-799-2648.
Official Links
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.