What the ND State Dairy Cattle Show Is
The ND State Dairy Cattle Show is the breeders' show that closes dairy week at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. It was held Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Gooseneck Arena, after the Open Class dairy show (Thursday) and the 4-H/FFA dairy show (Friday). It is a show for North Dakota breeders, and it has no youth division.
Who Can Enter
- Open to North Dakota breeders only.
- Only registered and breed-approved identified (I.E.) cattle are eligible. Grade and crossbred animals are not allowed.
- Animals must be shown under the official owner's or farm name.
- Every animal needs a USDA 840 official ear tag. Written tags are not accepted.
- A breed needs five paid entries by check-in; otherwise its animals show in the other breeds division.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Monday, July 6, 5:00 p.m.Entries close. The State Dairy Show late fee is double ($10 per head); no entries are accepted after 5:00 p.m. Friday, July 10. Entry forms must include payment.
- Tuesday, July 21Check-in. No dairy may unload before 7:00 a.m., after veterinary checks. Superintendents stall cattle after the checks.
- Saturday, July 25, 11:00 a.m.ND State Dairy Show, Gooseneck Arena. Release comes after the show concludes.
Substitutions are allowed in the same division only if made on or before entry day, and the animal must be owned by the exhibitor. There are no refunds for animals scratched after catalogs are printed, on entry day or during the show.
Fees
$5 per head, plus $5 per group class entry. Tack stalls are $10 each (5 feet wide) in the open dairy show, and stalls can be forfeited if the number of animals requires more space.
Premiums and Awards
| Class | Places 1 to 6 |
|---|---|
| Unfreshened and junior females | $24, $20, $16, $12, $8, $4 |
| Milking senior females | $60, $50, $40, $30, $20, $10 |
| Dry cows | $36, $30, $24, $15, $12, $6 |
| Junior group classes | $20, $16, $12, $8, $4, $0 |
| Senior group classes | $40, $30, $20, $10, $5, $0 |
Breed champions receive rosettes, and supreme champions and premier awards receive plaques. Cash awards are mailed in September. Animals that leave before release forfeit premiums.
Barn and Vehicle Rules
- Milk collection facilities are provided, but no milk revenue is paid. Keep the area and equipment spotless.
- Straw is available for purchase. Fans, fan stands and butt fans are not allowed in barn aisles.
- Livestock trailers park off the grounds. Vehicle passes must be requested before the first day of the fair; they are not sold at the gate, and unpassed vehicles are towed. Load/unload passes are limited to one per family.
- Tack kept off the grounds can be unloaded 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Also That Day
The free Kiddie Calf Show runs at 10:00 a.m. Saturday for children under 8 who are not in a 4-H or FFA project. A calf is provided and each child gets a trophy. Youth wanting to show competitively are directed to the State Fair, 4-H or FFA events; no extra State Dairy Show premium is paid on top of 4-H or FFA placings.
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
Can I bring a grade cow?
No. Only registered and I.E. cattle are eligible.
Can an out-of-state breeder enter?
No. The show is open to North Dakota breeders only.
Who do I call?
The North Dakota State Fair office, (701) 857-7620.
Official Links
- 2026 dairy book: State Dairy Show rules, fees and 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.