What the FFA Livestock Shows Are
The FFA livestock shows are the South Dakota FFA Association's own classes at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron. Members bring the animals they raise as part of their supervised agricultural experience program and show them in barn and ring against FFA members from across the state. The fair runs September 2 to 7, 2026, and the FFA shows are spread across the whole run, species by species.
Entries are handled by the South Dakota FFA Association rather than through the general fair office, so FFA exhibitors register through their own system and superintendent.
Species and When Each Show Is Held
| Show | Day and time | Where |
|---|---|---|
| FFA Beef Show | Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m. | The DEX, Agtegra & Butler Machinery Arena |
| FFA Breeding, Wether Dam and Market Meat Goat Show | Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 a.m. | 4-H Livestock Complex, South Ring |
| FFA Breeding and Market Sheep Show | Saturday, Sept. 5, 8 a.m. | 4-H Livestock Complex, North Ring |
| FFA Rabbit Showmanship, then Rabbit Show | Saturday, Sept. 5, 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. | Poultry/Rabbit Barn |
| FFA Dairy Goat Show | Sunday, Sept. 6, 5 p.m. | 4-H Livestock Complex, North Ring |
| FFA Swine Show | Monday, Sept. 7, 7:30 a.m. | Open Class Swine Complex |
| FFA Dairy Cattle Show | Monday, Sept. 7, 8:30 a.m. | Open Class Dairy Barn |
How It Works: The Timeline
- Enter online by August 1, 2026. The South Dakota FFA Association lists all State Fair entries as due online on that date, through its online entry site.
- Read the fair book. The association asks exhibitors to read the updated 2026 fair book, which carries changes to the show schedule.
- Check in at the fairgrounds. Animals are registered with the FFA livestock office on the grounds before their show. In past years market animals were weighed on the 4-H scale and breeding animals were checked for birthdate, ID and breed.
- Show your animal on the day and time for your species, in the table above.
- Collect premiums. Under the FFA rules, premiums go directly to the student.
Who Can Enter and Rules
- Entries are open to active or incoming members of the South Dakota FFA Association. Under the FFA book, an exhibitor must have completed a semester of ag education and be a paid member on the chapter roster, or be an incoming 7th through 12th grade student enrolled in an ag education class.
- Livestock must be part of the member's supervised agricultural experience program.
- If a member has more than one animal in the ring, another South Dakota FFA member must show the extra animal. Each animal may be entered in only one lot.
- Exhibitors follow the FFA code of conduct from the time they register until they finish FFA activities.
- If premiums exceed the budget, the State Fair may prorate award money.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- August 1, 2026: online entries due.
- September 2: FFA Beef Show, 1 p.m.
- September 5: sheep and meat goat shows at 8 a.m.; rabbit showmanship at 5 p.m.
- September 5, 2 p.m.: Farm Safety FFA Quiz Bowl, with four FFA teams competing for the championship on the Freedom Stage.
- September 6: dairy goat show, 5 p.m.
- September 7: swine at 7:30 a.m. and dairy cattle at 8:30 a.m.
Fees, Awards and What You Get
Premiums are paid straight to the exhibitor. The FFA Ag Adventure Center on the grounds also runs daily youth activities and bottle calf feedings, which gives chapters something to do between classes. Ask the FFA superintendent for current entry fees and premium amounts, because they are set in the fair book.
Where
South Dakota State Fairgrounds, 1060 3rd St. SW, Huron, SD 57350. Daily gate admission in 2026 was $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 6 to 15, or $8 and $4 bought in advance. A free park-and-ride shuttle runs from the Advanced Sunflower lot at the Huron Mall to Gate 3.
Questions
Can a student who is not in an ag class enter?
The FFA book requires a completed semester of ag education or enrollment in an ag education class as an incoming 7th through 12th grader, plus FFA membership.
Who gets the prize money?
The student. Premiums go directly to the exhibitor.
Where do I send my entry?
Entries are made online through the FFA's entry site, not through the fair office. Questions go to the FFA livestock superintendent, Dave VanderWal, at (605) 690-0880.
Who do I call about the fairgrounds?
The State Fair office at (605) 353-7340 or (800) 529-0900.
Official Links
- South Dakota FFA: State Fair page
- FFA online entries
- 2026 official State Fair schedule
- 2026 State Fair event guide
- FFA book (2024 edition)
- South Dakota State Fair
South Dakota County Junior Livestock Shows: The Essentials
County junior livestock shows in South Dakota are part of 4-H Achievement Days. Counties set their own dates and local rules, but SDSU Extension sets state minimums that every exhibitor should know.
Ownership and ID
Animals must belong to the exhibitor or immediate family in the same household, or be leased with a form uploaded by June 1. Every animal is identified in 4-H Online by June 1. Market beef, swine, wether lambs and meat goat wethers need RFID tags, and market animals need a DNA sample at the county office.
Training and papers
Complete a Youth Livestock Literacy event by July 1 and the Livestock Integrity Pledge by the county or State Fair deadline. Counties typically require a veterinary inspection certificate dated within 30 days of the show, and sheep and goats need USDA Scrapie tags.
Sales
Many counties finish with a premium or champions sale, so expect a thank-you letter to the buyer.
Read the full guide: South Dakota County Junior Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- South Dakota Farmers Union State Convention
Held each year; the most recent dates were Dec. 10-11, 2025, the 110th convention. Family farmers and ranchers gather in Huron for policy sessions that guide the organization.
Huron, SD | Organizer: South Dakota Farmers Union Official event details - South Dakota 4-H State Horse Show
Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13-15, 2026. Youth compete in showmanship, equitation, reining, barrel racing and pole bending, plus hippology and horse judging contests.
- Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days
Huron hosted Beadle County 4-H Achievement Days July 27-29, 2026, where clubs such as the Wolsey Cardinal Clovers earned awards for project and livestock exhibits.
Huron, SD | Organizer: SDSU Extension Beadle County 4-H Official event details - South Dakota State Fair
South Dakota State Fair in Huron ran September 2 to 7, 2026, with livestock shows, 4-H state competitions, ranch rodeo and timed event rodeo. Held each year around Labor Day.
- Tuff Hedeman Bull Bash at the South Dakota State Fair
Held each year; the most recent date was Sept. 2, 2026, at 8 PM on opening day of the State Fair. A bull riding event named for the rodeo champion Tuff Hedeman.
All South Dakota events by date
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.