How Mississippi County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
Mississippi's youth livestock year runs in a loop. Exhibitors who are 4-H or FFA members raise animals, enter through the county Extension office or agricultural education teacher, and show at the Mississippi State Fair in October. Many then continue to district shows in January and the Dixie National Junior Round-Up in Jackson in February. Local county fairs sit alongside this circuit, and each sets its own schedule. The rules below come from MSU Extension's 2026-27 premium book sections, and the current book overrides everything here, so confirm with your agent or advisor before you load a trailer.
The Mississippi State Fair
The 167th Mississippi State Fair ran October 8 to 18, 2026, at the fairgrounds in Jackson, per WLOX. The junior livestock shows are the heart of the barn side. At the 2025 fair, per the October 2025 4-H Animal Lines newsletters, 1,283 animals were shown by 827 youth exhibitors, 530 from 4-H and 297 from FFA, and beef breeding was the largest class with 448 head.
For 2026, the premium book scheduled lamb shows for Saturday, October 10, at 1 p.m., and beef showmanship for Sunday, October 11, at 9 a.m., per the sheep and beef rules.
Dixie National Junior Round-Up
The 2027 Dixie National Junior Round-Up runs February 1 to 11, 2027, per the general rules. In 2026, 1,152 4-H and FFA members exhibited 1,759 head, and the 57th Sale of Junior Champions totaled $578,050 and awarded $85,000 in scholarships to 41 participants, per a Department of Agriculture and Commerce release. The 2026 show used five regional district shows in January, in Batesville, Greenwood, Jackson, Hattiesburg and Verona, per the October 2025 newsletter. Ask your agent for the 2027 district dates.
County Fairs
County and community fairs vary a lot, so read the fair's own schedule. Recent examples:
- The Neshoba County Fair, held since 1889, ran June 19 to 26, 2026, a month earlier than usual, per SuperTalk.
- The Great Forrest County Fair ran April 17 to 25, 2026, at The Center at Forrest County, 962 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg, per Visit Hattiesburg.
- The Jackson County Fair ran eight days through October 25, 2026, with livestock exhibits and a barn that opened at 11 a.m., per WLOX.
Who Can Show
Per the general rules, exhibitors must live in Mississippi and be members of a 4-H club or FFA chapter. They must be at least 8 and not yet 19 on January 1 of the show year, though high school students who have not turned 19 may still show. Exhibitors must own their animals individually. Siblings 18 or younger may form a partnership, but an animal jointly owned with an adult is not eligible.
Ownership, Entry and Tagging
For the 2026 State Fair, ownership and county Extension office entries were due September 1, 2026, for market steers, lambs, goats, hair sheep and hogs and for most breeding animals. For the 2027 Dixie National, the ownership date is December 1, 2026 for market hogs, commercial beef heifers and gilts, beef breeding animals, commercial meat goat does, wether dams, dairy goats and breeding hair sheep. Market steers, lambs, goats and hair sheep keep the September 1 date for both shows. Nominations are made in the Showman app, with a $10 per head fee, and entries cost $5 per head. The DNJR nomination deadline is the end of Friday, December 4, 2026, and the entry deadline is January 5, 2027.
Every market or commercial animal needs an 840 USDA Official EID ear tag from the State 4-H Livestock Office, and the number must match the entry. Classification and DNA hair collection weeks run in September and December, with stops in Hattiesburg, Raymond, Greenwood and Pontotoc or Oxford. For the DNJR, dates are December 14 to 17, 2026.
Weights and Limits
Minimum weights listed for the 2025 State Fair, per the June 2025 newsletter, were:
- Market hogs: 200 pounds
- Market lambs and hair sheep: 70 pounds
- Wether dams and breeding hair sheep: 75 pounds
- Market goats and commercial meat goat does: 40 pounds
- Commercial beef heifers: 500 pounds
- Commercial dairy heifers: 200 pounds
The 2026 beef rules set Dixie National steers at a 1,000 pound minimum and limit exhibitors to four steers, two of them Mississippi Bred. In the sheep rules, the State Fair allows up to six of each market and breeding class, with no more than three per class. Steers and commercial heifers must be polled or dehorned, with no scurs or regrowth over 1.5 inches.
First and second place in market classes must weigh back within 5 percent of the overage or be disqualified, with no re-weighs.
Health Rules and Ethics
A veterinarian's health certificate is required to enter the fairgrounds, and animals must be individually identified. Brucellosis and tuberculosis testing is not required while Mississippi remains free of those diseases. Exhibitors submit a 60-day animal health record in the MSU check-in app. Exhibitors and parents must complete the Mississippi Youth Livestock Producer Quality Assurance Program and sign the Code of Conduct Agreement. Performance-enhancing drugs may not be given within five days before showing, and a drug violation can mean disqualification and a ban from Mississippi shows.
Practical Tips
- Join 4-H or FFA first, then ask your agent or advisor for the ownership and tagging dates before you buy an animal.
- Keep your health certificate, ear tag records and health record form together.
- Complete quality assurance training early.
- Read the premium book for your species. The rules differ between beef, sheep, goats, swine and dairy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do I need to be to show?
At least 8 and not yet 19 on January 1 of the show year, with an exception for students still in high school.
When do I need to own my animal?
September 1, 2026 for the State Fair, and December 1, 2026 for most Dixie National animals.
Do I need a vet certificate?
Yes. A veterinarian's health certificate is required to enter the fairgrounds.
Where do I find my county information?
Ask your county Extension office or FFA advisor.
Mississippi Listings Covered by This Guide
- Tate County Fair Dexter Cattle Show
Sixth annual Dexter cattle show tied to the Tate County Fair, April 11, 2026, open to all registered Dexters; entry is $10 per head per class and admission is free.
11053 MS-4, Senatobia, MS 38668 | Organizer: American Dexter Cattle Association Official event details - The Great Forrest County Fair
Nine-day fair at The Center at Forrest County with midway rides, games, food vendors, an AgUp tractor show and pig races. Held each year; the most recent dates were April 17-25, 2026.
962 Sullivan Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 | Organizer: The Center at Forrest County Official event details - Tippah County Fair and Livestock Show
Ripley hosts the 81st annual Tippah County Fair and livestock show, from July 31 to August 8, 2026, with carnival rides, livestock competitions, pageants, wrestling and rodeo performances.
Ripley, MS Official event details - Hancock County Fair
County fair with 4-H livestock barns, carnival rides, vendors, and a horse racing card of ten races; the 2026 edition was the 14th, opening September 23. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 23-26, 2026.
4184 Kiln-Delisler Road, Kiln, MS 39556 | 228-493-1582 | Organizer: Hancock County community and MSU Extension 4-H Official event details - Mississippi State Fair
The Mississippi State Fair runs eleven days in Jackson each October and includes junior livestock shows. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 8-18, 2026.
- Mississippi State Fair Junior Livestock Shows
Junior market steer, lamb, goat, swine and breeding-animal shows are held with the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 8-18, 2026.
- Jackson County Fair
Eight-day Gulf Coast fair with a midway, livestock exhibits, arts building, and homegrown produce and photography competitions. Held each year; the most recent dates were October 18-25, 2026.
- Tallahatchie County Fair Association
Fair association based in Charleston, Tallahatchie County, organizing the county fair for local families and exhibitors.
Charleston, MS - Tate County Fair Association
Association behind the Tate County Fair in Senatobia, the annual event with carnival rides, livestock display, rodeo and a Dexter cattle show.
Senatobia, MS
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.