How Missouri County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows Work
Missouri's youth livestock season runs through county 4-H and FFA fairs and ends, for many families, at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Each county fair writes its own rules, so your fair book always wins over a general guide. The details below come from the State Fair, University of Missouri Extension and fair listings. Dates and rules can change, so confirm with the organizer.
Sample 2026 County Fair Dates
Missouri has many county fairs, and no single statewide list turned up, so these are examples from published listings:
- Benton County 4-H and FFA Fair, Lincoln: June 17 to 20 (listing)
- Livingston County 4H and FFA Fair, Chillicothe: July 11 to 17 (listing)
- Northeast Missouri (NEMO) Fair: July 13 to 18, with setup, drop-offs, shows and judging July 11 to 13 (Truman State listing)
- Missouri State Fair, Sedalia: August 13 to 23 (News Tribune)
The NEMO Fair listing says its 4-H and FFA events and premium livestock sale were on July 18. Your county Extension office can tell you the dates and fairgrounds for your own county.
Open Fairs, Closed Fairs and Who Can Show
The Daviess County Extension fair dates page explains that events are generally open to 4-H and FFA members showing livestock. "Open" fairs accept any Missouri 4-H or FFA member in good standing, while "closed" fairs accept only that county's members. Most Missouri fairs, including the State Fair, require Missouri Show Me Quality Assurance (MSMQA) certification for 4-H livestock members, and sheep and goats need current health papers.
At the State Fair, per its 4-H/FFA livestock rules:
- 4-H members must have passed their 8th birthday but not their 19th before January 1 of the program year.
- Enrollment must be on file and 4-H dues paid by June 1.
- Food animal exhibitors (beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, goats, rabbits, poultry) must complete Missouri Show-Me Quality Assurance or an equivalent program by June 1, 2026.
- FFA exhibitors must be active Missouri FFA members continuing a Supervised Agricultural Experience program, and 7th and 8th grade junior project workers also qualify.
- Exhibitors choose 4-H or FFA for market and for breeding entries within each species, and cannot switch after entries are received.
Ownership Dates
These State Fair ownership dates are the ones to plan around if you want to go beyond the county:
- Beef: steers and market heifers March 1; breeding animals June 1.
- Sheep: market lambs June 1; breeding animals July 1.
- Swine: market hogs, breeding gilts and boars May 1.
- Dairy cattle: July 1, or leased.
- Goats (dairy and meat): June 1.
- Horses: May 1. Dogs: April 1. Rabbits: June 1.
- Meat pens of rabbits and poultry are measured in weeks before the show, from 5 to 10 weeks for rabbits and 8 to 10 weeks for poultry and meat turkeys.
County fairs may set different dates, so check your fair book before you buy.
Identification and DNA
Accepted State Fair IDs include registration ear notch, a NUES tag (swine only), a registration tattoo and an AIN/RFID tag, and entries without proper ID are not accepted. Cattle need an AID/RFID tag and swine need a NUES tag or 840 RFID/EID, and all steers need an EID tag in the ear, per the 2026 updates. DNA hair sample deadlines were March 15 for steers and market heifers, May 15 for barrows and June 15 for lambs and meat goats. Animals without a DNA sample can still enter but are not eligible for breed or Grand Champion.
Entries, Fees and Deadlines
- All State Fair livestock entries were due July 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. "No late entries will be accepted."
- Exhibitors age 12 and under get free admission with a wristband. Ages 13 and older can buy up to 40 single-day exhibitor tickets at $8 each, and a new 11-day season wristband cost $88.
- Poultry cost $3 per single bird or $6 per pen, rabbits $3 per single rabbit or $6 per meat pen, and dorms $15 per night.
- Premium checks are issued after the fair and must be claimed by December 31, 2026.
The 2027 State Fair is August 12 to 22, 2027, according to Extension, and the 2026 market goat show was Wednesday, August 12 at 11:00 a.m.
Health, Drugs and Records
Cattle and swine need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from an accredited veterinarian dated within 30 days of the show, and State Veterinarians check certificates on arrival. No needles are allowed in the livestock barns or tie-outs, and medication must be given by the fair veterinarian or with approval. Before weigh-in, exhibitors turn in a Drug Use Notification Form for each animal, listing illnesses, injuries and medications since the ownership deadline. Drug testing is possible, and violations can mean withheld premiums, suspension or probation.
Show Day and the Sale
At the State Fair, once a market steer, barrow, market lamb or wether meat goat is offered for sale or sold, it cannot be shown there, with exceptions for a local premium sale or a signed Advance Sale Agreement. The 2026 fair added a 4-H and FFA Market Turkey Show, light, medium and heavy divisions in the market goat show, and stall and pen decorating contests for all species.
Practical Tips
- Enroll in 4-H or FFA and finish Show Me Quality Assurance before you shop for an animal.
- Ask your county office for the ownership and tagging dates first.
- Put the entry deadline on the calendar the day the premium book comes out.
- Keep ID, health certificates and drug records in one folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Missouri State Fair?
The 2026 fair ran August 13 to 23 in Sedalia. The 2027 fair is August 12 to 22.
How old do I need to be to show at the State Fair?
4-H members must have passed their 8th birthday but not their 19th before January 1 of the program year.
Are late State Fair entries accepted?
No. The 2026 livestock deadline was July 13 at 5:00 p.m., with no late entries.
Where do I find my county fair book?
Ask your MU Extension county office or your fair board.
Missouri Listings Covered by This Guide
- Lawrence County Youth Fair
Three-day youth-focused county fair in Freistatt with livestock and kid activities, free admission and parking. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 4-6, 2026.
610 N Main St, Freistatt, MO 65654 | 417-466-3102 | Organizer: Lawrence County Youth Fair Board Official event details - Franklin County Fair
Four-day fair at the Union Fairgrounds, established in 1954 and in its 72nd edition in 2026; admission runs $15 to $25 depending on the day. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 11-14, 2026.
530 Clark Ave, Union, MO | Organizer: Franklin County Fair Board Official event details - DeKalb County Fair
Eight-day agricultural and livestock fair at the DeKalb County Fairgrounds in Maysville, family friendly with free admission and parking. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 13-20, 2026.
225 MO-6, Maysville, MO 64469 | Organizer: DeKalb County Fair Board Official event details - Benton County 4-H & FFA Fair
Four-day 4-H and FFA youth fair at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Lincoln, June 17-20, 2026.
- Howard County Fair
Eight-day agricultural fair at the Howard County Fairgrounds in Fayette with kid activities. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 21-28, 2026.
Fairgrounds Rd, Fayette, MO 65248 | 660-728-3700 | Organizer: Howard County Fair Board Official event details - Miller County Fair
Five-day county fair at the Miller County Fairgrounds in Eldon with agricultural exhibits and family activities. Admission was free Tuesday and Wednesday, $10 Thursday to Saturday, and free for children under 11.
432 E 8th St, Eldon, MO 65026 | 573-392-1006 | Organizer: Miller County Fair Board Official event details - Dallas County Fair
Free three-day county agricultural fair at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Buffalo with kid activities and livestock; free admission and parking. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 25-27, 2026.
Park Dr, Buffalo, MO 65622 | 417-345-2958 | Organizer: Dallas County Fair Board Official event details - Barry County Fair
Barry County Fair held at the Barry County Fairgrounds on State Highway 37 in Butterfield; the 2026 date is June 27.
11969 State Hwy 37, Butterfield, MO | 417-846-7673 Official event details - Warren County Fair
Four-day Warren County Fair on Fairgrounds Road in Warrenton, June 24-27, 2026.
615 Fairgrounds Rd, Warrenton, MO | 636-456-1212 | Organizer: Warren County Fair Association Official event details - Laclede County Fair
Eight-day Lebanon fair with livestock shows, 4-H exhibits, carnival rides, fair food and live entertainment. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 4-11, 2026.
Mills Dr, Lebanon, MO 65536 | 417-718-6752 | Organizer: Laclede County Fair Board Official event details - Scotland County Fair
Scotland County Fair in Memphis on State Highway 15, a nine-day run from July 4 to July 12, 2026.
State Hwy 15, Memphis, MO | 660-342-3439 | Organizer: Scotland County Fair Board Official event details - Texas County Livestock Fair
Texas County Livestock Fair on US-63 in Houston, a five-day livestock-focused fair July 7-11, 2026.
1591 US-63, Houston, MO | 417-260-0471 | Organizer: Texas County Fair Board Official event details - Nodaway County Fair
Three-day agricultural fair at the Nodaway County Fairgrounds in Maryville with family and kids' activities. Gate admission is free.
305 N Main St, Maryville, MO 64468 | 660-254-3247 Official event details - Morgan County Fair
Annual county fair at Morgan County Fairgrounds in Versailles, Missouri. Held each year; the most recent dates were 07/09 to 07/11/2026. Short three-day fair in Versailles.
1000 W Newton, Versailles, MO, Versailles, MO 65084 | Organizer: Morgan County Fair Board Official event details - Saline County Fair
Ten-day Saline County Fair at the fairgrounds on South Highway 65 in Marshall, running July 10-19, 2026.
2702 S Hwy 65, Marshall, MO | 660-886-6908 | Organizer: Saline County Fair Association Official event details - Livingston County 4-H and FFA Fair
Seven-day 4-H and FFA agricultural fair at the Livingston County Fairgrounds near Chillicothe, free gate entry and parking. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 11-17, 2026.
10780 Liv 235, Chillicothe, MO 64601 | Organizer: Livingston County 4H & FFA Fair Association Official event details - NEMO Fair
Annual Northeast Missouri fair at the Kirksville fairgrounds with poultry and sheep shows, goats, swine, rabbits and beef, and a 4-H and FFA premium livestock sale on the final day. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 13 to 18, 2026.
Kirksville, MO Official event details - Atchison County Fair
Six-day county fair at the Atchison County Fairgrounds in Rock Port, July 13-18, 2026. Fair board contact is 660-744-6231.
201 US Hwy 136, Rock Port, MO | 660-744-2116 | Organizer: Atchison County Fair Board Official event details - Cass County Fair
Six-day Cass County Fair at the fairgrounds on W Commercial St in Pleasant Hill, July 14-19, 2026.
308 W Commercial St, Pleasant Hill, MO | 816-540-3135 Official event details - Lincoln County Fair
Five-day agricultural and livestock fair at the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Troy, established in 1961, with kid activities. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 14-18, 2026.
1 Fairgrounds Road, Troy, MO 63379 | 314-713-0551 | Organizer: Lincoln County Fair Board Official event details - Lewis County Fair
Five-day agricultural fair near Lewistown that reached its 50th edition in 2026, with livestock and kid activities. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 8-12, 2026.
19322 MO-16, Lewistown, MO 63452 | 573-497-2250 | Organizer: Lewis County Fair Board Official event details - Linn County Fair
Twelve-day fair in Brookfield, established in 1949 and in its 77th edition, with free admission and parking. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 8-19, 2026.
29248 Idalis Dr, Brookfield, MO 64628 | 660-895-5123 | Organizer: Linn County Fair Board Official event details - Newton County Fair
Four-day agricultural fair at the Newton County Fairgrounds in Neosho, organized by the Newton County A&M Society since 1967. Gate admission is free and the grounds are open from 8 am to 11 pm.
700 Field Avenue, Neosho, MO 64850 | 417-825-3683 | Organizer: Newton County A&M Society Official event details - Montgomery County Fair
Six-day county fair at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on South Sturgeon Street. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 20 to 25, 2026.
700 South Sturgeon Street, Montgomery City, MO, Montgomery City, MO 63361 | Organizer: Montgomery County Fair Society Official event details - Boone County Fair
Five-day Boone County Fair at the Boone County Fairgrounds on N Oakland Gravel Rd in Columbia, running July 21-25, 2026.
- Cooper County Fair
Annual county fair at Cooper County Fairgrounds in Boonville, Missouri. Held each year; the most recent dates were 07/21 to 07/25/2026. Five-day fair on Dunkles Drive in Boonville.
16899 Dunkles Dr, Boonville, MO, Boonville, MO 65233 | Organizer: Cooper County Fair Board Official event details - Jefferson City Jaycees Cole County Fair
76th annual Cole County Fair in Jefferson City, July 27 to Aug. 1, 2026, with nightly concerts, rodeo, tractor and truck pulls, go-kart racing and carnival rides.
1445 Fairgrounds Road, Jefferson City, MO | Organizer: Jefferson City Jaycees Official event details - Pike County Fair
Five-day agricultural and livestock fair held each summer at the Pike County Fairgrounds on US-54 in Bowling Green, Missouri, with kids' activities and family entertainment.
15884 US-54, Bowling Green, MO 63334 | 573-324-3992 Official event details - St. Charles County Fair
St. Charles County Fair held at Rotary Park on West Meyer Road in Wentzville, July 28 to August 1, 2026.
2577 W Meyer Rd, Wentzville, MO | 636-639-8926 | Organizer: St. Charles County Fair Board Official event details - Gasconade County Fair
Four-day agricultural fair in Owensville marking its 79th edition, with daily gate admission from $15 to $40 and children under 6 free. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 29 to August 1, 2026.
805 McCan Drive, Owensville, MO 65066 | Organizer: Gasconade County Fair Association Official event details - Platte County Fair
Four-day fair at the Platte County Fairgrounds in Platte City, first held in 1863. The 2026 fair was the 163rd edition; regular tickets were $15, children under 13 free, and parking free.
15730 Fairgrounds Road, Platte City, MO 64079 | Organizer: Platte County Fair Association Official event details - Ripley County Fair
Ripley County Fair at the county fairgrounds in Doniphan, four days from July 29 to August 1, 2026.
County Rd 142E-2A, Doniphan, MO | Organizer: Ripley County Fair Board Official event details - Ozark Empire Fair
Ten-day Springfield fair first held in 1937, now in its 90th edition, drawing over 150,000 visitors by organizer estimate. Held each year; the most recent dates were July 30 to August 8, 2026.
- St. Francois County Fair
Three-day St. Francois County Fair at the Woodlawn Drive fairgrounds in Farmington, July 30 to August 1, 2026.
1450 E Woodlawn Dr, Farmington, MO | 573-453-5657 | Organizer: St. Francois County Agricultural & Mechanical Society Official event details - Moniteau County Fair
Six-day agricultural and livestock fair at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds in California, Missouri, run since 1866. The 2026 fair was the 160th edition, with family activities and day-by-day admission.
610 E South St, California, MO 65018 | Organizer: Moniteau County Fair Board Official event details - Marion County Fair
Eight-day county fair at Flower City Park in Palmyra, organized by the Marion County Fair Board since 1947. Admission is $1 and parking is free, with kids' activities throughout the week.
1034 Johnston Avenue, Palmyra, MO 63461 | 217-430-0993 | Organizer: Marion County Fair Board Official event details - Missouri State Fair Market Goat Show
Boer market goat show held the day before the fair opens, at 11 a.m. Held each year; the most recent date was Wednesday, Aug 12, 2026.
- Missouri State Fair
Missouri's 122nd state fair on roughly 396 acres in Sedalia, with premier livestock shows, competitive exhibits, agribusiness displays, a carnival midway and concerts, running August 13-23 in 2026.
- Missouri State Fair IPRA Pro Rodeo
International Pro Rodeo Association performances in the Parson Arena at 6 p.m. Held each year; the most recent dates were Aug 13, 14 and 15, 2026, with $15 to $20 adult tickets.
- Missouri State Fair Lamb BBQ Competition
Lamb barbecue cook-off hosted by Missouri Sheep Producers during the state fair. Held each year; the most recent date was Sunday, Aug 16, 2026.
Plus 12 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Missouri directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.