How County Junior Livestock Shows Work in North Dakota
In North Dakota, the county junior livestock show is usually part of a 4-H county fair or Achievement Days. Beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goats, poultry, rabbits, horses and pets are shown, with check-in and weigh-in first, judging next, and a premium sale at the end. Every county writes its own fair book, so dates, fees and some rules differ. Two good examples are the 2026 Grant County fair book and the March 2026 Renville County newsletter. State-level rules for the North Dakota State Fair are in the 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibit Book.
Ownership and Leasing
- Market beef must be owned or leased, with daily management by the exhibitor, by March 1.
- Breeding beef, dairy, swine, sheep and goats must be owned or leased by May 1. Animals born after May 1 must be owned by the exhibitor from birth.
- Grant County adds horses (managing control by May 1) and says a previously premiumed market animal cannot be shown again at that fair.
- Renville County lists poultry at May 30 with at least 30 days of possession before the show, and rabbits and pets at May 1. Leases are allowed if the member handles daily care and training; contact the Extension office before May 1 to set one up.
Entering Your Animals
Enter animals in 4-HOnline by May 1; Renville says they transfer to FairEntry so you only enter once. County registration then happens in FairEntry, which in 2026 was due June 10 in Renville and July 27 in Grant. For State Fair, livestock must be entered by May 1, and 4-H members showing at a county fair must use 4-HOnline.
Identification by Species
The State Fair book lists the identification it expects, a useful guide for what your county will ask:
- Beef. Official USDA 840 ear tag or a registration tattoo matching the papers.
- Dairy. USDA 840 tag, USDA silver tag or a matching registration tattoo.
- Goats. Official scrapie tag or tattoo. Wethers need a scrapie tag or tattoo or a USDA 840 tag.
- Sheep. Official scrapie tattoo or tag listing animal and flock numbers. Market wethers may use a scrapie tag or tattoo or a USDA 840 tag.
- Swine. USDA 840 ear tag plus ear notches in both ears under the Universal Ear Notch System.
- Poultry. Leg or wing band, typically provided at the county fair.
- Rabbits. Left-ear tattoo.
Grant County likewise requires a scrapie ID tag on all sheep and goats except market wethers, and poultry (other than baby poultry) must carry leg or wing bands. The State Fair book does not mention RFID or DNA requirements. Registered animals must show papers at check-in or are shown as commercial.
Health and Check-In
- At the State Fair, a fair veterinarian inspects every animal before unloading, and warts or ringworm bar animals unless fully recovered.
- In-state sheep need no health certificate. Animals from outside North Dakota need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; the ND Board of Animal Health is at 701-328-2655.
- Grant County sends home animals showing infectious disease, sickness or bloat, forbids drugs on animals shown or sold, and requires poultry to be NPIP-sourced or test negative for pullorum within 90 days.
- Grant County requires a bill of sale (brand release) at weigh-in, even for unbranded animals, plus a parental release form for selling the animal.
Quality Assurance
Renville County requires YQCA certification for every 4-H member showing livestock, including Cloverbuds: in-person training is $3 and online training is $12. The State Fair accepts yearly YQCA, in-person LQA every three years, an industry program such as BQA or PQA, or membership in an accredited FFA chapter plus a completed formal agricultural course.
Classes, Premiums and Sales
Grant County's 2026 premiums were Blue $5.00, Red $3.50 and White $2.50 for beef and dairy breeding classes, Blue $2.50, Red $1.75 and White $1.25 for sheep, goats and swine breeding, and $1.00, $0.75 and $0.50 for showmanship. No premium is paid on market animals sold. The sale was Saturday, August 15, with a 5 percent commission on market animals, bidders registering before the sale, and buyers who do not pay within 30 days facing a $250 late fee. Grant also fines $75 and forfeits premiums if pens are not cleaned and approved. Ward County's livestock sale is the Thursday-night finale of Achievement Days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I show a leased animal?
Yes, if you handle daily care and training, and the lease is set up with your Extension office before May 1.
What if my animal is sick on show day?
Animals showing infectious disease, sickness or bloat can be sent home at Grant County; a veterinarian letter is needed for substitutions or injuries.
Do parents stay at the ring?
Grant County does not allow parents in the ring or prep area during judging and the sale.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- NDSU Little International Livestock Show
The 100th Little International at NDSU Shepperd Arena featured student showmanship in beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats, plus lamb lead, ham curing and public speaking. Held each year; the most recent show was February 14, 2026.
Fargo, ND | Organizer: NDSU Saddle and Sirloin Club Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show Junior Cattle Show
Youth exhibitors show cattle on the final Saturday of the Valley City Winter Show. Held each year; the most recent show was March 7, 2026.
- Ward County Shootout Youth Livestock Show
Bonus youth livestock show held June 19, 2026, the day after Ward County 4-H Achievement Days wrapped up, at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds in Minot.
Minot, ND | Organizer: Ward County 4-H Official event details - Richland County 4-H Livestock Show
County 4-H livestock and small animal judging with showmanship, July 11, 2026, at the Bagg Bonanza Farm Arena in Mooreton.
Mooreton, ND | Organizer: Richland County 4-H Official event details
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.