North Dakota's Big Livestock and Ag Events
North Dakota's year of big ag events starts in Valley City in March, peaks with the State Fair in Minot in July, and finishes with the Big Iron Farm Show in West Fargo in September. For junior exhibitors the key stops are the North Dakota State Fair, the North Dakota Winter Show and the junior breed shows held alongside them.
North Dakota State Fair, Minot
The 2026 North Dakota State Fair ran July 17-25 at the fairgrounds in Minot, with 4-H and FFA exhibits, youth competitions and horse shows. The 2027 fair is scheduled for July 23-31, 2027; the Fair Office number is (701) 857-7620.
4-H and FFA livestock
The 2026 livestock schedule had 4-H/FFA entry and penning on Tuesday, July 21, from 8 to 11 a.m., followed by weigh-ins. Shows ran through the week: dairy goats and sheep on Wednesday, beef and swine on Thursday, rabbits Thursday afternoon, dairy cattle and meat goats on Friday, then Round Robin at 8 a.m. and awards at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 25, with staggered release from 3 to 6 p.m. The exhibit book sets the rules:
- Exhibitors must be enrolled 4-H members ages 8-18 or FFA members. Livestock must be entered by May 1 in 4-HOnline, or through the FFA advisor.
- Entry limits: 12 animals total for beef, dairy, sheep, swine and goats (2 per class per breed), 24 for poultry and 24 for rabbits.
- Showmanship age divisions are Junior 8-10, Intermediate 11-13, Senior 14-16, Advanced 17-19 and Legacy 20-21. Two exhibitors from each division go to Round Robin.
- Each exhibitor gets one show shirt, worn at every 4-H/FFA show.
- Grand and Reserve Champion market beef, swine, lamb and goats are drug-screened after judging.
- A vehicle pass must be requested in advance; trailers park off the grounds.
Junior shows
Open junior shows run alongside. In 2026 these included junior breed shows for Shorthorn, Limousin, Charolais, Angus, Red Angus and Simmental on July 21, the Junior Steer and Heifer Show on July 22, the ND Junior Goat Show July 22, the ND Junior Sheep Show July 24, and the Kiddie Calf Show and ND Junior Market Hog Show on July 25.
Static and other 4-H events
Static exhibits need a county blue ribbon or higher. The 4-H book lists Communication Arts, Project Expo and Clothing Revue, with FairEntry registration due July 6 in 2026. A Leaders 4-H Showmanship event pairs state leaders with young coaches; in 2024 about two dozen leaders took part.
North Dakota Winter Show, Valley City
The North Dakota Winter Show bills itself as the state's oldest, longest-running agriculture show, at the Winter Show Event Center, 700 7th St SE, Valley City. The 89th show ran March 4-7, 2026, with PRCA rodeo performances, a country concert, livestock and draft horse events, a craft show and commercial exhibits. The state listing gave no 2027 dates, so check northdakotawintershow.com or call 1-800-437-0218.
The 2026 schedule listed a Jr. Cattle Show at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, a Hippology Contest on Friday, the PRCA rodeo on March 6-7 (including a Kids Day performance), and a Ranch Rodeo and Calcutta on March 5. The Junior Cattle Heifer and Market Jackpot Show was open to exhibitors regardless of residency, with entries postmarked by February 20 ($30, or $50 late), check-in by 1 p.m. on Friday, and showmanship divisions of Junior (8-12), Intermediate (13-16) and Senior (17-21). Cattle must be registered in the family's or junior's name, and bulls and cow-calf pairs are not allowed.
Big Iron Farm Show, West Fargo
Not a livestock show, but a stop for every producer: Big Iron runs Tuesday through Thursday, September 14-16, 2027, at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, 1805 Main Avenue West. It is billed as the largest farm show in the upper Midwest, with more than 900 exhibit booths. The 2026 show ran September 15-17 and was free to the public.
Stalling and Show Week at the State Fair
State Fair livestock tie-out is at 6:30 p.m., and animals must be back in the barns by 8 a.m. Exhibitors furnish their own feed and bedding except rabbits and poultry, though hay and straw are sold on the grounds. Beef in the Expo Barn uses fair-provided wood chip or sand bedding. The fair also holds a 4-H/FFA exhibitor meeting at noon on check-in day, and the Round Robin covers beef, dairy, dairy goat, goat, sheep and swine; an exhibitor qualifying in several species must choose one. Special awards include a Herdsman Award, National Swine Registry money for the champion barrow and North Dakota Stockmen's Association beef showmanship awards. Premiums are paid and mailed in September.
Planning Tips
- Mark May 1 (State Fair livestock entry) and the 2027 fair dates of July 23-31 now.
- Request your State Fair vehicle pass early; none are sold at the gate.
- For Winter Show, mail entries by the postmark deadline to avoid late fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-4-H youth show at the Winter Show?
The Junior Cattle Show is run under national junior breed association rules rather than 4-H membership, and North Dakota residency is not required.
Is there a rodeo at the State Fair?
The sources we reviewed list horse shows at the State Fair; the PRCA rodeo is at the Winter Show in Valley City.
North Dakota Listings Covered by This Guide
- North Dakota High School Rodeo Finals
The top North Dakota high school rodeo athletes compete in Bowman for spots at the national finals. Next finals posted for June 9-13, 2027.
12 US-12, Bowman, ND 58623 | Organizer: North Dakota High School Rodeo Association Official event details - North Dakota State High School Rodeo Finals
Top North Dakota high school rodeo athletes compete for national finals berths over five days at the Bowman County Fairgrounds, with vendors selling food, clothing and jewelry. Next dates are June 9-13, 2027.
- Killdeer Mountain Roundup PRCA Rodeo
The 104th annual Killdeer Mountain Roundup PRCA Rodeo, a long-running July Fourth weekend ranch-country rodeo at the Killdeer Saddle Club Arena in Dunn County. Next dates are July 1-4, 2027.
311 ND-22 Bypass, Killdeer, ND Official event details - Bismarck PRCA Rodeo
A February PRCA rodeo in Bismarck. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-02-06 to 2026-02-07.
Bismarck, ND Official event details - PBR Velocity Tour Grand Forks
Professional Bull Riders Velocity Tour stop in Grand Forks on February 6-7, 2026.
Grand Forks, ND Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show
The North Dakota Winter Show brings a PRCA rodeo, ranch rodeo, horse day, junior cattle show and chili cook-off to Valley City each March. Held each year; the most recent dates were March 4-7, 2026, with a concert on February 28.
700 7th St. SE, Valley City, ND 58072 | 701-845-1401 | Organizer: North Dakota Winter Show Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show Ranch Rodeo
Ranch teams compete in working-ranch events at the Valley City Winter Show on Thursday evening. Held each year; the most recent ranch rodeo was March 5, 2026.
700 7th St. SE, Valley City, ND 58072 | 701-845-1401 | Organizer: North Dakota Winter Show Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show Horse Day
Horse Day is the Thursday program of the Valley City Winter Show, held alongside the winter show luncheon. Held each year; the most recent Horse Day was March 5, 2026.
700 7th St. SE, Valley City, ND 58072 | 701-845-1401 | Organizer: North Dakota Winter Show Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show PRCA Rodeo
Two nights of PRCA rodeo close the Winter Show week in Valley City, on Friday and Saturday. Held each year; the most recent rodeo was March 6-7, 2026.
- North Dakota Winter Show Hippology Contest
Horse knowledge contest during Winter Show week in Valley City, with judging in the show barn and the exhibition building. Held each March; the most recent contest was March 6, 2026 at 10 a.m.
700 7th St SE, Valley City, ND 58072 Official event details - Fargo PRCA Rodeo
A late-March PRCA rodeo in Fargo. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-03-27 to 2026-03-28.
Fargo, ND 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 - Ag Expo Pro Rodeo
A professional rodeo tied to the Ag Expo in Watford City. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-05-22 to 2026-05-23.
Watford City, ND Official event details - Chutes and Boots PBR
Chutes and Boots is a bull riding event in West Fargo on May 29-30, 2026.
West Fargo, ND Official event details - Killdeer NDRA Rodeo
A one-night North Dakota Rodeo Association event in Killdeer; the NDRA broadcast schedule lists a 6:30 p.m. start. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-06-06.
Killdeer, ND Official event details - Elgin Saddle Club Rodeo
A two-day saddle club rodeo in Elgin. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-06-06 to 2026-06-07.
Elgin, ND Official event details - Bear Creek Rodeo
A one-day rodeo in Oakes. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-06-13.
Oakes, ND Official event details - Fred Berger Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding
Memorial bull riding event in Bismarck on June 16-17, 2026 named for Fred Berger.
Bismarck, ND Official event details - McLeod Stampede
A two-day small-town rodeo in McLeod. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-06-26 to 2026-06-27.
McLeod, ND Official event details - James River Rodeo
A two-day rodeo in Jamestown along the James River. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-06-26 to 2026-06-27.
Jamestown, ND Official event details - Roughrider Days PRCA Pro Rodeo
The Roughrider Days PRCA Pro Rodeo runs three evenings at the Stark County Fairgrounds in Dickinson. Held each year; the most recent dates were June 26-28, 2026.
4024 Hwy 22 S, Dickinson, ND 58601 Official event details - Beaver Valley Horse Club Rodeo
A horse club rodeo in Strasburg with 6:30 p.m. starts on the NDRA broadcast schedule. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-06-27 to 2026-06-28.
Strasburg, ND Official event details - Mandan Rodeo Days
The 147th annual Mandan Rodeo Days over the Fourth of July weekend. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-02 to 2026-07-04.
Mandan, ND Official event details - Towner Rodeo
A two-day Fourth of July rodeo in Towner. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-03 to 2026-07-04.
Towner, ND Official event details - Sheyenne Stampede
An NDRA stampede rodeo in Sheyenne on the Fourth of July. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-04.
Sheyenne, ND Official event details - Wing Rodeo
A two-night rodeo in Wing with 6:30 p.m. starts on the NDRA broadcast schedule. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-10 to 2026-07-11.
Wing, ND Official event details - Makoti Threshers Rodeo
A one-day rodeo in Makoti tied to the Threshers show. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-07-11.
Makoti, ND Official event details - Sargent County Rodeo
The Sargent County fair rodeo in Forman, with evening performances on both nights. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-07-24 to 2026-07-25.
Forman, ND Official event details - Ranchorama Days NDRA Rodeo
An NDRA rodeo during Ranchorama Days in Medora. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-08-07 to 2026-08-08.
Medora, ND Official event details - Hettinger Rodeo
A one-day rodeo in Hettinger. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-01.
Hettinger, ND Official event details - Home on the Range Champions Ride Rodeo
A one-day champions ride rodeo in Medora. Held each year; the most recent date was 2026-08-01.
Medora, ND Official event details - Hettinger Rodeo
Hettinger Rodeo is held August 1, 2026 in Hettinger. Held each year in North Dakota.
Hettinger, ND Official event details - Bruce Zingg Memorial Rodeo
Saturday afternoon memorial rodeo during the Grant County Fair in Carson, scheduled after the 4-H and FFA livestock sale and the Rods N Rock car show.
Carson, ND | Organizer: Grant County Fair Association Official event details - Devils Lake NDRA Chute Out
An NDRA weekend rodeo in Devils Lake, called the NDRA Shootout in the NDRA broadcast lineup. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-09-11 to 2026-09-13.
Devils Lake, ND Official event details - North Dakota Rough Rider Cup
North Dakota's richest rodeo brings the top 32 contestants in the world to the Dale Pahlke Arena for eight events and over $500,000 in cash and prizes. Held each year; the most recent dates were September 18-20, 2026.
Mandan, ND | 701-409-2962 Official event details - NDRA Finals Rodeo
The North Dakota Rodeo Association finals in Watford City, with 6 p.m. starts on Friday and Saturday and a 1 p.m. finish on Sunday. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-09-25 to 2026-09-27.
Watford City, ND Official event details - Minot Ys Mens PBR
Bull riding hosted by the Minot Y Men Club in Minot on September 25-26, 2026.
Minot, ND Official event details - Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo
The Badlands Circuit finals in Minot, the season-ending regional PRCA event. Held each year; the most recent dates were 2026-10-09 to 2026-10-11.
Minot, ND Official event details - North Dakota Winter Show
Nonprofit organizer of the Valley City Winter Show; mailing address is PO Box 846. The 90th annual show is set for March 2-6, 2027.
700 7th St. SE, Valley City, ND 58072 | 701-845-1401 Website
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.