Before You Load the Trailer
Most show-day problems in South Dakota 4-H are paperwork problems, not animal problems. The state calendar from the 4-H event deadlines page is firm, and SDSU Extension's State Fair page says deadlines have no exceptions. Work through this list before show week.
- Enrollment and IDs. Animal identification entered in 4-H Online by 11:59 p.m. CDT on June 1, with RFID tags in place on market beef, swine, wether lambs and meat goat wethers.
- DNA. Market beef, goats, sheep and swine need a DNA sample at the county office by June 1 to show at State Fair.
- Training. A Youth Livestock Literacy event completed by July 1, and the Livestock Integrity Pledge signed before the county or State Fair deadline.
- Papers. Registration papers uploaded for purebred classes, a lease form if applicable, and a health certificate dated within 30 days of the show.
- County confirmation. Your FairEntry registration and show order, because counties like Brookings ask for changes to be reported before the show.
Health Papers and Check-In
County packets from Codington, Brookings and Minnehaha counties agree on the basics:
- Bring a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from your own vet. In Codington it is valid for 30 days, so State Fair entries need a new one.
- Expect a veterinary exam at check-in. Remove blankets or covers. Animals showing illness, injury or disease can be disqualified or sent home even with a certificate.
- Sheep and goats of all ages need USDA Scrapie tags. Brookings says they are free from the SD APHIS office at 1-866-873-2824.
- Poultry need leg bands and rabbits need an ear tattoo. Brookings requires poultry to come from a Pullorum-Typhoid free source or be tested.
- Bring your own wood shavings in Minnehaha County, and your own carpet square for rabbits, poultry and companion animals in Codington.
- Class assignments cannot be changed after check-in in Minnehaha.
- Brookings and Codington check large animals in on Tuesday before the show week, so confirm your day and weigh-in time.
The Show Box
SDSU Extension's show box checklist is aimed at lamb exhibitors but works for most species:
- Grooming. Card or slicker brush, sharp hand shears, scrub brush and bucket, moisturizing spray, and fly spray.
- Wash rack. Your own hose and nozzle, a Y connector, rubber boots with dry socks, towels and disinfecting wipes.
- Repairs. Screwdrivers, pliers, baling wire, zip ties and duct tape.
- Supplies. Scissors, pencils, markers, safety pins, a spare hair tie, and spare keys for the truck and trailer locks.
- People first aid. Instant ice packs, burn salve and eye wash.
- Animal health. Electrolytes started a few days before travel, probiotics, and anything your vet recommends.
- Extras. A spare halter, a spare rope halter and an extra sheep blanket.
Skip daily soap on lambs, since the page notes it dries out the hide, and pack for backups as well as basics.
Showmanship Dress
Dress rules vary, so read your county book. Brookings County's livestock dress code asks for the 4-H t-shirt or a prior-year exhibitor shirt with dark pants or jeans and closed-toe shoes that cover the ankle. Poultry and rabbit exhibitors wear a white shirt or blouse underneath, dairy exhibitors wear white or black pants with hard-soled closed-toe shoes, and companion animal exhibitors wear the 4-H shirt or a white shirt. Non-compliance disqualifies you from showmanship. Round Robin contestants there wear a white shirt and dark pants.
In the Ring
- Showmanship follows each species show in Codington County, in order of seniors, juniors and beginners.
- Round Robin showmanship (Brookings) asks senior champions to show every species. Each species gets five minutes and one showmanship question, and the lowest total score wins.
- Beef fitting contests in Brookings give juniors (8-13) and seniors (14-18) 30 minutes, working alone with clippers and blowers but no paint.
- Be ready for a showmanship question in Round Robin rounds, and know your animal well.
After the Show
- Stay through release. Codington families clean their stalls, and leaving early or skipping cleanup forfeits Premium Sale participation.
- If you sell in a premium sale, write the thank-you letter. Codington asks for it within 30 days, and Brookings within two weeks of buyer notification.
- Collect premiums and photos, and keep your records current.
Frequently Asked Questions
My animal lost its RFID tag after June 1. What do I do?
Photograph the ear and any other identifiers and contact your county educator right away. The state office decides whether a replacement can be used.
Can I bring a pet to the barn?
Codington County allows only service animals.
What if I spot a mistake in my entry after June 1?
The Livestock ID FAQs give families seven days to notify their county educator, and a photo of the correct tag may be required.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.