Beef

Rules

  1. General Rules - Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules & Regulations apply to this department. It is strongly encouraged that all exhibitors read and understand the Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules and Regulations and Livestock Health Requirements. These documents can be found on the Nebraska State Fair website. 
  2. Health Requirements - See Health Requirements for Animals Exhibited at the Nebraska State Fair for additional information. 
  3. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) - Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). Refer to the Nebraska State Fair General Rules and Regulations for additional information. 
  4. Show Entry - For purposes of exhibition, an animal can be nominated for the State Fair in both 4-H and FFA but only shown in one organization or the other, not both. 
  5. Entry Deadline - All applications for an entry must be made online at www.statefair.org. All 4-H entries must be made through the State Fair website by 8:00 PM CT on August 10. 
  6. Number of Entries per Exhibitor - A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to five beef animals. 
  7. Show Schedule -  See Nebraska State Fair Livestock Schedule for arrival, check-in and show times and dates. 
  8. Dress Code - When showing animals, exhibitors must wear the official State Fair 4-H shirt. No exhibitor number harnesses may be worn. Blue jeans are appropriate. Hats shall not be worn in the show ring. Refer to Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules and Regulations. 
  9. Showmanship - All 4-H exhibitors are automatically registered but not required to show in Showmanship. Exhibitors must show their own animal and the animal must be entered and exhibited in a breeding, feeder, or market class.  See additional guidelines and information in the Showmanship section below. Review the Nebraska State Fair Schedule for times and dates. 
  10. Substitutions - Any animal may be substituted for an animal within the species that has been properly nominated on the exhibitor's online nomination database list. 
  11. Grooming - All beef, swine, sheep, and goats (showmanship, market, feeder and breeding) will be shown Blow & Go. Animals may be clipped, blown, brushed, or combed to enhance their appearance. All animals will be shown free of any adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products. Reference the Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules and Regulations for specific guidelines. 
  12. Toweling Protocol - All beef will be subject to visual inspection and/or toweling for the presence of adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products. A toweling inspection will be incorporated for all 1st and 2nd place class winners (showmanship, breeding, market). The 3rd place class winner may be requested back if the 1st or 2nd place class winner does not pass inspection. All animals entering the Final Drive will be subject to a toweling inspection before entering the show ring. Toweling of the animal may include but is not limited to the topline, legs, chest, belly and flank. If, after inspection, the animal is found to have adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products applied it will be disqualified from competition. Any premiums (physical or monetary) will be forfeited, and no refunds will be made. 
  13. Tie-Outs - Refer to the Nebraska State Fair General Rules and Regulations for additional information. 
  14. Handling Equipment - Halters with throat straps, nose leads, barbed or studded show halter chain leads and other equipment determined to be distracting or severe to the animal by the division superintendent will not be permitted. 
  15. Blocking Chutes, Fans, Generators - Refer to Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules and Regulations. 
  16. Awards - Exhibitors will receive awards for the Division Champions, Reserve Division Champions, Grand Champion Overall, Reserve Grand Champion Overall, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Overall. Only entries receiving a purple ribbon are eligible to receive champion and reserve awards. A top 5 will be awarded in each age division of showmanship. 
  17. Release of Exhibits - All animals will be released according to the Nebraska State Fair release schedule. 

State Fair Eligibility

Refer to the State Fair Livestock Identification and Nomination Requirements for information on exhibitor eligibility at the State Fair. 

State Fair Entry Limit

Number of Entries per Exhibitor - A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting up to five beef animals. 

Division: Beef Showmanship

Class
  • G010009 - Junior Showmanship (ages 8 to 10 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G010010 - Intermediate Showmanship (ages 11 to 13 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G010011 - Senior Showmanship (ages 14 to 18 before January 1 of the current year) 
Rules
  1. Showmanship Entry - All 4-H exhibitors are automatically registered but not required to show in Showmanship. Exhibitors must show their own animal, and the animal must be entered and exhibited in a breeding, feeder, or market class. Review the Nebraska State Fair Schedule for time and dates. 
  2. Eligibility - After an exhibitor receives champion in showmanship, they are no longer eligible to compete in that age division of that species. If a junior exhibitor wins in that species, they will automatically move up to the intermediate division the following year. If an intermediate exhibitor wins in that species, they will automatically move up to the senior division the following year. Once a senior division exhibitor wins champion, they are no longer eligible to compete in showmanship in that species. 

Superintendents

For questions, contact: 

4-H Fairbook | Nebraska State Fair