Swine

Rules

  1. General Rules - Nebraska State Fair Livestock General Rules and 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 at 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 Exhibits per Exhibitor - A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 6 hogs. 
  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. 
  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 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 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 livestock 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. Handling Practices - Feeding hogs is not allowed in the wash racks. 
  14. Awards - Exhibitors will receive awards for the Division Champions, Reserve Division Champions, Grand Champion Overall, Reserve Grand Champion Overall, and 3rd Overall. Only entries receiving a purple ribbon are eligible to receive champion and reserve awards. 
  15. Release of Market Swine - The Grand Champion Market Swine and Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine cannot be withdrawn from championship and are automatically consigned for harvest.  All swine exhibitors will be required to complete a 4-H ethic affidavit at check-in. All normal market rules regarding animal quality and drug residues will be enforced. The release of animals will be designated by the Nebraska State Fair and listed in the schedule. 

State Fair Eligibility

  • Youth must be enrolled in 4-H by June 15 of the current year.
  • A 4-H member must be 8 before January 1, of the current year, or becomes 9 years of age during the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19.

Identification & Nomination

All livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to complete an online nomination with payment through Show Stock Manager and submit a DNA collector envelope with a hair sample. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Each State Fair nomination will be $7.00 per animal. 4-H and FFA livestock nominations are due on June 15, 2025.

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

State Fair Entry Limit

A 4-H member is limited to exhibiting 6 hogs. Farrowed and Owned Swine Cohort Participants: Farrowed and Owned swine entries count toward the overall quota of swine allotted per exhibitor. All Farrowed and Owned swine entries will exhibit within the divisions and class numbers listed below.

Division: Breeding Gilt 

Class

Purebred 

  • G037001 - Purebred Berkshire Breeding Gilts 
  • G037002 - Purebred Chester White Breeding Gilts 
  • G037003 - Purebred Duroc Breeding Gilts 
  • G037004 - Purebred Hampshire Breeding Gilts 
  • G037005 - Purebred Hereford Breeding Gilts 
  • G037011 - Purebred Landrace Breeding Gilts 
  • G037006 - Purebred Poland China Breeding Gilts 
  • G037007 - Purebred Spotted Breeding Gilts 
  • G037012 - Purebred Tamworth Breeding Gilts 
  • G037008 - Purebred Yorkshire Breeding Gilts 
  • G037009 - Purebred All Other Breeds (AOB) Breeding Gilts 

 Crossbred 

  • G037010 - Crossbred Breeding Gilts 
Rules
  1. Breeding Gilt Identification Requirements - All breeding gilts to be shown at State Fair must be tagged with an official 840 USDA EID tag or producer EID tag, owned by the exhibitor, completed the online nomination with payment through the official online database, and have the DNA collector envelope with hair sample submitted to their County Extension office by June 15. 
  2. Registration of Breeding Gilts - To be eligible to show in a registered class, a breeding animal must be tagged with an official 840 USDA EID tag or producer EID tag, owned by the exhibitor, have an official breed registration number, completed the online nomination with payment through the official online database, and have the DNA collector envelope with hair samples submitted to their County Extension office by June 15. Ear notches listed on the registration papers will be verified. Any animal not meeting purebred requirements will be shown in the crossbred division. Original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration paper must show the exhibitor's name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor's family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted Original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. Original registration papers or electronic documents presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. 
  3. Dual Eligibility (Market and Breeding) - Gilts may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show. 
  4. Minimum Age Requirements - All breeding gilts are required to be born on or after December 1, 2024. 
  5. Classes may be divided at discretion of show management. 
  6. Minimum Entries for Breed Classes - Any breed without at least 3 breeding gilts exhibiting in their breed will show in the All Other Breed (AOB) Division. 
  7. Weigh Cards - Exhibitors will declare weights on all crossbred gilts (an official weigh-in will not be conducted by show officials). Weigh cards must be completed and turned in during the designated check-in time and location. The weight listed on the weigh card will become that animal’s official declared weight to be used for assignment to a class and for weigh-back purposes. 
  8. Weigh Backs - A weigh back will be incorporated for all 1st and 2nd place purples in each crossbred class. A 5% variance from the declared weight at check-in will be allowed. Animals not meeting the 5% variance above or below the declared weight at check-in will be lowered one ribbon group and will not be eligible for any champion awards. The 3rd place purple may also be requested to weigh back if the 1st or 2nd place purples do not meet the 5% variance requirement. 
  9. Show Order - Purebred breeding gilts will show first in the order listed above, followed by crossbred breeding gilts. Purebred breeding gilts will be shown by age, crossbred breeding gilts will be shown by weight. A Champion and Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt will be named in each breed.  
  10. Champion Selection - Champion and Reserve Champion Breeding Gilt from each breed, the AOB class and Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Crossbred Breeding Gilt will go to a final drive. The Grand Champion, Reserve Champion and 3rd Overall Breeding Gilt will be selected at the conclusion of the breeding show.  

Division: Market Swine 

Class

Purebred 

  • G036001 - Berkshire 
  • G036002 - Chester White 
  • G036003 - Duroc 
  • G036004 - Hampshire 
  • G036005 - Hereford 
  • G036010 - Landrace 
  • G036006 - Poland China 
  • G036007 - Spotted Swine 
  • G036011 - Tamworth 
  • G036008 - Yorkshire 
  • G036009 - All Other Breeds 

 Crossbred 

  • G035010 - Crossbred Market Gilts 
  • G035020 - Crossbred Market Barrows 
Rules
  1. Market Swine Identification & DNA Requirements - All market swine to be shown at State Fair must be tagged with an official 840 USDA EID tag or producer EID tag, owned by the exhibitor, completed the online nomination with payment through the official online database, and have the DNA collector envelope with hair sample submitted to their county Extension office by June 15. Hogs will be disqualified without exception if the EID information does not match the hog at check-in. Note: The universal ear notch system with notches will not be an acceptable form of identification at the Nebraska State Fair. 
  2. Registration of Purebred Market Swine - To be eligible to show in a registered class, the animal must be tagged with an official 840 USDA EID tag or producer EID tag, owned by the exhibitor, have an official breed registration, completed the online nomination with payment through the official online database, and have the DNA collector envelope with hair samples submitted to their County Extension office by June 15. Ear notches listed on the registration paper will be verified. Any animal not meeting purebred requirements will be shown in the crossbred division. Original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration paper must show the exhibitor's name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor's family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted. Original registration papers or electronic documents presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. 
  3. Dual Eligibility (Market and Breeding) - Gilts may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show. 
  4. Minimum and Maximum Weights for Market Swine - Market hogs have a lower weight limit of 230 lbs. and upper weight limit of 320 lbs. to qualify for the regular show. All light and heavy hogs will be allowed to show but will not be eligible for purple ribbons or to compete for division awards. No weight allowances will be given. 
  5. Weigh Cards - Exhibitors will declare weights of all market hogs (an official weigh-in will not be conducted by show officials). Weigh cards must be completed and turned in during the designated check-in time and location. The weight listed on the weigh card will become that animal’s official declared weight to be used for assignment to a class and for weigh-back purposes. 
  6. Weigh Backs - A weigh back will be incorporated for all 1st and 2nd place purples in each market class. A 5% variance from the declared weight at check-in will be allowed. Animals not meeting the 5% variance above or below the declared weight at check-in will be lowered one ribbon group and will not be eligible for any champion awards. The 3rd place purple may also be requested to weigh back if the 1st or 2nd place purples do not meet the 5% variance requirement. 
  7. Breed Classes - Purebred market barrows and market gilts in each breed will show together. A Grand Champion and Reserve Champion of each breed will be named. Any breed without at least three animals exhibiting in their breed will show in the All Other Breed (AOB) division. 
  8. Show Order - Purebred market swine will show first in the order listed above, followed by crossbred market gilts and crossbred market barrows. Crossbred division winners will be in the drive for Champion Crossbred Market Gilt and Champion Crossbred Market Barrow.  The Champion and Reserve Champion from each breed (including AOB) will be in the drive for Champion and Reserve Champion Purebred Swine.  
  9. Champion Selection - The Champion and Reserve Champion Purebred Swine, Champion and Reserve Champion Crossbred Gilt, and Champion and Reserve Champion Crossbred Barrow will go to a final drive for Champion Market Swine, Reserve Champion Market Swine and 3rd Overall Market Swine. 
  10. No Withdrawals - Animals selected as division champions and reserve division champions cannot be withdrawn from the grand champion drive. Violation of this rule may result in disqualification and the exhibitor may be barred from future participation at the Nebraska State Fair. 
  11. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Market Swine -The Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of the Market Swine Show will be selected from the Champions of the divisions listed above. The Overall Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion of the Market Swine cannot be withdrawn from the championship and are automatically consigned for harvest. 
  12. Driving Instruments - Driving instruments are to be used for the purpose of directing barrows/gilts while they are in transit throughout the barn and while they are being exhibited in the show ring. Exhibitors are always to treat animals in a humane manner and Show Management will provide a warning to any exhibitor deemed to be in violation of this basic principle of animal husbandry. Any exhibitor who fails to heed the warning will be disqualified and removed from the fairgrounds. 

Division: Swine Showmanship

Class
  • G035007 - Junior Showmanship - (ages 8 to 10 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G035008 - Intermediate Showmanship - (ages 11 to 13 before January 1 of the current year) 
  • G035009 - 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 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