Nebraska State Fair

4-H Livestock Exhibitor Resources

4-H members show meat goats at the Nebraska State Fair

Marisa See

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Starting in 2023, all livestock in contention to exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair will be required to submit a DNA nomination. This includes all 4-H and FFA breeding livestock, market livestock, and feeder calves. Any DNA nomination submitted through Show Stock Manager will also be eligible for exhibition at the Aksarben Stock Show. DNA nominations will be $7.00 per animal. All animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market–no additional fees or double payments will be required. DNA nominations for the Nebraska State Fair are due on June 15, 2023.

Enrollment Deadline

Youth interested in participating in the Nebraska State Fair must complete enrollment by June 15.

Enrollment Instructions

Livestock Identification & Nomination

Any 4-H member planning to exhibit livestock at the Nebraska State Fair must complete the appropriate livestock identification requirements for each potential animal. This process nominates the animals for the 4-H livestock shows at the Nebraska State Fair and provides evidence that the animals are part of the youth's livestock projects. The process makes an individual animal eligible for entry at the Nebraska State Fair.

Livestock ID & Nomination Info

Livestock Entry

All 4-H livestock must be entered in ShoWorks before 8:00 PM CST on August 10. This entry process must be completed by the 4-H exhibitor (or their family). Fees must be paid for using a debit/credit card. There are no other payment options. Livestock will not be entered by the county Extension office. Please refer to the 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Entry Limits. 

ENTER LIVE ANIMAL EXHIBITS

Exhibitor Letters

Rabbit & Poultry Exhibitor Letter (2022)

Beef, Sheep, Meat Goat & Swine Exhibitor Letter (2022)

4-H State Fair Livestock Updates and Reminders (2022)

Additional Swine Exhibitor Information

Check-In, Weigh-In, Loading/Unloading

State Fair Livestock Unloading and Release and Parking 4-H Information  (2022)

State Fair Parking and Map Information (2022)

Ethics Affidavits

Stalling Assignments

Schedules & Programs

Show Programs – Note: Show programs will be uploaded as they are finalized and will be updated as needed. Please check back regularly for the latest versions. Show programs are also available in the Nebraska Extension mobile app.

Also See: 4-H Schedule

Additional Resources

RHDV Biosecurity Guidance Document

Leader's Guide on Animal Welfare for Fairs and Exhibitors

Youth Guide on Animal Welfare for Fairs and Exhibitors

Animal Resource Guide for 4-H & FFA Members: Animal Documents, Records & Tests Needed Prior to Fairs & Exhibitors

Animal Resource Guide for 4-H & FFA Members: Facts, Values & Myths

Animal Resource Guide for 4-H & FFA Members: Knowing the Livestock Lingo

Animal Resource Guide for 4-H & FFA Members: Communicating with the Public About the Care of Production Animals

2017 Presentation: Pork Carcass Evaluation and Value, Dr. Dennis Burson, Nebraska Extension Meat Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

General Rules

4-H Animal Exhibitor Handbook (2022)

State Fair General Livestock Rules (2022)

State Fair Livestock Health Requirements (2022)

4-H General Rules

4-H/FFA Entry Limits (2022)

Species/Show Rules

Please refer to the following pages and resources for specific species/show rules, guidelines, entry limits, class descriptions, scoresheets, and forms.

For questions about this program or the information on this page, please contact: