- Show Programs and State Fair App
- Check In Process and Location
- Weigh Cards and Weigh Backs
- Market Buyers
- Grooming
- Retags
- Registration Papers
- Livestream
- 4-H Livestock Office Hours
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Show Programs and State Fair App
Download the 4-H at the Nebraska State Fair App for easy access to the schedule of 4-H events, 4-H live animal show programs and contest schedules, results, and so much more! Turn on your animal notifications to receive class updates for beef, sheep, goat and swine shows. All live animal programs will be posted on the app and posted near the show arena. Link to app: https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair
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Check In Process and Location
4-H Goat Exhibitors
Exhibitors will NOT be required to bring their goats up for check-in. Exhibitors will turn in their cards and paperwork to the Goat Superintendent Office which is located next to the State Fair Vet Office on the east side of the Sheep Barn. There will be signs posted by the office. Check-in will run from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM CST on Saturday, August 23.
4-H Swine Exhibitors
Exhibitors will NOT be required to bring their hogs up for check-in. Exhibitors will turn in their cards and paperwork to the Swine Show Management at the check-in tables which will be located on the east side of the Swine Barn. Check-in will run from 8:00 AM-9:30 AM CST on Saturday, August 23.
4-H Sheep Exhibitors
All exhibitors will be required to bring their breeding and market lambs up for check-in. Exhibitors will turn in their cards and paperwork as well as have their lambs classified (if applicable).
Check-in will be located in the northeast corner of the Sheep Barn in the poultry/rabbit show ring. Breeding ewes and markets lambs will check-in between 5:00 PM-7:00 PM CST on Friday, August 22.
4-H Beef Exhibitors
Exhibitors will be required to bring their breeding heifers (both commercial and registered) and registered market steers up for check-in to verify tattoos/EID tags and check registration paperwork. For steers and commercial heifers, please have declared weights recorded on weigh card before coming through the tattoo/EID verification process. Exhibitors showing crossbred market beef or feeder calves will NOT be required to bring their cattle up for check-in, but will still need to declare a weight on their weigh card and come to check-in to turn in the cards.
Check-in will be located inside the southwest corner of the Five Points Bank Arena on Friday, August 22 from 4:30 PM-8:00 PM CST. Note: There is not a check-in option on Saturday.
Please ensure that the tag is in the ear and tattoo is visible and legible in the ear. Any heifer not having a legible tattoo or that shows evidence of a fresh or recent tattoo, will be disqualified from the show. A fresh or recent tattoo is one that shows physical evidence of needle penetration of the skin that has not had time to properly heal (i.e., significant redness, scabbing, or bleeding). A fresh or recent tattoo may also be indicated by presence of ink within the ear that wipes onto a clean cloth upon tattoo inspection.
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Weigh Cards and Weigh Backs
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. Show management will not be conducting an official weigh-in and exhibitors should plan on having their weigh cards completed before arriving to check-in.
Weigh cards will be utilized in the following 4-H shows in 2025:
- Market Swine
- Crossbred Breeding Gilts
- Market Lambs
- Commercial Breeding Ewes
- Market Goats
- Commercial Breeding Does
- Market Beef
- Feeder Calves
- Commercial Breeding Beef
Weigh cards are found in the exhibitor packet and can be picked up in the Livestock Office (Five Points Bank Arena) if you are missing a card.
Two copies will be given for the same animal. Exhibitors will keep one and turn in the rest as directed at check in.
Weigh Cards and Weigh Backs (con’t)
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.
Beef/Sheep/Goats not meeting the 5% variance above the declared weight at check-in will be lowered one ribbon group and will not be eligible for any champion awards. Swine 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.
Market Buyers
In 2025, there will be an option to sell goats and lambs. Exhibitors should plan to sign-up their animal during the respective check-in time. Bid prices will be available on Thursday, August 21.
There will not be an option to sell market hogs in 2025.
4-H market animals that will be required to be harvested are the Champion and Reserve Champion Overall Market winners in Beef, Swine, Sheep and Goat. Note: Grand Champion Market and Reserve Grand Champion Market winners cannot be withdrawn from championship and are automatically consigned for harvest.
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Grooming
The 2025 State Fair 4-H Livestock Shows will be Blow & Go. 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.
All animals will be subject to visual inspection and/or towel inspection for the presence of adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products. A towel 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/Overall will be subject to a towel inspection before entering the show ring. Toweling of the animal may include but is not limited to the topline, head, legs, chest, belly, flank, and cod/udder areas. 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.
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Retags
Please inform Brandy Schulze bschulze@unl.edu of any retag of any livestock animal, even after entry is completed on August 10. All livestock requiring an ear tag must have a tag in place before going in the show ring.
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Registration Papers
To exhibit at the State Fair, original registration papers must be presented at the time of check in. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. Original registration papers or electronic documents presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up from the respective breed website.
For the State Fair, registration papers must show one of the following:
- the name of the exhibitor and/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.
*Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
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Livestream
State Fair we will be livestreaming goats, sheep, cattle and swine shows for 4-H and FFA. It will be linked on the website, https://www.statefair.org/live_stream/, through the State Fair Livestock Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NSFLivestockExhibitors and through Ringside Live | Live Webcasting.
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Livestock Office
If you have any questions upon arrival at the fairgrounds, you can go to the Livestock Office which is on the west side of the Five Points Bank Arena. The office will be staffed with volunteers during the following hours:
Thursday, August 21: 8 AM - 8 PM CST
Friday, August 22: 8 AM - 8 PM CST
Saturday, August 23: 7 AM - 7 PM CST
Sunday, August 24: 7 AM - 4 PM CST