4-H/FFA Livestock General Rules & Regulations

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4-H/FFA Livestock Section Rules

Exhibitors must comply with all general rules and regulations and animal health requirements for exhibitors in this premium book.

Violation of these rules may result in any or all of the following:

  • Withholding or return of payment for the animal or exhibit, premiums and awards.
  • Suspension from future exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair for a length of time to be determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission. Suspensions can be for any length of time and may be permanent.
  • Probationary exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair for a length of time and under such terms and conditions to be determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission.
  • Assessment of any other penalty determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission.

Exhibitors Please Note!

Rules for 2026, involving participation in animal care practices on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. These rules will be strictly enforced!

  1. Each 4-H/FFA exhibitor shall be involved in caring for and grooming their own animal(s). If assistance is needed it should be intended to help the 4-H/FFA exhibitor learn new skills.
  2. Signatures and Verifications: The Exhibitor and parent or legal guardian of Exhibitor must sign the entry forms certifying that they have read the General Rules and Regulations, 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules and Regulations, Sale of Champions Rules and Regulations, specific and/or special division rules and regulations and that Exhibitor has been advised of these rules and regulations as well as The National Show Ring Code of Ethics; cautioned regarding sabotage, tampering, prohibited substances, unethical fitting and agrees to observe and abide by all rules and regulations. The parent or legal guardian must also sign the Quality Assurance Certificate in accordance with the USDA Wholesome Meat Act.
  3. The signature of the 4-H County Extension Agent or FFA Advisor of said Exhibitor on the entry form is required to confirm that: the entry is a bona fide project of their state’s 4-H or FFA program; is a member in good standing; that the animal is owned and in the continuous possession of the Exhibitor; 4-H County Extension Agent or FFA Advisor has read the General Rules and Regulations, 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules and Regulations, Sale of Champion Rules and Regulations, specific and/or special division Rules and Regulations, and Exhibitor has been advised of these rules as well as The National Show Ring Code of Ethics; been cautioned regarding sabotage, tampering, prohibited substances, unethical fitting and all rules and regulations have been complied with, to the extent of their participation.
  4. Possession, Care and Feeding: Animals entered must be in the name and possession of Exhibitor, no later than corresponding ownership date as established in the Missouri State Fair 4-H & FFA Livestock Rules. Exhibitors are personally responsible for the general custody, care and feeding of their animals.
  5. Special Circumstances: This policy is not intended to prevent any 4-H or FFA member from participating in the Missouri State Fair market shows. In the event a youth exhibitor’s circumstances would prevent them from complying with this policy, their FFA instructor or Extension Agent may request a Special Circumstances Exemption by contacting the Missouri State Fair Director’s Office.
  6. Drug Use Notification Form: For each animal entered in any Junior Livestock competition at the Missouri State Fair, the Exhibitor must complete prior to weigh-in (to be turned in at health check-in), a Drug Use Notification Form showing all illnesses, injuries, medications and injections, including the locations of any injuries and injections, the dates, amounts of medications and injections given the animal and the purpose of each treatment, since exhibitor ownership deadline (withdrawal time must be met the day of the show). If care is given by a licensed veterinarian, you must show the name and address of the veterinarian.
  7. ANIMAL WELFARE: There will be no needles allowed in the Missouri State Fair livestock barns or in tie-outs. Any medication needed must be administered by the Missouri State Fair Veterinarian or with the approval of the Missouri State Fair Veterinarian. Anyone found in violation will be disqualified.
  8. Missouri State Fair reserves the right to make spot checks of animals and Exhibitors at any time to inspect and verify ownership and possession of any livestock entered in the 4-H/FFA Livestock Shows.
  9. Showing of Animal: Exhibitor must be present at processing and show and sell their own animal (s) unless excused in writing by Missouri State Fair. Exhibitor may secure some other 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitor to show their animal in case of illness or if they are showing more than one entry at the same time. Prior approval from Missouri State Fair is required. No one will be permitted to assist the Exhibitor while showing any animal.

Rules & Regulations

1. Eligibility of 4-H Members

  • Entries in the 4-H Youth Department are limited to Missouri 4-H members who have passed their 8th birthday and have not passed their 19th birthday before January 1 of the current program year and whose enrollment is on file in their University Extension Center.
  • Each exhibit shall be owned by the exhibitor and shall represent work accomplished with a 4-H project during the current club year.
  • The State 4-H Youth Development Program, through the county office, reserves the right to refuse the approval of entries of club members who fail to observe rules and regulations and hence are not in good standing. Members can be independent and enroll at any time. In order to show at the Missouri State Fair the members must pay 4-H dues by June 1 of the current year. Out-of-state transfer members must be Missouri 4-H members prior to February 1 of the current year to be eligible to show.
  • Every precaution shall be taken to protect the exhibits, but neither the Missouri State Fair nor the State 4-H Youth Development Program will be responsible for any losses or damage to the exhibits.
  • Exhibitors must designate either 4-H or FFA market animal entries within a species. Exhibitors must designate either 4-H or FFA breeding animal entries within a species. Animals are designated to a division at the time of entry and may not be switched to another division after the Missouri State Fair has received the entries. Current active 4-H/FFA members are permitted to show breeding animals in one organization and market in the other per species.
  • 4-H members are not eligible to show in the 4-H division of the Missouri State Fair if they belong to a 4-H club in another state or have shown in another state fair 4-H show in the same calendar year.
  • 4-H Food Quality Assurance Policy for 2026. By June 1, 2026, all 4-H members enrolled in food animal projects including beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, meat and dairy goats, rabbits, and poultry must complete the appropriate level of Missouri Show-Me Quality Assurance certification, or equivalent Quality Assurance programming, to be considered a 4-H member in good standing in that project. No further quality assurance documentation is needed.

NOTE: 4-H members must be in good standing in their county to enter the State Fair food animal related competitions. (Reference rule 1, C)

4-H/FFA Ownership of Animals:

One of the objectives in owning an animal is to learn new skills in animal breeding, feeding, management and health. To accomplish this, the member should secure the animal as early in the year as possible. Livestock shows and exhibitions set up minimum dates for length of ownership necessary for exhibiting.

Please make sure you are aware of your specific Breed Association procedures to determine ownership date. (This may include a processing date to determine final ownership date)

For the Missouri State Fair the dates are:

  • Beef Cattle
    • Steers 3/1
    • Market Heifers 3/1
    • Breeding Animals 6/1
  • Sheep
    • Breeding Animals 7/1
    • Market Lambs 6/1
  • Swine
    • Breeding Gilts 5/1
    • Breeding Boars 5/1
    • Market Hogs 5/1
  • Dairy Cattle
    • All Dairy Cattle 7/1 – (or leased)
      • (Dairy Cattle – breed association must have paperwork submitted to prove ownership prior to 7/1)
  • Dairy Goats
    • 6/1
  • Meat Goats
    • 6/1
  • Dogs
    • 4/1
  • Horses
    • 5/1
  • Rabbits
    • 6/1
    • Meat pen 5-10 weeks prior to show
  • Poultry
    • Meat pen 8-10 weeks prior to show
    • Meat turkeys 8-10 weeks prior to show

2. Eligibility of FFA Members

  • Active members of Missouri FFA who are continuing their Supervised Agricultural Experience program are eligible. A member can retain active membership until November 30, following the fourth National FFA Convention after graduation from high school. Example: If a student was an active, dues paying FFA member their year of graduation from high school and have continued to pay their dues, they can exhibit for four (4) years after graduation. A member who graduated in the spring of 2023 could exhibit in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
  • Junior project workers in the 7th or 8th grades in a comprehensive high school during the previous school year are eligible. Also, 9th and 10th grade students in area vocational school service areas who live in a comprehensive high school district that does not have an agriculture education department are eligible. To be eligible to show, students must be conducting an occupational experience program and keeping records under the supervision of the agricultural education instructor.
  • Exhibitors must designate either 4-H or FFA market animal entries within a species. Exhibitors must designate either 4-H or FFA breeding animal entries within a species. Animals are designated to a division at the time of entry and may not be switched to another division after the Missouri State Fair has received the entries. Current active 4-H/FFA members are permitted to show breeding animals in one organization and market in the other per species.
  • All animals entered in this department must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor as a part of his/her regular Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. The local advisor is held responsible for the strict enforcement of this rule and is encouraged to accompany the exhibitor(s) to the fair.
  • The date of ownership is the same as listed above for 4-H.

3. Code of Ethics

Believing it is in the best interest of all junior exhibitors to maintain a reputation of integrity and to present a wholesome and progressive image, the Missouri State Fair sets forth the following regulation: 4-H and FFA members are expected to conduct themselves according to the best traditions of their respective organizations. Inappropriate conduct (drinking, stealing, vandalism, and indiscreet behavior) WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Any violation of this rule will be grounds for disqualifying the exhibitor and/or livestock involved. Further, any premium monies earned will be forfeited.

What’s the Real Purpose of Youth (4-H & FFA) Livestock Projects

One purpose is to teach young people how to feed, fit, and show their animals. The more important purpose is to provide an opportunity for personal growth and development of the young person.

The Josephson Institute of Ethics has developed a curriculum which identifies six core values which may help to better describe the value of youth livestock projects. This curriculum also presents the idea that people develop and strengthen character by practicing certain behaviors just as muscles are built through exercise.

Therefore, the purpose of the youth livestock program (4-H and FFA) is to provide opportunities for young people to develop character. The character traits identified and some practices (exercises) that may build character follow:

A. Trustworthiness – includes honesty, promise keeping and loyalty.

  • daily feeding, watering of animals (promise keeping)
  • adheres to possession deadlines (honesty)
  • adheres to withdrawal times on drugs and de-wormer
  • only the appropriate use of approved drugs

B. Respect – includes courtesy and proper treatment of people and things.

  • proper handling of animals, treat humanely
  • proper care of animals
  • listens to and follows advice of advisors
  • recognizes that animal projects are dependent on 4-H’er and provides daily feed and water

C. Responsibility – includes the pursuit of excellence, accountability and perseverance.

  • daily feeding and watering (even on the busy, difficult days)
  • goes beyond providing the daily needs of the animal in giving additional time and attention to produce a winner
  • adheres to deadlines for entry forms and for arrival at livestock shows
  • never gives up in the show ring (perseverance)

D. Fairness – involves consistently applying rules and standards appropriately for different age groups and ability levels.

  • feed only approved livestock rations
  • only the appropriate use of approved drugs
  • accepts winning or losing with grace
  • conduct in the show ring follows recommended procedure
  • fitting and grooming of animals follows recommended procedures

E. Caring – promoting the well being of people and things in a young person’s world. It denotes action and not just feelings.

  • daily feeding and watering
  • provides clean barn/stall for animal
  • treats animal humanely at all times

F. Citizenship – includes making the home community and county a better place to live for themselves and others.

  • accepting instructions
  • winning and losing with grace
  • helping others at stock shows
  • teaching younger members
  • treating animals humanely
  • ensuring that your meat animal is safe for consumption

4. Once a market animal (steer, barrow, market lamb or wether meat goat) has been offered for sale or is sold, it will not be allowed to be shown at the Missouri State Fair. (Exception will be made only if a premium sale is held locally or if a Missouri State Fair Advance Sale Agreement is signed by all parties and is presented to the livestock superintendent when checking in livestock at the Missouri State Fair.)

The Missouri State Fair reserves the right to have urine, blood, saliva and/or tissue tests performed on any market animal to detect practices not considered to be normal or usual animal husbandry practices, including the use of anabolic steroids, diuretics, feed additives or drug residues. An exhibitor of an animal producing positive analysis of drugs, unapproved medication or chemical residues, shall be subject to the penalties established by the Missouri State Fair. In the event that an animal perishes on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, it becomes the property of the Missouri State Fair. The Superintendent of the department, or the appropriate State Fair staff member, will secure Carcass and hold it until it is released by the Livestock Superintendent for postmortem inquiry at the direction of the State Veterinarian. Any violation of this policy may result in any or all of the following:

  • Withholding of payment for the animal, premiums and awards.
  • Suspension from future exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair for a length of time to be determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission. Suspensions can be for any length of time and may be permanent.
  • Probation from future exhibiting at the Missouri State Fair for a length of time and under such terms and conditions to be determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission.
  • Assessment of any other penalty determined by the Missouri State Fair Commission or the Director of the Missouri State Fair on behalf of the Commission.

5. Judging

The judges will place all classes according to merit in gold, silver, and bronze ribbon groups. Inferior animals will not be placed. The gold group will be ranked to ten places.

6. Awards

Gold, silver, and bronze ribbons will be awarded as determined by the group placing. In addition, conventional color ribbons will be awarded in each of the livestock classes for the top exhibits. Premiums will be paid on a point basis in relation to the group ribbon awarded. In the cattle classes, the point value of the ribbons are: gold-60, silver-40, and bronze-20. In hogs, sheep, boer goat and dairy goat classes, the point values of the ribbons are: gold-24, silver-16, and bronze-8. The value of a point for livestock will be determined by dividing the total points of ribbons awarded in the 4-H and FFA livestock shows into the total money available for livestock premiums.

The Missouri State Fair does not guarantee premium money, merchandise, prizes or special awards. Because the State Fair Commission is without constitutional or statutory authority to borrow money for its operation, it reserves the right to prorate premium money because of state budget restraints.

7. Entries

4-H and FFA entries must be received by July 13 at the Missouri State Fair Offices by 5:00 p.m.

  • All livestock entries must be sent to: Missouri State Fair Entries, 2503 W. 16th St., Sedalia, MO 65301. Entries must be made on entry forms provided by the Missouri State Fair Office, Sedalia, and must include payment covering necessary pen rent, stall rent, and admission. Make all checks payable to: Missouri State Fair.
  • ENTRY FEES: Each FFA or 4-H livestock exhibitor must pay entry fees. Entry fee prices can be found on the rules and classes pages for each species.
  • All FFA field crops and agricultural mechanics entries should be made upon arrival at the fair. Field crops and agricultural mechanics exhibitors are not required to purchase an exhibitor’s pass or pay entry fees.
  • The instructor of agriculture education (for FFA) or youth specialist (for 4-H) is responsible for checking and signing all entries for exhibitors.
  • Exhibitors must check the boxes in both the youth show and open show. Exhibitors will NOT be entered automatically in the open show, fees for the open show is required. Dairy goats, sheep and swine exhibitors are required to check entries with both the youth show and open show superintendents after arriving at the Fair. Sheep and swine exhibitors will be expected to complete award cards for the 4-H, FFA and open shows. 4-H, FFA and beef cattle exhibitors are required to check.