Livestock Entry and What’s New in Livestock

State Fair Exhibitor Deadlines and What’s New for 2026

State Fair exhibitors – Check out the following deadlines so you don’t miss your chance to participate in the Missouri State Fair! A complete list of deadlines can be found on the Fair’s website.

Deadlines:

July 13

July 15

July 21

July 28

July 31

August 1

August 10

August 11

Those interested in entering contests and livestock shows can find rules and class information and the link to enter in the online Premium Guide, a comprehensive tool for State Fair exhibitors.

Exhibitors age 12 and under will be admitted free to the 11-day Fair and will receive a wristband, sponsored by MFA, Inc. Exhibitors age 13 and older will be able to purchase up to 40 single-day exhibitor admission tickets at a special price of $8.

New for 2026 – Exhibitors may also purchase season pass exhibitor wristbands, sponsored by Bomgaars, for $88. One wristband provides admission for all 11 days of the Fair. Discounted exhibitor tickets and season pass exhibitor wristbands are available at time of entry and from the Fair’s Business Office through Aug. 12. These tickets and wristbands will not be available at the gate and do not include exhibitor parking.

Join us at the 2026 Missouri State Fair August 13-23 in Sedalia!

Competition Updates for 2026

Please note: The updates below do not replace the requirement to read the General Rules & Regulations, Animal Health Requirements, and Department Rules & Regulations.

New Superintendents

  • Home Economics – Katelynn Nevils
  • 4-H/FFA Dog Show – Cara Hanway

New Shows, Contests & Classes

  • Poultry: New 4-H/FFA Market Turkey Show.
  • Boer Goats: Market Goat Show moves to Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 11 a.m.; market classes split into lightweight, mediumweight and heavyweight divisions; Percentage Bucks classes added to the 4-H and FFA Boer Goat Shows.
  • Sheep: Missouri Sheep Producers will host a Lamb BBQ Competition on Sunday, Aug. 16.
  • Dairy Goats: New showmanship contest with age divisions. Winners from each division will compete for the Overall 4-H Supreme Showman title.
  • Beef Carcass: Market heifers are now eligible to compete.
  • FFA Building: New classes added for Shop Equipment, Metal Lawn, Outdoor Recreation, Wood Lawn, Indoor Division and Decorative Division. Horticulture and Floriculture are now separate divisions. Canned vegetables and canned fruits are now separate classes.
  • Home Economics: New cooking contests include Deviled Egg Derby, Red, White, & Blue Mystery Basket Cook-Off, Best in the Midwest Biscuit & Gracy Showdown an much more!

Rule Updates

  • Livestock Entry Deadline: July 13 at 5 p.m. No late entries will be accepted.
  • Entry Fees:
    • Poultry: $3 per single bird; $6 per pen
    • Rabbits: $3 per single rabbit; $6 per meat pen
    • Floriculture: $1 per item
    • Dorms: $15 per night

Animal Health & DNA Requirements

  • Cattle and swine exhibitors must provide a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) completed within 30 days of the show.
  • Any domestic animal originating from a state with an infested zone, but not within an infested zone, can enter Missouri with a Certificate of Veterinary inspection (CVI) completed within 14 days of entry that includes the statement “All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation and have not originated from or transited through a NWS infested zone.” Non-electronic CVIs require an entry permit from MDA. For more information about MDA health rules visit our website.
  • Any domestic animal originating from within an infested zone must meet the movement requirements for the state of origin and obtain an entry permit from the Missouri State Veterinarian’s office and a CVI that includes the statement “All animals were inspected and found free of evidence of NWS infestation.” Documentation authorizing movement outside of the infested zone must be provided prior to permitting.
  • Official identification is required:
    • Swine: 840 RFID/EID or NUES tag
    • Cattle: AID/RFID tag
    • All steers must have an EID tag present.

For more information and updates visit our website. We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Missouri State Fair, Aug. 13–23, in Sedalia!