4-H/FFA Dairy Goats Rules & Classes

Departments J(14) & I(24): 4-H and FFA

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4-H and FFA Dairy Goat Regulations

  1. All animals must be inspected by the state veterinary prior to unloading. After inspection, check with superintendent for penning assignments.
  2. The base date for computing the ages of goats in all classes will be August 22nd.
  3. Proof of ownership, registration, and tattoo requirements will be the same as the open show with two exceptions; 1. 4-H/FFA members are not allowed to show as an Agent. 2. All animals shown in the 4-H/FFA show must have been owned by the Exhibitor/Farm or must show transfer to Exhibitor/Farm by June 1, 2026.
  4. Exhibitors are limited to two monies per individual class and 1 money per group class.
  5. Every goat must be properly fitted for show and be provided with a collar. No pronged collars may be used. All exhibitors must be neatly and properly dressed (preferably in white ) while in the show ring.
  6. All goats in the show are subject to the same feed and health regulations as shown in the open goat regulations and the general regulations in this on-line premium guide.
  7. 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).

Dairy Goat Showmanship

A showmanship contest will be held as part of the Dairy Goat Show. 4-H Age Classes: 8-10 Juniors; 11-13 Intermediate; 14-16 Senior; 17-18 Experienced Senior. The winner in each age division will compete for an overall 4-H Supreme Showman. A monetary award will be given to 4-H Supreme Showman winner. Please contact Gretchen Sims (gsroyalty62@gmail.com) if you would like to help sponsor this event.

FFA classes: Senior 14-16 and Experienced Senior 17 & over class.

When competing in Showmanship, exhibitors must choose either 4H or FFA.

4-H and FFA Dairy Market Wether Goat

  1. 4H and FFA Dairy Market Wether Goats will each show in their own division.
  2. Dairy Market Wether Goats will not be sold in the Missouri State Fair Sale of Champions.
  3. Dairy Market Wether Goats may be crossed bred but must be 100% dairy.
  4. Males must be altered, no bucks.
  5. Only dairy market wethers without horns will be allowed to show. (Note: Dairy Goats aren’t allowed to show with horns.)
  6. All animals shown must have been owned by the exhibitor since June 1 or before the current year.
  7. Dairy Market Wether Goats must be under one year of age, with the base date of August 18, 2026. Animals will be mouthed to verify age (Must have no more than 2 adult teeth).
  8. Even though entries into the Dairy Goat Wether Show are not required to be registered all entries must have a clear legible tattoo for identification purposes on their health papers and entry forms. (Note: Dairy goats are not required to have scrapie tags if they have a tattoo, but do if they are sold for marketing purposes. Being they are not being sold at the fair a tattoo is all that should be required for their CVI.)
  9. Market Wether Goats will be weighed after check in.
  10. Market classes will be set based on weight, with a limit of two entries per exhibitor.
  11. Recommended minimum weight for Dairy Market Wether Goats is 40 lbs.
  12. Pronged collars or leads may not be used.

Dairy Goat Classes

Class numbers will be the same, except a letter will be added to a class to designate the breed as follows: A) Alpine; B) LaMancha; C) Nigerian Dwarf; D) Nubian; E) Oberhasli; F) Record Grade; G) Sannen; H) Sable; I) Toggenburg

Classes in the breed show and open show should match, with the exception that there are no group classes in 4-H/FFA other than Dam & Daughter and the wether class.

4-H/FFA shows will show in alphabetical order, except for Recorded Grade, which will show last.

Classes

  • 50 Dairy Goat Wether class, under 1-year-of-age

Does

  • 1 Doe, born after April 1, 2026
  • 2 Doe, born March 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026
  • 3 Doe, born January 1, 2026 through February 28, 2026
  • 4 Doe, born May 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026
  • 5 Doe, born August 18, 2024 – April 30, 2025
    • Junior Champion
    • Reserve Junior Champion
  • 10 Doe, under 2 years, in milk
  • 11 Doe, 2 years and under 3 years, in milk
  • 12 Doe, 3 years and under 4 years, in milk
  • 13 Doe, 4 years and under 5 years, in milk
  • 14 Doe, 5 years and over, in milk
    • Senior Champion Doe
    • Reserve Senior Champion
  • 18 Dam and Daughter
    • Best Junior Doe In Show – all breed Champions competing
    • Best Senior Doe In Show – all breed Champions competing