4-H/FFA Sheep Rules & Classes

Departments 18 & 28: 4-H and FFA

Jump to a Section:

4-H and FFA Sheep Regulations

DNA Hair Samples Required for Market Lamb Classes.

The exhibitor is responsible for providing a DNA hair sample and their Agriculture Teacher or Extension Agent witnessing, to be mailed to the Missouri State Fair office on or before postmark date of June 15. The DNA envelopes must have the correct postmark date on them. (Faxes are not permitted. Metered mail is not preferred, but if used, please allow sufficient time for delivery.) An exhibitor may nominate a total of 10 market lambs. See complete DNA hair sample rules outlined in number 16 of the 4-H and FFA general rules and regulations in this premium guide.

  1. All breeding animals must have been owned by the exhibitor prior to July 3 of the year shown, and all breeding animals must be registered in the exhibitor’s name. Breeding animal must wear the association or flock ear tag at the time of showing. Market lambs must have been owned by the exhibitor prior to June 1 of current year. Entries must be complete for both breeding classes and market lamb show.
  2. Each exhibitor will be allowed to enter 4 ram lambs and 4 ewe lambs in the lamb classes. (Exhibitors will be allowed to show from one to four animals in any one class, but not more than 4 lambs total.) Yearling classes are limited to two entries per class. No limit is placed on the number of market lamb entries within a class.
  3. The base date for computing the ages of sheep in all classes will be September 1, but only those animals that have lamb teeth will be eligible to show in the lamb classes.
  4. Market lambs will show by breeds. Classes will be divided into groups by weight. Market lambs will be weighed only one time. 4-H will show first.
  5. Ewe lambs shown in the market lamb show will not be eligible for the wether dam or breed shows. Exhibitors can substitute a ewe lamb for a wether dam or a wether dam for a ewe lamb; this can be done at the scales, at weigh-in.
  6. Market Lambs show order: Crossbred, Speckled Face, Natural Colored, (blue fibered) Suffolk, Hampshire, (no blue fibered) Shropshire, Oxford, Southdown, Dorset, Montadale, Dorper and “AOB (classifier to determine).
  7. Muzzles will not be allowed on market lambs or breeding animals.
  8. All market lambs must be slick-sheared at the time of arrival at the Fairgrounds, including all areas above hock-knee and from the ears back and report to the Race Horse Barns on the east side of the Fairgrounds for animal inspection and weigh in. Only hocks and below clipping will be allowed in the sheep barn after animal health inspections.
  9. Abuse of animals: Should any physical abuse be observed to ward an animal, either in the barn or in the show ring, Superintendent has the authority to eliminate show animal and exhibitor from the show. Slapping and aggressively hitting of market lambs is prohibited. Definition of slapping: open hand slapping of lambs and its is heard. Using a fist or back of hand to punch orhit the lamb aggressively is also prohibited. Using fingertips to tap with no sound is allowed. Superintendent has the right to remove the animal and exhibitor from the show if rules are not followed.
  10. When a judge is handling lambs or when you are waiting to be judged, all four (4) feet must be on the ground. It is acceptable to briefly lift the front end of a lamb off the ground to set the front feet.
  11. Market lambs may not leave the sheep barn or wash rack area once they have been penned until the conclusion of the show. Walking/leading sheep for exercise must be within the confines of the sheep barns. The Sheep Superintendent must authorize any lambs needing to leave the sheep barn or wash rack. Lambs found in unauthorized areas will be dismissed from the show.
  12. Breeding sheep showmanship winners will be selected during the 4-H and FFA breeding sheep shows. Breeding sheep showmanship winners must skip a year and are then eligible to compete again. There will be a separate showmanship contest for market lamb exhibitors.
  13. No assistance in showing animals will be allowed in the market lamb classes.
  14. Minimal assistance is allowed in the breeding classes. The owner must exhibit the animal with assistance in placing feet and control of the animal in emergency situations. Assistance must be another Missouri junior exhibitor.
  15. Pumping of any species, unless under the State Veterinarian’s supervision, will not be allowed.
  16. 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 Sheep Fitting Competition

August 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m. – Sheep Pavilion

Set-up time for youth: 1 hour following the last junior show of the day.

Objective

To provide youth with the opportunity to compete in sheep fitting at the state level as an art form to enhance and improve the standard and image of the sheep industry to the public and sheep producers.

Rules and Regulations

  1. Pasture lamb unwashed will be provided for contestants.
  2. The sheep will be assigned numbers, and contestants will pick numbers at random.
  3. Entries will be for teams only
  4. 2 fitters on the team; both can be junior’s age (12 & UNDER), 1 must have shown in either the Wether dam show or the junior breeding show. Both fitters should have been age eligible to show in the Breeding show.
  5. Total time includes washing, drying, shearing-fitting. no limit on washing.
  6. Participant will provide a trimming stand and traditional fitting equipment to fit the sheep provided for competition.
  7. May use as many clippers as needed, but all must have at least a 20-tooth comb or finer.
  8. Must create a ring ready animal – may be; fitted, slicked, wool style. Team choice.
  9. Final score and placing will be based on the wash job, cleanliness, smoothness of trimming job, hoof trimming, overall presentation and process used to attain the goal.
  10. One member of team is to pre-enter – (pre-entry required). Entry should be made when entering other sheep.
  11. Entries will be made through the Missouri State Fair on-line entry system or on entry forms provided in this premium guide and be returned to the Missouri State Fair along with your sheep entries. An entry form will need to be submitted in order to participate.
  12. A $5.00 entry fee per person is required. First Place individual or team winners are not eligible to participate in same age division in future years.

Class

  • 512 Team Fitting Competition – 2 hours time limit

Youth Sheep Skillathon

August 16, 3:00 p.m. – Sheep Pavilion Arena

Hosted by Lincoln University Extension and University of Missouri Extension

  1. The Sheep Skillathon is an opportunity for 4-H and FFA youth with an interest in livestock to test their knowledge and abilities related to sheep production.
  2. Youth will participate in one of three divisions: Juniors (8-10 years of age); Intermediate (11-13 years of age); Seniors (14 and over).
  3. The contest will include a combination of an interview and identification of equipment, sheep breeds, feed ingredients and test to determine the contestant’s knowledge of the sheep industry and sheep production.
  4. Results and awards will be presented in the show arena of the Sheep Pavilion.

Sheep Showmanship Contest for Youth Exhibitors

Market & Wether Dam Lamb:

Showmanship awards will be sponsored by a Missouri Club Lamb Breeder

Market & Wether Dam Awards will be sponsored by Essential Show Feeds

First place winners in each category are not eligible to participate in the same age division the next year. While this activity is offered in an age bracket contest format, the committee desires that members enhance and improve their skills and performance for the long-term benefit of the entire sheep industry.

The contest will be open for anyone exhibiting a market lamb or wether dam at the 2026 Missouri State Fair within their age bracket. Exhibitors must provide and use their own animal. The age brackets are as follows: 8-10 Junior, 11-13 Intermediate, 14 16 Senior and 17-21 Senior Pro.

First place in each showmanship class will receive a belt buckle. Second through fifth will receive banners. The contest will start tentatively at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 12 at the Sheep Pavilion. Sign up registration will be available Wednesday morning in the show ring of the Sheep Pavilion.

Sheep Classes

Breeding Sheep – earliest arrival Friday, August 14, 5 p.m.

Class numbers will be the same for all breeds, except a letter will be added to each class to designate the breed as follows: C) Corriedale; D) Dorset; E) Dorper; F) Hampshire; G) Montadale; H) Shropshire; I) Southdown; J) Suffolk; K) Natural Colored; L) Katahdin; M) Tunis; N) All Other Meat Breeds; O) All Other Wool Breeds; R) Crossbred Market Lambs.

Class

29 Breeding Sheep Showmanship (for 4-H & FFA only)

    • Yearling Ram – 1 year and under 2: 60, 88W, 88, 116, 144, 172, 200, 228, 256, 284, 312, 340, 368
    • Senior Ram Lamb – 9/1 – 12/31/2024: 61, 89W, 89, 117, 145, 173, 201, 229, 257, 285, 313, 341, 369
    • Junior (spring) ram lamb – 1/1/2025, and after: 63, 91W, 91, 119, 147, 175, 203, 231, 259, 287, 315, 343, 371
    • Pair ram lambs: 64, 92W, 92, 120, 148, 176, 204, 232, 260, 288, 316, 344, 372
      • Champion ram
      • Reserve champion ram
    • Yearling ewe: 67, 95W, 95, 123, 151, 179, 207, 235, 263, 291, 319, 347, 375
    • Pair yearling ewes: 68, 96W, 96, 124, 152, 180, 208, 236, 264, 292, 320, 348, 376
    • Senior (fall) ewe lamb – 9/1 – 12/31/2024: 69, 97W, 97, 125, 153, 181, 209, 237, 265, 293, 321, 349, 377
    • Junior (spring) ewe lamb – 1/1/2025, and after: 71, 99W, 99, 127, 155, 183, 211, 239, 267, 295, 323, 351, 379
    • Pair ewe lambs: 72, 100W, 100, 128, 156, 184, 212, 240, 268, 296, 324, 352, 380
      • Champion ewe
      • Reserve champion ewe
    • Market Lamb – class #43: Any breed, purebred or crossbred (classes broken by weight)
      • Champion Market Lamb of 4-H Department
      • Reserve Champion Market Lamb of 4-H Department
      • Champion Market Lamb of FFA Department
      • Reserve Champion Market Lamb of FFA Department
      • Grand Champion Market Lamb, 4-H & FFA Departments combined

    Wether Dam Classes

    All 4-H and FFA market wether and wether dam sheep exhibitors (sheep showing on Thursday or Friday) must report to the Race Horse Barns on the east side of the Fairgrounds for animal inspection and Sheep Pavilion for weigh in.

    See the Sheep Schedule, under Open Sheep for arrival times. ALL WETHER DAMS MUST BE SLICK-SHORN BEFORE ARRIVING AT THE MISSOURI STATE FAIRGROUNDS!

    1. These classes have been set up to allow new junior breeding sheep to be shown at the Missouri State Fair. They are not designed to provide additional classes for same sheep already shown in other classes.
    2. These classes are set up for breeding animals that are not able to show in the breeding classes of the junior show (because they do not have papers).
    3. No animal that is shown in the regular market classes will be eligible to show in the wether dam classes.
    4. No breed is to be specified on the entry form before the Fair. (Just class number – such as 61).
    5. All Wehter Dams entering the fairgrounds will be inspected, on site, by veterinarians. Wether Dam lambs will be weighed for class breaks, during the market lamb weigh-in.

    Class

    Meat Breed Crosses (shown slick sheared)
    (not to include ewe lambs shown in the market lamb classes)

    • 60 Yearling Ewe – 1 year and under 2
    • 61 Ewe Lambs – will be shown by weight (weigh in – 1 p.m., 8/9)
      • Champion Ewe
      • Reserve Champion Ewe
      • Supreme Champion Ewe 4-H & FFA
      • Reserve Supreme Champion Ewe 4-H & FFA

    Sheep Specials

    A Supreme Champion 4-H Ram and Ewe and a Supreme FFA Champion FFA Ram and Ewe will be selected. Cash Awards and The Missouri Junior Sheep Breeders Association will sponsor banners.

    The Missouri Dorset Association will award trophies to the Champion Dorset Ewe and Ram.

    The Missouri Suffolk Association, Duane Young, 26359 W. Highway 69, Bethany, Missouri 64424, will award prizes to the Champion and Reserve Champion Suffolk Ram and Ewe in the 4-H and FFA divisions.

    The Missouri Junior Sheep Breeders Association, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 29, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109 is sponsoring the Stacey Jesse Memorial 4-H Shepherd plaque. The Jesse Family is sponsoring the “Stacey Jesse Memorial – 4H Sheep Shepard Award” to the 4H member in charge of the most outstanding sheep exhibit. A committee will make inspections to determine the winner. The following will be considered: 1) Cleanliness, grooming and appearance of exhibits; 2) handling of feed, equipment, etc. 3) Cooperation, courtesy, and sportsmanship in the exhibit area and show ring.

    The Missouri Junior Sheep Breeders Association is sponsoring the FFA Shepherd plaque to the FFA member who keeps the neatest and cleanest pens in the sheep barn.

    The Missouri Shropshire Association will award gift certificates to the Champion Ewe and Champion Ram in each of the 4-H and FFA divisions and prize money to the high placing individuals leading a Shropshire in the junior Lead Line divisions, and an award to the premier exhibitor in each of the 4-H and FFA divisions (must be members of the Missouri Shropshire Association or first year exhibitor to be eligible for the premier exhibitor award).

    The Missouri Hampshire Sheep Association, Kay Hayter, Treasurer, 459 E. 550th Road, Walnut Grove, MO 65770 (417) 788-2637, will award a sheep blanket to the Champion Hampshire Ram and Ewe in the 4-H and the FFA division and an award to each class of top leading Hampshire Ewe in Lead Line.

    The Missouri Hampshire Sheep Association, Kay Hayter, Treasurer, 459 E. 550th Road, Walnut Grove, MO 65770 (417) 788-2637, will award $50 the Supreme Ram/Ewe if a Hampshire.

    Greeley Livestock will sponsor the Champion 4-H Market Lamb.

    JMJ Farms will sponsor the Reserve Champion 4-H Market Lamb.

    Pagliaro-Bohan Club Lambs will sponsor the Champion FFA Market Lamb.

    Hayes/Sloan Show Lambs will sponsor the Reserve Champion FFA Market Lamb.

    McCauslin Club Lambs will sponsor the Grand Champion Market Lamb.

    Doty Club Lambs will sponsor the Reserve Champion Market Lamb.

    DeHaan Livestock will sponsor the Champion 4-H Wether Dam.

    Seals Club Lambs will sponsor the Reserve Champion 4-H Wether Dam.

    Boddicker Show Lambs will sponsor the Champion FFA Wether Dam.

    Walkup Club Lambs will sponsor the Reserve Champion FFA Wether Dam.

    Strader Club Lambs will sponsor the Grand Champion Wether Dam.

    Thompson Show Stock will sponsor the Reserve Grand Champion Wether Dam.

    Purina Show Chow logo

    Missouri Sheep Producers Association

    Purina Animal Nutrition will provide $1,000 cash award to the Overall Grand Champion Market Lamb, and $500 cash award to the Overall Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb, if animals were fed using the Purina Honor Show Chow Feed Program. Minimum feeding requirement is the same as the ownership rules stated in the Premium Guide.