Boer Goats Rules & Classes

Department 43: Boer Goats

Jump to a Section:

• Herdsman Award
• Rules and Regulations
• Classes
• Youth Sheep and Meat Goat Judging Contest
• Section M: Open Meat Goat Carcass Show
• Judging Schedules

Superintendent
Randy Plattner
Chillicothe, MO
Phone: 660-815-0427

Assistant Superintendents
John Littlefield
Jake Montemayor

Judges
TBA

Amount offered by the Missouri State Fair………………………….$3,605
Added Money……………………………………………………………………….$473
Total Amount Offered…………………………………………………………$4,078

All Boer Goats will enter Gate 11 and report to the Horse Barn on the southeast corner of the Fairgrounds for unloading, health inspection with wether weigh-in.

Herdsman Award

The Missouri State Fair will award a plaque to the herdsman in charge of the most outstanding Boer Goat exhibit. A committee will make inspections to determine the winner. The following points will be considered: 1) cleanliness, grooming, and appearance of the exhibits; 2) handling of feed, equipment, etc., keeping same out of the alleys; and 3) cooperation, courtesy and sportsmanship in the exhibit area and show ring. A scorecard will be posted in the Superintendent’s office. The 2025 winner was Allison Roberts, Maryville, MO.

Rules and Regulations

All animals must be inspected prior to unloading. After inspection, check with superintendent for penning assignments.

1. 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.
2. The Boer Goat Show will be sanctioned by the American Boer Goat Association (ABGA). Awards will be presented by each association based on their respective sanction rules. For copies of their rules and regulations, contact the respective association at: American Boer Goat Association, 1207 South Bryant Blvd., Suite C, San Angelo, Texas 76903.
3. When there is only one (1) exhibit in a class, the exhibitor will receive half of the premium money for the placing awarded by the judge.
4. 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.
5. Entries must be received by July 13 at 5:00 p.m. No late entries will be accepted. All entries are due by July 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
6. Entry fee is $6.00 Open Show per head and $4.00 4-H/FFA show per head. Superintendent will assign pens. Each exhibitor will receive the number of pens allotted for their number of head entered. If the exhibitor chooses to pen their animals in tighter quarters than they are allowed, they may use 1 pen for tack. This will be based on 3 animals per pen.
7. Exhibitors must list class numbers, animal name, registration number, tattoos, birth date, sex and owner on their entry form. All classes entered must be shown on entry blanks.
8. Goats must be owned by an individual or previous existing farm at least 30 days prior to the opening date of the Fair. Certificates of registry must be presented to the Superintendent of Boer Goats for examination and must show transfer of ownership to the exhibitor 30 days or more prior to the opening of the fair.
9. Each exhibitor may show no more than two animals in each open show class. No animals shall be changed from one class to another after entry closing date unless it is ineligible for the class in which it is entered.
10. All group classes must be pre-entered by July 13, 2026.
11. Substitutions are allowed in the same class entered only. Substitutions must be made by July 30, 2026. NO EXCEPTIONS.
12. Market wethers do not need to be registered. All goats must be registered in the recognized Flock Books of their goat association. Registry certificate of ownership must be produced at the request of the superintendent. No faxed copies or registry applications will be accepted.
13. Proof of birth date will be the date on the registration certificate and will be used to determine the class divisions. The show date will be the base date in computing all ages. Take the show date and count back to the birth date of the goat to determine the age and the the class of the animal. For example, for a December 1 show, an animal with a January 1 birth date would be eleven (11) months old and would show in the kid class.
14. All animals must be tattooed with a legible tattoo or other means of permanent identification consistent with its registration certificate. Tattoos or other means of permanent identification will be checked with the registration papers at the time of check-in. If the tattoo is unreadable or does not match the registration paper, the goat will be disqualified. The permanent identification must match the registration paper. No tattooing allowed after unloading. If the animal has a microchip as its permanent identification, the exhibitor is responsible for providing a microchip reader. Tattoos will be read on all champions and reserve champions.
15. All bucks must be washed and clipped prior to arriving at the show and kept as odor free as possible. If a buck is deemed to be an odor problem and/or hazard by the Superintendent, he will be removed from the Fairgrounds at the discretion of the Superintendent.
16. NO show halter leads with any sharp objects (no bike chains, barbed wire tied to chain, or etc.) and/or cable halters (including cable leads) will be allowed.
17. HEELERS. Heelers will be allowed in all classes.
18. DISQUALIFICATION. Any goat showing any pronounced defect or abnormality, such as a weak constitution, unthrifty condition, overshot jaw or undershot jaw, or abscesses, will be barred from showing in any of the wether and breeding classes. Illegible tattoos or tattoos inconsistent with registration will result in disqualification. No artificial coloring will be allowed.
19. BREEDING STOCK FITTING. Fitting will be left up to the discretion of the exhibitor. No clipping of animals before 6:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
20. Exhibitors are limited to two monies per individual class and 1 money per group class.
21. Market goat wethers must be clipped prior to arrival on the Fairgrounds, with hair no longer than 1/4 inch. An inspection will be required for all Boer Goats. No additional clipping in the Sheep Barn.
22. Drenching will not be allowed except when authorized for health reasons by the State Veterinary. Violation of this rule will result in disciplinary action.
23. Barns and stalls are for the use of contracted Fairgrounds events only. Absolutely no in-transit or transient animals are allowed. No other species of livestock is permitted in goat pens.
24. Exhibitor camping is available at the Sheep Pavilion. For reservations, see the camping reservation form at the back of the premium book.
25. Premium checks for the Boer Goat Department will be mailed.
26. See general rules and regulations, Show Requirements for goats, in reference to the number of head needing to be shown to maintain this show.
27. Group Classes – There are no fees for group classes, but all animals in group classes must have been correctly identified and entered on the entry form, shown in their respective classes and under the same ownership name.

Exhibitor’s Flock
An exhibitor’s flock shall consist of one buck (any age), two does yearling or older, and two doe kids.

Best Pair Does
Two does any age, must have shown in respective class, both owned by exhibitor.

Best Pair Bucks
Two bucks any age, must have shown in respective class, both owned by exhibitor.

Exhibition Requirements for Goats

1. Intrastate and Interstate (goats in Missouri moving within Missouri for exhibition only and goats from another state entering Missouri for exhibition only)
   • A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required
   • All goats, regardless of age or gender, must be individually identified by an official scrapie ear tag or any other means of permanent identification approved by the state veterinarian, and listed on a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
   • All goats must be free of clinical signs of an infectious or contagious disease.
   • No tests required

The following awards will be given for both the Percentage Blood Boer Goats and the Full-Blood Boer goats:

1st place:

• Individual Classes: $27
• Group Classes: $16

2nd place

• Individual Classes: $22
• Group Classes: $12

3rd place

• Individual Classes: $16
• Group Classes: $10

4th place

• Individual Classes: $12
• Group Classes: $8

5th place

• Individual Classes: $10

6th place

• Individual Classes: $8

Classes

Percentage Blood Boer Goats

Does

• 1) 0 to under 3 months
• 2) 3 to under 6 months
• 3) 6 to under 9 months
• 4) 9 to under 12 months
• Junior Division Champion & Reserve Junior Division Champion
• 7) 12 to under 16 months
• 8) 16 to under 20 months
• 9) 20 to under 24 months
• Yearling Division Champion & Reserve Yearling Division Champion
• 12) 24 to under 36 months
• 13) 36 months plus
• Senior Division Champion & Reserve Senior Division Champion
• Grand Champion & Reserve Grand Champion
• Group Class 001 Best Pair of Does

Bucks

• 18) 0 to under 3 months
• 19) 3 to under 6 months
• 20) 6 to under 9 months
• 21) 9 to under 12 months
• Junior Division Champion & Reserve Junior Division Champion
• 24) 12 to under 16 months
• 25) 16 to under 20 months
• 26) 20 to under 24 months
• Yearling Division Champion & Reserve Yearling Division Champion
• 29) 24 to under 36 months
• 30) 36 months plus
• Senior Division Champion & Reserve Senior Division Champion
• Grand Champion & Reserve Grand Champion
• Group Class 002 Best Pair of Bucks

Full-Blood Boer Goats

Does

• 35) 0 to under 3 months
• 36) 3 to under 6 months
• 37) 6 to under 9 months
• 38) 9 to under 12 months
• Junior Division Champion & Reserve Junior Division Champion
• 41) 12 to under 16 months
• 42) 16 to under 20 months
• 43) 20 to under 24 months
• Yearling Division Champion & Reserve Yearling Division Champion
• 46) 24 to under 36 months
• 47) 36 months plus
• Senior Division Champion & Reserve Senior Division Champion
• Grand Champion & Reserve Grand Champion
• Group class 003 Best Pair of Does

Bucks

• 52) 0 to under 3 months
• 53) 3 to under 6 months
• 54) 6 to under 9 months
• 55) 9 to under 12 months
• Junior Division Champion & Reserve Junior Division Champion
• 58) 12 to under 16 months
• 59) 16 to under 20 months
• 60) 20 to under 24 months
• Yearling Division Champion & Reserve Yearling Division Champion
• 63) 24 to under 36 months
• 64) 36 months plus
• Senior Division Champion & Reserve Senior Division Champion
• Grand Champion & Reserve Grand Champion
• Group class 004 Best Pair of Bucks
• Group class 005 Exhibitor’s Flock

Youth Sheep and Meat Goat Judging Contest

Sunday, August 16 at 3:30 in the Sheep Pavilion

The contest is open to all Missouri youth ages 5-21. There will be four divisions: Novice (ages 5-8), Junior (ages 9-13), Senior (ages 14-18), and Pro (ages 19-21). Registration for the contest will be from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., in the Sheep Pavilion; the contest begins at 3:30 p.m. Entry fee is $5.00 per person and will be paid out to the top teams and individuals. Each team must be entered by a sponsor (Agricultural Education instructor or University of Missouri Extension Specialist). A team may have three or four members; only the top three individual scores will determine the team total. Individuals may also enter on their own and participate.

The contest will consist of four (4) sheep and meat goat judging classes and two (2) sets of questions for Junior, Senior and Pro Divisions. Novice Division will have no questions requirement. No oral reasons will be taken. Note: The amount of classes is subject to change.

The top individuals in each division will receive a cash award. The top three teams in each division will receive prizes sponsored by the Missouri Sheep Producers.

The results of the contest will be announced as soon as they are available. The results will be posted in the Sheep Pavilion the following day. A copy will also be mailed to each coach at the conclusion of the Fair.

Section M: Open Meat Goat Carcass Show

Superintendent
Greg Onstott
Iberia, MO
Phone: 573-522-1534

Asst. Superintendent
Tony Hancock, MDA
Phone: 573-751-3459

Randy Plattner
Chillicothe, MO
Phone: 660-815-0427

Judges
On-Foot – TBD
Carcass Judge – Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO

Amount offered in this Section by State Fair……………………… $1,022.00
Additonal offered in this section by State Fair ……………….. $360.00
Total amount offered in this section by State Fair…………… $1,382.00

Specials Offered

MFA Feed Division will award $150 to the Grand Champion and $100 to the Reserve Grand Champion overall winners of the Meat Goat Carcass. To qualify, animals must be enrolled in the MFA 4-H/FFA Livestock Premium Program, using one of the MFA recommended feeds. See your authorized MFA Feed supplier for details.

All Meat Goats will enter Gate 11 and report to the Horse Barn on the southeast corner of the Fairgrounds for unloading, health inspection with wether weigh-in.

Premium List On-Foot Class Placings

Entries will be divided, after weigh-in, into a minimum of 1 class and a maximum of 2 classes in 3 divisions based on weight with the following premium schedule applying to each of the classes and divisions.

Class – Meat Goat

• 1 Light Weight 50-70 lbs.
• 52 Light Weight 50-70 lbs.
  • First place: $19, Second place: $17, Third place: $14, Fourth place: $12, Fifth place: $10
• Champion Light Weight: $25
• Reserve Light Weight: $20
• 55 Medium Weight 71-90 lbs.
• 56 Medium Weight 71-90 lbs.
  • First place: $19, Second place: $17, Third place: $14, Fourth place: $12, Fifth place: $10
• Champion Medium Weight: $25
• Reserve Medium Weight: $20
• 59 Heavy Weight 91-110 lbs.
• 60 Heavy Weight 91-110 lbs.
  • First place: $19, Second place: $17, Third place: $14, Fourth place: $12, Fifth place: $10
• Champion Heavy Weight: $25
• Reserve Heavy Weight: $20

The Missouri State Fair will award $45 to the Champion On-Foot Carcass and a Rosette $35 to the Reserve Champion On-Foot Carcass and a Rosette.

Premium List for Carcass Placings

Class – 65

• First place: $73, Second place: $65, Third place: $63, Fourth place: $58, Fifth place: $53, Sixth place: $48, Seventh place: $43, Eighth place: $38, Ninth place: $33, Tenth place: $28

The Missouri State Fair will award $175 to the Champion Carcass and a Rosette $125 to the Reserve Champion On-Foot Carcass and a Rosette.

The Missouri State Fair will award plaques to the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion.

The Missouri State Fair will award plaques to the two highest placing junior exhibitors in the Meat Goat Carcass Contest.

The top junior exhibitor of the goat carcass show will participate in the Best of Missouri Sale on Saturday, August 22. The top junior exhibitor will be determined by overall results and judge’s discretion.

Purpose

1. To promote and educate about the meat goat industry in Missouri.
2. To help identify breeding animals which have the genetic potential to produce goats with desirable carcasses with high percentage of lean meat.
3. To teach individuals how to recognize in live goats those qualities which produce a superior carcass.

Rules

1. 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.
2. Advanced or Pre-Entry of all open carcass meat goats is required on a Missouri State Fair entry blank is required. All goats entered in the carcass contest will require an $8.00 per head entry fee. No pen rent will be charged. Only wethers (no bucks) are eligible to compete in the contest. If available, a buyer will be made available to exhibitors to sell their goats after the show. Information will be made available at the fair. All animals must be inspected prior to unloading, enter Gate 11. After inspection, check with superintendent for penning assignments. Only goats participating in the Open Meat Goat Carcass Show will be processed. No extra goats will be accepted on the truck.
3. When there is only one (1) exhibit in a class, the exhibitor will receive half of the premium money for the placing awarded by the judge.
4. An exhibitor may nominate a total of four (4) goats in this show. This is an open show.
5. Open meat goats will be entered into Classes 51, 52, 55, 56, 59, and 60 at time of weigh-in by Fair staff. Open to all meat goat breeds. Exhibitors are required to fill out entry cards at that time, including name, address, zip code, and breed. The top placing goats as determined by the live judge must be harvested and processed.
6. Weigh-in will be conducted and under the supervision of officials of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Divisions of Ag Business Development, Weights and Measures and Animal Health.
7. No meat goat that has competed in the live on-foot competition of the Open Carcass show may be withdrawn, removed or otherwise withheld from processing by the exhibitor. Should a meat goat entered in the Open Carcass show be selected as the 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Meat Goat or 4-H/FFA Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat of the Missouri State Fair in the 4H/FFA Meat Goat Show, it will remain on the Missouri State Fairgrounds until after the Sale of Champions at which time it will be shipped for processing under the supervision of the Missouri State Fair Livestock Superintendent. Only goats participating in the Open Meat Goat Carcass Show will be processed. No extra goats will be accepted on the truck.
8. Trucking fees, not to exceed $10 for each animal, will be deducted from the exhibitor’s livestock payment.
9. The live minimum weight will be 50 lbs. The maximum will be 110 lbs. The on-hoof classes will be divided equally and posted prior to the on-hoof show. These entries will be judged in the on-hoof classes on Wednesday, August 12, 3:30 p.m. Goats will be judged live on exhibited carcass characteristics. Judge’s emphasis will be on carcass acceptability for meat over physical appearance, with structural correctness, soundness and functionality as a meat goat defining the placing. Judge’s decision is final.
10. This is a terminal show. Goats will be evaluated by the carcass judge using a weighted formula based on live placing, % dress, yield, and leg cut out. The judge’s decision is final.
11. 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.
12. Entry fee is $8.00 per head. Boer Goat Superintendent will assign pens. Each exhibitor will receive the number of pens allotted for their number of head entered. If the exhibitor chooses to pen their animals in tighter quarters than they are allowed, they may use 1 pen for tack. This will be based on 3 animals per pen.
13. Entries must be received by July 13 at 5:00 p.m. No late entries will be accepted after July 13. Market animals entered in a show for the Missouri State Fair, may enter in the Carcass contest during weigh-in.
14. Exhibitors must list their name, address, zip code, and breed on their entry form. All classes entered must be shown on entry blanks.
15. HEELERS. Heelers will be allowed in all classes.
16. DISQUALIFICATION. Any goat showing any pronounced defect or abnormality, such as a weak constitution, unthrifty condition, overshot jaw or undershot jaw, or abscesses, will be barred from showing in any of the wether and breeding classes. No artificial coloring will be allowed.
17. Open Meat goat wethers and does must be clipped prior to arrival on the Fairgrounds, with hair no longer than 1/4 inch. An inspection will be required for all Open Carcass Meat Goats. No additional clipping in the Sheep Barn.
18. Drenching will not be allowed except when authorized for health reasons by the State Veterinary. Violation of this rule will result in disciplinary action.
19. Barns and stalls are for the use of contracted Fairgrounds events only. Absolutely no in-transit or transient animals are allowed. No other species of livestock is permitted in goat pens.
20. Exhibitor camping is available at the Sheep Pavilion. For reservations, see the camping reservation form at the back of the premium book.
21. Premium checks for the Goat Department will be mailed.
22. 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 a positive analysis of drugs, unapproved medication or chemical residues. Violation of this rule will result in disciplinary action.
23. Junior Exhibitors who enter more than one animal in the goat carcass show, must exhibit the animal. However, when the show classes are broken and the exhibitor has more than one animal in the class, the exhibitor may ask for assistance from someone else to show the extra animal(s) in that class and any subsequent class that they have more than one animal entered. However, the exhibitor must take back the animal(s) and show it themselves, given they only have one animal remaining in the show.