Dairy Goats Rules & Classes

Department 44: Dairy Goats

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Superintendent
Leon Busdieker
Hawk Point, MO
Cell: 636-358-5051

Assistant Superintendents
Jason Dieckhoff
Jeff Alton
Matt Schroer
Madelyn Warren

Office Manager
Dolly Lewis

Judge
To be announced

Amount offered by Fair in these Sections (Est.)…………………….$3,600
Added Money ……………………………………………………………………… $1,433
Total offered in these Sections…………………………………………..$5,033

Herdsman Award

The Missouri State Fair will award a plaque to the herdsman in charge of the most outstanding Dairy 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.

Dedication

The 2026 Missouri State Fair Dairy Goat Shows are proudly dedicated to Roy & Laurie Fancher of Macon, Missouri, in recognition of their significant contributions to the Missouri Dairy Goat Industry. Please join us on Sunday, August 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Sheep Pavilion as we honor Roy & Laurie.

Special NOTE to 4-H & FFA Exhibitors

All youth entering in the 4-H and/or FFA Dairy Goat classes need to be sure to read all 4-H & FFA Livestock Rules and Regulations pertaining to Dairy Goats prior to making Open show entries.

Rules and Regulations

All animals must be inspected by State Veterinarian 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. Entries must be received by July 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  3. No late entries will be accepted. All entries are due by July 13, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
  4. See general rules and regulations, Show Requirements for goats.
  5. 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.
  6. 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. All animals shown must have been owned by the exhibitor or must show transfer of ownership to exhibitor by June 30, 2026. All exhibitors, including Junior Exhibitors, must present certificates of registry to the Sheep Superintendent for examination. Proof of ownership registration certificate and tattoo requirements will be needed. Animals under 6 months of age may be shown with a stamped duplicate of registry, as long as the exhibitor is the one shown on the stamped duplicate. No goat over 6 months of age may be shown with application for registration pending! The exhibitor is that name which appears on the registry certificate.
  8. Junior and Senior does are sanctioned separately. Does shown in one show may not be entered in the other.
  9. All classes entered must be listed on the entry blank (including group classes).
  10. Substitutions will be allowed within breed, in division at check-in.
  11. Exhibitors are limited to two monies per individual class and 1 money per group class.
  12. Individual animals shown in all of the group and herd classes listed must have been entered and shown in one of the classes for single animals.
  13. Emergency late arrivals must be approved beforehand by Superintendent.
  14. Entry fee is $6.00 per head for Open Dairy Goats and $4.00 per head for 4-H/FFA Dairy Goats. Superintendent will assign pens. Each exhibitor will receive the number of pens allotted for their number of head entered. Penning will be based on 3 animals per pen. If the exhibitor chooses to pen their animals in tighter quarters than they are allowed, they may use 1 pen for tack.
  15. For information about cleaning, feed, bedding and livestock releases see general rules in this premium book.
  16. In the event that only one exhibitor enters a breed of goats, that breed will be excluded from showing.
  17. Every goat must be properly fitted for show and be provided with a collar. All exhibitors must be neatly and properly dressed (preferably in white) while in the show ring.
  18. Any dairy goat showing evidence of any disease, or any open contagious lesions, or any abscess, will not be allowed to exhibit or show and will be subject to isolation or exclusion depending on the nature and seriousness of the disease or lesion in question. If illness of any nature is suspected in any animal, said animal is subject to examination by the state veterinarian and owner or exhibitor of said animal must abide by the decision of the Veterinarian if found ill.
  19. Refer to Official American Dairy Goat Association rules in regard to Official Shows, Championship leg credits, Registry certificates, tattoos, etc. and carefully review before the Missouri State Fair.
  20. NO MILK OUT required – However, over-distended udders will be discriminated against.
  21. All milk must be disposed of in designated area. No dumping of milk will be allowed in floor drains or outside.
  22. 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.
  23. No clipping of animals before 6:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m.
  24. For protests see general rules in the front of this premium book.
  25. All goats shown must exhibit well-healed tattoos and must be correctly tattooed. Please check the goats’ tattoos at time of application for entry. Tattoos are subject to inspection at any time during show.
  26. Pee Wee Showmanship class is open to any non-exhibitor under the age of 10.
  27. Premium checks for the Dairy Goat Department will be mailed.
  28. Exhibitors are expected to pay admission fees each day to enter the fair. Discounted tickets are available on entry form.

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

Group Rules and Limitations

  1. Junior and senior does may be combined in group classes.
  2. Where a herd is registered in the names of different members of a family, a family residing on one farm and where the herd is one unit, all entries from that farm and herd may be considered as that of a single exhibitor in all group classes.
  3. Exhibitors are limited to 1 money per group class.
  4. Junior Get-of-Sire: Three junior does, the get of one sire, dry yearlings or younger. One entry by the same sire per exhibitor may be borrowed.
  5. Senior Dam and Daughter: Daughter does not need to be in milk.
  6. Senior Produce of Dam: Two does, the produce of one dam, all to be in milk. One entry by the same dam per exhibitor may be borrowed.
  7. Senior Get-of-Sire: Three does, the get of one sire, all to be in milk. One entry by the same sire per exhibitor.
  8. Breeders Generation Class: Three does, the first being the grand-dam, then the dam and then the dam’s daughter. All must be in milk, with the exception of the daughter, who may be but does not need to be in milk. All must be bred and owned by the exhibitor.
  9. Dairy Herd: Four does all of one breed, and all in milk. One group per breed per exhibitor and owned by exhibitor.

The prize money in classes will be paid as follows:

1st place:

  • Milking Contest: $12
  • Champion Challenge: $14

2nd place:

  • Milking Contest: $10
  • Champion Challenge: $12

3rd place:

  • Milking Contest: $7
  • Champion Challenge: $11

4th place:

  • Milking Contest: $6
  • Champion Challenge: $9

5th place:

  • Milking Contest: $5
  • Champion Challenge: $6

6th place:

  • Milking Contest: $3

Breeds will be shown in the following order: Alpine, LaMancha, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Oberhasli, Recorded Grade, Saanen, Sable and Toggenburg.

Specials

Herdsman’s Special Missouri Breeders only. Herd to consist of five does of one breed; two from the Junior Division and three from the Senior Division. All from different classes. Missouri Exhibitors only. All animals must be bred and owned by the exhibitor. BREEDS MAY NOT BE MIXED.

The Boone Companions Dairy Goat Club will provide a plaque to the Premier Missouri Breeder of each breed. Exhibitors should include their animal’s full registered name in their entries to be considered for this award. The plaques will be awarded to the breeders residing in Missouri only, who have the most bred and owned animals exhibiting in that breed.

Pee Wee Showmanship Awards

First place will receive a rosette and all other placings will receive a ribbon, sponsored by Missouri State Fair.

Class

  • 33 – 5 and under
  • 34 – 6 to 8 years of age

Kinder Goats

Section 44K

Judge
To be announced

The Kinder show will have KGBA show sanctions on doe classes only. All animals shown must meet the standard set up by the KGBA (For complete rules and regulations of the KGBA contact Kelsee Gibbs 618-615-7624, email kelseegibbs@yahoo.com.

Rules and Regulations

  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. All animals shown must have been owned by the exhibitor since June 30, 2026.
  3. August 15, 2026, is the cut-off date for the age of the animal.
  4. Entries close July 13. Exhibitors are limited to two (2) placings per class, although entries are not limited.
  5. All classes entered must be shown on entry blank.
  6. Substitutions will be allowed within breed, in division at check-in.
  7. Entry fee is $6.00 per head for Open Kinder Goats and $4.00 per head for 4-H/FFA Kinder Goats. Pens will be assigned by Superintendent. Check with Superintendent upon arrival before unloading.
  8. A registration certificate is required for any animal entered as registered and proof of this registration must be presented to the superintendent before the animal is shown. If the registration papers are pending at the time of entering the show, proof of registration must be given to the Superintendent before the animal is shown.
  9. Animals will be hand held or led by a rope and/or halter. Exhibitors are requested to be neatly attired when showing their animals in the ring.
  10. Any Kinder goat showing evidence of any disease, any open contagious lesions, or any abscess, will not be allowed to exhibit or show and will be subject to isolation or exclusion depending on the nature and seriousness of the disease or lesion in question. If illness of any nature is suspected in any animal, said animal is subject to examination by the state veterinarian and owner or exhibitor of said animal must abide by the decision of the veterinarian if found ill. All exhibitors must comply with animal health regulations in the front of this premium book.
  11. Barns and stalls are for the use of contracted Fairgrounds events only. Absolutely no in-transit or transient animals are allowed. No other breed of livestock is permitted in goat pens.
  12. See general rules and regulations, Show Requirements for goats, in reference to the number of head needing to be shown to maintain this show.
  13. 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.

Placing

1st place: $12

2nd place: $10

3rd place: $7

4th place: $6

5th place: $5

6th place: $3

Showmanship

  1. Pee Wee Showmanship (4 years old & under)
  2. Junior Showmanship (5 – 8 years old)
  3. Intermediate Showmanship (9 – 12 years old)
  4. Senior Showmanship (12 – 18 years old)
  5. Adult Showmanship (19 years old & older)

$25 award for each shomanship division winner provided by Sue & Tommy Huston Memorial.

Classes

Junior Doe Show (dry)

  • 40 Junior Doe Kids (6 weeks – 3 months)
  • 41 Intermediate Doe Kids (4 – 8 months)
  • 42 Senior Doe Kids (9 – 12 months)
  • 43 Dry Yearling Doe (never freshened / less than 2 years)
  • Junior Champion Doe
  • Reserve Junior Champion Doe

Senior Doe Show (must have freshened)

  • 44 Dry Yearling Does (under 2 years)
  • 45 Milking Yearling Does (under 2 years)
  • 46 Two Year Old Does – Dry
  • 47 Two Year Old Does – Milking
  • 48 Three Year Old Does – Dry
  • 49 Three Year Old Does – Milking
  • 50 Four Year Old Does – Dry
  • 51 Four Year Old Does – Milking
  • 52 Five Year Old Does & Older – Dry
  • 53 Five Year Old Does & Older – Milking
  • Senior Champion Doe
  • Reserve Senior Champion Doe
  • 54 Champion Challenge (permanent champions & senior champion of does show)

Groups

  • 55 Best Udder
  • 56 Dam and Daughter
  • 57 Breeder’s Generation (granddam, dam & daughter)
  • 58 Best Dairy Herd (3 does in milk)
  • 59 Produce of Dam (2 does in milk from the same dam & different sires)
  • 60 Junior Get of Sire (3 junior does from the same sire)
  • 61 Senior Get of Sire (3 senior does in milk, from the same sire)
  • 62 Best Kinder Herd (3 senior does & 2 junior does) Sponsored by Dualidad Farm, Miami MO

Chevron/Wether Division

  • 63 Junior Chevron/Wether (6 weeks-5 months)
  • 64 Intermediate Chevron/Wether (6-12 months)
  • 65 Senior Chevron/Wether (12-24 months)
  • 66 Aged Chevron/Wether (24 months & older)

Patriotic Stall & Pen Decorating Contest

Help us celebrate America 250 and the Missouri State Fair theme, “Show-Me Stars & Stripes” by participating in our Livestock Stall and Pen Decorating Contest.

When: Throughout the duration of the Missouri State Fair. Each session of dairy goat exhibitors is eligible to participate.

Participation: All livestock exhibitors are encouraged to participate. There are no entry fees or separate registrations required for the decorating contest. Simply decorate your assigned stall or pen area, and judges will make their rounds during the Fair.

Guidelines:

  1. Decorations must stay within the assigned stall/pen space.
  2. Decorations may not block aisles, walkways, fans, etc.
  3. Please do not damage Fair property while decorating.
  4. Decorations must not interfere with animal comfort, health, or safety.
  5. All displays must remain family-friendly and respectful.
  6. Any decorations not in compliance with these guidelines may be required to be removed at the discretion of the Superintendent.

Judging Criteria:

  1. Creativity & Originality
  2. Use of Patriotic Theme
  3. Effort & Overall Impact
  4. Animal Safety

Awards: Patriotic ribbons will be awarded to contest winners.

Let’s fill the barns with red, white, and blue spirt as we honor our country and showcase the pride, dedication, and creativity of our livestock exhibitors.

We look forward to seeing your patriotic displays!