Superintendent: Sarah Dilley

  • Check-in & Weigh-in: Wednesday, July 30, 6–7 p.m. (Currency Pavilion – North of the Meat Goat & Sheep Stalling Area)

  • All meat goats must be in stalls by: Wednesday, July 30, 8 p.m. (Currency Pavilion)

  • Show: Thursday, July 31, 1 p.m. (Currency Pavilion – Arena, West Side)

Open to 4-H & FFA members. An exhibitor may show no more than 6 meat goats. Market and commercial doe classes are divided by weight across all breeds. Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion meat goats are selected from the top 2 animals in each weight division.

Market goats must be less than a year old. Goats must have horns blunted; dehorning is preferred. Market goats may be doe or wether kids, which will show together. Short scrotum, cryptorchid and buck kids are not eligible.

All market goats will be weighed and divided into classes based on total numbers and weight range.

See Grooming of Livestock Rules on page 54.

HERDSMANSHIP guidelines are on page 56.

  • Special Awards to Top Market, Breeding and Showmanship
  • Premiums: Purple $5; Blue $4; Red $3; White $0

SHOWMANSHIP

Breeding does do not need braced for presentation.

G058902   Junior Meat Goat Showmanship — 8–10 years of age
G058903   Intermediate Meat Goat Showmanship — 11–13 years of age
G058904   Senior Meat Goat Showmanship — 14–18 years of age


BREEDING CLASSES

Original registration papers must be presented at check-in to be eligible for Registered Breeding Doe classes (may be presented electronically using a smart phone, tablet, etc.). Nonregistered does will be placed in commercial doe classes and divided by weight and age. Breeding does do not need braced for presentation.

G058930   Commercial Breeding Doe Kids (born after 1-1-25)
G058931   Commercial Breeding Doe Yearlings (born 1-1-23 thru 12-31-24)
G058932   Commercial Breeding Aged Doe (born before 12-31-23)
G058935   Registered Breeding Doe Kids (born after 1-1-25)
G058936   Registered Breeding Doe Yearlings (born 1-1-23 thru 12-31-24)
G058937   Registered Breeding Aged Doe (born before 12-31-23)


MARKET CLASSES

G058901   Market Goat (Does & Wethers)

  • Rate of Gain — entries are taken at the fair. Placings are determined by average daily gain (ADG). ADG is calculated by using weight gained since the initial weight taken in May and the actual weight at check-in.
  • Lancaster County Born and Raised Market Goat — limit of 2 entries per exhibitor. These must be bred and raised by the exhibitor, family member or a breeder in Lancaster County. Please indicate born and raised animals when submitting animal entries online, although entries can be made at check-in time.

BOTTLE GOAT CLASS

Each member is allowed entry of 1 bottle goat project. Bottle goats will only be allowed to show in the bottle goat class. Bottle goats can be any breed of goat. Bottle goats must only display milk teeth. All male bottle goats must be neutered and healed prior to fair.

Judging Criteria:

  • RECORD BOOKS — all exhibitors must present their record book to the superintendent at weigh-in time. Sign up for interview time at weigh-in. (50 points)
  • INTERVIEWS (time and location TBA) — the judge will score each exhibitor on their knowledge and experience with the project. (25 points)
  • SHOW EVALUATION — the judge will score each exhibitor on their animal handling skills in the arena. Animals must be washed and groomed, but clipping is optional. The health and thriftiness of the animal will be judged. (25 points)

G058940   Bottle Goat

🔎 RESOURCE: “4-H & FFA Bottle Goat Project Record Book” is available online at https://go.unl.edu/lan4h-livestock and at the Extension office. It is recommended to start the record book at date of birth or time of purchase.