Sheep

Sheep 

Superintendents: Jenilee Woltman 

 

Division G033, Sheep Rules: 
  1. An exhibitor is limited to exhibiting a maximum of three breeding sheep and three market lambs. 
  2. Animals are determined to individual exhibitors at weigh-in/check-in, those animals will be the only ones allowed for exhibitors to show during showmanship. Exhibitors are not allowed to show animals not listed on their affidavit sheet or determined to be siblings, cousins, other family members, etc. 
  3. Animals weighing under 100 pounds will be shown in a feeder class. These animals will not be eligible for purple ribbons, champion consideration and are not eligible to sell in the livestock sale. There is no maximum weight on sheep. Fair entry day check in will be the official weight of the animal for the show and sale.   
  4. All sheep (market & breeding) must be tagged with an official USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) scrapies tag. These tags will be the only approved form of identification. Exhibitors planning to show at the Box Butte County Fair will be required to bring their market animals to mandatory tagging/check in at the fairgrounds. Weigh-in will be optional. Youth will be able to have animals tagged at other county weigh-ins, in the event they are unable to attend the date set at the Box Butte County Fairgrounds. Animals not checked in at a county weigh-in will be ineligible to be exhibited at the Box Butte County Fair 2026.   
  5. A Champion and Reserve Champions will be selected at the discretion of the Judge. Only purple ribbons will be considered for Champion and Reserve Champion Ribbons, Awards and Prizes.  
  6. No individual lamb may show in both breeding and market classes.  
  7. Sheep dropped after January 1, 2026, are classified as lambs. All other sheep dropped during 2025 are classed as yearlings.  
  8. If numbers are insufficient, white face lambs will be combined and shown in market class with black face lambs. 
  9. Slick shorn- all market sheep must be slick shorn, no more than ¼ of an inch of wool on body prior to weigh in on entry day.  If wool is over ¼ inch, the lamb will not be allowed on premises or be allowed to show.  
  10. Ghost Halters: Exhibitors are allowed to use a small cable halter called a ghost halter while showing lambs during the show if they choose.    
  11. Breeding ewes are encouraged to be identified according to Breed Association rules.  
  12. Grooming- All preliminary clipping of animals must be done prior to arrival at the fairgrounds. Box Butte County allows a full fit show. Anyone can assist exhibitors in the clipping, blocking, fitting and/or grooming of an animal if the exhibitor is in attendance and actively involved in the process.   
  13. Dress Code- When showing animals, exhibitors must wear the official 4-H Council approved t-shirt or FFA shirt. Blue jeans and closed-toed shoes are appropriate.   
  14. Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)—Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through the yqcaprogram.org website. (See Livestock Handbook for more information).   
  15. Livestock Handbook Agreement-ALL exhibitors and one parent must review, sign and return, to the Extension Office, the Large Animal Handbook Agreement, to be eligible to show and sell livestock at the Box Butte County Fair. This must be complete by July 1 of the current year.   

  16. See the Livestock Handbook for more information.  

     

Sheep Showmanship Rules 

G033001 Sheep Junior Division (ages 8 – 10 before January 1 of current year) 

G033002 Sheep Intermediate Division (ages 11-13 before January 1 of current year) 

G033003 Sheep Senior Division (ages 14 – 18 before January 1 of current year) 

 

Breeding Ewe Classes 

 Age classification of Breeding Ewes:  

  • Ewes born September 1, 2025, or after are classed as lambs.   
  • Ewes born between 9/1/24 to 8/31/25 will be classed as yearlings.   
  • Individual Classes 

G033004 Market lambs, black face 

G033005 Market lambs, white face 

G033008 Breeding ewe lambs  

G033009 Breeding ewe, yearling, has never lambed 

G033010 Breeding ewe, yearling, has lambed 

G033011 Breeding ewe, over 2 years old 

G033012 Breeding buck lambs, purebred  

G033013 Breeding buck yearling, purebred 

G033014 Breeding buck over 2 years, purebred 

 

 

 

 

Box Butte County Fair Book