Holt Boyd 4-H and FFA Animal Identification Guidelines – Beef 2026

Content

Read identification instructions under each specie. 
All forms can be found at https://go.unl.edu/holt_boyd_animal_affidavits 

Project Area
Identification Requirements AND Nomination Process
Deadline - 
County ID Form, DNA,
& Online
Nomination 
Pre-Entry Deadline 
County Fair Only
State Fair Only
Showing as FFA
at NE State Fair 
County Fair 
State Fair (Online by Family) 
BEEF
Market Beef 4-H/FFA TagRegistered Steers: EID Tag AND Tattoo OR Identification type that is accepted by the breed association AND DNA AND Online Nom;
Commercial Steers: EID Tag AND DNA AND Online Nom
EID Tag AND DNA
AND Online Nomination
Holt Co. - April 1
Boyd Co. & 
State - June 15
Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
August 10
Second Year Bucket Calf4-H TagNo ClassNo ClassHolt Co. - April 1
Boyd Co. - 
June 15
Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
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Senior
Breeding Heifers
Ranch Tag OR TattooRegistered Hfrs: Tattoo OR Identification type that is accepted by the breed association AND DNA AND Online Nom;
Commercial Hfrs: Tattoo OR EID Tag AND DNA AND Online Nom
Tattoo OR EID Tag  AND DNA AND Online NominationJune 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
August 10
Junior
Breeding Heifers
Ranch Tag OR TattooRegistered Hfrs: Tattoo OR Identification type that is accepted by the breed association AND DNA AND Online Nom;
Commercial Hfrs: Tattoo OR EID Tag AND DNA AND Online Nom
Tattoo OR EID Tag  AND DNA AND Online NominationJune 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
August 10
Bull CalvesRanch Tag OR TattooNo ClassTattoo OR EID Tag  AND DNA AND Online NominationJune 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
August 10
Feeder Calves4-H/FFA TagEID Tag AND DNA
AND Online Nomination
EID Tag AND DNA
AND Online Nomination
June 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
August 10
First Year
Bucket Calf
4-H TagNo ClassNo Class June 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
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Cow/Calf PairCow: 
Ranch Tag OR Tattoo.
Calf:
IF stocker feeder calf - 4-H/FFA Tag;
IF jr.breeding heifer, bull calf or just as a cow/calf pair - Ranch tag OR tattoo. 
Must be I.D. on specific affidavit also.
No ClassNo Class June 15Boyd Co. July 6

Holt Co. July 21
 
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YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS  - All exhibitors in beef, dairy cattle, dairy goats, meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine must have went through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training or testing or high school agriculture education program prior to the fair. Completion of that training will be certified by an FFA advisor or county extension staff. CLOVER KIDS - Do not need Quality Assurance Training to show animals.
4-H/FFA TAGS - County 4-H/FFA tags cost $1.50 (make checks payable to UNL)
EID/DNA/PREMISISES ID/ONLINE NOMINATIONS - EID Tags cost $3.00 (make checks payable to UNL); DNA - $7 per head (family will pay online with credit card or pay pal); ANY animal carrying an EID tag requires the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. 
ENTRIES DUE - Boyd County entries due by 4:00 pm and Holt County entries due by 4:30 pm on dates listed above. Please see Late Entry Policy regarding accepting late entries.