4-H/FFA ANIMALS - GENERAL RULES
Refer to General Rules and Regulations at the beginning of the 4-H/FFA Section which applies to all youth.
FFA – Youth that belong to the Wayne Community or Winside Public Schools FFA chapters are eligible to exhibit animals (except bucket calf) at the Wayne County Fair. FFA members will follow the same rules and regulations as 4-H members.
All animals should enter through the west gate. No animals (except horse and swine) should be stalled before 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
Check-in Times:
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
5:30-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Horse check-in. Report horse substitutions to superintendent.
6:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Beef Entries: weigh-in market; check in breeding and cow/calf pairs.
6:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Goat Entries: weigh-in all meat goats; check in dairy and pygmy. All Goats in pens by 8 p.m.
6:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Sheep Entries: weigh-in; check in breeding.
6:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Poultry and 4-H/FFA Rabbits check in.
6:00-8:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Swine Entries: weigh-in all swine & scan market animals; all swine on the Fairgrounds by 6:00 p.m.
6:00-9:00 p.m. 4-H/FFA Dairy check in
8:00 p.m. All cow calf pairs, market & breeding beef, goats, sheep, swine, horse, poultry & rabbit entries in place.
Thursday, July 23, 2026
7:30-11:00 a.m. 4-H/FFA Dairy: All entries in place by 11:00 a.m.
9:00-10:00 a.m. 4-H Bucket calves: All entries in place by 10:00 a.m.
Friday, July 24, 2026
8:00-8:30 a.m. 4-H/FFA Feeder calves and 4-H/FFA baby breeding heifers: All entries in place by 8:30 a.m.
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) – Nebraska 4-H requires all 4-H members exhibiting in bucket calf, feeder calf, market and breeding beef, cow/calf, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine, rabbits, and poultry to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). Exhibitors must have received Certification through either in person, test, or on-line prior to June 15. Completion of training will be certified by extension staff.
Registration of Livestock: Any animal to be eligible for show in a registered (purebred) class must be owned by the exhibitor by June 15 of the current year and be registered by the official breed association. The registration paper must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted at State Fair and County Fair. Registration must be completed by fair date. Immediate family is defined as members of a household, including parents, brothers and sisters, and youth in care of the head of the household. Any class or special award in 4-H/FFA Livestock (Beef, Goats, Sheep, Swine, and Dairy) or 4-H Horse that requires animals to be registered shall mean that proof of actual registration shall be available to show to Superintendent on demand.
Responsibility for Proper Entry: All livestock entries are due to the Nebraska Extension-Wayne County Office along with Bonus Auction and stall reservation forms by the deadline published in the pre-fair newsletter. It is up to the 4-H/FFA members to enter livestock in the correct classes. 4-H/FFA members may substitute a properly ID’d animal but may not add classes after the entry deadline. All entries for class, pens, and showmanship must be submitted.
Ownership of Animals: All animals in the 4-H/FFA Show must be owned by the exhibitor and ownership certified where required on the appropriate 4-H forms in the Extension Office by June 15.
Bedding: The Wayne County Ag Society will NOT provide bedding for livestock. 4-H/FFA members need to bring their own wood chip bedding. The Wayne County Ag Society will provide wood chips for the show arenas and the under bedding in the dairy/beef barn. Barns must be cleaned by 9:00 a.m. to facilitate manure removal.
Water buckets: Everyone will bring their own.
No Butt Fans Allowed: Fans are to be placed in front half of stall and blow over cattle.
Dress Code: 4-H exhibitors showing beef, dairy, goats, dogs, cats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits are required to wear Wayne County 4-H T-shirts OR a white shirt (or blouse) with the official 4-H chevron attached. FFA members are required to wear an FFA t-shirt or white shirt with the FFA emblem. No State Fair or Ak-Sar-Ben T-shirts. Dark blue jeans with a belt are required for beef, dog, cat, pygmy goat, meat goat, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbit exhibitors. Dairy and dairy goat exhibitors may wear dark blue jeans or white pants. NO SHORTS or CAPRIS. No hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be worn in the show ring. Horses: Exhibitors are to wear dark, blue denim jeans and a belt is recommended. Boots with waffle-type tread greater than or equal to 1/8 inch will not be allowed in riding classes (“cowboy tennis shoes”-example: Roper Horse Shoes). Helmets are encouraged but not required. Shirts and blouses must be all white, including button, thread, etc., with a convertible collar (one that is meant to be folded at the seam line and may or may not be buttoned at the base of the neck). Tuxedo, turtleneck or other stand-up collars are not permitted. No national, county or club emblems, medals, etc. permitted. (Sheer, see-through blouses are inappropriate and not permitted. Decisions will be at the discretion of show management. Guidelines for 4-H/FFA horse exhibitors are set forth in 4-H 373, the Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide. These guidelines WILL BE followed at the county fair. Exception: Dress code for 4-H members exhibiting in the Trail class on Wednesday evening will be relaxed but must wear jeans, boots, belt, and western hat. White shirt is optional.
Substitute Showman Policy: A substitute showman must be a Wayne County 4-H/FFA member that has completed YQCA. Circumstances will be approved by the department superintendent as the situation arises. Approval must be made prior to the start of the show.
Protest Policy: Protest must be put in writing no later than 2 hours prior to show. Protester puts protest in writing and puts up $100 cash. If protester is right, he gets the $100 back and the exhibitor forfeits the class placing and premium. If the protester is wrong, the $100 is forfeited to the 4-H Council. This policy applies to all species in 4-H/FFA.
Grievance Committee: Any major problems that arise in the 4-H/FFA animal program that can’t be handled by other means will be handled by the executive committee of the general 4-H Livestock Committee consisting of the chairman of each of the 4-H animal categories. A grievance committee will be especially useful in settling any grievance during competitive events, such as county fair.
Showmanship Contest: Refer to guidelines in each animal section. Age divisions are as of December 31, of the previous year.