The California State Fair draws the top youth livestock producers throughout the state. The competition recognizes and rewards a year of hard work and learning and provides the public with an opportunity see some of the highest quality Livestock that is produced in the State. Those individuals who exhibit the best market beef, sheep, swine will be recognized at the Livestock Awards Ceremony and will receive a cash premium and be honored for the efforts they made to grow and show quality livestock.
- The Junior Livestock awards ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 16, 2023
- The Dairy Awards Ceremony where the overall Premier Exhibitors and Supreme Champion Challenge Winners will be announced on Wednesday, July 26, 2023
- Location: Tractor Supply Co. Big Barn
Livestock Show Schedule
*Livestock Closes at 5 pm on 7/17, 7/21, 7/26 and 7/30.
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Barns available for Tack only. No livestock will be allowed to enter California State Fairgrounds at this time.
Thursday, July 13, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
7:00 am – 3:00 pm – Barns available for livestock: Beef (Market & Breeding), Sheep, Swine, Market Goats, and Wether Dam Does
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pre-weigh Market Goats and Wether Dam Does (L2) | Pre-weigh Market Lambs and Wether Dam/ Sire Sheep (L2) | Pre-weigh Market Hogs, Crossbred Breeding Gilts (L3)
3:00 pm – All livestock must be vet checked and in place. All vehicles must be in parking lots.
3:30 pm – Mandatory Exhibitor Meeting – All Species (Beef, Sheep, Swine, & Goats) (L1)
5:00 pm – Written Exam for Large Animal Champion Challenge Program (L1) | All Original Registration Papers and Tattoo’s/Permanent Identification must be checked in.
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Pre-weigh Market Steers and Market Heifers (L1) | Official scale available for weigh-in of Market Goats and Wether Dam Does (L2)
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Arrival for Stanislaus County Beef Exhibitors who exhibited at Stanislaus and are junior beef exhibitors at the 2023 California State Fair. Exhibitor must notify Entry Office no later than July 1.
Friday, July 14, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
8:00 am – 9:30 am – Official Breed Classification and scale available for weigh-in of Market Barrows. All Barrows must come to the scales to be classified. Weight cards for Market Barrows must be submitted by 10 am.
8:00 am – 9:30 am – Official Breed Classification and scale available for weigh-in of Market Lambs. All Lambs must come to the scales to be classified. Weight cards for Market Lambs must be submitted by 10:00 am. (L2)
9:30 am – 10: 30 am – Official scale available for weigh-in of Wether Dam/Wether Sire Sheep. Weight cards for Wether Dam/Sire Sheep must be submitted by 11 am. (L2)
9:30 am – Mandatory Meeting for Champion Challenge participants followed by Champion Challenge Preliminary round followed by Semi-Final round (L1)
10:00 am – 11:00 am – Official weigh-in and Breed Classification of Market Steers and Market Heifers. Original Bill of Sale and Brand Inspection Papers must be available upon check-in. Weight Cards for Market Steers must be submitted by 11:30 am. All steers must come to the scales to be classified. (L1)
12:00 pm – Judge registered Berkshire Gilts, followed by Chester Gilts, followed by Duroc Gilts, followed by Hampshire Gilts, followed by Hereford & Tamworth Gilts, followed by Landrace Gilts, followed by Poland China & Spot Gilts, followed by Yorkshire Gilts, followed by Crossbred Gilts, followed by County and Chapter Groups, followed by Selection of Swine Supreme Champions (L3)
1:00 pm – Judge 4-H Market Goats followed by FFA Market Goats followed by Wether Dam Doe Show followed by County and Chapter Groups followed by Goat Showmanship (Junior 4-H followed by Senior 4-H followed by Grange followed by FFA) (L2)
Saturday, July 15, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
10:00 am – Judge 4-H Market Barrows followed by County Groups followed by FFA Market Barrows followed by Chapter Groups (L3)
10:00 am – Judge Fitted Market Steers followed by Slick Market Steers followed by Market Heifer Show followed by County and Chapter Groups (L1)
10:00 am – Judge 4-H Market Lambs followed by County Groups followed by FFA Market Lambs followed by FFA Chapter Groups (L2)
1:00 pm – Judge Junior Hereford Show (L1)
3:00 pm – Judge Sheep Showmanship (Junior 4-H followed by Senior 4-H followed by Grange followed by FFA)
7:00 pm – Selection of all State Fair Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Animals (Hogs followed by Goats followed by Lambs followed by Steers) (L1)
Sunday, July 16, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
9:00 am – Judge Leonard Bianchi Wether Dam and Wether Sire Show followed by Western Regional Junior Hampshire Sheep Show followed by Western Regional Junior Dorset Shown followed by Junior Southdown Spectacular Show followed by Junior All Other Breed Meats Show followed by AOB Wool Sheep Show followed by County and Chapter Groups followed by the selection of Sheep Supreme Champion (L2)
9:00 am – Judge Beef Showmanship (4-H Junior followed by 4-H Senior followed by Grange followed by FFA) followed by Junior Beef Shorthorn Show followed by Junior Angus Show followed by Junior All Other Breeds Beef Show followed by County and Chapter Groups followed by the selection of Beef Supreme Champions (Females followed by Cow/Calf followed by Bulls) (L1)
10:00 am – Judge Swine Showmanship (4-H Junior followed by 4-H Senior followed by Grange followed by FFA) (L3)
6:00 pm – Junior Livestock Awards Ceremony & Exhibitor Social Award recipients must appear in official uniform. All Large Animals Champion Challenge Exhibitors must be present. (L1)
Monday, July 17, 2023
JUNIOR LIVESTOCK
9:00 am – County Fair Best of Show Large Animal Master Showmanship Exhibitors must check in at the Livestock Office no later than 9 am.
10:00 am – Judge State Fair Master Showmanship and FFA Round Robin (L1)
12:00 pm – Judge County Fair Best of Show Large Animal Master Showmanship (L1)
1:30 pm – Entrants in the Junior Sheep Lead Class Competition must check in at the Livestock office no later than 1:30 pm.
2:00 pm – Judge Junior Sheep Lead Competition (L2)
3:00 pm – Release all Junior Livestock (use Gate 25 when exiting fairgrouds)
7:00 pm – All animals and tack must be removed from grounds
OPEN BEEF, NIGERIAN DWARF, & PYGMY GOATS
10:00 pm – Out of state exhibitors interested in arriving to the California State Fair ties-out must confirm arrival with the livestock superintendent prior to July 11, 4:30 pm. All exhibitors are expected to arrive within the designated arrival times.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023
OPEN BEEF, NIGERIAN DWARF, & PYGMY GOATS
7:00 am – 11:00 am – Barns available for Pygmy Goats, Nigerian Dwarf Goats, and Open Beef Cattle
11:00 am – All livestock must be vet checked and in place. All vehicles must be in parking lot.
1:00 pm – All Originals Registration Papers and Tattoo’s /Permanent Identification must be checked in at this time.
9:00 am – 11:00 am – Receive Ag Mechanics Projects
Wednesday, July 19, 2023
OPEN BEEF, NIGERIAN DWARF, & PYGMY GOATS
10:00 am – Judge A.H.A. Regional Hereford Classic Show followed by Open Charolais Show followed by Open All Other Breed Beef Show (Females followed by Bulls) (L1)
12:00 pm – Judge Junior Pygmy Goat Show (L3)
3:00 pm – Judge California Classic Pygmy Goat Show
Thursday, July 20, 2023
OPEN BEEF, NIGERIAN DWARF, & PYGMY GOATS
10:00 am – Judge Regional Shorthorn Show followed by Regional Shorthorn Plus Show followed by Open Angus Show (Females followed by Bulls) (L1)
3:00 pm – Open Pygmy Goat Show (L2)
Friday, July 21, 2023
OPEN BEEF, NIGERIAN DWARF, & PYGMY GOATS
10:00 am – Judge Nigerian Dwarf Goat Show (L3)
12:00 pm – Selection of Beef Supreme Champions (Females followed by Bulls) (L1)
4:00 pm – Judge State Fair Small Animals Master Showmanship (L1)
4:00 pm – Release all Pygmy Goats, and Nigerian Dwarf Goats (use Gate 25)
5:00 pm – Release all Beef Cattle (use Gate 25)
6:00 pm – Judge County Fair Best of Show Small Animals Master Showmanship (L1)
8:00 pm – All animals and tack must be removed from the grounds.
Saturday, July 22, 2023
OPEN DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRY GOAT
6:30 am – 3:00 pm – Barns available for Dairy Cattle and Dairy Goats
3:00 pm – All animals must be vet checked and in place, all vehicles must be in parking lots.
4:00 pm – All Original Registration Papers and Tattoo’s/Permanent Identification must be checked in by this time.
5:00 pm – Champion Challenge Written Exam (L1)
Sunday, July 23, 2023
OPEN DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRY GOAT
10:00 am – Junior Dairy Goat Showmanship (FFA followed by Senior 4-H followed by Junior 4-H followed by Grange) (L2)
10:00 am – Judge Dairy Cattle Showmanship (Junior 4-H followed by Senior 4-H followed by Grange followed by FFA) (L1)
1:00 pm – Judge Nigerian Dwarf Goat Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes (L2)
1:00 pm – Judge Red & White Holstein Show followed by All California All Other Breeds Dairy Show – Junior exhibitor classes shall be combined with Open classes. (L1)
5:00 pm – Judge Oberhasli Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes (L2)
Monday, July 24, 2023
OPEN DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRY GOAT
10:00 am – Judge Alpine Show & Golden State Alpine Specialty Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes. (L2) | Judge All California Junior & Open Jersey Show – Junior exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open exhibitors classes starting with heifers (Cows approximately at 11:00 am) (L1)
2:00 pm – Judge All California Brown Swiss – Junior exhibitor classes and Open classes shall be combined. Cows approximately at 3:30 pm. (L1)
3:00 pm – Judge Nubian Show: Junior Exhibitor Classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes. (L2)
6:00 pm – Champion Challenge Preliminary Round followed by
Semi-Final Round (L1)
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
OPEN DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRY GOAT
10:00 am – Judge Toggenburg Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall
alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes. (L2)
10:00 am – Judge Holstein Heifers – Junior Division Holsteins alternating
with Open Division Holsteins (L1)
12:30 pm – Judge Holstein Cows – Junior Division Holsteins alternating
with Open Division Holsteins. Followed by County and
Chapter Groups (L1)
3:00 pm – Judge LaMancha Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes
5:00 pm – Judge Open Division Recorded Grades Show followed by Saanen Show: Junior Exhibitor classes shall alternate with Open Exhibitor Classes Followed by County and Chapter Groups (L2)
6:00 pm – Final Round Champion Challenge (Administration Board Room)
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
OPEN DAIRY CATTLE AND DAIRY GOAT
10:00 am – State Fair 4-H Master Showmanship followed by FFA Round Robin Showmanship (L1)
12:00 pm – Selection of the Junior Division Dairy Goat Supreme Champions followed by the selection of the Junior Division Grand Champion Dairy Goat Udders. Followed by selection of the Open Division Dairy Goat Supremes (Best Junior Doe followed by Supreme Female, followed by Supreme Best Three Females followed by Grand Champion Udder followed by Total Performer) (L2)
12:30 pm – Selection of the Junior Division Supreme Junior Champion followed by Grand Champion Dairy Cattle Udders of the Junior Show followed by selection of the Supreme &
Reserve Supreme Champion Dairy Cattle Female of the Junior Show. Followed by selection of the Open Division Supreme Junior Champion followed by the Grand Champion Dairy Cattle Udders of the Open Show followed by a selection of the Supreme Champion Dairy Cattle Female of the Open Show followed by Supreme Best Three Females. (L1)
3:30 pm – Junior Dairy Cattle & Dairy Goat Award Ceremony. Award recipients must appear in official uniform (L1)
5:00 pm – Release all Dairy Goats (use Gate 25 when exiting the fairgrounds)
6:00 pm – Release all Dairy Cattle (use Gate 25 when exiting the fairgrounds)
Thursday, July 27, 2023
OPEN LONGHORNS, SHEEP, ANGORA GOATS, BOER GOATS, LLAMAS, & ALPACAS
7:00 am – 12:00 pm –Barns available for Longhorns, Sheep, Boer Goats, Angora Goats, Llamas and Alpacas
10:00 am – Check in Llama and Alpaca Entries (L1)
12:00 pm –All Original Registration Papers and Tattoo’s/Permanent Identification must be checked in at this time for Llamas & Alpacas. All livestock must be vet checked and in place.
All vehicles must be in parking lot.
2:00 pm – Check in Alpaca Fleece entries (L1)
3:00 pm – All Original Registration Papers and Tattoo’s/Permanent Identification must be checked in at this time for all other species.
6:00 pm – Llama & Alpaca exhibitor meeting (L1)
6:30 pm – Llama and Alpaca Demonstration – Learn about Llamas and Alpacas (L1)
7:00 pm – Walk-a-Llama/Walk-an-Alpaca, Open to the Public (L1)
Friday, July 28, 2023
OPEN LONGHORNS, SHEEP, ANGORA GOATS, BOER GOATS, LLAMAS, & ALPACAS
8:30 am – Judge Llama & Alpaca Showmanship (Adult, followed by Senior Youth, Intermediate Youth, then Junior Youth) (L1)
9:00 am – Judge Angora Goat Show followed by All Other Fiber Goat Show (L2)
10:00 am – Judge Llama & Alpaca Halter Classes (Non-Breeder Llamas, followed by Male Llamas – Suri, Silky, Light Wool, Medium Wool, Heavy Wool followed by Female Llamas – Suri, Silky, Light Wool, Medium Wool, Heavy Wool followed by Non-Breeder Alpaca, Male Alpacas – Huacaya, Suri followed by Female Alpacas – Huacaya, Suri followed by Llama Get of Sire and Produce of Dam, followed by Alpaca Get of Sire and Produce of Dam) (L1)
6:30 pm – Llama and Alpaca Demonstration – Learn about Llamas and Alpacas (L1)
7:00 pm – Walk-a-Llama/Walk-an-Alpaca, Open to the Public (L1)
Saturday, July 29, 2023
OPEN LONGHORNS, SHEEP, ANGORA GOATS, BOER GOATS, LLAMAS, & ALPACAS
9:00 am – Judge Llama & Alpaca Pack Classes (Master, Advanced, Senior Youth, Intermediate Youth, Open Alpaca, Junior then Novice) (L1)
10:00 am – Judge Open Southdown Spectacular Show followed by Junior and Open Western Regional Dorper and White Dorper Show followed by Wether Dam/Wether Sire Show followed by Open Dorset Show followed by Western Regional Hampshire Show followed Western Regional Suffolk Show (L2)
11:00 am – Judge Llama & Alpaca Public Relations Classes (Master, Advanced, Senior Youth, Intermediate Youth, Open Alpaca, Junior Youth, then Novice) (L1) | Judge Junior Boer Goat Show and ABGA Boer Goat Show. Junior Exhibitor classes and Open Classes shall be
combined. (L3)
2:00 pm – Judge Llama & Alpaca Obstacle Classes (Master, Advanced, Senior Youth, Intermediate Youth, Open Alpaca, Junior Youth, then Novice) (L1)
6:30 pm – Llama and Alpaca Demonstration – Learn about Llamas and Alpacas (L1)
7:00 pm – Walk-a-Llama/Walk-an-Alpaca, Open to the Public (L1)
Sunday, July 30, 2023
OPEN LONGHORNS, SHEEP, ANGORA GOATS, BOER GOATS, LLAMAS, & ALPACAS
9:00 am – Judge Llama Walking Fleece (L1)
10:00 am – Judge Western Regional Montadale Show followed by All Other Breeds Meat Show followed by Columbia & Rambouillet Sheep Show followed by Natural Colored Wool Sheep Show followed by Heritage Sheep Show followed by All Other Breeds Wool Show (L2)
10:00 am – Judge California Classic Boer Goat Show. (L3)
10:00 am – Judge Texas Longhorn Mini Show followed the Texas Longhorn Junior and Open Halter Show followed by Loose Show (L1)
2:30 pm – Llama and Alpaca Demonstration – Learn about Llamas and Alpacas (L1)
3:00 pm – Walk-a-Llama/Walk-an-Alpaca, Open to the Public (L1)
4:00 pm – Select Supreme Champion Sheep (L2)
5:00 pm – Llama & Alpaca Award Ceremony (L1)
8:00 pm – Release all Longhorns, Sheep, Angora Goats, Boer Goats and Llamas & Alpacas (use Gate 25 when exiting the fairgrounds)
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