Youth Livestock

2026 Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification is required for all of the following projects to show at the Douglas County Fair: Beef (including bucket calf), Swine, Sheep, Meat and Dairy Goats, Dairy Cattle, all Poultry, and all Rabbits.

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2026 Douglas County Spring Livestock Expo

The 2026 Douglas County 4-H Spring Livestock Expo will be held Saturday, April 25 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The Expo is hosted by Douglas County K-State Extension and a dedicated volunteer committee.

This event is open to Kansas 4-H/FFA members ages 7–18 as of January 1, 2026, and is a County Fair Prospect Show only. Our goal is to provide a positive and educational experience for all participants.

Pre-entries must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on April 6 to guarantee a t-shirt. The final registration deadline is April 17. The entry fee is $40 per exhibitor.

To view rules and register, click here

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2026 Calendar of Events/Deadlines

January 11 - County-Wide Swine Project Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg

January 18 - County-Wide Poultry Project Meeting, 1:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

January 20 - County-Wide Plant Science Project Meeting, 6:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

March 7 - K-State Junior Beef Producer Day , Manhattan

March 7- Douglas County YQCA Training, 1:30 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

March 8 - Douglas County Fair Beef Weigh-In and Tagging, Community Bldg.

March 11 - K-State Junior Sheep Producer Day, Manhattan

April 12 - County-Wide Swine Project Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

April 12 - Douglas County YQCA Training, 3:30 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

April 20 - Last Day to Order Market Beef DNA Envelopes for Nominations

April 25 - Douglas County Spring Livestock Expo

May 1- Market Beef Nominations Due

May 12 - Dg. County Small Livestock Weigh-In, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Open Pavilion

May 27 - Douglas County YQCA Training, 6:00 p.m., Dreher Family 4-H Bldg.

June 5: Last Day to Order Small Livestock DNA Envelopes for Nominations

June 15: Commercial Heifer, Swine, Sheep, & Meat Goat Nominations Due

June 15 - Douglas County Animal Lease Form Deadline, Douglas County Extension Office

June 15 - 2026 YQCA Certification Deadline to exhibit at the Douglas County Fair/KS State Fair/KJLS

July (TBA) - Dr. Bob Hines Kansas Swine Classic

June 30 - Douglas County Fair Entry Deadline

July 27 - August 1 - 2026 Douglas County Fair

August(TBA) - State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes

September 11-20: Kansas State Fair

October(TBA): Kansas Junior Livestock Show

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2026 Douglas County Livestock Information

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Kansas 4-H State Livestock Nomination Information

Helpful Showman Resources