Livestock Competition Info
2026 Market Beef Nomination Information
Step 1 – Order Nomination Kit - March 15th – April 14th
Step 2 – Nominate Animal(s) AND Upload Photo - April 15th – May 14th
Step 3 – Enter Nominated Animal(s) in the NC State Fair - August 15th – September 15th
*ALL THREE STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SHOW AT NC STATE FAIR.
**Kits that have been ordered will be available for pick up the following dates and locations… • March 28th - Clover Classic – Winston Salem Fairgrounds 421 W 27th St, Winston Salem, NC 27105 • April 10th - Spring Fling; WNC Ag Center – McGough Arena 1301 Fanning Bridge Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732 • April 7th (1pm to 2 pm) – Eastern Carolina 4H Livestock Show; East Carolina Agricultural & Education Center 1175 Kingsboro Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27801
*If participating in Performance Steer Program – must submit a copy of official show program listing show weight from any of the kit pick up location shows. If not showing at any of those shows, can submit a weight by having a local county extension agent, show superintendent – Walter Earl or NCDA representative assist in weighting the calf and the agent then email the verified weight to summer.senter@ncagr.gov before May 14th
*Link for all 3 steps can be found on NC State Fair Livestock page along with user guides and other information.
*Each exhibitor can nominate up to 12 animals per species
*GTBNC tag kits do not include tags, those are the responsibility of the producer
*ALL DNA MUST BE TURNED IN TO LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE BY JULY 15TH .
*Photo requirements – animal headshot, tag must be legible, with the exhibitor in the photo
*Tag number needed for nomination entry is the NC State Fair or the GTBNC tag number
2026 Market Beef Updates
• Can nominate up to 12 animals, exhibit a maximum of 4 with no more than 2 per classification (ie. Market Heifer, British Breed, Crossbred)
• Weight requirement is minimum 1,100 pounds, no upper limit
• Weigh back requirement is 5% +/- declared weight 2026 Feeder Calf Updates
• Can exhibit a maximum of 4 with no more than 2 per classification (ie. Market Heifer, British Breed, Crossbred) regardless of weight
• The following classes will be offered in both Prospect & Progress weight Divisions: - Heifer - British Breed (must be Got to Be NC, and registered w/Breed Association - Crossbred
2026 Nomination Information
Jr Ewes, Jr Market Lambs, Jr Gilts, Jr Market Barrows, Jr Commercial Does, Jr Market Goats
Step 1 – Order Nomination Kit May 15th – June 14th
Step 2 – Nominate Animal(s), Upload Photo AND Turn in DNA to local Extension office June 15th – July 15th
Step 3 – Enter Nominated Animal(s) in the NC State Fair August 15th – September 15th
*ALL THREE STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED TO BE ELIGIBLE TO SHOW AT NC STATE FAIR.
**Kits that have been ordered will be available for pick up at locations TBA later
*Link for all 3 steps can be found on NC State Fair Livestock page along with user guides and other information.
*Each exhibitor can nominate up to 12 animals per species *GTBNC tag kits do not include tags, those are the responsibility of the producer
*ALL DNA MUST BE TURNED IN TO LOCAL EXTENSION OFFICE BY JULY 15TH.
*Photo requirements – animal headshot, tag must be legible, with the exhibitor in the photo
*Tag number needed for nomination entry is the NC State Fair or the GTBNC tag number
Download Step by Step instructions by clicking on the User Guides below.
Overall ranking is determined using live animal evaluation score, carcass ranking, online record book ranking, as well as an adjustment factor for the Average Daily Gain Performance. Each of these areas are scored independently of one another, therefore each area weighs in on overall final score. Steers that enter the Performance contest MUST complete ALL of the criteria.
- At the time of nomination, verified beginning weight MUST be submitted by a copy of official show program listing show weight from Spring Fling, Clover Classic or Showdown in the Foothills before May 14 to summer.senter@ncagr.gov.
If not showing at any of those shows, you can submit a weight by having a local county extension agent, show superintendent - Walter Earle or NCDA representative assist in weighing the calf and whoever assists MUST then email the verified weight to summer.senter@ncagr.gov before May 14.
Information you will need for record book... CLICK HERE
****Link to record book: https://go.ncsu.edu/performancesteer