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Livestock Competitions

Livestock animal ownership dates

The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions was 1 p.m. on June 21, 2023, with the exception of the Junior Horse Show, which closes at 1 p.m. on July 1, 2023.

In order to be more consistent with statewide livestock exhibition ownership rules, the Ohio State Fair has listed animal ownership dates below:

Market animals -

  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 26
  • Market lambs – May 26
  • Market goats – May 1
  • Dairy feeders – May 26
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch

Breeding animals -

  • Breeding Beef – June 1
  • Breeding Swine – June 1
  • Breeding Sheep – June 1
  • Breeding Goats – June 1
  • Breeding Poultry – June 1
  • Breeding rabbits – June 1
  • Dairy Cattle – June 1

See the full livestock schedule here.

Livestock animal ownership dates

The deadline to enter livestock exhibitions was 1 p.m. on June 21, 2023, with the exception of the Junior Horse Show, which closes at 1 p.m. on July 1, 2023.

In order to be more consistent with statewide livestock exhibition ownership rules, the Ohio State Fair has listed animal ownership dates below:

Market animals -

  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 26
  • Market lambs – May 26
  • Market goats – May 1
  • Dairy feeders – May 26
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch

Breeding animals -

  • Breeding Beef – June 1
  • Breeding Swine – June 1
  • Breeding Sheep – June 1
  • Breeding Goats – June 1
  • Breeding Poultry – June 1
  • Breeding rabbits – June 1
  • Dairy Cattle – June 1

See the full livestock schedule here.

Livestock Competition Information

Online entry helpful hints

  1. All entries must be submitted online.
  2. Please allow time to complete the entry process, as the system will shut down at 12:59 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21. Entries will be locked automatically at 1 p.m.
  3. Late entry fees will be charged ($75.00) beginning June 21 and late entries will be accepted through July 15. Late entries must be emailed to Barb Prince, Entry Department (b.prince@expo.ohio.gov). Upon receipt of the email the entry department will make contact to secure credit card information. Please reference the late entry document (click here) to see if you can make late entries into the division you are wanting to enter. No late entry for junior market animals.
  4. All junior livestock exhibitors must provide their date of birth. Date of birth is not required for open entries.
  5. Junior 4-H exhibitors must list the county in which the project is registered (in some cases, this is not the same as the county in which you live). You must list your county educator or extension agent as the contact to verify your entry, NOT your 4-H advisor.
  6. Junior FFA exhibitors must list the county in which the project is registered (in some cases, this is not the same as the county in which you live). You must list your FFA teacher/instructor as the contact to verify your entry.
  7. All junior exhibitors should include their shirt size.
  8. Reminder – If you receive premiums of $4,999 and over, the State of Ohio requires you to register as a "new supplier" at https://ohiopays.ohio.gov/. This MUST be done before any payment will be processed. Please be aware you will be asked for banking information, as your payment will be direct deposit. You may use either a checking or savings account. If you have won $4,999 or more in the past, and have already set up a supplier account, you do not need to register again. However, you are responsible for making any address or name changes, by going to https://ohiopays.ohio.gov/ and updating any necessary information. If you need assistance with the online registration process, please view this tutorial or call the "help desk" at 1-877-644-6771.

Beef

Boer Goats

Cheese

Dairy Cattle

Dairy Goats

The 2023 Ohio State Fair dairy goat competition was canceled this year only due to a lack of exhibitor entries. There were 31 total exhibitors across seven different dairy goat breeds entered for this year's statewide competition. The low participation in the show warranted the cancellation and a notification of this decision was sent to dairy goat exhibitors on Thursday, July 13 to provide those exhibitors with enough time to change their arrangements.

The dairy goat industry continues to be an important part of Ohio's agricultural industry.


Dog Show

Horse Show

Judging Teams

Llamas

Poultry

Rabbits

Sheep

Swine

Exhibitor Information and Supplemental Forms

All below documents will be updated by mid-May.

In-Person & Virtual Ohio Youth Skillathons

Open to any Ohio youth, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18, this is a separate virtual event to allow broader participation in 2023. You do not have to exhibit a particular species to participate in that species Skillathon. Virtual Skillathon participation does not qualify a youth participant for outstanding market exhibitor awards. Proctored Virtual Skillathon at the Ohio Expo Center will qualify for the Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor awards.

Golf Cart Permits

Golf cart permits will NOT be sold on-site at the Ohio State Fair in 2023.
Please read the updated Ohio State Fair Golf Cart Permit Rules and Regulations prior to purchasing a permit. There are several changes to the rules and regulations for 2023.
Submit the Golf Cart Information Form though the submission portal (click here).

Competition Results

8. Reminder — All exhibitors who win more than $499 in premiums must use this link to visit the Ohio Supplier website. In the past, exhibitors were required to submit Vendor Information Forms and W-9 forms; this new process has been in place for the last couple of years. If not completed, your premium payment cannot be processed. If you have registered using the Ohio Supplier website in previous years and nothing has changed (such as your address or banking information), then it is not necessary to update this information or attempt to register again.
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