Animal exhibitors (4-H ages 8–18, FFA ages 10–21) are eligible to participate at the Nebraska State Fair regardless of county fair placing. The 2024 Lancaster County 4-H/FFA Animal Requirements for Super Fair and State Fair handout is online at https://go.unl.edu/anireq. This handout lists deadlines, events and identification requirements for showing at the Lancaster County Super Fair and State Fair.
• By Saturday, June 15, DNA envelopes must be submitted to the Extension office. New 2024 DNA envelopes are required — please discard old envelopes. Each 4-H & FFA livestock project must have a DNA envelope submitted. This includes feeder calves, and all market and breeding livestock for ALL SPECIES (excluding rabbits and poultry). With this update, livestock animals will automatically be eligible for both breeding and market. 4-H & FFA families who want to be nominated for both State Fair and Aksarben Stock Show only need to submit one DNA envelope.
• For State Fair — breeding and market livestock nominations must be entered and a fee of $7 per animal paid on Show Stock Manager at https://showstockmgr.com (step-by-step instructions are at https://go.unl.edu/sfnomination). Nomination deadline is June 15. Entry deadline is Saturday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m. in ShoWorks online at http://nebr.fairwire.com. For more information, go to https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-livestock-exhibitor.
• For the Aksarben Stock Show — new in 2024: youth must submit nominations online in addition to State Fair nomination. The Aksarben Stock Show online nomination system will be different than Show Stock Manager. Link will be on the Aksarben Stock Show website at https://aksarbenstockshow.com. Nomination deadline is July 1, 5 p.m. Entry process and deadline will be announced later.