Need a summary of the animal requirements for the Lancaster County Super Fair and Nebraska State Fair? Look no further!
The 2026 Lancaster County 4‑H & FFA Fair Book contains detailed entry information for exhibiting in 4‑H and FFA at the Super Fair. The Fair Book animal information is online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/fair-book/animal.
To participate in fairs, 4‑H & FFA youth must be enrolled at 4‑H Online at https://4honline.com by Monday, June 15.
Animal resources for the Lancaster County Super Fair are online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/animals. Animal resources for the State Fair are at https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-livestock-exhibitor.
The 2026 Lancaster County 4‑H & FFA Animal Requirements for Super Fair and State Fair handout is online as a PDF at https://go.unl.edu/lan4h-animal-req.
ANIMAL ID REQUIREMENTS
Identification forms are available at the Extension office and online at https://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/fair/animals. 4‑H poultry, dogs, cats and household pets do not require identification forms.
• For Super Fair — Horse identifications are due June 1 for the Lancaster County Super Fair. Livestock and rabbit identifications are due by June 15 to the Extension office or emailed to lancaster4h@unl.edu. Lancaster County 4‑H & FFA Market and Breeding Identification Certificates will allow up to 11 animals of one project area (such as beef or meat goat) to be identified on one sheet. Pick up ID forms and ear/EID tags from the Extension office M–F, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. You can email lancaster4h@unl.edu or call 402‑441‑7180 to request tags be placed in the drop‑off box for pick up after‑hours. Mail ID forms to Lancaster County Extension, 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Suite A, Lincoln, NE 68528; email to lancaster4h@unl.edu or drop off at the Extension office (after hours, use drop‑off box).
• For State Fair — Each livestock project must have a DNA envelope submitted and a $7 nomination paid on Show Stock Manager at https://showstockmgr.com by June 15. This includes feeder calves, and all market and breeding livestock for ALL SPECIES (excluding rabbits and poultry). More information and step-by-step instructions are at https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-livestock-id. DNA envelopes from previous years are NO LONGER VALID. New envelopes may be picked up at the Extension office.
• For Aksarben Stock Show — NEW in 2026: Exhibitors planning to show the same animal at both the Nebraska State Fair and the Aksarben Stock Show must submit two separate DNA envelopes and online nominations. The Aksarben Stock Show online nomination system is different than Show Stock Manager. Links to order DNA envelopes, submit nominations and entry details are at https://aksarbenstockshow.com. Nominations must be completed and envelopes postmarked by July 1. Entry window will be Aug. 1–Sept. 4. For more information, go to https://aksarbenstockshow.com or contact the show office at info@showaksarben.com or 308‑382‑7180.
YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS REQUIREMENTS
4‑H & FFA members participating in any of the following animal projects need to complete a Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training: beef, dairy cattle, goat, poultry, rabbit, sheep and swine. Deadline is June 15 to complete YQCA and submit certificates of completion to lancaster4h@unl.edu or the Extension office. In Lancaster County, youth may choose one of two options to complete their YQCA requirements:
• Complete online training at https://yqcaprogram.org. Cost is $12. For more information, visit https://4h.unl.edu/yqca.
• Attend an in‑person training held Thursday, May 21 or Thursday, June 4, both 6–7 p.m. at the Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County conference rooms, 444 Cherrycreek Road, Suite A, Lincoln. To sign up for in‑person trainings, you must go to https://yqcaprogram.org before the training. The training will cost $3 payable by credit or debit card on the website. We cannot take payments in person; all families must register and pay online. Note: You will need to take a 5‑question pre‑test at https://yqcaprogram.org before attending. You must sign in at the training as proof of attendance — certificates will be available online.
ANIMAL ENTRIES
• For Super Fair — All 4‑H & FFA animal entries must be entered online in ShoWorks at https://go.unl.edu/lcsf-animal-entries (this includes stall/pen requests and livestock/poultry exhibitor T‑shirt sizes). 4‑H families and youth may submit entries. Animal entries may be submitted online starting on Thursday, June 18. The deadline is Wednesday, July 1, 11:59 p.m.
• For State Fair — 4‑H & FFA youth or their families must submit their final animal entries in ShoWorks online at http://nebr.fairwire.com by Aug. 10, 8 p.m. CT. The Nebraska 4‑H website with information and instructions is https://4h.unl.edu/state-fair-livestock-exhibitor.
If you have any questions about 4‑H or FFA livestock project requirements, contact 402‑441‑7180 or lancaster4h@unl.edu.