2024 Mississippi State Fair and 2025 Dixie National Junior Round-Up: Goat Division (Market, CMGD, and Boer)

Reminders and Important Dates

Reminders

The rules in the current year’s Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium book supersede any rules published previously in a Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium book or in this publication. [New rules and regulations passed by the Mississippi Livestock Council Show directors will be in brackets throughout this book.]

An official show veterinarian from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine will be on site during the junior livestock shows.

General Show and Animal Health Reminders:

• Health certificate from a veterinarian is required to get on fairgrounds
• 60-day health record forms are uploaded in MSU livestock show check-in app used for checking in all livestock

Important Dates

Ownership of animal – August 30, 2024 (Friday)

• Ownership for both Mississippi State Fair/Dixie National
  • Market Steers, Market Lambs, Market Goats, Market Hair Sheep
• Ownership for Mississippi State Fair
  • Beef Breeding Animals, Commercial and Dairy Breeding Females, Commercial Beef Heifers, Market Hogs, Commercial Meat Goat Does, Wether Dams, Commercial and Registered Dairy Goats, Breeding Hair Sheep, Registered Breeding Boer Does

Entries must be submitted to county Extension office by Friday, August 30, 2024 .

Classification/DNA Hair Collection Week, September 9–11, 2024

• Monday, September 9: Hattiesburg – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
• Tuesday, September 10: Raymond – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 11: Greenwood – 8 a.m–11 a.m.
• Wednesday, September 11: Oxford – 2 p.m–6 p.m.

Mississippi State Fair, Jackson – October 2–13, 2024

Ownership of animal – Monday, December 2, 2024

• Ownership for Dixie National Junior Round-Up
  • Beef Breeding Animals, Commercial and Dairy Breeding Females, Market Hogs, Mississippi Bred Barrows, Commercial and Registered Dairy Goats, Commercial Beef Heifers, Wether Dams, Commercial Gilts, Commercial Meat Goat Does, Breeding Hair Sheep, Registered Breeding Boer Does

Entries must be submitted to county Extension office by Monday, December 2, 2024

Classification/DNA Hair Collection Week, December 9–12, 2024

• Monday, December 9: Hattiesburg – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 10: Raymond – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 11: Greenwood – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
• Thursday, December 12: Oxford – 8 a.m–12 p.m.

District Livestock Shows

• NW District Show, Batesville – January 16–18, 2025
• NE District Show, Verona – January 16–18, 2025
• SE District Show, Hattiesburg – January 15–18, 2025
• SW District Show, Jackson – January 14–17/27, 2025
• Delta District Show, Greenwood – January 20–22, 2025

Dixie National Junior Round-Up, January 27–February 6, 2025

Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe

Superintendents

Jennifer Williams, MSU Extension–Lincoln County

Tracy Robertson Boone, MSU Extension–Carroll County

Ownership/Entry Dates

• Market Goats: August 30, 2024, for the Fair, District, and DNJR
• Commercial Meat Goat Does: August 30, 2024, for the Fair and December 2, 2024, for District and DNJR

2024 State Fair Show Dates

• Goat Showmanship: Friday, October 4, 8 a.m.
• Commercial Meat Goat Doe: Friday, October 4, after Goat Showmanship
• Market Goat: Friday, October 4, after CMGC Show

2024 State Fair Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App

At the time of check-in at the Fair, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when weights are to be declared for Market Goats and Commercial Meat Goat does, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:

• Goat Showmanship: declare intent to participate by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 3
• Market Goats and Commercial Meat Goat Does: declare show weights by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 3

2025 Dixie National Junior Round-Up Show Dates

• Commercial Meat Goat Doe: Tuesday, January 28, 8 a.m.
• Market Goat: Tuesday, January 28, following CMGD Show
• Goat Showmanship: Tuesday, January 28, following Market Goat Show

2025 DNJR Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App

At the time of check-in at DNJR, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when weights are to be declared for Market Goats and Commercial Meat Goat does, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:

• Goat Showmanship: declare intent to participate by 3 p.m. on Monday, January 27
• Market Goats and Commercial Meat Goat does: declare show weights by 3 p.m. on Monday, January 27

Meat Goat Showmanship

All showmanship rules listed in Extension Publication 3814-1 2024 Mississippi State Fair and 2025 DNJR: General Rules apply for Meat Goat Showmanship in addition to the ones listed below.

Exhibitors will check in for Meat Goat Showmanship at the Fair and DNJR on the dates and times listed above.

Exhibitor in showmanship classes must show their own animal.

• For Meat Goat Showmanship at the Fair and DNJR, the exhibitor must have a Market Goat or Commercial Meat Goat doe checked in to their respective show.

Order of Show for Meat Goat Showmanship:

• For Meat Goat Showmanship at the Fair and DNJR: Ages 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17–18

Rules Applying to Both Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Does

General Rules

Review the General Rules and Regulations for all exhibitors and animals. These rules and regulations will apply in the Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe Shows.

Exhibition

All Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat doe exhibitors are to use halters, lead chains, or collars with or without a lead in the show ring. No dog-spike or spike collar of any kind allowed in the show ring.

Market Goats and Commercial Meat Goat Does may be shown with hair or clipped.

[All breeder/farm names and logos on any scrapie tag or official ear tag in small ruminants must be covered with black tape on show day.]

Market Goat Rules and Regulations

Nominations

Exhibitors can nominate the number of Market Goats they desire. At the Fair, the number of Market Goats that one can check in and exhibit is six Market Goats, not to exceed three entries per class. At DNJR, the number of Market Goats that one can check in and exhibit is three, provided that at DNJR one goat is Mississippi Bred; if not, only two Market Goats can be checked in and exhibited. Nomination forms are due in the MSU Extension county office by the dates listed below. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all goats are under their supervision.

• Mississippi State Fair, District, and DNJR deadline: August 30, 2024

Exhibitors in the Market Goat show may enter goat showmanship classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.

Mississippi Bred Goat Awards – Market Goats

• The rules and regulations governing the State Fair and the Dixie National Junior Round-Up as published in this rulebook and show catalogs for the show will apply.
• The dam of a Mississippi Bred goat must be owned by a member of the MCGA/MGA at the time of breeding. A Mississippi Bred goat must be kidded and raised in Mississippi.
• All Mississippi Bred Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Goats will be required to weigh back as soon as possible after being selected unless a weight was previously recorded. The animal must weigh within 5 percent of the overage, or it will be disqualified. Animals will only be weighed once. Show management will designate an individual to accompany each animal and exhibitor to the scales for weigh back.
• Exhibitors must follow the ear tagging requirements outlined in the General Rules under Ownership/Ear Tag/Entry, Classification, and DNA Validation of Livestock.
• Show management will have the authority to inspect all Mississippi Bred Market Goats entered in the Sale of Champions (hide or carcass) and to collect blood, urine, body fluid, tissue and/or any other laboratory analysis deemed necessary. Refer to the Animal Inspection section in the General Rules for additional information.
• All goats entered in the Mississippi Bred Goat Show will be judged within their respective classes during the regular class judging.
• Only those goats that are certified as Mississippi Bred and recognized by MCGA are eligible to compete and receive Mississippi Bred awards or premiums and compete for the Grand/Reserve Grand Champion Mississippi Bred Market Goats that are eligible for the Sale of Champions.

Weight Limits

For the Fair, the minimum weight of Market Goats is 40 pounds with no maximum weight. Exhibitors at the Fair must declare the show weight of their Market Goats following the dates/times listed in the Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe Division Section above.

For DNJR, the minimum weight of Market Goats is 60 pounds with no maximum weight. Exhibitors must declare the show weight of their Market Goats following the dates/times listed in the Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe Division Section above.

Weight Classes

[Market goat classes will be set up in divisions on a sliding scale based on the animals that an exhibitor can check in and exhibit per the current year’s State Fair Premium Book as follows: 0 to 30 animals = 1 division; 31 to 60 animals = 2 divisions; 61 to 90 animals = 3 divisions; 91 to 120 animals = 4 divisions; 121 animals and over = 5 divisions. Divisions will be named in numerical order from 1 to 5 depending on the number of divisions in the show. Each division will be divided into classes as near to equal in number as possible with no more than 10 pounds of weight range in any class. A Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected from each of the divisions and the overall Grand and Reserve Grand will be selected from the division champions.]

Horns

Goats may be shown that are polled, dehorned, or disbudded with no re-growth to exceed 1½ inches above the skin line. Removal of horns is not allowed on the show grounds.

• At the Fair, any goat that goes to weigh back will have its horn length checked before re-entering the show ring for a division championship drive. Any Market Goat with horns longer than allowed will be disqualified from the show.
• For DNJR, checking of horn length will be done at the District Shows and Market Goats eligible for District will be eligible for DNJR.

Commercial Meat Goat Does Rules and Regulations

Nominations

Exhibitors can nominate the number of Commercial Meat Goat does they desire. At the Fair and DNJR, the number of Commercial Meat Goat does that one can check in and exhibit is six Commercial Meat Goat does, not to exceed three entries per class. Nomination forms are due in the MSU Extension county office by the dates listed below. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all goats are under their supervision.

• Mississippi State Fair deadline: August 30, 2024
• District and DNJR deadline: December 2, 2024

Exhibitors in the Commercial Meat Goat doe show may enter goat showmanship classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.

No Commercial Meat Goat doe will be eligible to show in the Market Goat show.

Mississippi Bred Goat Awards – Commercial Meat Goat Does

• The rules and regulations governing the Dixie National Junior Round-Up as published in this rulebook and show catalogs for the show will apply.
• The dam of a Mississippi Bred goat must be owned by a member of the MCGA/MGA at the time of breeding. A Mississippi Bred goat must be kidded and raised in Mississippi.
• All Mississippi Bred Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Commercial Meat Does will be required to weigh back as soon as possible after being selected unless a weight was previously recorded. The animal must weigh within 5 percent of the overage or it will be disqualified. Animals will only be weighed once. Show management will designate an individual to accompany each animal and exhibitor to the scales for weigh back.
• Exhibitors must follow the ear tagging requirements outlined in the General Rules under Ownership/Ear Tag/Entry, Classification, and DNA Validation of Livestock.
• All goats entered in the Mississippi Bred Goat Show will be judged within their respective classes during the regular class judging.
• Only those goats that are certified as Mississippi Bred and recognized by MCGA are eligible to compete and receive Mississippi Bred awards or premiums. All Mississippi Bred goats must have the Mississippi Bred tag in their ear at the time of showing. If the tag has been lost, notify the Mississippi Bred Commercial Meat Goat Doe committee before the goat enters the show. Replacement tag cost is $1 per tag. Any lost tags must be replaced on weigh day.
• After the regular show Champions and Reserve Champions have been selected, the Mississippi Bred Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected. All Mississippi Bred Breed Champions and Reserves will compete for the Mississippi Bred Grand and Reserve Grand Champion after the regular show champions have been selected.
• The Mississippi Club Goat Association and the Mississippi Bred Commercial Meat Doe Show committee reserves the right to interpret, amend and carry out the rules and regulations governing the Mississippi Bred Commercial Meat Doe Show sponsored by the Mississippi Club Goat Association.
• The Mississippi Bred Commercial Meat Doe Show committee will serve as the show protest committee to handle any protest formally filed with the Livestock Show manager at the State Fair and the Dixie National Junior Round-Up concerning the Mississippi Bred Market Goat Show. At least three members of the committee must be presented to rule on a protest.

Weight Limits

For the Fair, the minimum weight of Commercial Meat Goat does is 40 pounds with no maximum weight. Exhibitors at the Fair must declare the show weight of their CMGD following the dates/times listed in the Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe Division Section above.

For DNJR, the minimum weight of Commercial Meat Goat does is 50 pounds with no maximum weight. Exhibitors at DNJR must declare the show weight of their CMGD following the dates/times listed in the Market Goat and Commercial Meat Goat Doe Division Section above.

Weight Classes

[Commercial meat goat doe classes will be set up in divisions on a sliding scale based on the animals that an exhibitor can check in and exhibit per the current year’s State Fair Premium Book as follows: 0 to 30 animals = 1 division; 31 to 60 animals = 2 divisions; 61 to 90 animals = 3 divisions; 91 to 120 animals = 4 divisions; 121 animals and over = 5 divisions. Divisions will be named in numerical order from 1 to 5 depending on the number of divisions in the show. Each division will be divided into classes as near to equal in number as possible with no more than 10 pounds of weight range in any class. A Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected from each of the divisions and the overall Grand and Reserve Grand will be selected from the division champions.]

Horns

Does may be horned, polled, or dehorned.

Age

Age of CMGD will be determined by milk teeth. Does that have lost the center temporary incisor teeth (baby teeth) but have no visible permanent incisors are eligible to show. Any visible permanent incisor tooth disqualifies the doe.

• At the Fair, any CMGD that goes to weigh back will be mouthed before re-entering the show ring for a division championship drive. Any doe who fails to meet the mouthing criteria will be disqualified from the show.
• For DNJR, mouthing of CMGDs will be done at the District Shows and CMGDs eligible for District will be eligible for DNJR.

Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show

Superintendents

Jennifer Williams, MSU Extension–Lincoln County

Tracy Robertson Boone, MSU Extension–Carroll County

Ownership/Entry Dates

Registered Breeding Boer Doe: August 30, 2024, for the Fair and December 2, 2024, for District and DNJR

2024 State Fair Show Dates

• Boer Goat Showmanship: Friday, October 4, after Market Goat Show
• Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show: Friday, October 4, after Boer Goat Showmanship

2024 State Fair Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App

At the time of check-in at the Fair, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when registered Boer Goats are to be checked in using the app, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:

• Boer Goat Showmanship: declare intent to participate by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 3
• Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show: declare animals at show by 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 3

2025 Dixie National Junior Round-Up Show Dates

• Boer Goat Showmanship: Tuesday, January 28, at 3 p.m. or after Market Goat Show
• Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show: Tuesday, January 28, after Boer Goat Showmanship

2025 DNJR Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App

At the time of check-in at DNJR, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when registered Boer Goats are to be checked in using the app, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:

• Boer Goat Showmanship: declare intent to participate by 3 p.m. on Monday, January 27
• Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show: declare animals at show by 3 p.m. on Monday, January 27

Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship

All showmanship rules listed in the General Rules apply for Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship in addition to the ones listed below.

Exhibitors will check in for Boer Goat Showmanship on the dates and times listed above.

Exhibitor in showmanship classes must show their own animal.

• Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship at the Fair and DNJR, the exhibitor must have a Registered Breeding Boer Doe checked in.

Order of Show for Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship:

• For Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship at the Fair and DNJR: Ages 8–12, 13–16, 17–18

Registered Breeding Boer Doe General Rules

Review the General Rules and Regulations for all exhibitors and animals listed elsewhere in this publication. These rules and regulations will apply in the Registered Breeding Boer Doe Show.

Nominations:

• Exhibitors can nominate the number of registered breeding Boer does they desire. At the Fair and DNJR, the number of animals that one can check in and exhibit is six Boer goats, not to exceed three entries per class. Nomination forms are due in the MSU Extension county office by the dates listed below. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all goats are under their supervision.
  • Mississippi State Fair deadline: August 30, 2024
  • District and DNJR deadline: December 2, 2024
• Exhibitors in the Registered Breeding Boer Doe show may enter Registered Breeding Boer Doe Showmanship classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.

All Registered Breeding Boer Doe entries will be accompanied by a registration paper with the animal’s registration number and tattoo or microchip number on the paper, along with its classification (whether the doe is fullblood, purebred, or percentage). If the animal is microchipped, the exhibitor must bring their own chip reader to verify the animal’s registration number. Otherwise, tattoos need to be legible and consistent with the animal’s registration papers.

All Registered Breeding Boer Doe entries will compete in the same age classes regardless of registration percentage (fullblood/purebred or percentage).

Breeding Boer Doe Kid Classes:

• Junior Doe Kids, 3 months and under 6 months
• Intermediate Doe Kids, 6 months and under 9 months
• Senior Doe Kids, 9 months and under 12 months
• Grand Champion Junior Boer Doe Kid
• Reserve Grand Champion Junior Boer Doe Kid

Breeding Boer Doe Yearling Classes:

• Junior Yearling Doe Kids, 12 months and under 16 months
• Intermediate Yearling Doe Kids, 16 months and under 20 months
• Senior Yearling Doe Kids, 20 months and under 24 months
• Grand Champion Yearling Boer Doe Kid
• Reserve Grand Champion Yearling Boer Doe Kid
• Overall Grand Champion Registered Breeding Boer Doe
• Overall Reserve Grand Champion Registered Breeding Boer Doe

---

Publication 3814-5 (POD-08-24)

By Dean Jousan, PhD, Extension Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Cobie Rutherford, former Extension Instructor, Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development.