Entry Information​

• Exhibitors must be currently enrolled Rhode Island 4-H members or otherwise eligible participants under RI 4-H.

• Entry fee: $1.00 per entry. Entry fees must be paid at the time of entry.

• Entry deadline: Online entries are due no later than July 1.

• Enter Here!

• Submit your entry fee here (Venmo)

Rules & Regulations

• Open to any enrolled Rhode Island 4-H member. Follow current Rhode Island 4-H beef guidelines and general animal health regulations. All animals shown at fairs, shows, or exhibitions must be in proper physical condition and are subject to examination by federal or state animal-health officials before unloading and during exhibition for visual signs of infectious or contagious disease or other conditions that would make the animal unfit for exhibition. Animals showing signs of illness may be refused entry. Official Rhode Island regulations take precedence over fair guidance in the event of any conflict.

• This is one of the shows that will qualify exhibitors for participation in the ESE 4-H Beef Show.

• All beef animals must be kept in the beef barn.

• Ownership or management deadline is February 1 for steers and May 10 for all heifers. Any member may exhibit an animal of any recognized beef breed or crossbreed being raised for meat or breeding purposes. Depending on entries, separate breed classes may be offered for steers and breeding stock.

• 4-H members must do their own work to prepare and show their project animals. Adult assistance must be limited to guidance and instruction. Adult grooming may be treated as a rule violation and may result in forfeiture of awards.

• All beef animals imported for fair, show, or exhibition must comply with current Rhode Island DEM import and exhibition requirements. Imported cattle must be officially identified and must meet Rhode Island’s current certificate, rabies, and tuberculosis requirements.

• Boots or closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times. No sandals. Livestock exhibitors must always wear shoes.

• Show clothing for beef is blue jeans with a blouse, polo shirt, tee shirt, or plaid shirt, clean and without patches.

• Horns are only allowed on registered Horned Hereford heifers, registered Scottish Highlander heifers, and registered Texas Longhorn heifers. Bull calves under 3 months of age may be allowed in showmanship or at dam’s side in the proper class for the dam. No other bulls are allowed at 4-H shows.

• Department-specific NRI 4-H Fair requirements, deadlines, check-in details, and updates posted on this page are supplemental to official 4-H requirements. Official state regulations take precedence in the event of a conflict.

Beef Classes​

Any member may exhibit an animal of any recognized beef breed or crossbreed raised for meat or breeding purposes. Depending on entries, separate breed classes may be offered for steers and breeding stock. Bull calves under 3 months of age may appear only in showmanship or at dam’s side in the proper class for the dam. No other bulls are allowed. A feeder calf class may be added at the superintendent’s discretion. 

1. Light Weight Steer

2. Medium Weight Steer

3. Heavy Weight Steer

4. Champion & Reserve Champion Steer

5. 0–3 Months Females

6. 4–6 Months Females

7. 7–12 Months Females

8. 13–18 Months Females

9. 2 Years & Older Females

10. Brood Cow – 3 years and up

11. Cow/Calf – Calf up to 6 months old

12. Champion & Reserve Champion Female

Breed classes in both steer and female divisions will show with all breeds together.​

Showmanship

Showmanship is required for 4-H members entered in a beef show. Age divisions are based on exhibitor age as of January 1. A novice class may also be offered for first-year exhibitors, and the superintendent may split or add classes when appropriate.

For NRI, fitting and showmanship class divisions are:

Cloverbud – Ages 5, 6, 7 as of January 1

Novice – Any age, first year showing

Junior – Ages 8, 9, 10, 11 as of January 1

Intermediate – Ages 12, 13, 14 as of January 1

Senior – Ages 15, 16, 17, 18 as of January 1

Notes​​

Additional reminders, check-in notes, and department updates will be posted here.​​​​​

Questions?

If you are unsure which class to enter:

• Ask your club leader

• Ask a parent/guardian to review this page with you.

• Contact your superintendent before the deadline.