(304) 263-5869 [email protected]
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★ DEPARTMENT J ★

Dairy Show

Showmanship and seven breed divisions across junior heifers, milking cows, and dry cows. Thursday morning at the Indoor Arena.
★ DAY
Thursday, August 6, 2026
★ TIME
9:00 AM
★ LOCATION
Indoor Arena
★Showmanship ★Breed Divisions ★Key Dates ★Barn Rules
★DIVISION 01★

Showmanship

Five tiers, broken by age as of January 1, 2026. The Senior, Intermediate, and Junior winners advance for Overall Grand Champion Showman.
Previous Winners
★ PRIOR SENIOR WINNERS
Returning winners of past Senior Showmanship divisions show in their own class.
Senior Showmanship
★ AGES 15+ · OR PREVIOUS INTERMEDIATE WINNER
Ages 15 and older as of January 1, 2026, plus previous Intermediate Showmanship winners.
Intermediate Showmanship
★ AGES 12–14 · OR PREVIOUS JUNIOR WINNER
Ages 12 to 14 as of January 1, 2026, plus previous Junior Showmanship winners.
Junior Showmanship
★ AGES 9–11 (CURRENT FAIR YEAR)
Ages 9 to 11 during the current fair year. Many exhibitors start here.
Overall Grand Champion Showman
Winners of Senior, Intermediate, and Junior Showmanship return for Overall Grand Champion. Class 01 (Previous) + Class 08 (Overall) winners advance to Round Robin Preliminary Showmanship.
★DIVISIONS 02 – 08★

Breed Divisions

Seven dairy breed divisions, each with junior & senior champion classes culminating in the Overall Female of Show. Dairy animals must be owned and pre-registered by June 15, 2026.
Ayrshire
★ DIVISION 02
Brown Swiss
★ DIVISION 03
Guernsey
★ DIVISION 04
Holstein
★ DIVISION 05
Jersey
★ DIVISION 06
Milking Shorthorn
★ DIVISION 07
AOB
All Other Breeds
★ AS NEEDED
Champion
Female of Show
★ DIVISION 08

15 age classes within each breed

Junior champions selected from Classes 1-7. Senior champions from Classes 8-15. Overall champions advance for Female of Show.

CLASS
BIRTH DATE RANGE
Junior Heifer Calf
Born March 1 – May 1, 2026
Intermediate Heifer Calf
Born December 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026
Senior Heifer Calf
Born September 1 – November 30, 2025
Summer Yearling Heifer
Born June 1 – August 31, 2025
Junior Yearling Heifer
Born March 1 – May 31, 2025
Intermediate Yearling Heifer
Born December 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025
Senior Yearling Heifer
Born September 1 – November 30, 2024
Junior Two-Year-Old (never freshened)
Born March 1 – August 31, 2024
Senior Two-Year-Old (never freshened)
Born September 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024
Junior Two-Year-Old (milking)
Born March 1 – August 31, 2024
Senior Two-Year-Old (milking)
Born September 1, 2023 – February 29, 2024
Three-Year-Old
Born September 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023
Four-Year-Old
Born September 1, 2021 – August 31, 2022
Aged Cow (5+)
Born before September 1, 2021
Dry Cow
Born before September 1, 2023
Full Dairy Department Class Codes
Every class number across 7 breeds × 15 age classes — formatted for the show ring.
Forms Library →
★KEY DATES★

Dairy show calendar

JUN
15
2026
Pre-Registration Deadline
All dairy animals owned and pre-registered via online registration.
AUG
1
2026
Check-In Day
Saturday, all livestock arrive 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM. Health certificates required.
AUG
6
2026
Dairy Show
Thursday, 9:00 AM at Indoor Arena. Showmanship + 7 breed divisions.
AUG
6
2026
Round Robin
Thursday, 8:00 PM. Dairy Overall Showman advances to the master showmanship contest.
★BARN RULES★

Dairy-specific requirements

No Nursing Calves
Nursing dairy calves are not allowed at the BCYF.
Class 1 Horns Allowed
Class 1 of each division is allowed horn growth when shown. All other classes follow standard requirements.
Stall Dividers
Allowed if: 8' long, 42" front, 30" rear, max 4" wide. Free air movement required (no solid dividers). Variances need chair approval.
Class Entries
One animal per class per breed. Two entries minimum to justify a breed champion show. Single entries roll into AOB.
Selection Pattern
First place from each class returns for Grand & Reserve Champion of their breed (unless judge chooses otherwise).
No Other Barriers
Beyond approved stall dividers, no other physical barriers are allowed between animal exhibits.
★ DAIRY CHAIRPERSON
Barbie Elliott
Questions about your project, registration, or class placement?
[email protected]
★READY TO REGISTER★
Register your dairy project
Online registration through the Fairwire system. Deadline: June 15, 2026.
Register Online → Livestock Rules