A late fee of $25 will be added to all entries submitted after Oct 16

2026 Show Information

2026 Judge: Ken Gossard

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 Ken Gossard has made the sheep industry his life. He was raised in the Missouri Ozarks on a multi-generation farm; he has seen the change of the agriculture sector. He did his undergrad studies in Animal Science/Chemistry, then pursued a Masters in Food Chemistry and finished with a PhD in Meat Science.

Since his return to the family farm, he has taken over the family custom meat plant. During this time he has expanded the Romney sheep flock that call the hills their home. Today, he is running roughly 900 mature ewes out on intensive grazed pasture year-round. He markets his lambs in the ethnic meat market and local sales. The wool is sold in direct markets as well, to a blanket manufacturer and other woolen mills. In the mindset of waste not want not, he has a market for all the pelts that are taken at harvesting as well.

He has judged at many local, district and state fairs, and has been the official at many carcass competitions. He also supplies many 4H/FFA meat teams training them in his coolers using retail cuts for identification.

Animals will be divided into lots after all entries have been received to ensure the best possible evaluation for each breed/type of sheep entered. Large classes of more than 10 sheep will be split. Class splits will be posted at the show ring before the show begins.

Livestock Division General Rules apply

Sheep Show Classes

1 – Yearling rams (less than 24 months)
2 – Ram lambs (less than 12 months)
3 – *Pair of Ram Lambs
4 – Yearling ewes (less than 24 months)
5 – Ewe lambs (less than 12 months)
6 – *Pair of Ewe Lambs
7 – * Best Flock—one ram and two ewes (any age)
8 – * Best Fleece—judged on the condition of fleece on the animal that day,
including uniformity, handle and condition as it relates to value and use for
the hand spinning/craft market.
* Must have been shown in individual classes.

Lots
Additional Lots may be added if there are enough sheep of that “breed” in a Class.
Please be specific on your Sheep Show Entry if your sheep is a cross or purebred for Lot designation.

Registration papers are not required unless specifically stated for a sponsored award.

Special Awards - Sheep
Overall Sheep awards are awarded 30 minutes after the conclusion of all sheep show lots. All champions and flock class winners compete.

• Supreme Champion Ram

• Supreme Champion Ewe

• Supreme Champion Flock (1 ram & 2 ewes)

Each lot will have a best fleece ram winner and a best fleece ewe winner that will compete for overall best fleece ram and ewe during the supreme drive. 

• Morris Culver Memorial Award for Best Fleece Ram

• Jan McMahon Award for Best Fleece Ewe

Supreme Champions also receive one of a kind banners created by local artist, Andie Hart.

Cash prizes and awards are awarded as donated so be sure to reach out to
your breed associations to promote your breed.
 

Diamond Awards and Best fleece Awards will be presented on Sunday after all lots have shown.