Holstein dairy cattle return to New York State Fair after six-year absence

GEDDES N.Y. — Holstein dairy cattle are returning to the Great New York State Fair this weekend after a six-year absence.

The Holstein Dairy Cattle Competition will take place Sunday, Aug. 30, at the Toyota Coliseum.

Fair officials say this year’s competition will feature the largest showing of Holsteins at the fair in nearly a decade.

The return follows six successful years of the New York Holstein State Show at another venue, where the event also earned National Show status.

The New York Holstein Association decided to bring the show back to the fairgrounds in 2026 because the traditional show dates conflicted with the All-American Dairy Show and Eastern States Exposition.

The return to the fair also gives junior exhibitors the opportunity to participate in showmanship, judging and the Dairy Challenge without conflicting with school.

The Holstein show will be held during the Great New York State Fair, which runs Aug. 26 through Sept. 7.