The underrated stars of livestock at the New York State Fair are the cute and curious goats on display every day in their barn near Restaurant Row.

The pet-worthy kids can be seen in their stalls all day, straining to reach above the fencing and bleating for attention.

They’re are also taken out for grooming, judging and milking, giving visitors a good look at the variety of colors and sizes, highlighted, of course by the adorable babies.

There’s a whole schedule of events available on the Fair website

The Empire State is famous for its dairy products, with a whole building at the New York State Fair devoted to that industry.

Walk out the back door from the milk bar and take a right to tour the dairy cattle barn. Its rows of stalls are home to cows of many breeds and colors. Nearby are the milking parlor and a show rings where judging is held regularly.

Strolling the hay-littered rows between the stalls is among the most beloved annual traditions of Fair visitors. The many breeds of dairy cows are represented by animals that are at once imposing and adorable.

They seem to  calmly accept the parade of visitors, the bovine paparazzi, gawking, petting and photographing them as they relax in their massive barn.

It’s certainly a departure from their daily lives in  which they generally encounter only the humans who feed them, milk them, clean their stalls and occasionally provide veterinary care.

There is no better representative of New York agriculture than its dairy cows, the real stars of dairy day.

This isn’t Texas, but plenty of beef is raised and marketed here in New York.

Of course, those burgers and steaks start out as bulky steers, like this one from the New York State Fair beef barn.

Walk past the midway or catch a tram to the pole barn at the western end of the grounds to meet these impressive cattle.

Mini horses invade the 4-H rings on Saturday as the pint-sized breeds compete in one of the Fair’s most popular livestock events.

The young handlers prompt their charges through a series of jumps or hitch them to small buggies for a ride around the corral. Ribbons will be awarded in several categories.

The little horses are adorable and great fun. There are often petting opportunities and the stars are naturally photogenic, so be sure to bring your camera.

The 4-H rings are at the western end of the grounds, past the midway rides and the cow birthing center. Events begin at 8 a.m. Saturday.

It’s sometimes difficult to get a close-up visit with horses at the New York State Fair, although they are ever-present as participants in the International Horse Show, staged in the Coliseum. State Fair Hound always tries to get into the main horse barn, but it’s usually closed to the general public, we’re told due to liability concerns.

One effective workaround on this ban is to make a trip to the 4H stables and show rings at the western end of the grounds. There seems to be a less restricted, more visitor-friendly vibe there, so horse fans can get some good photos and an occasional pat on the neck as a reward for making the trek.

The youthful riders bring great enthusiasm and commitment to their competition, so the 4H area is an all-around positive experience.

The exercise ring next to the Coliseum also provides close-up views  as the horses are led in from nearby stalls, allowing the equine paparazzi some access.

Petting the soft fleece of curly-headed sheep is a favorite activity at the new York State Fair. For decades, the wooly ones have inhabited pens under a roof outside the western entrance to the goat barn.

But this year that bleating you hear on the grounds this year may be in protest of the primitive conditions of the large tents that are now housing sheep at the Fair. They had to be relocated after their former home was demolished due to storm damage (Barn Razing, May 12, 2019). They are currently receiving guests in their new, albeit temporary, home further west, next to the cow birthing center.

Plans are in the works for a nicer, permanent building to be in place for next Fair.

If you want to see one of the most exotic livestock stars being raised in the Empire State, be sure to visit the goat and swine barn early in New York State Fair to enjoy the limited appearance of those amazing llamas.

Though these beautiful wool-bearers are native to the Andes Mountains of South America, New York farmers have found that they’re amazingly adaptable to local pastures.

The llamas’ visit features competitions and special events–one hilarious one on day 3 has the camel cousins parading around while wearing costumes, something you sure don’t see every day, so don’t forget your camera.

These wooly beauties will be at the Fair Aug. 22, 23 and 24 with the barn being closed on the 24th at 3 p.m. for their departure. You can check the Fair website for complete schedules.

The open-air sheep barn no longer stands next to the goat building at the new York State Fair. The roof was torn off during a winter storm and the structure was subsequently demolished, leaving the pile of rubble pictured here.

Never fear, sheep fans, the curly cuties will make their appearance this year in a new location, a couple of hundred yards west, next to the 4-H horse ring. A temporary structure being erected for this year will be replaced by a more permanent barn for 2020.

There seem to be fewer infrastructure changes this year compared to the past few, but count on State Fair Hound to keep you updated.