4-H CHANGES FOR 2017

As a result of the post-fair meetings and the recommendations brought before the 4-H Council at their November meeting, the following changes will be implemented in 2017.

Horse Show:

  • The horse show will be held on Wednesday, July 26th, 2017
  • Check-in the day of the show will be from 7:30 am – 8:30 am with the show beginning at 9:00 am
  • Horse exhibitors will be REQUIRED to pre-enter all classes that they plan to exhibit in to the extension office by July 10th.  Exhibitors may scratch from a class or change horses (as long as it is identified as a 4-H horse) the day of the show.
  • Level I Rule:        Exhibitors who show halter horses or showmanship ONLY do not need to level test.  Participants of Walk-Trot do not have to pass the Level I test but cannot enter any other performance class except for those designated as “Walk-Trot”.  All other horse exhibitors will be required to have passed Level I testing.
  • Classes for Walk-Trot Exhibitors:
    • Walk – Trot Pleasure
    • Walk – Trot Horsemanship
    • Walk – Trot Trail
  • The following classes have been removed from the county fair schedule:
    • Egg Race
    • Keyhole
    • Freestyle Horsemanship

 

Livestock Shows:

  • Breeding gilts may be listed on both a breeding gilt ID sheet and a market hog ID sheet in 2017.
  • Pre-entry for the county fair is due July 10. 
  • Exhibitors will complete county fair pre-entry forms individually.  No family entries or club entries will be accepted.
  • The Beef Show will be a Blow and Go show in 2017.  Blow and Go is defined as:  No adhesive, wax, paint, color, natural or synthetic fibers, no tail or leg adhesive.  Foam is permissible but no colored foam.  Final bloom is also permissible.
  • A Beef Fitting Clinic will be offered to 4-Hers in a two-part series.  Session I will be held on Saturday, February 11th from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.  Session II will be held on Saturday, June 3rd from 9:00 am – 12:00 noon.  Both clinics will be held at the Masonic Home in Fremont.  More information on registering will be coming.
  • Although it is no longer required for exhibitors to bring their animals to a weigh day, it is strongly encouraged.  The market beef weigh day will be held on Saturday, January 28th from 9:00 am – 11:00 am at the Masonic Home in Fremont. 
  • Show Times:
    • Poultry Check-in will be from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, with the show starting at 5:00 pm.
    • Hog Show will begin at 8:00 am.
    • Beef Show will begin at 9:00 am with feeder calf check-in from 7:30 am – 8:30 am.
  • The Pen of Three in the Beef show has been eliminated.
  • Herdsmanship for Rabbits and Poultry will be conducted throughout the fair in 2017.  Exhibitors are reminded that it is their responsibility to properly feed, water and care for animals throughout the entire fair.
  • Rabbits may be brought to the fair on Tuesday and will stay throughout Sunday, or Rabbits may be brought the day of the show and will leave following the show.  Rabbits will NOT be allowed to come throughout the fair as in years past.
  • SHOWMANSHIP RULE:  The exhibitor entered into showmanship MUST show an animal entered as an exhibit animal in their name.  The same animal shall not be exhibited in more than one showmanship division.
  • Bucket Calves shall be shown in a “beef” style, not “dairy” no matter what breed the calf is.
  • ROUND ROBIN SHOWMANSHIP:  The champion senior from the Beef, Sheep and Swine show will have an opportunity to compete in the Round Robin Showmanship Contest on Sunday at 1:00 during the county fair.  The winner of the Round Robin Showmanship Contest will be Dodge County’s representative in the Elite Showmanship Competition at the Nebraska State Fair.  In the case that the champion senior is not able to participate or if they have won more than one species, the reserve champion senior showman will have an opportunity to participate.
  • We will be sending an inquiry to 4-H hog families asking if there is interest in providing a market option for hogs at the end of fair.  These hogs would be marketed at Hormel in Fremont.

If you have any questions about any of these changes, please contact Karna.

Superintendents for 2017

Last year the superintendent structure was modified to a rotational system for livestock and horse. What this means is that the committee for each species will remain the same as the previous year, with one individual rotating off and a new individual joining the committee each year. What this structure allows for is consistency for the shows. Superintendents are asked to have knowledge and experience of the species they are wanting to join. We are in the process of seeking volunteers to serve as superintendents for 2017. If you have an interest in being a livestock superintendent, please contact Karna at kdam2@unl.edu or 402-727-2775.