Animals

Code of Ethics

Exhibitors who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors.

  • Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows shall at all times conduct themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in this competitive environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and dignity to promote the advancement of agricultural education.
  • All youth leaders working with junior exhibitors have a responsibility to do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their moral values must be so certain and positive that younger 4-H members will be influenced by their fine example.
  • Exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals the entire time the animals are at the fairgrounds.
  • Animals shall be presented to show events, where they will enter the food chain, free of volatile drug residues. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner/exhibitor for show management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animal to be used in testing. Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal, state and provincial statutes, regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if the drugs administered in accordance with federal, state and provincial statutes, regulations and rules affect the animal's performance or appearance at the event.
  • The use of showing and/or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical devices, or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.
  • Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official duty, all judges, fair and livestock show management, or other show officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect and no person shall direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them.

Safety

  • All animals must be properly restrained and stalled in the barns. Portable pens are not allowed.
  • Animals can be removed from stalls 3 hours prior to show for fitting purposes; however they must remain within the blue fencing. Awnings for shade are allowed in the fenced area.
  • When in commons area, animals must be restrained and attended at all times.

Number of Entries- A 4-H'er may exhibit:

  • Beef - 2 market, 3 breeding, 3 feeder calves, 1 bucket calf
  • Dairy cattle - 2 per class, up to 5 total
  • Goats - 3 dairy, 3 breeding, 3 market
  • Sheep - 3 market, 3 breeding
  • Swine - 3 market
  • Horse - 1 per class, up to 5 total
  • Dogs - 2
  • Cats - 1 per class, up to 3 total
  • Companion Animals - 1 per class, up to 3 total
  • Rabbits - 7
  • Poultry -7 

OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS - All animals in 4-H Shows must be owned by the exhibitor who entered it.  Ownership must be certified on ID forms by June 15.

Eligibility of Animals - The superintendent may declare an animal ineligible at any time, if said animal becomes wild and uncontrollable and safety is a concern. If an animal is disqualified for any reason, it must be removed from the fairgrounds within 24 hours of the disqualification.

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Training- All exhibitors/showmen, including substitutes, in Bucket Calves, Stocker Feeders, Market Beef, Breeding Beef, Dairy Cattle, Market Goats, Dairy Goat, Breeding Goats, Poultry, Rabbit, Market Lamb, Breeding Sheep and Market Swine must have completed YQCA training. Exhibitors not meeting the YQCA requirements will not be able to show or sell at the County or State Fair. Exhibitors must have received YQCA Certification through a UNL Extension based program by June 15th. This can be completed online at:  https://yqcaprogram.org

Training and certificate must be completed turned into the office by June 15th.

Market Beef Weigh in - All Market Beef must attend a spring weigh-in to participate in Rate of Gain.  Obtain beginning weight, 4-H ear tag or EID tag, ID sheet and collect DNA samples for State Fair (if desired).  Read the newsletter for date and time.  You are allowed to weigh up to 5 market beef animals.  If you cannot attend our weigh-in, you can attend a 4-H weigh-in in another county.. If you are not able to make our weigh-in, you are not eligible for Rate of Gain. 

Market Sheep & Goat Spring Weigh –In - Get beginning weight, ID sheet and collect DNA samples for State Fair (if desired). Read the newsletter for date & time.  The weigh-in is held at the Sheridan Co. Fairgrounds in Gordon. You are allowed to weigh-in 5 market lambs and 5 market goats. All animals must carry an official USDA Identification (scrapies tag). If you cannot attend our weigh-in, you can attend a 4-H    weigh-in in another county and you will not be eligible for the Rate of Gain contest. 

Swine Spring Weigh-In – All swine should attend a spring weigh-in. Obtain a 4-H ear tag, get beginning weight, ID sheet, and collect DNA samples for State Fair (if desired). Read the newsletter for date & time. The weigh-in is held at the Sheridan Co. Fairgrounds in Gordon. You are allowed to weigh-in 3 market swine.  If you cannot attend our weigh-in, you can attend a 4-H weigh-in in another county and you will not be eligible for the Rate of Gain contest

Animal Substitution: Within the same class or division, substituting a different animal for a pre-entered animal, provided the substitute meets all ownership and eligibility rules.  Inform the superintendent of the change at check-in.  Substitutions between divisions, except within Breeding Beef and Dairy are not allowed (i.e. a market lamb cannot be substituted for a breeding sheep entry). 

Animal Testing and Examination- Any animal entered in 4-H classes is subject to both urine and blood testing at the discretion of the superintendent or official veterinarian.  If the results of testing indicate the possible use of compounds or drugs not approved for use in that species by FDA or compounds or drugs used outside the specified withdrawal requirements of FDA, those animals will be declared ineligible for competition and awards.  In the case of market animals, show management will determine the appropriate disposal of the animals. The superintendent may declare an animal that is tampered with by unusual means to change appearance or weight ineligible.

PEN OF THREE COMPETITIONS

In the divisions of market beef, stocker/feeder, breeding beef, market lambs, breeding sheep, dairy goats, and market hogs, there is a class for pen of three.  The animals shown can be three project animals from one individual or at least two members of one club.  There may be one showman in the ring for each animal.  They will be judged on quality and uniformity.  For club entries, ONE member of the Club enters the class and denotes on their entry form the name of the club.  Premiums for club pens will go to the club.

MARKET ANIMAL LIVESTOCK SALE

Options for 4-H’ers to Sell Market Animals 

  • Livestock Sale - an animal that was shown goes through the sale ring and is purchased by public auction bid. The purchaser then chooses the final destination.  The 4-H’er is responsible for knowing who purchased their animal and its destination. 4-H member must give purchaser a thank you. Exhibitor needs to be at the sale.
  • Premium Only - the animal will go through the sale ring during the Livestock Auction and will be bid upon.  The youth will retain ownership and receive any amount bid over the Buy Back price.  Animals must be designated “Premium Only” in the 4-H Fair Office within 1 hour following the show.
  • Off Sale - sometimes called Buy Back.  This option gives youth the opportunity to sell their excess animals that were shown during Fair, but cannot go through the sale ring.  The Direct Sale price is a set by a bid process.  Any interested party may submit a bid for consideration. The 4-H Council accepts the highest bid for each species on the morning of the Livestock Sale.  Animals must be placed on the list in the 4-H Fair Office within 1 hour following the show.  No changes will be accepted afterward. Direct Sale checks come from the bid holder, NOT the 4-H Council.  The animals will go on the bid holders’ trucks during Load-Out.  It is the youth’s responsibility to place their animal on the list, get the animal to the appropriate truck and make sure the buyer has their contact information. The UNL Extension Office is not allowed to give out youth addresses.
  • Private Sales - 4-H’er may choose to sell an animal privately to another individual.  4-H’er is responsible for the collection of the money from the buyer and ensuring delivery of the animal to the buyer. These animals will not go through the 4-H Council accounts.
  • No Sale - the animal is taken back home during Load-Out. The 4-H’er retains ownership and responsibility.
  • 4-H Dress Code is required during the Livestock Sale
  • Sale Order -superintendents designate a sale order immediately after the removal/consignment deadlines.
  • No Show=No Sale-Animals not shown at Fair cannot sell in the sale or by direct sale to the Buy Back bid holder.
  • Removal from Sale Order- If you do NOT want to sell your animal or you have more than one animal of a species, you must come to the 4-H Fair Office and remove the animal from the sale order within one hour following each corresponding show.  If you have more than one animal of a species and do not remove one, neither will be allowed to sell. To remove them from the sale order, complete your card denoting the animals you want to sell.
  • Sale Line- Up- If you are not at the sale ring when called, you will be moved to the end of the line.  (No matter what ribbon or placing!  NO EXCEPTIONS!!!)
  • Excessive Fill- on market animals prior to weighing shall constitute grounds for dismissal from the sale.
  • Animal Care- Livestock sold in the sale must be cared for by the exhibitor until the animal is released during Load-Out by the superintendent.  Exhibitor is responsible for delivery of livestock to purchaser's truck as directed.  No check will be paid unless exhibitor delivers animal.
  • Destination Changes- NO changes after the livestock sale.
  • Sale Checks - are mailed to exhibitors after ALL payments have been received.  This usually takes at least a month, so plan accordingly.  Buyers should pay at the time of sale, if at all possible, however, we have several very generous buyers who have to send payment requests through their corporate offices and this takes some time to process.  (We also have very understanding businesses who will usually delay interest charges on feed bills if asked.)
  • Consignment Fee- 3% will be deducted from sale proceeds to pay for ear tags, check-off fees, Buyer’s Bonanza dinner, sale advertising, thank you cards, pictures, woodchips, etc. Consignment fee is subject to change, by vote of the 4-H Council.
  • Thank You Cards- The Extension Office will provide a thank you card for each animal on the sale. You are responsible for getting a picture of you and your animal after weigh-in.  The thank you will be given to you during the sale.  All buyers should receive a thank you card.
  • Release of Animals - If an exhibitor removes a 4-H animal from the Fairgrounds early, without approval from the superintendents, the premium will be forfeited.
  • Sellable Items- A 4-H’er may sell 2 items total during 4-H Sales. Options are:
  • 2 animals of different species
  • 1 animal & 1 cake or cupcakes
  • 1 animal & 1 cookie jar
  • 1 cake or cupcakes & 1 cookie jar

HERDSMANSHIP

  • Herdsmanship duties are the responsibility of exhibitors, not leaders and parents.
  • Clubs and Independents, as a group, will be judged on their animal care and visitor appeal of their stalls throughout Fair week.
  • Livestock will be stalled/penned according to club.
  • Barns will be inspected at least twice daily throughout the week.
  • All exhibitors with any animal housed on the fairgrounds are judged.
  • Herdsmanship begins at Check-in and ends with the exhibitor release by the superintendent during Load-out.
  • All 4-H'ers entering an animal project are automatically entered in Herdsmanship.
  • 4-H members are responsible for his/her animal at all times.  The animal is on display to promote       4-H.  If you cannot be in attendance during a certain period, work with other 4-H’ers to ensure your animal is cared for in your absence.
  • STATE FAIR - If you are attending State Fair, be sure to read their herdsmanship rules. They are different from our county rules.

BASIS OF RATING HERDSMANSHIP

  • 20 Points          Animals - clean with proper watering, feeding, grooming, bedding and care apparent.
  • 20 Points          Stalls - clean and neat, bedding clean and fresh, feed and feed pans/buckets clean and in place at all times, water fresh, clean and in place at all times.
  • 20 Points          Tack and Feed Area - kept clean and neatly arranged, fork handles and similar equipment kept down.
  • 20 Points          Exhibitor - Proper courtesy and conduct shown by exhibitors at all times including with the public and other exhibitors.  Evidence that exhibitors are doing the herdsmanship (not parents).
  • 20 Points          Identification - Signage identifying 4-H member and Club displayed during stall set-up and maintained throughout Fair Week. Ribbons displayed nicely. Sponsors/buyers clearly recognized.
  • 100 Total Points Possible per barn
  • Scores will be converted to % based on the number of total possible points for each person. 

ROUND ROBIN LARGE ANIMAL SHOWMANSHIP

  • The top two senior and intermediate showmen from each of horse, beef, sheep, swine, and goat showmanship will compete in the Round Robin Contest. (Must be purple ribbon winners)
  • Do not enter this contest on the Fair Entry Form.
  • Exhibitor must have number on back and wear 4-H Dress Code according to the species they were selected to represent.
  • Previous Round Robin winners may not compete in the Round Robin Contest but can in the individual species Showmanship.
  • If a member qualifies for Round Robin in more than one species, they must pick one species to show.
  • If a showman cannot show in the Round Robin for one of the above reasons, or if someone qualifies for Round Robin and declines to participate, then the next highest place purple winner may enter the Round Robin. Positions will be left blank, if no one qualifies.
  • In case of a tie, the following tie breaker scores will be used in order:
    • Showing own animal
    • Appearance of exhibitor's own animal
    • Appearance of exhibitor
    • Oldest exhibitor
  • There will be a Champion and Reserve Champion in both senior and intermediate divisions.
  • Champions will receive a traveling trophy for one year.

ROUND ROBIN SMALL ANIMAL SHOWMANSHIP

  • The top two senior, intermediate, and junior showmen from each of cat, dog, rabbit, poultry, and companion animal showmanship will compete.  (Must be purple ribbon winners). Due to small numbers in the past all age divisions will compete together.
  • Do not enter this contest on the Fair Entry Form.
  • Exhibitor must have number on back and wear 4-H Dress Code according to the species they were selected to represent.
  • Previous Round Robin winners may not compete in the Round Robin but can in the species showmanship.
  • If a member qualifies for Round Robin in more than one species, they must pick one of the species to show.
  • If a showman cannot show in the Round Robin for one of the above reasons, or if someone qualifies for round robin and declines to participate, then the next highest place purple winner may enter the round robin. Positions will be left blank, if no one qualifies.
  • In case of a tie, the following tie breaker scores will be used in order:
    • Showing own animal
    • Appearance of exhibitor's animal
    • Appearance of exhibitor
    • Oldest exhibitor
  • There will be a Champion and Reserve Champion in both senior and intermediate divisions. If there are limited numbers of participants, the Senior and Intermediate divisions may compete together.
  • Champions will receive a traveling trophy for one year.

Sheridan County 4-H Fair Book