GENERAL 4-H & FFA RULES | Nebraska Extension in Burt County | Nebraska Extension

GENERAL 4‑H & FFA RULES

Entering And Exhibiting Projects

Exhibits with “*900" class numbers are not eligible for State Fair.

To be eligible to exhibit, members must be enrolled in 4‑H by June 15 of the current year or carry FFA projects in Burt County. A 4‑H'er must have reached their 8th birthday but not have passed their 19th birthday by January 1 of the current year. Clover Kids must be 5-7 years old by January 1 of the current year. FFA exhibitors must meet the age and eligibility requirements of their organization. Eligibility for the show must be verified by FFA instructor or Extension Staff.

All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.

There will be no discrimination based on any protected status.

Exhibits must be the result of the members’ project since the last county fair unless otherwise noted.

No individual animal may be shown in both breeding and market classes. Members may show in 4‑H and/or FFA but cannot use the same exhibit or animal in both, regardless of county(ies) where shown.

All exhibitors, other than livestock, must attach their name and address to each article exhibited.

An exhibitor must show his or her own animal unless excused by the show superintendents. The request must be in writing and in the hands of the Extension staff before the fair starts. If the member has two or more animals in the same class, one animal can be shown by a substitute showman that is another 4‑H or FFA member enrolled in Burt County. In case of injury to exhibitor after the fair starts, a substitute exhibitor must receive the permission of the show superintendent or Extension staff prior to the particular show.

State Fair General Rules and Information will apply when no county fair rules are applicable.

County Protest Policy

The Extension staff, together with the local 4-H Council and the local 4-H Council Protest Committee, has the authority to make appropriate decisions on local 4-H disputes. These decisions will be formulated using state policy and national directives as formulated by this policy or as dictated by law.

All protests must be submitted in writing and signed by the protester.

The written protest must include:

Name of the person(s) involved.
Cause of complaint or appeal
Situation and documentation
Recommendations for correction
Specific action, rule, etc. in question
Additional person(s) committee may contact for further clarification.
Procedures and/or steps carried out by the person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Protest Committee.

Membership of the protest committee will be outlined in the 4-H Council By-laws. Protests will not be accepted after the exhibit or event/activity is completed/released.

The protest will be acknowledged after receiving the written protest and will be responded to in a timely manner. Protests related to judges’ integrity, decision, placings, or other evaluations will not be accepted.

A $50 deposit will accompany the written protest, which will be forfeited if the protester does not attend the protest resolution meeting. The deposit will be returned upon completion of the process.

The committee will review the written protest. They may call for a face-to-face meeting with affected persons and event leadership to discuss the situation and the official ruling. Recommendations will be developed, followed, and communicated both verbally and in writing to the individual or group affected.

Failure of the protester to attend the face-to-face meeting with the protest committee will result in no action and forfeiture of the deposit.

In cases of protest, the 4-H member/parent/leader may continue to participate. Results of participation will be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process.

The protest committee and event leadership reserve the right to withhold any award. The 4-H’er/parent/leader may be excluded from 4-H if action warrants.

Disclaimer Of Responsibility For Exhibits

At The Burt County Fair

4-H and FFA exhibits & livestock at the Burt County Fair are entered and displayed at the risk of the exhibitor. Burt County Extension and the Burt County Ag Society will exercise due care to protect them. However, Burt County Extension and the Burt County Ag Society cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage due to conditions imposed by large crowds, the arrangement of the buildings in which displays are housed and the great number of exhibits. They shall not be held liable for any damages resulted from unauthorized release of any livestock pen/stall without permission. Exhibitors who have exhibits of great sentimental and/or monetary value should carefully consider whether such exhibits should be exposed to the perils of the fair.

Substance Abuse

Use or possession of drugs (except for medical purposes) or alcoholic beverages by any 4-H or FFA member at the Burt County Fair will result in immediate disqualification of that exhibitor's entry(ies).

Youth Quality Care Of Animals (YQCA) Training

All 4-H and FFA beef, dairy, goat, sheep, swine, rabbit & poultry exhibitors must attend an in person YQCA training or complete 3 online modules in the appropriate age division. Make sure the Extension Office receives a copy of your completion certificate by June 15. A test out option is available for those in Intermediate & Senior levels.

Horse Level Testing

All 4-H Exhibitors that require Horse Level testing to become eligible for classes at the Burt County Fair must be completed by June 30^th. Make sure the Extension Office receives all the completed paperwork needed for advancement by June 30.

Stalling of Livestock Exhibits

Livestock will be required to stall for the duration of the fair. From check in to release time. (Stalling requests will be given to the Extension Office at time of pre-entry, June 30.)

Exceptions:

Jr. Breeding Heifer (day of show only)
Feeder Calf (day of show only)
Bucket Calf (day of show only)
Bottle Lamb (day of show only)
Bottle Goat (day of show only)
Cat
Dog
Rabbit
Companion Animal
Horse

Livestock Identification Requirements

All livestock must be identified using the method of identification (tattoo, eartag, drawing, etc.) listed below.

Livestock Affidavit/ID Sheet is REQUIRED. When submitting Livestock ID Sheets, exhibitors agree to the following rules: All beef, swine, sheep and goat project animals must be owned:

solely by the 4-H exhibitor, or FFA exhibitor
the exhibitor in partnership with other member(s) of his or her immediate family.
All exhibitor family member names may be on the animal identification sheet and will be eligible to show that animal.
Immediate family is defined as members of a household, including parents, brothers and sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.

Identification must be recorded on the proper ID sheet and the ID sheet filed at the Burt County Extension office by the following deadlines:

June 15 (Affidavits/ID Sheet DEADLINE)

All Beef- Market Beef, Feeder Calf, Bucket Calf, Cow-Calf Pairs, Breeding Heifers

All Goat- Meat Goat, Breeding Doe, Dairy Goat, Bottle Goat

All Sheep- Market Lambs, Feeder Lambs, Breeding Sheep, Bottle Lamb

All Swine – Market Swine, Breeding Gilt

All Horses

All Rabbits

Poultry, Cat, Dog, & Companion Animal do not have Livestock Affidavit/ID Sheet Requirements

Market Beef ‑ Must be tagged with a 4-H or FFA beef tag or EID tag. State Fair requires: EID tag, online nomination, DNA submission, entry submission, & Premises ID; additional items required for registered animals.

Breeding Heifer ‑ Registered breeding heifers must be tattooed or identification type that is accepted by the breed association, and a copy of the registration papers returned with the ID sheet. Commercial breeding heifers must be tattooed or have an EID tag. State Fair requires: tattooing/EID tag, online nomination, DNA submission, & entry submission.

Feeder Calf ‑ Must be tagged with a 4‑H or FFA beef tag or EID tag. State Fair requires: EID tags, online nomination, DNA submission, entry submission, & Premises ID.

Bucket Calf - Must be tagged with a 4‑H or FFA beef tag.

Cow‑Calf Pairs ‑ Calves must be identified the same as feeder calves. Cow must be identified with tag or tattoo.

Swine - All market swine and breeding gilts must be tagged with a 4-H or FFA tag. A copy of the registration papers returned with the ID sheet. State Fair requires: EID tag, online nomination, DNA submission, entry submission, and Premises ID; additional items required for registered animals.

Sheep ‑ All feeder lambs, market lambs, breeding ewes, rams, and bottle lambs must be tagged with a USDA Scrapie eartag. A copy of the registration papers must be returned with the ID sheet for registered breeding ewes and rams. State Fair requires: online nomination, scrappies tag, DNA submission, and entry submission.

Meat Goats ‑ All market and breeding meat goats must be tagged with a USDA Scrapie eartag. A copy of the registration papers must be returned with the ID sheet for registered breeding does. State Fair requires: scrappies tag, online nomination, DNA submission, and entry submission.

Dairy Goats – Must be identified by a tattoo or USDA Scrapies Tag.

Bottle Goats - Must be identified by a tattoo or USDA Scrapies Tag.

Horse – All horses must be identified, with drawings or pictures.

Rabbits – All rabbits except fryers must have tattoos in their ear.

Registered Animals - A copy of the registration papers returned with the ID sheet.

Animals Identification Limits – An exhibitor may identify a maximum of 10 market beef, 10 breeding heifers, 10 feeder calves, 10 bucket calves, 10 cow‑calf pairs, 20 market lambs, 10 breeding sheep, 10 bottle lambs, 40 market hogs, 20 breeding gilts, 20 meat goats, 10 dairy goats, 10 bottle goats, and 10 horses.

State Fair Requirements: Exhibitors will confirm that the ear tattoo and/or identification tag matches the animal nomination submitted by June 15 for confirmation of legibility and/or accuracy. All entries must have EID & tattoo if applicable to be able to switch between breeding & market or from registered to commercial at State Fair. Livestock nominations for the Nebraska State Fair will be verified by the Extension Office using county ID sheets submitted by June 15. Family name(s), exhibitor name(s), and livestock identification must match between the county and State Fair nominations.

General Health Requirements For All Animals

All Species: Any animal showing signs of infectious or contagious diseases will not be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds or be exhibited. Animals that have pinkeye, active ringworm, visible warts, or abscesses will not be allowed. Ringworm may be judged inactive if the lesion area is not encrusted and hair has begun regrowth in the area. Animals with warts that are not visible by a hands-off inspection will be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds and be exhibited. Under no circumstances may animals under quarantine be exhibited.

All animals exhibited at the fair may be observed for soundness of movement by the judge, show officials, or veterinarian. If an animal is found to be experiencing lameness that impacts its ability to move comfortably and normally, it may be excused from the class and placed at the lowest ribbon level. Show superintendents, in consultation with animal health professionals when appropriate, may remove an animal from competition if lameness is determined to be a concern for the animal’s health or well-being.

The decision of the county fair veterinarian is final!

In addition to the rules above, the following also apply:

Cats: Cats shall be free of fleas, ticks, ear mites, ringworms and other parasites and infectious diseases. Cats must have current rabies, distemper panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calici virus and feline leukemia vaccinations. Proof of vaccinations must be shown when entering the cat show. 4‑Hers vaccinating their cats must provide proof in the form of a statement from their vet or by turning in the serum viles. PROOF OF VACCINATIONS MUST BE SENT IN WITH ENTRY FORM PRIOR TO THE FAIR AND 4-H’ER MUST ALSO BRING PROOF OF VACCINATIONS WITH THEM TO THE CAT SHOW. One of the following is required as proof of vaccination; a veterinary

health certificate with a veterinarian’s signature or a vaccination

printout or vaccination receipt from a vet clinic. Claws shall be clipped. No expectant or nursing mother cats may enter. Any cat not meeting these health requirements will not be judged.

Dogs: All dogs must be immunized for distemper, hepatitis, parvo, and rabies. Vaccination record must document all vaccinations within 1 year or 3 years depending on the vaccine given. All required vaccinations must be given within 1 to 3 years of the show date based on label guidelines. All vaccinations must be in effect at the time of the Dog Show. Explanation: Some vaccinations are viable for one year and some vaccinations are viable for three years but are specifically designed and administered according to their label. It is not acceptable nor allowed to vaccinate a dog with a 1 year vaccine and plan to have it in effect for 3 years. PROOF OF VACCINATIONS MUST BE SENT IN WITH ENTRY FORM PRIOR TO THE FAIR AND 4-H’ER MUST ALSO BRING PROOF OF VACCINATIONS WITH THEM TO THE DOG SHOW. One of the following is required as proof of vaccination; a veterinary health certificate with a veterinarian’s signature or a vaccination printout or vaccination receipt from a vet clinic. Dogs in season will not be allowed to show. Lame or crippled dogs will not be permitted to show if it is determined by the show superintendent that it is affecting the health of the dog.

Companion Animal: All animals shall be free of fleas, ticks, ear mites, ringworm, any internal and external parasites and infectious disease. If any signs of these external parasites or other contagious health conditions are presented exhibitors will be asked to leave without being allowed into the show arena. FERRETS REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

Swine: Under no circumstances may swine under quarantine be shown.

In addition to the health requirements listed above, the following are minimum recommended vaccination programs and precautions. For more information, please consult your veterinarian.

All Species: Any animals returning home after the fair should be isolated for two weeks before returning to the herd or flock.

Dogs: Heartworm

Meat Goats, Dairy Goat, Sheep, & Market Beef: None

Cow-Calf Pairs, Bucket Calves & Feeder Calves: should be vaccinated one month prior to the show. Cows should receive a killed IBR, BVD, PI3 and BRSV vaccine, if they weren’t already vaccinated in the spring. Calves should receive a pasturella and 7-way blackleg vaccination.

Horses: should be vaccinated and dewormed at least one month prior to the show. Since some vaccines require two or more doses to be effective, the one month time frame is important.

Livestock Exhibitor Dress Code

All exhibitors of livestock are required to wear an official Burt County 4-H t-shirt or FFA t-shirt and dark blue denim jeans. Hats shall not be worn in the show ring. IN 2026* - the NEW official Burt County 4-H t-shirt will be the only official dress code.

Exhibitors of large animals and/or horses are required to wear hard-soled shoes. Dog exhibitors need to wear soft-sold shoes. Horse exhibitors see equine section for specific dress code guidelines.

ENTERING AND RELEASING EXHIBITS

Pre‑entry Deadline

All fair entries for all divisions (including livestock, clothing, fashion show, static) must be received by the Burt County Extension Office no later than June 30th. All livestock stalling requests must be received in the Burt County Extension office no later than June 30^th. This is so stall assignments can be made. To ensure the safety of all exhibitors, please disclose all needed accommodation by the deadline.