General Rules – Dairy Cattle
- Number of Entries per Exhibitor – An exhibitor may show three dairy cattle. Showmanship does not count as an entry. These three animals may be shown as a dairy herd. Animals not owned by the exhibitor must have the owner sign the owner affidavit on the back of the Identification/ Ownership Affidavit giving permission to use the animal as a project. See GENERAL ANIMAL REQUIREMENTS.
- Identification and Pre-Entry – All identification of dairy heifers and cows must be documented on a Dairy Pre-Entry ID form, accompanied by a drawing or photograph of the animal. Documentation forms must be submitted to the Extension Office by June 15.
- Pre-Entry – All dairy exhibits, including showmanship, to be eligible to show at the County Fair must be pre-entered on a Livestock Entry Sheet available at the Extension Office due by closing on June 15.
- Health Requirements – See General Animal Requirements.
- Showmanship – See General Animal Showmanship Rules. Also see Round Robin Rules.
- Dress Code – See General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
- Livestock Quality Assurance (YQCA) – See General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
- Grooming Rules – See General Livestock Rules and Regulations.
- Dairy cows in production may leave immediately after the dairy show. The 4-H member must note this on the Pre-entry form.
- Production awards will be presented based on DHIA reports of the 305 2X ME records. These records need to be presented to the superintendent at check-in time. DHIA Cow identification should also be on the pre-entry form.
- There will be a class winner in each division and then a Champion and Reserve Champion. There will also be an Overall Junior and Senior Champion Dairy Animal selected.
- All dairy breeds will show together.
- Animals will enter the ring at the same time in order of age and be placed in ribbon groups on their individual merit.
- Any lactating dairy cow is eligible to receive a DHIA Production Certificate and premium.
Showmanship
SF) G040910 Senior Division – 14 years and older
SF) G040920 Intermediate Division – 11 to 13 years
SF) G040930 Junior Division – 8 to 10 years
Dairy Classes (Commercial)
C) G042010 Spring Heifer Calves - (3-1-26 to 4-30-26)
C) G042020 Winter Heifer Calves - (12-1-25 to 2-28-26)
C) G042030 Fall Heifer Calves - (9-1-25 to 11-30-25)
C) G042040 Summer Yearling - (6-1-25 to 8-31-25)
C) G042050 Spring Yearling - (3-1-25 to 5-31-25)
C) G042060 Winter Yearling - (12-1-24 to 2-28-24)
C) G042070 Fall Yearling - (9-1-24 to 11-30-24)
C) G042080 Dry Cow (Any Age)
C) G042090 Junior 2 year old (Must have freshened 3-1-24 to 8-31-24)
C) G042100 Senior 2 year old (Must have freshened 9-1-23 to 2-29-24)
C) G042110 3 Year old (9-1-22 to 8-31-23)
C) G042120 4 year old (9-1-21 to 8-31-22)
C) G042130 5 year old and over (Prior to 9-1-21)
C) G042140 Junior Dairy Herds – This class contains three dairy cattle any age, at least one needs to be currently milking and all must be owned by the exhibitor. Production records are required.
C) G040969 Club Group – (maximum of three groups per club) 3 animals same class but different showman from the same club or family