Animal Exhibits

CODE OF SHOW RING ETHICS
IAFE (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS)

Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows shall at all times deport (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. This code applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in structured classes of competition. This code applies to all livestock offered in any event at a livestock show. In addition to the “IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics,” fairs and livestock shows may have rules and regulations that they impose on the local, county, state, provincial, and national levels.

All youth leaders working with junior exhibitors are under an affirmative responsibility to do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by their fine example. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, and absolutely responsible persons who violate the code of ethics will forfeit premiums, awards, and auction proceeds and shall be prohibited from future exhibition in accordance with the rules adopted by the respective fairs and livestock shows. Exhibitors who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows. Exhibitors who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows in the United States and Canada.
The following is a list of guidelines for all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events:

1. All exhibitors must be present, upon request of fair and livestock show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of ownership, age or any facts relating thereto is prohibited.
2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show officials. (Health Certificates are not required for Nemaha County Fair.)
3. Exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock show.
4. Animals shall be presented to show events where they will enter the food chain free of violative drug residues. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer and/or absolutely responsible person 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. If the laboratory report on the analysis of saliva, urine, blood or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of forbidden drugs or medication, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine, salvia, blood or other substance tested by the laboratory to which it is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation, transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample are correct and accurate and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflect the conditions of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise, At any time after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock show premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian.
5. Any surgical procedure or injection of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counterirritant or similar substance) which could affect the animal’s performance or alter its natural contour, confirmation or appearance, except external applications of substances to the hoofs or horns of animals which affect appearance only and except for surgical procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal, is prohibited.
6. The use of showing and/or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical contrivance, or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.
7. 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.
8. No owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics. Violation of this rule shall subject such individual to disciplinary action.
9. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal’s condition by an owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or participant, whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in contravention of this code of ethics.
10. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or absolutely responsible person to have disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics and any other rules of competition of the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show may be published with the name of the violator or violators in any publication of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, including Fairs and Expositions and any special notices to members.
11. The act of entering of an animal in a fair or livestock show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer or absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent that any action which contravenes these rules and is also in violation of federal, state or provincial statutes, regulations or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.

DISQUALIFICATIONS/JUDGING

Area superintendents have the authority to determine the eligibility/ineligibility of an exhibit entry in their division. All ineligible items will not be judged and will not be displayed.

ENTRY DEADLINES FOR THE COUNTY FAIR

1. All entries are due in the Extension Office on official entry forms OR online at: https://nemaha.fairwire.com. Entry documents may be attached to an email to office staff.
2. LIVESTOCK – Large and Small Animals The following items are due June 15th (or the next business day if the 15th falls on the weekend):

• Identification/Ownership Affidavit
• Animal entry form (green) OR online at: https://nemaha.fairwire.com, or if participating in Horse, enrollment in the Horse project on 4-H Online is required. (This is June 15th even if it falls on the weekend.)
• Copy of registration papers – Purebred animals only
• Quality Assurance Certification for youth enrolled in Beef, Dairy, Goats, Poultry Rabbit, Sheep, & Swine.
• Livestock exhibitors are required to participate in Showmanship. Be sure to list Showmanship on green animal entry form or online.

GENERAL ANIMAL REQUIREMENTS
FOR IDENTIFICATION, OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATION & HEALTH

A. GENERAL RULES pg. 5 for additional information.
B. GENERAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION & OWNERSHIP--

1. IDENTIFICATION & CERTIFICATION - All animals need to be identified as stated within species identification requirements. Ownership must be certified on Identification/Ownership Affidavits due in the Extension Office by June 15th. All Identification/Ownership Affidavits not in the Extension Office by closing June 15 or the following Monday if June 15th falls on a weekend will lose premium money. Animals can be owned as a family unit (brothers/sisters) provided the names and ages of all youth in the family are identified on the Identification/Ownership Affidavits. See Ownership of Animals below for identifying requirements. Female animals can be ID’d on both a breeding and market form, but the chosen class must be identified at check-in. The same animal can not be shown in both a breeding and market class. At the weigh-in, all market animals that are eligible for the State Fair and Aksarben will have DNA hair samples collected. The Extension Office sends the DNA samples to NSF/Aksarben.
2. PRE-ENTRY - All animal exhibits for County Fair must be pre-entered on GREEN Entry Sheet (available at the Extension Office or online) OR entered online at https://nemaha.fairwire.com . Entries are due by June 15th. Any entry not meeting the deadline will forfeit premium money won from that exhibit. Female animals can be entered into both a breeding and market form, but the chosen class must be identified at check-in. The same animal can not be shown in both a breeding and market class. Exhibitors do have the right to present an appeal to the 4-H Council. If the council decides they were late due to unavoidable circumstances, they may vote to waive the penalty. Appeals must be made prior to July 31 to 4-H Council.

C. OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS - Beef, sheep, dairy cattle, dairy/pygmy goats, meat goat, horse, swine, rabbit, poultry, dog, cat or other companion animal project animal may be owned:

1. Solely by the exhibitor or
2. In partnership by the exhibitor and other members of his/her immediate family (brother/sister). Only the name of the showman can be on the show entry.
3. Horses, dairy animals, and bucket calves may be owned by someone outside the immediate family, provided the owner signs the ownership affidavit on the back of the Identification Certificate giving permission for use of the animal. Also, the exhibitor must manage feeding, grooming, exercising, training and stall management, and have use of the animal as a project animal at least 75% of the time during the project year.

D. GENERAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ANIMALS

1. Only animals not showing signs of infectious or contagious diseases will be allowed to show. Under no circumstances may animals under quarantine be exhibited.
2. Any animal found to be infected with an infectious, contagious or otherwise transmissible disease, or is suspected of being so affected or exposed shall be removed immediately to a place of quarantine as ordered and directed by an official veterinarian or his authorized agent.
3. Any bird covered with mites during visual inspection will be sent home and not allowed to show. If judge finds mites during judging, animal will be sent home.
4. Animals that have active ringworm, visible warts or abscesses, will not be allowed to remain on the premises and be exhibited.
5. The inspecting veterinarian may judge the ringworm to be inactive if the lesion is not encrusted and hair has begun regrowth in the area.
6. Animals with warts that are visible by a hands-off inspection will not be allowed to remain on the premises and be exhibited.
7. Animals that have visible abscesses will not be allowed to remain on the premises and be exhibited.
8. Sheep that have active club lamb fungus as determined by the inspecting veterinarian will not be allowed to remain on the premises and to be exhibited.

STATE FAIR HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: See State Fair Book.

E. LARGE ANIMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - Nebraska Origin

1. BEEF AND DAIRY CATTLE - See POLICY ON RINGWORM, WARTS, AND ABSCESSES above. NO Tuberclosis or Brucellosis tests are required to exhibit.
2. SHEEP AND GOATS - See POLICY ON RINGWORM, WARTS AND ABSCESSES above. All sheep and goats being exhibited, need to be individually identified with official USDA scrapie ID. Under no circumstances may sheep and goats be exhibited which originate from scrapie-source flocks or scrapie-infected flocks.
3. SWINE - All Swine shall originate directly from any herd not under quarantine for pseudo rabies, and:

• A Stage IV or V county; or
• A pseudo rabies qualified herd; or
• Be individually tested and classified negative for pseudo rabies within 30 days prior to exhibition.

4. HORSES – County fair – no tests required. For State Fair- (Animals that are used in live animal demonstrations), should be accompanied by an official health certificate issued within 30 days of exhibition. NO coggins test required.

A. LIGIBILITY OF EXHIBITORS - See General Rules.

B. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENTRY- The responsibility for making proper entry rests with the 4-H/FFA member. The division superintendents will check all entries to ensure all animals are properly identified on the appropriate ownership affidavit. Animals not being cared for by the exhibitor and/or exhibitor family may be sent home at the discretion of the Overall Livestock Superintendent, Area Superintendent, & Extension Staff. Exhibitors will be given a warning, and if the lack of care is not corrected immediately, then the animal may be sent home, the exhibitor will lose any ribbon premium earned with that animal, and the animal will not be eligible for Premium Sale if it is a market animal.

C. ETHICS AFFIDAVIT - All Horse, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy (cattle or goat), Meat Goat, Rabbit, and Poultry exhibitors must complete a “Nemaha County Livestock Show Ethics Affidavit and Statement of Disclosure.”

D. ELIGIBILITY OF ANIMALS - Animals shown in 4-H/FFA shows may be shown in Open Class but cannot be shown by the same exhibitor as shown by in the 4-H/FFA Show. All breeding and market animals to be eligible for show in a registered (purebred) class must be owned by the exhibitor by June 15 of the current year and be registered by the official breed association. The registration certificate must indicate the current owner of the animal to be one of the following: (1) the name of the exhibitor, (2) the name of the exhibitor and/or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family, or (3) the family or ranch name or parent’s name. REGISTRATION MUST BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 15. Copies of the registration certificate must be submitted with county and state fair pre-fair/advanced entries.

E. CONTROL AND REMOVAL OF ANIMALS - Livestock superintendents may require that all animals, weighing 500 lbs. or more (excluding horses) be unloaded into a holding pen before proceeding to a stall. An animal that becomes wild, uncontrollable or sick during the show may be declared ineligible and may be dismissed by the division superintendent. If an exhibitor cannot control the animal, an adult cannot go into the ring to show with the exhibitor (this is for all livestock entries). All animals must be brought before the judge in the designated show area to be judged and will not be judged in the stall with the exception of birds. No animals will be permitted to run at large on the fairgrounds or be ridden in the barn. Animals will not be removed from the fair without the permission of the show superintendent. Any animal removed before the official release time or not stalled will result in forfeiture of all premium money earned by the exhibitor. All animals must remain in the assigned location or area during the fair.

F. ELIGIBILITY FOR RATE OF GAIN - Market livestock will have to be shown at the fair and weighed in at the beef weigh-in by the exhibitor to be eligible for the Rate of Gain Contest.

G. ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS - To be eligible for any scholarships awarded through livestock projects, exhibitors must meet all the deadline requirements for project enrollment, tags, tattoos, IDs, registration papers, YQCA, and entries, for each species where the scholarship award is offered.

H. ANIMAL TESTING AND EXAMINATION - Any animal entered in 4-H/FFA classes is subject to any type of testing at the discretion of either the superintendent, county 4-H Educator / Assistant or official show 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, these 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. An animal that is tampered with to change appearance or weight may be declared ineligible by the division superintendent.

I. YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals) TRAINING - All exhibitors in beef, dairy cattle, goats (dairy, meat, pygmy), sheep, swine, rabbit, and poultry are required to receive YQCA Assurance training or testing through an UNL Extension program prior to exhibiting at the County Fair. Training must be completed by June 15th. Completion of training will be recorded once the 4-H member brings their certificate to the Extension Office. Youth can show with no premiums if completed after the deadline.

J. ARRIVAL DEADLINE -Arrival and entry deadlines for all animals are listed in the schedule of events. Area superintendents may make exceptions for certain situations, provided arrangements are made in advance and approved by the Overall Livestock Superintendent and 4-H/FFA staff.

K. DESIGNATE SHOWMAN - All animals must be shown before the judge by the 4-H/FFA member. Family partnership projects will normally be shown by the designated member, except when an exhibitor has more than one animal in a class. At the weigh-in on entry day, each 4-H/FFA member of a family holding their animals in joint ownership must designate who is going to show each animal.

L. SUBSTITUTE SHOWMAN - An animal must be shown by the 4-H/FFA member who entered it unless the exhibitor is excused by the Division Superintendent because of serious illness, disability due to an injury (e.g. broken arm or leg), or conflict with other livestock classes in a 4-H/FFA show. Conflict with a non-4-H/FFA sponsored event will need prior approval by the Division Superintendent, Overall Superintendent, and Extension Educator &/or Assistant. Only animals exhibited by their owners will receive ribbons or prizes unless the owners are excused by the Superintendent. An exhibitor who has more than one animal in a class need not secure approval for another 4-H/FFA member, eligible to exhibit livestock, to show the additional animal in the class. Substitute showman must be a 4-H/FFA member exhibiting at current fair. The substitute does not have to be enrolled in that specific project but should be knowledgeable of it is required to check in with the show superintendent and adhere to all dress code and other showmanship rules.

M. ANIMAL SUBSTITUTIONS - Within the same class or division, substituting a different animal for a pre-entered animal, provided the substitute meets all ownership, identification and eligibility rules, is acceptable and does not require prior approval. Substitutions between divisions, except within Breeding Beef, Dairy, and Goat are not allowed (i.e. a market lamb cannot be substituted for a breeding sheep entry.) For Breeding Beef, Dairy and Dairy Goat, where each breed is listed as a separate division, substitutions between divisions is allowed (i.e. an Angus heifer can substitute for a Charolais heifer).

N. DRESS CODE – See General Rules.
O. HAY, GRAIN OR BEDDING - Will not be permitted on the grounds for sale to exhibitors. Exhibitors will furnish their own feed. All stalls must use approved bedding furnished by the Ag Society. The Ag Society reserves the right to exclude any animal(s) from competition if this rule is not observed by the exhibitor.

P. GROOMING OF LIVESTOCK

1. Caring for and grooming the animals are the responsibility of the 4-H/FFA member; however, immediate family members, club leaders, and other current 4-H members/FFA can help. Professional help will not be allowed. The 4-H/FFA member must be present for all grooming unless he or she is in the show ring.
2. Swine must be shown without oil, powder or any other coat dressing compounds considered objectionable by the packer. Pigs found in violation will be disqualified from the live show.
3. Exhibitors shall not add materials, natural or synthetic, which extend body shapes beyond normal limits. Exhibitors may not use products containing color additives or color transfer.
4. 4-H Livestock Show - Blow & Go: all beef, swine, sheep and goats may be clipped, blown and brushed or combed to enhance their appearance.
5. Upon violation of the above rules, the exhibitor’s animal involved will forfeit their premium money or be disqualified from the show.

Q. EQUIPMENT - Livestock Superintendents have the authority to dictate where blocking chutes are to be located and when kick boards (6-8 inches) must be used. There can be one blocking chute per exhibitor or if two exhibitors (family), one chute under the roof. No blowers are to run within the livestock arena facility during a show. Families are to provide their own equipment to care for and prepare animals for show (example: shovels, scoops, rakes, buckets, brushes, etc.).

R. STATE FIRE MARSHALL - The use of flammable and combustible grooming sprays inside the barns is strictly forbidden. These types of materials must be used outside the buildings only. NO SMOKING IN THE LIVESTOCK BARNS.

S. AUTHORITY - Extension personnel, in cooperation with superintendents (within their respective area of responsibility) and the 4-H Council, shall have the authority to make all decisions in accordance with rules and regulations set forth in this Fair Book. Superintendents for each division will oversee entries to be allowed as room allows. See “Protest Committee” under General Rules for guidance if protesting a decision.

T. FAIR CLEAN UP - DAILY AND AT CLOSE OF FAIR- Exhibitors failing to clean their stalls, alleys and assigned area each day of the fair and at the close of the fair will forfeit their premium money.

U. BORN & RAISED CLASS -A class for market animals where the animals must have been born, raised, and fed within the operation of a youth’s immediate family (family, grandparent, sibling, uncle, or aunt) in Nemaha County or in the county where the youth lives. Champion & Reserve Champion Born & Raised will be awarded and be able to come back for the Grand Market Champion. The animals must be ID’d by the deadline day for the Born & Raised class.

V. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION ANIMAL SHOWING - Youth can request accommodation to be able to participate in showing animals. See page 8 for details on the Special Accommodation Policy.