Pawnee County Fair Rules and Regulations

GENERAL RULES

The following rules apply to all departments. Rules which apply specifically to a particular department will be listed under the rules for that department.

  1. Eligibility requirements for exhibitors

    1. An exhibitor must be enrolled as a 4-H member on 4-H online or be an active member of the FFA Chapter by June 15th of the fair year to exhibit at the Pawnee County Fair and the Nebraska State Fair. There will be no discrimination because of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.
    2. Accommodation for exhibitors with special needs will be granted and the superintendent, 4-H Foundation and/or Extension Educator will be made aware of the exhibitor’s special needs.
    3. A 4-H member must be 8-18 years of age inclusive on January 1st of the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19 years of age. FFA Members can show up to four years after their graduation year from high school.

  2. Exhibit Entries

    1. General
      1. Youth may exhibit one entry per class unless otherwise noted. No Entry can compete in more than one class.
      2. Youth may not show the same animal or static exhibit in two separate counties. In addition, 4-H members are not allowed to show multiple large and small animal exhibits under the same project in more than one county. 
    2. Exhibits Released
      1. The release time for the Pawnee County Fair will be listed on the County Fair Schedule. No exhibitor is allowed to remove any article or animal from the exhibition until the scheduled time without the permission of the area superintendent.
      2. To remove animal(s) before the scheduled time, the Animal Dismissal Form must be completed for each animal that is to be removed. See the appendix for the Animal Dismissal Form.

  3. FFA Member Eligibility

    1. FFA members are considered 4-H members and will adhere to all 4-H rules and regulations.

  4. Disclaimer of responsibility at the Pawnee County Fair.

    1. Exhibits
      1. 4-H exhibits at the Pawnee County Fair are entered and displayed at the risk of the 4-H member. The University of Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development, in cooperation with the Pawnee County Ag Society and Pawnee County 4-H Foundation accepts exhibits and will exercise due care to protect them. However, the University of Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development, Pawnee County Ag Society, and the Pawnee County 4-H Foundation cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may occur to exhibits or exhibitors. 4-H members who have exhibits of great sentimental and/or monetary value should carefully consider whether such exhibits should be exposed to the hazards of the fair.
    2. Patrons/Participants
      1. While the greatest possible care will be exercised by the University of Nebraska Extension 4-H Youth Development Staff, Pawnee County Ag Society, and the Pawnee County 4-H Foundation to protect patrons/participants of the Pawnee County Fair, everyone will be held personally responsible for any injury, accident and/or loss.
    3. Substance Abuse
      1. The use and possession of tobacco, alcoholic beberages, or drugs (except for medical purposes) by an exhibitor who is participating in  4-H at the Pawnee County Fair will result in immediate disqualification of that exhibitor’s entries.
    4. Insurance
      1. Accident insurance (medical) is carried on 4-H members in the Pawnee County 4-H Program. A report of all accidents must be made to the 4-H Office on the Fairgrounds or the Extension Office at the Courthouse within 24 hours of the accident. Your claim must be filed with the Extension Office within 10 days of the accident. See the Appendix for the Accident Report Form.

  5. Protest or Appeals Committee

    1. The superintendents of each division at the Pawnee County Fair have the authority to make the appropriate decisions based on rules and regulations of the Pawnee County Fair.
    2. The division superintendents and designated members of the Pawnee County Ag Society will serve as the Protest and Appeals Committee. They will meet when needed to act upon any protest or appeals.
    3. All protests or appeals must be submitted in writing and signed. Written protests or appeals must be submitted to the County Extension Staff. The County Extension staff will convene the committee for their deliberations.
    4. Written Protest of Appeals must be on the Protest and Appeals Committee Form, found in the appendix, and include the following:
      1. Name/s of person/people involved.
      2. Nature of concerns
      3. Situation and documentation
      4. Recommendations for correction
      5. Specific action, rule/s, etc. in question
      6. Additional person committee may contact for further clarification
      7. Procedures and/or steps carried out by the person involved prior to submission of the protest to the Extension Staff.
    5. The committee will review the written protest. They may discuss the situation with anyone they feel has knowledge of the situation. The committee’s recommendation or decision will be communicated both verbally and in writing to the group or individuals affected. The committee will recommend appropriate action to the Extension Staff in writing prior to communicating with the affected group or individuals affected.
    6. In cases of protest the exhibitor may be allowed to show pending the results of the committee’s decision. The results of this show may be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process.
    7. The show management reserves the right to withhold premiums and/or awards. The exhibitor may be excluded from the show if actions warrant.
    8. The appeals process is limited to the 4-H exhibitor, parent and/or volunteer leader.
    9. Protests will not be accepted after the exhibit is released from the Pawnee County Fair. Protests related to the judges’ integrity, decisions, placing and/or other evaluations will not be accepted.
    10. See the appendix for the Protest and Appeals Committee Form.

  6. Ribbons and Premiums Awarded

    1. Exhibits are judged according to research-based standards that indicate the performance or quality of work. Purple will denote superior exhibits, Blue will denote and excellent exhibit, Red will denote a good exhibit, and White will denote an acceptable exhibit. Clover Kid Rainbow ribbons denote participation.
    2. Exhibits must receive Purple Ribbons to be named Champion or Reserve Champion and/or to qualify for related special awards including, but not limited to, trophies, plaques, banners, medals and medallions.
    3. All static exhibits must receive a Purple ribbon at the Pawnee County Fair to advance to the State Fair. Please note, receiving a Purple ribbon does not automatically advance the exhibit to the Nebraska State Fair. The Nebraska 4-H State Office limits the number of Static projects each county can bring to the Nebraska State Fair. These quotas are based on county 4-H enrollment and set by the State 4-H office.  

  7. Special Awards

    1. No special awards will be presented unless they have been approved by the Pawnee County 4-H Foundation.

  8. Forfeit of Premium

    1. Exhibitors will forfeit their ribbon premium monies under the following situations if not previously approved by the Pawnee Count 4-H Foundation.
      1. Late 4-H Enrollment
      2. Late Pre-Fair Entry and/or Late Animal Identification Forms
      3. Failure to meet dress code requirements

  9. Security and Fairgrounds Use

    1. The 4-H Static Exhibit building will be closed and locked at night.
    2. No livestock hauling trailers, or any trailers used for hauling livestock are allowed to park west of the beef, poultry/rabbit or horse barns.
    3. All people crossing over the west side of the snow fence will be charged admission starting at 6:00 PM on Friday night and 3:00 PM on Saturday night of given dates at fair time. This includes all person/s tending to 4-H livestock.

  10. Violation of Rules

    1. Exhibitors are subject to loss of premium monies, ribbons, other awards and/or elimination from the show/s.
      1. No person, except for the judge on duty, ring assistance, extension staff and exhibitors are allowed inside the arena during the judging of entries.
      2. No person shall be allowed to interfere with a judge; any exhibitor who, by letter or otherwise, does so will be excluded from the competition.
      3. If the Pawnee County Ag Society, Pawnee County 4-H Foundation or Extension Staff is provided satisfactory information that a premium has been obtained by fraud, then such premium/s shall be withheld for disobedience to the rules.

  11. Disqualifications/Judging

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

  12. Advertising

    1. The distribution of advertising matters is strictly prohibited and tacking of advertising matters on buildings will not be permitted. Exhibitors may distribute advertising matters from their place of exhibit only.

GENERAL LIVESTOCK RULES & REGULATIONS

The following rules apply to all livestock and horse entries. Rules which apply specifically to a particular department will be listed under the rules for that department.

  1. Entry Requirements

    1. All large and small animal project exhibits for the Pawnee County Fair need to pe pre-entered at http://www.pawnee.fairwire.com and, if applicable, the appropriate Animal Identification Forms by June 15th of the current year.
    2. Livestock check-in:
      1. All livestock and horses will be checked in at designated times determined by the 4-H Foundation. An alternative check-in waver will need to be completed for each animal entry unable to check in at these specified times. See the Pawnee County Fair Schedule for these scheduled check-in times. Alternative check in times are subject to approval by extension staff, the species superintendent, and overall fair superintendent. See the appendix for the Alternative Check-In Form.
      2. Companion animals (cat, dog, small animals) exhibits for pre-fair shows need to be pre-entered (requirements vary based on multi-county host locations) and an Animal Identification Form needs to be completed.

  2. General Animal Identification

    1. All goats and sheep, both market and breeding, must be individually identified with USDA official ID (part of the scrapie eradication program). Under no circumstances may animals be exhibited which originate from scrapie-source flocks or crappie-infected flocks.
    2. Call the scrapie toll free number 866-USDA-TAG (886-873-2824) and select option 7 for an epidemiologist officer to request official ear tags at no cost and/or a flock ID number or for additional information. It takes roughly two weeks to arrive, so plan ahead!
    3. Multiple siblings may be listed on a single animal identification if it does not exceed the maximum entries per animal species. Only youth identified with pre-entries will be allowed to exhibit the animal at the Pawnee County Fair.
    4. All Identification must be filled out completely.

  3. Ownership of Animals

    1. Beef, sheep, dairy cattle, goat, horse, swine, rabbit, poultry, dog, cat, or other small animal projects may be owned or leased.
      1. An owned animal is defined as one solely owned by the exhibitor or immediate family member (mother, father, sibling).
      2. A leased animal is  defined as animal owned by someone outside their immediate family but will be shown only by the 4-H leasing member during the duration of the lease. Leased animals may not be shown by any other person in another 4-H show, open show, FFA show, Jackpot show, or Expo.
    2. The 4-H member must participate in learning about the care, training, feeding, and other management practices associated with the animal they are leasing by performing an agreed upon amount of work identified by the owner and youth. A Animal Lease Agreement Form is required for leased animals. See the appendix for a generic Animal Lease Agreement Form.

  4. General Health Requirements for all Animals

    1. Animals must be in good health to be exhibited and/or stalled at the Pawnee County Fair. Animals who appear malnourished, injured, or sick will be quarantined until a veterinarian can check them or they will be sent home.
    2. Animals that have active ringworms, visible warts, or abscesses will not be sent home unless removal of the animal is determined by the veterinarian. The decision made by the veterinarian representing the fair is final.

  5. Eligibility, Control and Removal of Animals

    1. Unruly or questionable animals may be declared ineligible to show and dismissed from the premises by appropriate authority. An animal that becomes wild and uncontrollable, or sick during the show may be declared ineligible and dismissed by the appropriate authority.

  6. Animal Testing and Examination

    1. Any animal entered in 4-H classes are subject to any type of testing at the discretion of either the species superintendent, overall superintendent or official show veterinarian.
    2. If the results of testing indicates the possible use of compounds or drugs not approved for use in that species by the FDA or compounds or drugs used outside the species withdrawal requirements of the FDA, these animals will be declared ineligible for competition and awards.
    3. An animal that is tampered with to change appearance or weight may be declared ineligible by the species superintendent, overall superintendent or official show veterinarian. 

  7. Quality Assurance Training & Horse Level Training

    1. All exhibitors showing livestock must obtain a Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate and turn it in at the Extension Office prior to June 15th of the current year. 
    2. All exhibitors showing horses must have, at minimum, level one horse training completed and on file at the Extension office prior to the June 15th deadline. 

  8. Family Livestock Projects

    1. At weigh-in on entry day, each 4-H member of a family holding their animal in joint ownership must designate who is going to show each animal by checking in.

  9. Substitute Showman

    1. An animal must be shown before they judge by the 4-H member who entered it unless the exhibitor is excused by the species superintendent because of serious illness, disability due to an injury (i.e. broken leg or arm) or conflict with other livestock classes. In a 4-H Show. 
    2. An exhibitor who has more than one animal in a class needs to secure a substitute 4-H showman who is eligible to exhibit livestock to  show the additional animal/s in the class.
    3. The substitute showman must be a 4-H member who can assist with showing a specific animal species. The substitute does not have to be enrolled in that project but should be knowledgeable of it. The substitute is required to check in the species superintendent and adhere to all dress code and other showmanship rules. 

  10. Animal Substitutions

    1. Within the same class or division, substituting a different animal for a pre-entered AND identified animal is allowed at/during check-in. Substitutions between divisions, except within Breeding Beef, Dairy and Goats, are not allowed (i.e. a market lamb cannot be substituted for a breeding sheep entry). For Breeding Beef, Dairy and Goats, where each breed is listed as a sperate division, substitution between divisions is allowed. (i.e. Registered breeds can be shown as commercial.)

  11. Grooming of Livestock

    1. Caring for and grooming the animals is primarily the responsibility of the 4-H member; however, immediate family members, 4-H club leaders and other 4-H members can help. FFA Chapter advisors and FFA members can also assist. PROFESSIONAL HELP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED! The 4-H member must be present for all grooming unless he or she is in the show ring. 
    2. All 4-H livestock shows will be Blow and Go.
      1. Animals may be clipped, blown and brushed or combed to enhance their appearance.
      2. All animals will be shown free of any adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products. Any compounds that have adhesive qualities that, when applied, cannot be combed or brushed through or alter the color of the animal are forbidden.
      3. Alcohol, water, oil, foam or any water or alcohol-based products with no adhesives or glue qualities, or artificial colorings are permitted.
      4. Any animal found to have prohibited products applied (adhesive, glue, paint, or powder products) will be disqualified from competition. Any premiums (physical or monetary) will be forfeited.

  12. Hay, Grain or Bedding

    1. Feed must be furnished by exhibitors at their own expense. Bedding is provided by the Ag Society. All stalls must use approved bedding.

  13. Dress Code

    1. Livestock exhibitors are required to wear an approved 4-H show shirt and dark blue jeans. Dairy Cattle and Dairy Goat exhibitors may wear jeans or white pants.
    2. Horse exhibitors are required to wear a long sleeve button up white blouse/dress shirt with a 4-H armband & hat for horse events.
    3. Shoes or boots providing adequate protection and comfort for the exhibitor are preferred. Hard-soled shoes or boots are required in the beef division.
    4. No hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be warn in the show ring, except for horse exhibitors.
    5. Each exhibitor must where their exhibitor numbers when in the show ring.

  14. Born and Raised Classes

    1. NEW classes for breeding and market animals where the animals must have been born, raised, and fed with-in the operation of a 4-H’ers immediate family (family, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle) in Pawnee County or in the country which the 4-H’er lives. The animals must be ID’d by the June 15th Deadline.

  15. Awards Structure

    1. To be eligible to compete for Champion or Reserve Champion, the animal must be awarded a first or second purple ribbon in the class. To be eligible to compete for Supreme Champion or Supreme Reserve Champion, the animal must have been awarded the Champion or Reserve Champion awards.

  16. Livestock Premium Sale

    1. The 4-H Livestock Premium Sale is a promotional activity for the Pawnee County 4-H Program. One off the goals of the sale is for 4-H members to show the county his/her achievements in their livestock projects. This premium sale is for market livestock only. Exhibitors will sell their animals for a premium only, meaning 4-H’ers will retain ownership of the animal in addition to receiving the winning bids premium
      1. Livestock Premium Sale Rules:
        1. To be included in the sale, all market animals but be signed up by 7 PM on the Friday of the fair on a form provided by the Extension Office Staff.
        2. 4-H’ers may only sign up animals which they showed during the fair, not just an animal which they ID’d.
        3. The 4-H youth must be present at the sale, or their animal will not be shown.
        4. All 4-H members must wear official 4-H show shirts, or a county provided shirt, when taking their animals through the   4-H premium sale.
        5. Each exhibitor is allowed to sell two (2) market animals. Livestock shown as a pen of three, count as one (1) as they are shown as one single entry.
        6. Sale weight will be the weight at weigh-in. No reweights will be allowed.
        7. To qualify for the sale, animals must be entered into the market classes and meet the weight requirements.
          1. Market Beef
          2. Market Broiler
          3. Market Meat Goat
          4. Market Rabbit
          5. Market Lamb
          6. Market Swine
        8. Following the sale, youth are expected to thank their buyer in person at the sale and then send them a personalized thank you note after the fair concludes. 

  17. Daily and End of Fair Clean-up

    1. Exhibitors failing to clean their stalls, alleys and assigned areas each day of the fair and/or at the conclusion of the fair will forfeit their premium monies.

  18. Authority

    1. Each division superintendent with the approval of the overall livestock superintendent shall have the authority to make all decision within their respective area of responsibility in accordance with rules and regulations set forth in this fair book. Livestock superintendents have the authority to dictate where blocking chutes, generators, etc. are to be located. 

  19. State Fire Marshal

    1. The use of flammable and combustible grooming sprays inside the barns are strictly forbidden. These types of materials must be used outside the building only. 

  20. Ethics

    1. Pawnee County follows the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics.

SHOWMANSHIP RULES

  1. Entry Requirements

    1. All 4-H members, who are exhibiting dairy, goat, beef, sheep, swine, horse, dog, cat, rabbit, and poultry divisions are automatically considered and will be registered as participants in the Showmanship Contest and will be  required to participate. Youth who do not participate will not be eligible to participate in the remainder of the show.

  2. Eligibility

    1. All exhibitors must show their own animals to be considered as participants in the Showmanship Contest. The same animal may not be used by more than one member of the same family.

  3. Basis for Judging

    1. Judging showmanship is based on preparation of animals for show, their apparent training and the appearance/behavior of the showman. Minor technical points are not to be over-emphasized, nor do minor infractions disqualify. Primarily in showmanship it is the skill of the showman in presenting the animal before the judge that counts, while individual excellence of the animal does not.

  4. Guidebooks

    1. Showmanship resource books are available at the extension office.
      1. Livestock – Guide for Evaluating Livestock Showmanship Contests     (4-H357)
      2. Horse – Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide (4-H 373)
      3. Dairy – Uniform Scorecard for Judging Junor Dairy Fitting and Showmanship Contest (4-H 466)
      4. Poultry – National Poultry Judging ( 4-H 460)
      5. Rabbit – Judging Rabbits and also in the Level 2 Rabbit manual                ( 4-H 257)

  5. Disqualification

    1. The division superintendents may disqualify any 4-H Member from showmanship for any violation of rules or unsportsmanlike conduct during the Pawnee County Fair.

  6. Showmanship Divisions

    1. Out of School FFA Division – 19 years and older
    2. Senior Division – 14 to 18 years-old
    3. Intermediate Division – 11 to 13 years-old
    4. Junior Division – 18 to 10 years-old
    5. Adaptive Division – 8 to 18 years-old
      1. Noncompetitive
      2. The 4-H member is allowed to have a “buddy” in the ring. 
      3. The 4-H member may or may not come back for other classes (market, breeding, etc.) Animals are assigned to Adaptive Division Youth Only)
    6. Clover Kids – 5 to 7 years-old
      1. Noncompetitive
      2. Clover Kids are welcome to show their showmanship livestock entries at the Clover Kids show if schedules do not permit them to be available during the regular show. 

  7. Round Robin Showmanship

    1. An overall Champion Showman will have the chance to compete head-to-head for the Champion Round Robin Showman. One showman will be selected form the Champion Junior, Intermediate, Senior, or Out of School FFA showman for Beef, Sheep, Swine and Meat Goats. However, he/she may decline, and the second-place showman may take his/her place in the competition.
    2. Contestants will be judged on their ability to handle, show, and present each of the different species. Grooming of animals will not be considered. Contestants will draw numbers to determine which animal they will show. A contestant will not show their own animal. The judge will us a numerical scoring system to grade everyone. The contestant with the most total points at the end will be declared the winner.
    3. If a 4-H/FFA exhibitor wins the right to compete in more than one species in the same year, then he/she must choose what species they will represent. The second-place showman form the species not chosen will be eligible to participate. 
    4. Livestock Superintendents will assist in finding appropriate animals to be used for the Round Robin Contest. 

HERDSMANSHIP 

  1. Herdsmanship Responsibility

    1. Herdsmanship duties are the responsibility of the 4-H member, NOT leaders and parents.
    2. It is the 4-H members responsibility to assist his/her club with feeding and general care of animals, cleaning pens and walkways and presenting their    4-H exhibit to the public. The 4-H members shall show proper courtesy and conduct at all times. All poultry and rabbits require food and water. The 4-H member or a member of his/her club is responsible for their care. If this rule is neglected, the superintendent has the right to release the 4-H members exhibit.

  2. Judging

    1. Herdsmanship begins at the time of a division of livestock is to be in place and ends when the exhibits are released at the close of the fair.
    2. Livestock exhibits may be judged for Herdsmanship at anytime between 8 AM and 8 PM
    3. Each animal divisions, beef, sheep, dairy, goats, swine, horses, rabbit, and poultry will be judged separately. Awards will be given to each livestock division.
    4. Ratings for Herdsmanship judging will be posted. Ratings will be made on a club basis in the division stated above.

  3. Animals

    1. All animals should be in their stalls/pens between 8 AM and 8 PM, except for weighing, washing, showing, and designated exercise periods. All pens and stalls should be clearly identified with the club and exhibitor’s name.
    2. All stalls and pens should be thoroughly cleaned before 8 AM. Manure and wet bedding should be collected on a needed basis throughout the day.
    3. The superintendent of each area reserves the right to release 4-H exhibits that are not properly cared for or have not followed herdsmanship rules.

  4. Club Signs

    1. Uniform Club signs will be permitted. No other signs will be permitted in the barns. No displays will be allowed unless permission is granted from the Extension Office.

  5. Basis of Rating Herdsmanship

    1. Herdsmanship Judges will use the following scoring guidelines in judging club exhibits for herdsmanship.

Description

Points

Animals: Clean aways, with proper grooming, feeding, bedding and care apparent.

      /15

Stalls: Clean and neat; bedding clean and fresh; feed/feed pans and buckets clean and in place. Exhibitor’s signs identifying stalls and tack area clearly in place. 

      /25

Tack & Feed: Kept clean and neatly arranged. Grooming and tie out areas kept clean.

      /10

Alleys: Exhibitors designated alleys and commons areas kept clean, free of equipment, loose dirt and dust, and kept under control with proper sweeping and/or sprinkling. Wheelbarrows kept outside. 

      /25

Exhibitors: Proper courtesy and conduct always sown by exhibitors and in all places. Including with the public and other exhibitors. Exhibitors are expected to do the herdsmanship.  

      /25

Total

        /100