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 rules for that department. 

  1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITORS
    1. An exhibitor must be an enrolled 4-H Member. Exhibitors must be enrolled by June15th. 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 to 18 years of age inclusive on January 1 of the current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year when the member becomes 19.
  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 in the Fair Schedule. Exhibitors are not permitted to remove any article or animal from exhibition until the scheduled time without the written permission of the area superintendent.
      2. To remove animals before the scheduled time, an Animal Dismissal Form must be completed for each animal entry that is being removed. SEE APPENDEX A FOR “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. DISCLAMER 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 accepts exhibits and will exercise due care to protect them. However, Pawnee County 4-H and the Pawnee County Ag Society 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 Pawnee County 4-H and the Pawnee County Ag Society to protect patrons/participants of the Pawnee County Fair, each individual will be held personally responsible for any injury, accident and/pr loss.
    3. Substance Abuse
      1. The use and possession of tobacco, alcoholic beverages or drugs (except for medical purposes) by any 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 Count 4-H Program. A report of all accidents must be made to the 4-H office on the fairgrounds or at the extension office at the courthouse withing 24 hours of the accident. Your claim must be filed and presented to the extension office withing 10 days of the accident. SEE APPENDIX B FOR “ACCIDENT REPORT FORM”
  5. PROTEST OR APEALS COMMITTEE
    1. The superintendents of each division at the Pawnee County Fair have the authority to make the appropriate decisions based on the rules and regulations of the Pawnee County Fair. 
    2. The division superintendent 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.
      1. All protests and appeals must be submitted in writing and signed. A written protest or appeal must be submitted to the Pawnee County Extension Staff. The staff will convene the committee for their deliberations.
      2. Written protests or appeals must include the following:
        1. Names of people involved
        2. Nature of concerns
        3. Situation and documentation
        4. Recommendations for correction
        5. Specific Action, rules, etc. in question
        6. Additional persons committee may contact for further clarification
        7. Procedures and/or steps carried out by the person involved prior to the submission of the protest to the Extension Staff person.
      3. 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 actions to the Extension Staff in writing prior to communicating with the affected group or individual. 
      4. In cases of protest the exhibitor may be allowed to show pending the results of the committee’s decision. Results of this show may be subject to change based on the outcome of the protest process.
      5. The show management reserves the right to withhold premium and/or award. The exhibitor may be excluded from the show if action warrants.
      6. The appeals process is limited to the 4-H exhibitor, parent and volunteer leader.
      7. Protests will not be accepted after the exhibit is released from the Pawnee County Fair. Protests related to judges’ integrity, decisions, placing and/or other evaluations will not be accepted. 
      8. SEE APPENDEX C FOR “PROTEST AND APPEALS COMMITTEE FORM
  6. RIBBONS AND PREMIUMS AWARDED
    1. Exhibits are judged according to research-based standards that indicate the level of performance or quality of work. Purple will denote superior exhibits, blue will denote excellent exhibits, red will denote a good exhibit, and white will denote an acceptable exhibit. Clover Kid ribbons denote participation and will receive a participation ribbon. 
    2. Exhibits must be purple to be named champion or reserve champion and/or qualify for related special awards. Special awards include trophies, plaques, medals and medallions. 
    3. Static exhibits must have received a purple at the Pawnee County Fair to advance to the Nebraska State Fair. 
  7. SPECIAL AWARDS
    1. No special awards will be presented unless they have been approved byt the 4-H Foundation.
  8. FORFEIT OF PREMIUM
    1. Exhibitors will forfeit their ribbon premium money under the following situations if not previously approved by the 4-H Foundation:
      1. Late 4-H Enrollment
      2. Late County Fair On-Line Entries
      3. Failure to meet dress code requirements
  9. SECURITY & FAIRGROUND USE
    1. The 4-H Static Exhibit building will be closed and locked at night.
    2. All people crossing the snow fence west of the livestock and horse barns will be charged admission starting at 6pm on Friday night and 6pm on Saturday night during the fair. This includes 4-H members tending to livestock.
    3. Anyone who is found west of the snow fence after 6pm on either Friday or Saturday night without proper paid admission, will be charged admission on the spot or will be escorted out.
  10. VIOLATION OF RULES
    1. The exhibitor is subject to loss of premium monies, ribbons, and other awards and/or elimination from the show.
      1. No persons, except the judges on duty, exhibitors, ring assistants, Extension Staff or authorized Pawnee County Ag Society/Pawnee County 4-H Foundation Members will be allowed inside ethe 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 competition.
      3. If the Pawnee County Ag Society is provided with satisfactory information that a premium has been obtained by fraud, then such premiums 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. All ineligible items will not be judged and will not be displayed. 
  12. ADVERTISING
    1. The distribution of advertising matters is strictly prohibited and the tackling of advertising matters on buildings will not be permitted. Exhibitors may distribute advertising matters from their place of exhibit only. 

GENERAL LIVESTOCK RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
    1. All large and small animal project exhibits for the Pawnee County Fair need to pe pre-registered at https://pawnee.fairwire.com by June 15th of the fair year.
    2. All livestock will be checked in at the designated times determined by the 4-H Foundation. An alternative check-in waver must be filled out and approved by Extension Staff, Species Superintendent, and overall Pawnee County Fair 4-H Superintendent. SEE APPENDIX J FOR “ALTERNATIVE CHECK IN FORM”
    3. Companion Animals (cat, dog, small animals) exhibits for pre-fair shows need to pre entered (requirements vary based on multi-county host location) and an Animal Identification Form must be completed. 
  2. GENERAL ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION
    1. All animals need to be identified with an identification number and ownership certified on identification/ownership affidavit due in the Extension Office by the identification deadline. SEE APPENDEX D FOR “ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION GUIDELINES
      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 an animal be exhibited which originates from scrapie-source flocks or scrapie-infected flocks. 
      2. Call the scrapie toll free number 866-USDA-TAG (866-873-2824, Select option for Epidemiologist officer) to request official ear tags, a flock ID number and/or for any additional information. It takes time for these to arrive, plan ahead!
      3. Multiple siblings may be listed on a single animal identification if it does not exceed maximum entries per animal species. Only youth identified on the identification/Ownership Affidavit will be allowed to exhibit at the Pawnee County Fair. 
      4. All identification information must be filled out completely
  3. OWNERSHIP OF ANIMALS
    1. All animals in each species may be owned or leased.
      1. An owned animal is identified as one solely owned by the 4-H exhibitor or immediate family member.
      2. A leased animal is identified as an 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.
        1. The 4-H member must participate in learning about the care, training, feeding, and other management practices associated with the animal they are leased by performing an agreed upon amount of work identified by the owner and youth. SEE APPENDIX E FOR ANIMAL LEASE AGREEMENT FORM
  4. GENERAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL ANIMALS
    1. Animals must be in good health to be exhibited and/or stalled. Animals who appear malnourished, injured, or sick will be quarantined until a veterinarian checks 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 animals is determined by the veterinarian.
  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 is subject to any type of testing at the discretion of either the superintendent or official show veterinarian. 
    2. If the results of testing indicate the possible use of compounds or drugs not approved for used 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. 
    3. An animal that is tampered with to change appearance or weight may be declared ineligible by superintendent.
  7. QUALITY ASSURANCE TRAINING
    1. ALL exhibitors showing livestock (beef, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits) must have received quality assurance training (YQCA Training) prior to the June 15th entry deadline. Certificates for completing must be submitted to the Extension Office by the June 15th deadline. 
  8. FAMILY LIVESTOCK PROJECTS
    1. At weigh-in on entry day, each 4-H member of a family holding their animals in joint ownership must designate who is showing each animal. 
  9. SUBSTITUTE SHOWMAN
    1. An animal must be shown before the judges by the 4-H member who entered it unless the exhibitor is excused by the division superintendent because of serious illness, disability due to and injury (i.e. Broken arm or leg) 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 showman who is eligible to exhibit livestock to show the additional animal(s) in the class.
    3. 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 specific project but should be knowledgeable of it. The substitute is required to check in with the show superintendent and adhere to all dress code and other showmanship rules. 
  10. ANIMAL SUBSTITIONS
    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 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 separate division, substitutions between divisions are allowed (i.e. an Angus heifer can substitute for a Charolais heifer). 
  11. GROOMING OF LIVESTOCK
    1. Caring for and grooming the animals are primarily the responsibility of the 4-H members; however, immediate family members, 4-H club leaders and other 4-H members can help. The FFA chapter advisor 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. Swine must be shown without hairdressing compounds. This includes oil, power or any other coat dressing compound considered objectionable by the packer. Only unadulterated water is permitted. 
    3. Exhibitors shall not add materials, natural or synthetic, which extend to body shape beyond normal limits.
    4. Upon violation of the above rules, the exhibitor’s animal involved may lower one or two ribbon placing(s) or may be disqualified from the show.
  12.  HAY GRAIN OR BEDDING
    1. Feed must be furnished by exhibitors at their own expense. Bedding is provided by the Pawnee County Ag Society. All stalls must use approved bedding. 
  13. DRESS CODE
    1. Livestock exhibitors are required to wear a white show T-shirt (purchased from the Extension Office) and dark blue jeans. Dairy cattle and dairy goat exhibitors may wear jeans or white pants.
    2. Horse exhibitors can wear a white show T-shirt or a long sleeve shirt with an armband for horse events.
    3. Shoes or boots that provide adequate protection and comfort or the exhibitor is preferred. Hard soled shoes or boots are required in beef divisions.
    4. No hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be worn in the show ring, except for horse exhibitors.
    5. Exhibitors must wear their exhibitor number when they are in the ring. 
  14. BORN AND RAISED CLASS
    1. This class is for market animals where the animals must be born, raised, and fed within the operations of a 4-H’ers immediate family (family, grandparent, sibling, uncle, or aunt) in Pawnee County or in the county the 4-H’er lives. The animal must be ID’d by the deadline day to only ONE 4-H youth for the Born & Raised class, in addition this entry will not count against the max number of entries. 
  15. AWARDS STRUCTURE
    1. To be eligible to compete as 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 be awarded a Champion or Reserve Champion award.
  16. LIVESTOCK PREMIUM SALE
    1. The 4-H Livestock Premium Sale is a promotional activity for the Pawnee County 4-H Program. One of the goals of the sale is for the 4-H member to show the county his/her achievements in the livestock project. 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.
    2. Rules
      1. All market animals in the sale must be signed up by 7pm on the Friday of the fair. Sign up information should be turned in at the Extension Show Office located in the Poultry & Rabbit barn.
      2. 4-H’ers may only sign up an animal which they showed during the fair, not just an animal they have ID’d.
      3.  Youth must be present at the sale, or their animal will not be shown. All 4-H members must wear official 4-H shirts when taking their animals through the 4-H premium sale.
      4. Each exhibitor is allowed to sell two (2) market animals. Livestock shown as a pen of three count as “one market animal” as they are shown as on single entry.
      5. Sale weight will be the weight at fair check-in. No re-weights are allowed.
      6. To qualify for the sale, animals must be entered into the market classes and meet weight requirements.
      7. Following the sale, youth are expected to thank their buyer in person and send them a thank you letter.
  17. DAILY AND AT CLOSE OF FAIR CLEAN UP
    1. Exhibitors failing to clean their stalls, alleys and assigned area each day of the fair and at the closure of the fair will forfeit all their premium money.
  18. AUTHORITY
    1. Each division superintendent, with the approval of the Overall Livestock Superintendent, shall have the authority to make all decisions within their respective area of responsibility in accordance with the 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 is 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 division are automatically considered as participants in the Showmanship Contest and are 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. Showmanship judging is based on preparation of animals for show, their apparent training and the appearance and 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 – Showmanship resource books are available at the Extension Office.
    1. Livestock –Guide for Evaluating Livestock Showmanship Contests (4-H 357)
    2. Horse –Nebraska 4-H Horse Show and Judging Guide (4-H 373) 
    3. Dairy – Uniform Scorecard for Judging Junior Dairy Fitting & Showmanship Contest (4-H 466) 
    4. Poultry – National Poultry Judging (4-H 460) 
    5. Rabbit – Judging Rabbits and in the Level 2 Rabbit manual (4-H 257) 
  5. DISQUALIFICATION 
    1. The division superintendents may disqualify any 4-H’er from showmanship for any violations of rules or unsportsmanlike conduct of the County Fair. 
  6. SHOWMANSHIP DIVISIONS: 
    1. FFA- Out of School Division- (19-21) 
    2. Senior Division- (14-18) 
    3. Intermediate Division- (11-13) 
    4. Junior Division- (8-10) 
    5. Adaptive Division- (8-18) Noncompetitive, 4-H’er is allowed to have a “buddy” in the ring, 4-H’er may or may not come back for other classes (market, breeding, etc.) Animals are assigned to Adaptive Division Youth only. 
  7. ROUND ROBIN SHOWMANSHIP: 
    1. CONTEST: Champion Overall Showmanship winners have the chance to compete head-to-head for the Champion Round Robin Showman. One Showman will be selected from the Champion Junior, Intermediate, Senior or Out of School Showman from 4-H/FFA Beef, Sheep, Swine and Meat Goats. However, he/she may decline, and the 2nd Place Showman may take his/her place in the competition. 
    2. CONTEST RULES: 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 use a numerical scoring system to grade everyone. The contestant with the most total points at the end will be declared the winner. If a 
    3. 4-H/FFA exhibitor wins the right to compete in more than one species in the same year, then he/she must choose which species they will represent. The 2nd Place Showman from the species chosen will then be eligible yo participate. 
    4. Livestock Superintendents will assist in finding appropriate animals to be used for the contest. 

HERDSMANSHIP

 

  1. HERDSMANSHIP RESPONSIBILITY 
    1. Herdsmanship duties are the responsibility of the 4-H members, not leaders and parents. 
    2. It is the 4-H member’s responsibility to assist his or 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 always conduct. All poultry and rabbits always 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 member’s exhibit. 
  2. JUDGING 
    1. Herdsmanship begins at the time 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 any time between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. 
    3. Each livestock division: beef, sheep, dairy, goats, swine, horse, rabbit and poultry will be judged separately. Awards will be given to each livestock division. 
    4. Rating for herdsmanship judging will be posted. Ratings will be made on club basis in the division stated above. 
  3. ANIMALS
    1. All animals should be in their stalls or pens between 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. 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 8:00 a.m. Manure and wet bedding should be collected on a need 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 hersdmanship 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 guide in judging club exhibits for herdsmanship. 
Animals: clean always, with proper grooming, feeding, bedding and care apparent. 15 
Stalls: clean and neat; bedding clean and fresh; feed and feed pans and buckets clean and in place. Exhibitor’s signs identifying stalls and tack area clearly in place. 25 
Tack and Feed area: 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 kept under control with proper sweeping and/or sprinkling. Wheelbarrows kept outside. 25 
Exhibitors: proper courtesy and conduct always shown by exhibitors and in all places including with the public and other exhibitors. Exhibitors are expected to do the herdsmanship. 25 
Total 100