Chase County Livestock/Animals General Rules

Chase County Livestock/Animal

General Rules

1. General Rule – All Chase County Fair General Livestock Rules also apply to 4-H & FFA unless otherwise noted. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor and parent/guardian to be familiar with all applicable rules and regulations.
2. Interpretation of Rules – The Chase County 4-H Council reserves to itself the final and absolute right to interpret, amend or add to these rules and regulations as its judgment may determine, and to settle and determine all matters, questions and differences in regard hereto or otherwise arising out of, connected with, or incident to the fair. All decisions will be made by judges in “real time”. No video playback will change the decision of the judge. The judge’s ruling is final.
3. Violation – All exhibitors are bound by the most current editions of the Chase County Fair Rules and Regulations set forth by the Chase County 4-H Council. Any violation of these Rules and Regulations will be subject to disqualification of animal(s); forfeiture of all awards including ribbons, trophies, premiums, booster, incentives, livestock sale premiums; penalties prescribed by law; and/or the owner of the animal barred from future participation until such time a reinstatement is made by the 4-H Council.
4. Disputes & Ruling of Decisions & Formal Protests – If any issue arises during the Chase County Fair the 4-H Council President, Class Superintendent(s) and the Extension Staff will rule a decision. Formal Protests must be submitted in writing to the Extension Staff and follow the Chase County Grievance Policy.
5. Courtesy & Cooperation – All exhibitors and families are expected to extend courtesy to other exhibitors and their animals. This includes but is not limited to sharing show arena for practicing and exercising animals, show ring courtesy, courtesy of space in barns, etc. Any questions that may arise should be referred to the Superintendent of your show division.
6. County Fair Pre-Entry Deadlines – All 4-H & FFA pre-fair entries are due in the County Extension Office by July 11, 2025 and must be accompanied by all fees or entry will not be accepted. To be eligible to compete at the Chase County Fair, all enrollment and entry deadlines must have been met. No exceptions will be made.
7. Eligibility of Exhibitors – Only those youth enrolled in 4-H and FFA in Chase County are eligible to exhibit in the county fair 4-H & FFA areas. To participate youth, (4-H and FFA) must be enrolled no later than June 15, of the current year and in the project area they are exhibiting in. Enrollment must be done annually.

      Chase County Age Divisions, unless stated otherwise under the Divisions, are as follows:

      Senior: 15-18 years old as of Jan. 1 of the current year.

      Intermediate: 12-14 years old as of Jan. 1 of the current year.

      Junior: 8 -11 years old as of Jan. 1 of the current year.

State Fair – in classes where presence of the 4-H’er is required for judging purposes such as animal exhibits, judging contests, presentations and fashion show; a 4-H member must be 10 by Jan. 1, current year, or become 11 years of age during current year. The last year of eligibility is the calendar year the member becomes 19. You must notify the Extension office by the deadline (see 4-H newsletters), if you want your exhibit to go on to State Fair. This applies to all advanced entries which include livestock, dogs, poultry, rabbits, Fashion Show, presentation, and contests.

1. Eligibility of Animals – All animals exhibited must be identified with the Extension Office on appropriate identification papers by the deadline (see Ownership of Animals). Should any individual enter an animal in a name other than that of a bona fide owner or attempt to perpetuate a fraud by misrepresenting any fact, the entry thus made shall not be allowed to compete for or receive any award, and the owner shall be barred from this show until reinstated. Any 4-H project animal that has been offered for auction, where the intent of the auction is change of ownership, is ineligible for the 4-H livestock classes at the Chase County Fair or the Nebraska State Fair.
2. Ownership Of Animals – All livestock must be owned by the exhibitor who entered it and certified on identification forms (ownership affidavits) and must be on file in the Extension Office by the deadlines listed below. All market animals (beef, sheep, swine & meat goats) must have a hair sample for DNA testing on file at Ak-sar-ben by the appropriate dates along with an official EID tag to be exhibited at the State Fair or Ak-Sar-Ben. 4-H’ers planning to exhibit at State Fair or Ak-Sar-Ben are responsible for following all guidelines set forth by the specific shows.

ANIMAL                          FINAL DUE DATE

Market Beef                                 June 2, 2025

Market Lamb                                June 2, 2025

Feeder Calf                                  June 2, 2025

Bucket Calf                                  June 2, 2025

Breeding Beef                              June 2, 2025

Breeding Sheep                           June 2, 2025

Cow/Calf Pair                               June 2, 2025

Market Swine                               June 2, 2025

Breeding Swine                            June 2, 2025

Dairy Goat                                   June 2, 2025

Horse                                          May 15, 2025

Rabbit                                         June 2, 2025 

Forms can be found at https://go.unl.edu/5xr9

1. Weigh In – All Market Livestock will be weighed in on entry day and shown according to weight. Methods used on animals which do not provide true weight or appearance will be disqualified.
2. Inhumane Treatment of Animals – Abuse of animals in any form will not be allowed. No electric prodder muzzles will be allowed to be used on any animal at any time. The use of showing and/or handling practices that may be considered objectionable or abusive, such as striking or slapping (i.e. lambs) and exhibiting the lamb with its feet off the ground, are not acceptable. Halters with throat straps, nose leads, barbed or studded show halter chain leads and other equipment determined to be distracting or severe to the animal by the division superintendent will not be permitted.
3. Substitutions – Substitutions between divisions are not allowed (i.e. a market lamb cannot be substituted for a breeding sheep entry). An animal must be shown by the 4-H owner 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). An exhibitor who has more than one animal in a class need not secure approval for another 4-H member, eligible to exhibit livestock, to show the additional animal in the class. Substitute showmen must be a 4-H member exhibiting at a current Chase County 4-H & FFA livestock show.
4. Only Purples Can Be Champions – Any beef, dairy, sheep, swine, meat goat, dog, companion animal, horse, poultry, or rabbit entry must be awarded a first or second purple ribbon in a class to be eligible to compete for champion or reserve champion. If 1^st purple pulls from Champion drive, the 2^nd purple can compete for Grand Champion.
5. Back Tags – Each 4-H exhibitor will have their own unique number printed on a back tag. Exhibitors must have this number on their back while exhibiting animals.
6. Quality Assurance Training – All exhibitors in beef, dairy cattle, meat goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep and swine must have received Quality Assurance training or testing through a UNL Extension program prior to the fair. Program attendance or completion of a test in the county extension office is required. Completion of training will be certified by county extension staff.
7. Grooming of Livestock – Preparation and grooming of an animal should be the primary responsibility of the 4-H or FFA exhibitor, however, assistance may be provided by other helpful individuals. No clipping of hair or hoof treatments of Market Hogs will be allowed on the fairgrounds.
8. Unethical Practices – At any time after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock show premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications shall be administered by a licensed veterinarian. Any feed/substance being fed must be labeled for the specific species and all withdrawal times must be adhered to. The superintendents & Extension Staff have the right to ask for and see the original containers with labeling.

The following are termed unethical practices and will not be allowed: doctoring, doping, or injecting show animals for body “fill-ins” or the alteration, changing, defacing or any modification of the markings of show animals and the anatomical structure of an animals; any type of injection where oils, glycerin or like substances are used for body “fill in”; external applications of such things as liniments and blistering agents that would cause an edematous condition; use of ice packs or other refrigerants to alter the quality of the finish of an animal. Icing of animals will not be allowed. Changing the color of hair at any point will not be allowed.

Prohibited substance and/or unethical fitting as defined as: the injection, use or administration of any drug substance that is prohibited by Federal, State, or Local Law or any drug that is used in a manner prohibited by Federal, State or Local Law; the injection or internal or external administration of any product or material, whether gas, solid or liquid, to an animal for the purpose of deception, including concealing, enhancing or transforming the true conformation, color, breed, condition of age or by making the animal appear more sound than otherwise would appear; the administration, use or application of any drug or feed additive affection the central nervous system; the administration of diuretics for cosmetic purposes, tissue manipulation, removal, surgical attachment or otherwise to change, conceal, enhance or transform the true conformation or configuration of the animal; any physical or physiological attempt to alter the natural musculature or weight by use of injections or ingested material not conducive to the continued health or marketability of beef, sheep, swine or goat carcasses or the deception.

1. Dress Code – Beef, swine, sheep, dog, rabbit, poultry, and small animal exhibitors must wear the official 4-H shirt sold at the Extension Office or FFA shirt or a white shirt (or blouse) with the 4-H or FFA emblem, armbands will not be accepted. If a chevron is worn, it is to be placed on the left side of the shirt (not on the sleeve). No hats, caps, or other types of headgear is to be worn. No gum. Hard soled boots or shoes are suggested for safety purposes. Only dark colored jeans are permitted when showing livestock.

Horse exhibitors must wear armbands on a white shirt (or blouse) on the left arm above the elbow. A western hat must be worn. Dark blue denim jeans are to be worn. Belts are recommended. Hard soled boots or shoes are suggested for safety purposes. Specific guidelines are in the horse rule book to be followed. Boot tennis shoes will not be acceptable.

All exhibitors not following the dress code will be dropped one ribbon placing.

1. Stalls and Pens – Assignment of stalls and pens will be made by the species Superintendent. You must stall in assigned stall or pen.
2. Animals Must Stay in Fenced Area – All animals must remain within the fenced area around the livestock barns and show arena. No animals will be allowed in parking areas or trailers.
3. Care for Animals – Animals must be securely tied in stalls or in pens unless exhibitor is with animal. All animals must be properly fed and watered throughout the fair. Stall and pens need to be cleaned daily and the stalls/pens must be cleaned by the exhibitor at the end of the fair. Any animal not receiving proper care (food, water, etc.) will be cared for by the specie superintendent. A verbal warning will be given to the exhibitor and the 4-H council/Extension Educator will be consulted. Exhibitors not caring for animals will be charged $50 per day. Payment will be made to the 4-H Council in Chase County and collected at the Extension Office. All care payments must be received before an exhibitor may receive their Livestock Sale Check.
4. Judges/Judging – If any exhibitor interferes with the judges in the performance of their duties by letter, act or otherwise he/she shall be excused from competition and exhibition for such period of time as the 4-H Council may determine and forfeit any awards received at this fair. Any person, not an exhibitor, who interferes with the judges in any manner during the performance of their duties, shall be asked to leave the fairgrounds.
5. Animal Testing & Certification of Drug Use & Withdrawal – Each exhibitor will be asked to submit a signed affidavit certifying correct withdrawal from legal drugs, vaccines or other substances. They will also certify that their entries have not received any non-approved drugs. Affidavits must be turned into Extension Staff before or at time of county fair weigh-in

Any animal entered is subject to any type of testing at the discretion of the 4-H Council, Superintendents, and Extension/FFA Staff and will be done at the expense of the exhibitor. If the testing indicates the possible use of compounds or drugs not approved for use in the species by FDA or compounds or drugs used outside the specified withdrawal requirements of FDA, these animals will be declared ineligible for competition and all awards.

1. Health – Superintendents are authorized to refuse any animals showing signs of infections, contagious, communicable diseases or which are otherwise dangerous to other people or animals being shown.
2. National Code of Show Ring Ethics – Any violation of the Code of Show Ring Ethics will result in forfeiture of all premium/booster/incentive monies and awards. The Chase County 4-H Council holds the right to determine other penalties deemed necessary.