General Instructions: Sheep
- GENERAL RULES-All general livestock rules (listed at the beginning of this department) apply.
- USDA OFFICIAL IDENTIFICATION-All sheep (market and breeding) must be tagged with a USDA official scrapie ID tag.
- IDENTIFICATION-All market sheep must be identified with the County Extension Office by June 1 to be eligible to show at county fair. Market animals that do not weigh at an official weigh in day must provide a photo of the animal with ID tag in ear in addition to county ID form.
- All Ewe lambs and doe kids must have all temporary teeth present. Yearling ewes and does can have yearling teeth but cannot have two-year-old teeth. All breeding ewes and breeding does may be subject to mouthing to verify age.
- DRESS CODE-Will be as required in General Livestock Rules.
- GROOMING-See General Livestock Rules. Additionally—All market lambs must be shorn sufficiently short to allow inspection for club lamb fungus. Wool may be left on the legs ONLY below the knees and hocks.
- DISQUALIFICATION-Exhibitors shall not add materials, natural or synthetic, which extend body shapes beyond normal limits. These animals will be disqualified from competition. Additionally, animals showing signs of illegal drenching, injections, etc. will be disqualified from competition.
- NO MUZZLES ALLOWED-No muzzles or similar devices will be allowed.
- YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS (YQCA): Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This may be done through the YQCA online course, through a UNL Extension Staff taught course or by completing the Intermediate or Senior test out test (online only). Quality Assurance training/testing must be complete by July 1.
- SHOW PRACTICES-The use of showing and/or handling practices that may be considered objectionable or abusive, such as striking or slapping lambs and exhibiting the lamb with its front feet off the ground, are not acceptable. The use of such practices may result in the lowering of a ribbon placing. (Lifting the lamb in a fluid motion to set the front legs prior to quickly setting the feet back on the ground is acceptable.) Spike collars are not acceptable and will result in the lowering of a ribbon placing.
—Market Sheep—
Division 31
Class G031900 Market Lambs all Breeds Wethers and Ewes shown together.
Class G031901 Feeder Lambs Under 90 pounds.
NUMBER OF MARKET SHEEP THAT CAN BE SHOWN: Three (3) Market Sheep
MINIMUM WEIGHTS FOR SALE ELIGIBILITY:
- Market Sheep-minimum of 90 lbs.
MARKET ANIMALS LIGHTER THAN MINIMUM WEIGHT MAY SHOW BUT MAY NOT BE SOLD
—Breeding Sheep—
Division 32
Class G032900 Yearling Ewes Born 09/01/year before last to 08/31/last year
Class G032901 Ewe Lambs Born 09/01/last year and after
NUMBER OF BREEDING SHEEP THAT CAN BE SHOWN: Two (2) Breeding Sheep
—Showmanship—
Class G031905 Sheep Showmanship Includes Market Sheep and Breeding Sheep. Only one class may be shown for showmanship.