General Rules: Livestock
1. ELIGIBILITY OF EXHIBITORS-An Exhibitor must be a 4-H member enrolled in the project they are exhibiting in. Youth must be enrolled in 4-H by the deadline set by the County Extension Office to exhibit. To exhibit at the county level, the youth must be at least 8 years of age as of January 1 of the current exhibiting year and no older than 18 as of January 1. Youth wanting to exhibit livestock at State Fair must be at least 8 years of age as of January 1 of the current exhibiting year to exhibit in classes where the presence of the 4-H’er is required (such as animal exhibits). Contact the Extension Office for complete State Fair exhibition rules and qualifications.
2. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENTRY (county fair)-The responsibility for making proper entry rests with the exhibitors and the Extension Educator. It is the responsibility of the Extension Educator to make sure that each beef, sheep, swine, dairy, meat goats, or rabbit entry that he/she submits was properly identified on an appropriate ownership affidavit and that the ownership affidavit was submitted by the deadline date. The exhibitors of all animals shall conduct themselves with honesty, good sportsmanship, and support all rules and regulations of the Nebraska 4-H program. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to confirm that each beef, sheep, swine, dairy, meat goat, or rabbit being brought to the fair has ID (ear tag, tattoo) that matches the ownership affidavit. Compare tattoos, and ear tags to the ownership affidavit before leaving for the fair.
3. FAIR ENTRY DEADLINES-All advance entries are due in the County Extension Office by the date set in that county.
4. BRAND INSPECTION-All 4-H show cattle that are moved, driven, shipped or transported, in any manner from any point within the brand area to any point outside the brand area shall first have a brand inspection by the Nebraska Brand Committee, and a certificate of inspection issued. A copy of such certificate shall accompany the cattle and shall be retained by all persons transporting or moving such cattle, as a permanent record. The responsibility of ensuring the cattle are inspected prior to removal falls equally on the parent, owner, seller, shipper, person, persons, firm, motor carrier, railroad company, or other carrier or corporation of his, her, its, or their agent or agents or servant or servants moving, driving, shipping, or transporting. Cattle that are transported in and out of the brand area numerous times for showing may qualify for a show permit, utilized for show purposes only and is valid for 1 year from date of issuance. For more information, contact your local brand inspector or the Nebraska Brand Committee.
5. 4-H/FFA EXHIBITS FOR STATE FAIR-4-H animal entries will be entered through ShoWorks online by the 4-H family. The entry deadline is August 10 at 8 PM Central Time (7 PM Mountain). For livestock entries (beef, swine, sheep, goats), youth will have until August 10 to declare if they will show 4-H or FFA at State Fair.
6. DAIRY ANIMALS-In the case of dairy animals, some lease arrangements are acceptable, but must be certified on the appropriate forms in the Extension Office.
7. ELIGIBILITY OF ANIMALS-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 Nebraska State Fair. This includes animals offered for sale in other events at the Nebraska State Fair, when the event is prior to the 4-H event the animal is entered in. A project animal that has been through a “premium only” auction is eligible to be exhibited at the Nebraska State Fair, provided it and its exhibitor meet all other ownership and eligibility requirements. To be a “premium only” auction, there can be absolutely NO change of ownership that occurs during the auction. All exhibitors and animals need to be treated the same in this process. In a premium only auction, exhibitors will receive a check that represents their premium and is in no way related to the market value of the animal.
Additionally, an animal that becomes wild and uncontrollable during the show may be declared ineligible by the Division Superintendent.
8. VET CHECKS-All livestock animals entering the Perkins County Fair will undergo a health check performed by a local licensed veterinarian or multiple veterinarians. Veterinarians will work with the species superintendents and/or with the Perkins County 4-H Council/Extension Staff to ensure all animals entering the facilities are in good health.
- Any animal that is observed to meet either of the following conditions will fail vet checks and will be denied the ability to show at the Perkins County Fair and must be removed from the grounds immediately.
- Any animal that is observed to have any condition, disease, or physical ailment that caused an animal to pose a major risk to its own life or quality of life.
- Any animal that is observed to have any condition, disease, or physical ailment that cause an animal to pose a major risk to another animal’s life or quality of life.
Any animals observed to have minor conditions such as skin diseases, fungus, minor physical injuries, or external parasites will be allowed to show, as long as those conditions do not break the rules set in A and B listed above. All animals will be evaluated on an individual basis and any decision made on an animal’s status will be made in conjunction with both the veterinarian and the superintendents. Any animals entering the fair after initial check-in or animals with changing health concerns post vet-checks will be held to the same standards and a veterinarian may be brought back to evaluate any concerning health issues.
All exhibitors should be aware of the inherent risk with bringing animals to a single location and that contamination/spread that may occur. The exhibitor is responsible for the health of their own animal and should consult a veterinarian for any health concerns before and/or after the fair.
9. ANIMAL TESTING AND EXAMINATION-Any animal entered is subject to any type of testing at the discretion of either the superintendent 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.
10. CERTIFICATION OF DRUG USE AND 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 for beef and sheep will also state that animals have not been fed any “prohibited” mammalian derived protein (i.e. ruminant meat and bone meal) while under the care of the exhibitor. Affidavits will be presented to the department superintendent prior to or at the time of animal weighing and check-in.
11. 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.
12. 4-H AND FFA-Projects cannot be shown in both 4-H and FFA at county fair.
13. ONLY PURPLES CAN BE CHAMPIONS-Any beef, dairy, sheep, swine, meat goat, dog, companion animal, 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.
14. GROOMING OF LIVESTOCK
Preparation and grooming of an animal should be the primary responsibility of the 4-H exhibitor and family members.
- 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.
- Upon violation of above rules, the exhibitor's animal involved may be lowered one or two ribbon placing(s) or may be disqualified from the show.
- Exhibitors will be asked to submit a signed affidavit certifying they know and understand these rules.
15. SUBSTITUTE SHOWMAN-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) or conflict. 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.
16. ANIMAL SUBSTITUTIONS-For animal exhibits that do not make market weight, an animal identified by that exhibitor on their ID sheet may be substituted with the approval of the division superintendent or Extension Staff.
17. DRESS CODE-Exhibitors showing beef, dairy, dogs, companion animals, goats, sheep, swine, poultry, and rabbits are required to wear an official 4-H T-shirt (any color). If there is no official 4-H T-shirt, exhibitors are required to wear a white shirt (or blouse) with the official 4-H chevron attached. Dark blue jeans and hard-soled shoes or boots are required for beef, dairy, sheep, swine, goat, poultry, and rabbit exhibitors. Dairy exhibitors may wear dark blue jeans or white pants. No hats, caps or other types of headgear are to be worn in the show ring. Exhibitors shall not display local, county, commercial or other identification while showing their animals-except official 4-H and such identification the show ring may require. Back tags provided to the exhibitor may be affixed to the back of the exhibitor’s show shirt with safety pins or an exhibitor show number harness may be worn.
18. SHOW TIMES-Show times printed in the newspaper are TENTATIVE. Consult the exhibitor letter you receive with your fair pre-entry forms for the most accurate show times. The times stated in this letter will be the time of the shows unless you are notified by the Extension Office.
19. CARE FOR ANIMALS-Animals must be securely tied in stalls or in pens unless exhibitor is with animal. All animals must be properly feed and watered throughout the fair. Stalls and pens need to be cleaned daily and the stalls/pens must be cleaned by the exhibitor at the end of the fair.
20. HERDSMANSHIP-
The following are guidelines to follow in presenting your animals:
- Animals clean at all times.
- Animals adequately cared for with proper feeding, clean and proper amount of bedding and adequate feeding equipment. Beef animals are to be securely tied with 18-20 inches of lead.
- Trappings and feed area clean and neatly arranged. Fork handles and similar equipment kept down.
- Proper courtesy and conduct shown by exhibitors at all times and at all places.
21. SHOWMANSHIP AGES-Ages for ALL animal projects (cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits, pets, dog and horse) will be:
- Juniors—(age 8-10 years)
- Intermediates—(age 11-13 years)
- Seniors—(age 14-18 years)
22. NUMBER OF LIVESTOCK ANIMALS THAT CAN BE SHOWN-
- Market Rabbits—six (6)
- Non-Market Class Rabbits—five (5)
- Market Chickens—four (4)
- Non-Market Class Poultry—five (5)
- Market Goats—three (3)
- Breeding Goats—three (3)
- Dairy Goats—three (3)
- Market Sheep—three (3)
- Breeding Sheep—two (2)
- Swine-total of three (3), market and breeding classes combined
- Market Beef—two (2)
- Breeding Beef—three (3)
- Feeder Beef—two (2)
- Bucket Calf—one (1)
- Dairy Beef—two (2)
23.ONLY MARKET ANIMALS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SALE. Animals may be shown for PREMIUM ONLY if they will be shown at the Nebraska State Fair (this applies to MARKET animals ONLY).
This includes:
- Market Goats
- Market Sheep
- Market Swine
- Market Beef
24. MINIMUM ANIMAL WEIGHTS FOR SALE ELIGIBILITY-
- Market Goats—minimum of 50 lbs.
- Market Sheep—minimum of 90 lbs.
- Market Swine—minimum of 220 lbs./maximum of 325 lbs.
- Market Beef (Steers)—minimum of 1000 lbs.
- Market Beef (Heifers)—minimum of 900 lbs.
ANY MARKET ANIMALS LIGHTER THAN MINIMUM WEIGHT MAY SHOW BUT MAY NOT BE SOLD. MARKET SWINE THAT ARE OVER THE MAXIMUM WEIGHT MAY SHOW BUT MAY NOT BE SOLD.
25. NUMBER OF MARKET ANIMALS THAT CAN SELL IN PERKINS COUNTY:
One (1) animal per species with a maximum of two (2) animals sold.
26. SALE OF ITEMS-Exhibitors may not advertise or sell animals or products at the Perkins County Fair.