On December 9, the Nebraska State Fairboard voted to add a bedding fee onto the entry fee for all livestock exhibitors; the fee will be $15 for beef and dairy and $5 for sheep, goats, and swine. The Fairbaord also voted to add a $3 per head fee for 4-H & FFA market animals to help defray the costs of drug testing. These costs are in addition to the existing entry fees that will stay the same for 2017.
The Nebraska State Fair continues to be supportive of FFA and 4-H and values all that youth and families bring the Fair; however, escalating costs for bedding, bedding removal, etc. have forced them to reassess their fees. They are also aware that there are other costs for families including DNA sampling and EID tags. While this does add a financial burden; hopefully, by knowing early, families can make appropriate decisions about nominating animals and their plans for exhibiting.