4-H Livestock Departments

General Information

Department Rules & Show Information

General Fair Exhibitor Rules

1. All general rules and regulations apply to all exhibitors and their families.
   
   
2. Exhibitors must follow the rules listed in their individual departments.
   
   
3. The Madison County Fair provides exhibitors opportunities for the following age divisions: Cloverbud: Ages 5-8 Junior Youth: Ages 9-13 Senior Youth: Ages 14 -19 Adult: Age 19 and above ** All ages as of Sept 30, 2008.
   
   
4. Exhibitors MUST be a 4-H/FFA Chapter member in good standing in Madison and/or Virginia Cooperative Extension Planning Districts 9 & 10 which includes: Culpeper, Fauquier, Orange, Rappahannock, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson counties.
   
   
5. ONLY Madison County 4-H/FFA members will be allowed to show and sell market animals. Sale of market animals at the fair is optional. Refer to Madison County Fair Sale Rules and Regulations for more detailed information.
   
   
6. All 4-H/FFA projects must be entered on an official project form with the Extension Office. All entry forms must be received in the Madison County Extension Office by 4:30 p.m., June 20, 2008. Late entries will be accepted until June 27, 2008, at an additional fee of $10 per animal.
   
   
7. Exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals. Assistance may be provided by parents and family members, a Madison 4-H club leader, Virginia Extension Agent or FFA Instructor, or another 4-H member. This assistance should only be in holding or restraining the animal.
   
   
8. Madison County animal exhibits MUST arrive on Tuesday, July 15 between 9:00 a.m. and noon or between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 16. Animals MUST be in the barn by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Madison County animals may leave after 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Any exhibitor who removes an animal before the designated time will forfeit all ribbons and premiums. County exhibitors who stay until after the Demolition Derby will receive and additional $5 per head bonus.
   
   
9. Madison County Exhibitors are required to participate in both Fair set-up and clean-up.
   
   
10. Out of county dairy exhibitors must arrive between 10:00 a.m. and noon, Tuesday, July 15. Out of county beef and sheep exhibitors must arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Thursday, July 17. All out of county animals will be dismissed after their respective shows are over.
    
    
11. Exhibitors must place animals and exhibits at a location designated by show management.
    
    
12. All market animals must be ear tagged by the 4-H Office at the Madison County Fair weigh-in. If you plan to show at another local fair that has a weigh in the exact same day as a MCF weigh-in you MUST ask the chair of your livestock division if they will allow you to attend a separate weigh-in and accept that weight. If a tag is lost or damaged, the Extension Office must be contacted immediately to replace the tag. If a project animal dies, the exhibitor may replace the animal with a similar animal upon approval by the livestock committee. Out of county animals must also be tagged for identification.
    
    
13. Record books must be turned in to Extension Agent at weigh-in/check-in time.
    
    
14. The Madison County Fair reserves the right to refuse any entry offered and to require the removal from the grounds of any exhibit or animal they feel is unruly, considered a safety hazard, or deemed unfit or objectionable. Exhibitors should read and understand the rules listed under their departments.
    
    
15. Health Requirements: The Livestock Committee will check animals for general health, proper castration, ringworm, lice, mange, warts, and other parasites. Any unhealthy animal(s) will be dismissed from the grounds. All sheep and goats must be properly tagged and/or identified according to the USDA Scrapie Eradication.
    
    
16. Each livestock exhibitor will receive one entry pass for him/herself and two additional passes for their parents/guardians, excluding those whose parents are Fair Board or Young Farmer members. Parents/guardians of multiple exhibitors will not receive duplicate passes. Exhibitors receiving passes in another department (ie. livestock) will not receive duplicate passes.
    
    
17. The exhibitor assumes all risk of damage or loss either to person or property for any cause whatsoever. It is understood and agreed between the exhibitor and the Madison County Fair Inc. that the said show incurs no liability or obligation to the exhibitor other than to permit the exhibitor to use the grounds or buildings for exhibits.
    
    
18. Visitors and exhibitors must be off the grounds by 11:00 PM each night or one hour after the conclusion of the last event, whichever is later. No exhibitor will be allowed to spend the night on the grounds.
    
    
19. Any violation of these rules and regulations can lead to forfeiture of premiums and prizes won, removal from the grounds and expulsion from future fairs.

Animal Exhibitor - Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is an agreement, formal or implied, between the participants and the management of this Fair. Its purpose is to ensure the overall well-being of animals exhibited and the use of commonly accepted practices in showing animals and to maintain the intent and integrity of animal competitions and displays for future generations.

Any violation of this Code of Conduct will result in forfeiture of premiums and awards, disqualification, possible loss of sale proceeds and probationary status and/or eligibility for future competition at this fair.

1. No exhibitor may show an animal that has been previously sold at an auction or sale as a market animal through another fair or livestock show, whether or not there is an actual change of ownership.
   
   
2. Animals must be transported to and from the Fair in accordance with all the accepted transport regulations and standards.
   
   
3. Intentional misrepresentation of an animal in any way including age of the animal, ownership, prior show activity, altering of pedigree, or other misinformation provided by the exhibitor is prohibited.
   
   
4. It is the responsibility of all livestock exhibitors to feed, water, maintain the stall of their animals and otherwise care for their project animal throughout the duration of the fair. Sawdust bedding will be provided by the Madison County Fair Board.
   
   
5. 4-H/FFA exhibitors are expected to be the primary care provider for their animals. Assistance may only be provided by the parents and family members, a Madison 4-H club leader enrolled in Virginia 4-H, a Virginia Extension Agent or FFA Instructor or another youth exhibitor with animals entered in the show.
   
   
6. All animals must be halter broken. The youth exhibitor MUST lead the animal to the scales for final weigh-in. Nose leads, tranquilizers, sedatives and depressants are prohibited.
   
   
7. Market animals can only be exhibited if they will enter the food chain free of drugs or foreign substances. The act of entering an animal in this Fair is giving the consent by the owner to have specimens of urine, saliva, blood or other samples from the animal or carcass taken to be used for testing. All animals entered into competitions shall be subject to testing for foreign substances that exceed acceptable levels established by the FDA, FSIS, USDA or EPA.
   
   
8. Treating an animal internally or externally with a substance or procedure used to artificially change the conformation, appearance or handling characteristics of the animal for show is prohibited. This includes the use of steroids and the act of artificially filling animals internally including stomach pumping, drench tubes or any other methods. Accepted methods of clipping or combing and animal's hair is permitted.
   
   
9. The use of abusive showing and/or practices such as striking animals or administering and electric shock to cause swelling or to affect the bracing behavior of an animal is prohibited.
   
   
10. The judge's decisions are final and are not subject to review. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives or show officials before, during or after a competitive event is prohibited. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors or show official before, during or after the show is prohibited.
    
    
11. An overview committee consisting of at least three people generally recognized as knowledgeable of livestock management and exhibition are responsible for the administration of this Code of Conduct. Their decisions are final and not subject to appeal.

Carcass Evaluation Contest

Contest Rules

1. Carcass entries are required of all Madison County market animals, regardless of whether or not they are sold in the auction. All carcass fees are included with the market project entry fees.
   
   
2. All animals must have participated in the official species weigh-in to be eligible to compete in the carcass contest.
   
   
3. Market animals that do not meet the minimum sale requirements are eligible for a $10.00 refund, which is the carcass component of the entry fee.
   
   
4. Carcass data will be recorded by ultrasound, and contest placing will be determined by formulas adopted by the carcass committee.

• Lamb carcasses will be ranked on % Boneless Closely Trimmed Retail Cuts (%BCTRC)
• Swine carcasses will be ranked on % Lean Gain
• Beef carcasses will be ranked on Retail Value Added per Day on Feed

5. Beef and Dairy breeds will be ranked separately.
   
   
6. Carcass calculations will be reviewed each year to ensure they represent current standards and market conditions.
   
   
7. Premiums will be based on donations received.
   
   
8. Carcass awards will be gives out during the Madison County Fair Awards Picnic.

Herdsman Award

To reward exhibitors for demonstrating qualities that represent the Madison County Fair, Madison 4-H and Madison FFA, an exhibitor from each department will receive the Herdsman Award. Candidates must be in good standing with their 4-H/FFA clubs. Exhibitors will be judged by a committee appointed by the Youth Activities Committee of the Fair Board, who will not have children as exhibitors and will be judged on points accumulated in the following criteria:

• Participation in Fair Set-up and Clean-up
• Barn Display & Educational Material
• Care of project animals (ie. watering, feeding, etc..)
• Having a proper record book at check-in time
• Courtesy to other exhibitors and the public
• Attitude during the fair, especially before, during and after shows
• Cleanliness of barn area (pens, aisles, tack and other areas used)

Ring placing will have no bearing on the points.

The awards will be presented at the Madison County Fair Appreciation Picnic.

Livestock Dressing Contest

Friday, July 18, 11:00 A.M.

Tractor Driving Contest

Friday, July 18, 10:00 A.M.

Bucket Babies Show

Saturday, July 19, 12:00 P.M.

Show Chairman: Essie Berry 948-4415

They're the cutest show on Earth! Watch as young livestock showmen parade around the ring. The Madison County 4-H Cloverbud Bucket Baby Project is designed to build self-esteem in Cloverbud members. A major purpose of the project is to promote family involvement. It is highly encouraged that each family member play a role in assisting the Cloverbud during this project Research has shown that competition at too early of an age can damage an individuals self-esteem. For this reason, Cloverbuds will not compete, but will receive recognition for participating. Concerns for the safety of the participating youth and the wellbeing of the animal do not permit the Cloverbud to exercise control or exclusively care for the animal.

Rules and Guidelines

1. The class is open to all 4-H youth between the ages of 5-8 years as of September 30, 2008.
2. The animals permitted to enter the bucket baby project are: calves (under 300 lbs.), goats, lambs, sheep and llama.
3. Cloverbud exhibitors are not permitted to exercise control or solely care for the animal anytime during the project. (Senior or Intermediate 4-H members are assigned to help Cloverbuds.
4. It is the responsibility of the family to ensure that proper care is given to the animal throughout the length of the project. (Some members kept their projects on the owners farm and just visited to work with the animal).
5. The Madison County Fair reserves the right to refuse entry of animals deemed unfit by the Madison County Fair.

The Show

• Cloverbuds are broken down into groups based on species.(all calves, goats & sheep, l lamas). We try to have no more than 10 in the ring at a time.
• They walk around the ring once or twice, then line up. The "JUDGE" asks them questions about their project, etc..) All participants get a ribbon, trophy or prize.
• Cloverbuds also do a project book (specially designed for them with the 4-H pledge, info about their animal, space for a picture, pages to color, etc…) on their project. They are turned in at the last meeting in June and put on display at the show.