LIVESTOCK REMINDERS FOR 2017
General Livestock
- Stall numbers are assigned based on your pre-entries and the maximum number of entries allowed by either 4-H or FFA. If you entered more than the maximum amount, you will not be receiving those stalls. We do not provide refunds.
- The 2017 State Fair 4-H/FFA Livestock Shows will be blow & go. All animals are to be shown free of any adhesive, paint, or compounds that have adhesive or paint characteristics. Products such as Tail Adhesive, Prime Time Adhesive, EZ Comb Adhesive, White Touch Up, Black Touch Up, Black Finisher, and Black Show Foam are prohibited. Any questions on a product being allowed can be directed to the livestock office or 4-H or FFA representative. Oil and water-based products are allowed (Kleen Sheen, Pink Oil, Final Bloom, white show foam, Freshen Up, Cool Blue, etc.) Any violation will be subject to disqualification.
Cattle
- 4-H market cattle will not be subject to a minimum rate of gain in 2017.
- There will not be a carcass contest for 4-H/FFA market cattle, and no shipping options will be provided.
Hogs
- All 4-H/FFA hogs will show under a declared weight through submission of a weigh card. Exhibitors are responsible for weighing their own animals, whether at home or on the check scales at the fair and then declaring that weight on the cards. FFA will allow a variance of 10 lbs. and 4-H will allow a variance of 5 percent from the weight declared.
- FFA exhibitors will find weigh cards stuffed in their exhibitor packets for all pre-entered hogs. 4-H exhibitors can pick up weigh cards from the livestock office beginning Thursday, August 31 at 9:00 AM. Please check posted signs in the swine barn (located by the check scales) detailing when weigh cards are to be turned in.
- Substitutions can still be made by talking with the hog superintendent, provided the substituted animal was validated by June 15. A blank weigh card will need to be filled out.
-Hogs will be tattooed for carcass recognition and payment during the assigned 4-H or FFA check in times listed on the master schedule. Exhibitors will need to bring their hogs to the west end of the hog barn to be tattooed, while also turning in their official weigh card at that time. A copy of the weigh card will be returned to the exhibitor for their records.
-All Nebraska State Fair 4-H and FFA market hogs are terminal. All hogs will be loaded onto trucks starting Monday September 4th in the late afternoon. This is a change from previous years when FFA hogs were loaded out on Sunday evening. Please provide full feed and water to all hogs throughout the day on Sunday and Monday to ensure proper health and longevity of your projects.
Sheep/Goats
- A third-party buyer will be available to purchase livestock from exhibitors. Exhibitors can begin to sell livestock at 9:00 AM on Monday, September 4by the wash rack in the Sheep/Goat barn. Checks will be written directly to the exhibitor. This is not required but a service provided. Prices will be posted in the Livestock Office beginning Friday morning.
- We ask that if you plan to sell your sheep/goats, you sign up in the livestock office by Sunday at 4:00PM so we may get an approximate number for trucking purposes. Signing up in the livestock office is not binding.
- The buyer reserves the right to refuse to purchase any livestock he/she sees as unfit. Examples would be: older breeding ewes (greater than 10 months old), rams, heavily dairy-influenced goats, older breeding does, etc. The sale of livestock is intended for market-aged animals only.
-4-H Market Lambs, Commercial Breeding Ewes, and Market Goats will show under a declared weight via submission of a weigh card. FFA Market Lambs, Commercial Breeding Ewes, Market Goats, and Commercial Breeding Does[BB1] will show under a declared weight via submission of a weigh card. Exhibitors are responsible for weighing their own animals, whether at home or on the check scales at the fair and then declaring that weight on the cards. FFA will allow a variance of 10 5 lbs. for sheep and 4 lbs. for goats and 4-H will allow a variance of 5 percent from the weight declared.
- FFA exhibitors will find weigh cards stuffed in their exhibitor packets for all pre-entered sheep/goats. 4-H exhibitors can pick up weigh cards from the livestock office beginning Thursday, August 31 at 9:00 AMPlease check posted signs in the sheep/goat barn (located by the check scales) detailing when weigh cards are to be turned in.
- Substitutions can still be made by talking with the sheep/goat superintendent, provided the substituted animal was validated by June 15. A blank weigh card will need to be filled out.
-All sheep and goats will be checked for active fungus prior to entering the barn. This check will happen during vet check-in at the Brunk’s lot. Please be prepared to remove all blankets and coverings for veterinarians to check for active fungus. Any animal found to have active fungus will not be allowed to unload on the fairgrounds. [BB2]
NEW Champion Selections
-In an effort to highlight the outstanding Nebraska 4-H and FFA members, their families, and their accomplishments we are changing what used to be the Parade of Champions that was traditionally held on Monday afternoon prior to selecting the Champion 4-H Market Beef.
In 2017, there will be 2 separate Champion Selections on both Sunday and Monday starting at 4:00 in the Five Points Bank Arena. The market animals that show on those respective days will not have their champions selected at the conclusion of the show, but will instead all be selected in succession starting at 4:00 PM. In addition, the breeding champions (champion and reserve overall) correlated to that show (4-H or FFA) and species will be paraded and recognized prior to those market animals being selected. The schedule will look as follows:
Sunday September 3rd (Starting at 4:00 PM)
FFA Market Hogs (FFA Breeding Gilt Champions paraded before)
FFA Market Goats (FFA Breeding Doe Champions paraded before)
4H Market Lambs (4H Breeding Ewe Champions paraded before)
FFA Market Beef (FFA Breeding Beef Champions paraded before)
Monday September 4th (Starting at 4:00 PM)
4-H Market Hogs (NO 4-H Breeding Gilt show)
4-H Market Goats (4-H Breeding Doe Champions paraded before)
FFA Market Lambs (FFA Breeding Champions paraded before)
4-H Market Beef (4-H Breeding Heifer Champions paraded before)
All division champions from the respective market shows and overall breeding champions will need to start assembling at approximately 3:30 PM (or whenever shows in Five Points Bank Arena are completed if later than 3:30 PM) to be organized for the Champion Selections. Show superintendents will work with youth and their families to explain the new system and will be available to assist.
[BB1]I believe that’s right for FFA, but Ryan can check me
[BB2]I’m also not sure of the policy here. That’s probably a Bill question but maybe Ryan knows?