2016Livestock Show Rules & Regulations

February 12th - 20th, 2016

All dates and times are tentative

  1. The Hendry County Fair Livestock Shows are youth only shows and are open to Hendry County Residents. The Hendry County 4-H Club and the Clewiston FFA Chapter may enter a market animal.
  1. Exhibitors must be between the ages of 8 and 18 years of age as of September 1st of 2015 and have a G.P.A. of 2.0 or greater with acceptable attendance. Report Card must be presented at final weigh in. Exhibitors must not be pregnant nor had a child. Pee Wee exhibitors must not have reached 8 years old before September 1st of 2015. Pee wee exhibitors will only show and receive premiums for small animal and poultry classes.
  1. Exhibitors are required to attend the YOUTH LIVESTOCK SHOW ETHICS AND ANIMAL CARE WORKSHOP. Exhibitors must present a valid certificate to the Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show board at initial weigh in or entry deadline as applicable. Market Animals on initial weigh in. All Other Entries at Entry Deadline. Exhibitor will not be allowed to show at the Hendry County Fair if a valid certificate is not provided by the deadline.

The Hendry County Fair Association believes that every youth exhibitor should receive proper training and information for raising and showing a youth animal project. The Youth Livestock Show Ethics and Animal Care Workshop is designed to certify students to meet mandatory requirements. It is important that exhibitors understand: The purpose of youth livestock projects; the importance of ethics in youth livestock projects; proper animal handling and management; the difference between animal welfare and animal rights; and be prepared to be an ambassador for animal agriculture. Certification is valid for a three (3) year period. This program is endorsed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida/ IFAS. It is offered throughout the state by certified instructors.

  1. Entries must be made on Official Hendry County Fair & Livestock Show entry forms. Entry forms are provided in the Official Rulebook.
  1. Exhibitor will receive an exhibitor badge which must be worn at all times and will allow entry into the fairgrounds at designated times. Fair memberships are available for all others wanting to secure admission to the fair. Information available from fair management.
  1. Entry Fee and Limitations:
  2. Entry Fee for Market Animals is $100.00 per exhibitor. Entry is limited to one market animal per exhibitor.
  3. Entry Fee in non refundable
  4. Entry Fee entitles exhibitor to one exhibitor pass and two parent passes
  • Entry Fee for Dairy/Beef Breeding and Dairy Goatsis $20.00. Entry is limited to one animal per class.
  • Entry Fee is non refundable
  • Entry Fee entitles exhibitor to one exhibitor pass (no parent pass)
  • Entry Fee for Small Animals is $5.00. Entry is limited to one animal per class.
  • Entry Fee is non refundable
  • Entry Fee entitles exhibitor to one exhibitor pass (no parent pass)
  1. Animals for the 2016Hendry County Fair may be purchased anywhere in the United States.
  1. Entry Deadlines and Requirements: Weigh-in will be considered the entry deadline for market animals.
  2. Market Steers (Initial Weigh-in)
  1. Tuesday, August 25, 2015
  2. 6:00pm – 7:30pm
  3. Minimum Weight: 550 lbs. Suggested Minimum Weight 600 lbs
  • Market Hogs (Initial Weigh-in)
  1. Saturday, November 14, 2015
  2. 9:00am – 12:00 PM
  3. No Minimum Weight, Maximum 100lbs
  4. Animal will be weighed, tagged, and tattooed
  • Weigh-ins will be held at the Hendry County Fairgrounds.
  • Exhibitor must be present at initial weigh-in
  • The following must be presented before animal may be weighed:
  1. Entry Fee
  2. Ethics Certificate
  3. Official Entry Form
  4. Bill of Sale
  5. Five (5) Prospective Buyer’s Letters.Letters must be hand written. Letters must be in stamped, sealed & addressed envelopes.
  • There will be no replacement of market animals for any reason after initial weigh-in.
  • Failure to comply with requirements will result in ineligibility to participate

Weighing Procedures: The scales at the fairgrounds are designed to weigh in one-pound increments; therefore all official weights will be recorded to the nearest pound. A one-pound deviation will be allowed on the minimum/maximum weight rule, due to possible error. Animals will be allowed across the scales one time only, unless the weigh master feels it necessary to re-balance the scales. The weigh-master’s decision is final.

  • All other Livestock Exhibitors
  1. Entries and fees must be mailed to HCFLS P.O. Box 1356 Clewiston, FL 33440 postmarked on or before December 08, 2015 or hand-delivered to a Fair Board/Fair BoardMember on or before December 08, 2015.
  2. Pictures to be included as follows:

Dairy/Beef Breeding Cattle, and Dairy Goats: two side-view pictures

Small Animals and Poultry: one picture of animal

  • Failure to comply with requirements will result in ineligibility to participate
  1. Mandatory Parent/ Exhibitor Class – All New Exhibitors and Parents must attend.
  • New parents, new exhibitors and those that may have missed a year of showing in either 2013, 2014, or 2015 must attend the Mandatory Parent / Exhibitor Class presented by the Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show Board. Exhibitors that have continuously showed each year in 2013, 2014 and 2015 do not have to attend the 2016 mandatory meeting. Beginning in 2017 all exhibitors will be required to attend the mandatory parent and exhibitor meeting each and every year.Failure to attend will result in the disqualification of the exhibitor from the 2016 fair. If an exhibitor is more than 10 minutes late to the meeting they will be required to attend another date. Dates are as follows:

Tuesday, November 19, 20156:30pmFairgrounds

Thursday, December15, 20156:30pmFairgrounds

  • Failure to comply with requirements will result in ineligibility to participate
  1. Exhibitor must attend one mandatory workday (in addition to daily clean-ups) during fair-week. In order to determine what day you will be required to clean a lottery system will be used. At the initial weigh in exhibitors will draw for a Fair Clean up Day. Exhibitor may exchange days but must notify the Fair Board on or before February 03, 2016 of any swaps made. Workdays will be held daily from February 15– February20. Exhibitor must check-in and out with an appointed Fair Board Member at 5:30 PM. Meeting place will be the livestock arena. Duties will be assigned at check-in. Chores will be assigned first come first serve. Exhibitors that arrive more than 10 minutes after are subject to penalties. Penalty for not attending assigned clean up will be $100.00
  1. Ownership of Animals
  2. Market Animals must be bona-fide property of the exhibitor by the date of their respective initial weigh-in.
  3. All other animals competing for premiums must be bona-fide property of the exhibitor or the immediate family 60 days prior to show or have a current lease. If animal is leased, a copy of the lease must accompany the entry form. Exhibitor must have had a major role in feeding and caring for animal.
  4. Failure to comply with requirements will result in ineligibility to participate
  1. Health Regulations

All health rules as outlined by the Florida Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Industry pertaining to the Admission of Animals for Exhibition (for each animal classification) must be strictly adhered to. Any violation of these rules is grounds for disqualification of entry. Certified State Veterinarians will be on-site to check animals and accompanying papers. No animals to be unloaded without approval from the veterinarians. ()

  1. Fair Check-in:
  2. An Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI “Health Certificate”) is required before unloading.
  3. The barns will be closed during weigh-ins and check-ins. Only exhibitors and animals will be allowed in the barns. NO EXCEPTIONS! The committee will inform the exhibitors when equipment can be moved into the barn.
  4. Small Animals & Poultry

Sunday, February 14,2016

9:00 – 11:00 AM

  • Dairy Goats

Sunday, February 14,2016

9:00 – 11:00 AM

  • Market Hogs

Sunday, February 14,2016

9:00 – 12:00 PM

Maximum age: 6 months

Weight Requirement 230 lbs.

Hogs weighing over 300lbs will be sold as 300lbs.

Required grade of #2 or better - subject to sonogram

  • Market Steers

Sunday, February 14,2016

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Weight requirement: 1,000 lbs. with an average daily gain of at least 1.5 lbs calculated as ending weight minus beginning weight, divided by number of days on feed.

Steers must not be over 2 years of age (animals subject to screening)

Steers must be halter-broken and dehorned (no skurs longer than one inch)

  • Dairy/Beef Breeding Cattle

Sunday, February 14,2016

1:30 – 2:30 PM

  1. Only cordless clippers are allowed on the fairgrounds for touch-ups. Animals should be clipped prior to checking in at the fair. Exhibitors are expected to groom their own animals. No professionals.
  1. No portable generators allowed.
  1. The owners name must be clearly identified on all equipment brought on the fairgrounds.
  1. Animal Disposition (Market Steers, Dairy/Beef Breeding Cattle,)
  2. Disposition test will be a continual test throughout the week of the fair.
  3. Exhibitor must be able to control the animal without help from the time the animal enters the fairgrounds.
  4. Exhibitor will be required to lead the animal in the show ring following completion of their final check-in to demonstrate his/her ability to handle the animal.
  5. If, at anytime, a member of the Fair Board feels there is an animal in question, it will be observed closely and a decision will be made. If it is determined that any animal poses a threat, the Fair Board reserves the right to disqualify the animal and send it home. The safety of all exhibitors and animals is the primary concern.
  1. All animals must remain in their pens/cages/stalls during the hours the fair is open to the public. Exceptions are show/sale nights only. (Cattle only: Animals must be double tied and have a neck rope at all times if no pens are available)
  1. Judging Dates/Times – Barns will be closed during shows – only exhibitors and committee members permitted
  2. Market Steers and Dairy/Beef Breeding Cattle

Tuesday, February 16,2016

Time TBA

Barn will be closed from 5:30 PM until show completion.

  • Market Hogs

Wednesday, February 17,2016

Time TBA

Barn will be closed from 5:30 PM until show completion.

  • Dairy Goats

TBA

  • Small Animals/Poultry

TBA

Modified Danish System will be used for all shows.

Judges decision will be final.

Showmanship Contest (when applicable) will be held immediately following the shows.

Junior Exhibitors: 8 – 12 years of ageSenior Exhibitors: 13 and up

Pee Wee 4-Her’s – 6 – 8 years of Age (Small Animal/Poultry Only)

  1. If, due to illness or injury, the exhibitor is unable to show his/her animal, the Fair Board must be notified in advance and the committee will appoint a person to show the animal on the exhibitor’s behalf.
  1. When writing buyer letters, exhibitors are not to solicit add-ons under the title of the Hendry County Fair & Livestock Show, Inc. Do not solicit direct payments.
  1. Dairy/Beef Breeding Cattle
  2. Cattle may be purebred, grade, or crossbred.
  3. All animals showing in registered classes must have registration papers.
  4. Dairy and beef crosses may be exhibited and shown. Exhibitor must designate if showing as dairy or beef at time of entry.
  5. All grade animals will be shown together in commercial classes according to age classifications shown below.
  6. All recognized breeds shall compete separately according to age classifications below.
  7. Beef Classes - TBD
  • Dairy Classes - TBD
  1. Dairy Goats
  2. Goats may be purebred, recorded grade, or grade.
  3. All animals showing in registered or recorded grade classes must have registration papers. (Official Registration Certificate is required for animals over 2 years of age. A duplicate application for registry stamped by the ADGA office is permissible for animals under 2 years of age.)
  4. All recognized breeds shall compete separately according to the following age classification as of opening day of fair.
  5. junior doe kid – under 4 months
  6. senior doe kid – 4 months to under 8 months
  7. junior doeling – 8 months to under 12 months
  8. senior doeling – 12 months to under 24 months
  9. yearling milker in milk
  10. milkers – 2 years to under 3 years
  11. milkers – 3 years and older
  • Grand Champion and Reserve Champion to be selected for each breed. Best Doe in Show to be selected.
  1. Medication/Drugs
  2. No drugs will be administered to the animals on the fairgrounds. The only exception to this rule will be if administered by a state certified veterinarian, and the Fair Board is notified in advance. The Fair Board reserves the right to do random blood checks at anytime during the fair. If any drugs are found, the animal will not show (or sell, if pertinent) and will be sent home. All privileges will be forfeited.
  3. Under no circumstances may anything be given to calm the animal.
  4. Only feed, hay, and water may be given to animals.
  5. If DES, or any other substance violating federal or state laws is found in the carcass (market steers/hogs,) owner will assume total responsibility for violating the law, and exonerates the Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show, Inc., and its trustees and directors for any liability. Exhibitor forfeits the right to the sale price of the animal.
  1. Market Steer/Hog Sale
  2. Sale of steers and hogs will be Friday, February19, 2016. All market animals must be sold.
  3. Winners Choice - Grand Champion Steer and Hog and Reserve Champion Steer and Hog will be given the choice as to when they will sell their animal.
  4. Barn will be closed during the sale – only exhibitors will be allowed. (Exception: steer exhibitors will be allowed to have one parent.)
  5. Exhibitor and animal must be ready when called to the sale ring, or sale position will be forfeited.
  6. 4% of total sale price, including add-ons, will be assessed. This charge will be used to offset expenses of the market animal show and sale.
  7. The Hendry County Fair & Livestock Show Board of Trustees will guarantee $1.00 per pound, or sale price, whichever is less. Add-ons are not guaranteed. All payments will be made at the discretion of the Hendry County Fair & Livestock Show, Inc.
  1. Final Check-out
  2. Saturday, February 20, 2016
  3. TBA approx 6pm
  4. Exhibitors will not be allowed in the hog and cattle barns until all market animals have been removed.
  5. Exhibitors must be present and will be responsible for cleaning pens/stalls/cages.
  6. Completed and up-to-dateOfficial Hendry County Fair record books must be turned in. Record book must be secured in a three ring binder or folder.
  7. Market Animal Exhibitors must turn in a buyer’s thank-you letter(in a stamped, sealed, addressed envelope.) Letter must be handwritten.
  8. Failure to comply with all final check out rules will result in a $100.00 penalty.
  1. Fair Management will make every effort to provide for the comfort and safety of guests and animals. However, management assumes no responsibility in case of injury or death to exhibitor, parent, siblings, guest or animal.
  1. Market Animal Add-on Thank-you Letters
  2. All thank-you letters (in stamped, sealed, and addressed envelopes,) must be turned in.
  3. Letters must be handwritten.
  4. A copy of each of the letters must be turned in.
  5. Deadline for turning in letters and copies: hand-delivered to Fair Board by, or postmarked on/before April 15, 2016. (We suggest mailing them return receipt requested, in order to prevent any confusion.) An additional 2% every 2 weeks will be deducted from sale proceeds for late letters.
  6. Failure to turn in appropriately stamped letters and/or copies by the designated deadline will result in a $25 penalty being deducted from sale proceeds.
  7. Failure to turn in letters on or before July 1, 2016 will result in an additional 2% deduction for every two weeks the letters are late from sale proceeds, as well as the exhibitor not being allowed to show in the 2016 fair. The rule applies to exhibitors and non-exhibitors (those whose animals did not make weight, but received add-ons.)
  8. Checks will not be issued until all rules have been complied with and proceeds have been collected from buyer.

Failure to follow rules, as well as any problems which may arise will be considered by the Fair Board. Any issues or concerns should be brought to their attention immediately. If fair rules, including animal and pen cleanliness or proper exhibitor’s conduct are not met, the exhibitor and his/her parents will be asked to appear before the Fair Board and the Board will take the necessary action to correct the problem. That decision will be final. The punishment could be in dollar amounts. Exhibitor may be disqualified from the show and sale, sent home, and/or banned from participation in future shows and/or sales. The Hendry County Fair and Livestock Show Board reserves the right to cancel any show based on any reason they deem necessary. Dates and Times of each and every event are subject to change.

It is our expectation that exhibitors will be on their best behavior at all times. Our hope is that common sense will guide exhibitor actions when interacting with others on the fairgrounds. A spirit of good sportsmanship is expected at all times.