Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Rules Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules have been formulated with the input and suggestions of 4-H Volunteers, 4-H Extension Educators, FFA Advisors, and Penn State University Specialists. Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules are to be used in conjunction with county specific rules. County Rules shall never over ride a regional rule. For example: The minimum weight for beef cattle is 900 lbs. Counties in the Northwest will all have a minimum of 900 lbs for beef cattle. Individual counties are not to make their own rules to over ride the regional rules. An advisory committee of 4-H Extension Educators, 4-H Volunteers, and FFA Advisors (one of each per county) will meet once a year in September to review rules and work on planning educational programs. Topic Project Books Ethics & Quality Assurance Rule Use approved 4-H curriculum obtained from your county 4-H Extension Educator or SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) approved FFA educational materials. 4-H members must meet current PA State 4-H Animal Science Requirements. All 4-H animal science youth are required to participate in training regarding three specific Good Production Practices annually. All youth will then be required to complete a survey (online or on-site) regarding these practices as identified annually by the Youth Quality Management for Animal Science Team of Penn State Cooperative Extension. Failure to participate in a certified training opportunity (annually) by July 1, of the current 4-H year will result in the youth s inability to show project animal(s) at a county roundup or state and national 4-H sanctioned shows and sale programs. Participation in these programs is a privilege not a right. 4-H members must have a current record of training completion on file with the county cooperative extension office. 4-H members exhibiting a 4-H animal at the PA State Farm Show must meet current PA State Farm Show training requirements. *** When youth, parents, guardians, 4-H leaders, or representatives acting in behalf of youth are found to be doing unethical practices to an animal, Extension Staff and/or FFA Educators may disqualify the youth from shows, sales, and future exhibition. In addition, youth may be required to forfeit any ribbons or awards won and may not receive premium money. Adults associated with practicing unethical procedures on 4-H or FFA animals may be prohibited from participating in 4-H or FFA youth livestock activities as deemed appropriate by Extension and FFA Educators. Multi-County 4-H Membership Pennsylvania 4-H State Policy states that a 4-H member can not carry the same project in more than one county. For example: a member could not enroll in a beef project in X County and also enroll in a beef project in Y County.
Members may sell livestock projects in only one county. For example: If a member sells a steer in X County, he/she can not sell another livestock 4-H project in another county. Ownership of Animals Market 4-H project animal must be owned by, and in the care of the member by tagging date. Member is responsible for all aspects of animal care, feeding and housing, regardless of location. 4-H members should use Best Management Practices when feeding and caring for their 4-H animals. Minimum Ownership Time Beef Cattle: owned and on feed at least 225 days prior to show Hogs: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show Lambs: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show Goats: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show Rabbits: The Doe for rabbits used for meat rabbit competition should be on the premises (owned and cared for by the 4-H member) at least 60 days prior to the show. * *Explanation: The member should care for the litter of rabbits and select the meat pen from these animals. Spare Animal Policy County decision, but should be uniform across all species within a county. Project Identification/Weigh-In Beef Cattle: Identified and/or tagged at least 225 days prior to show *** It is strongly recommended that cattle be halter broke and under control to be tagged and/or weighed. County livestock committees reserve the right to reject animals from being identified. ***Due to the PSU 4-H Liability Insurance requirement, in the event that a county s steer weigh-in falls in the previous calendar year to that county s round-up year, youth turning eight (not yet enrolled in 4-H Animal Science Project) will be permitted to tag project animals after January 1, but before January 31. Days of ownership for these eight year olds will be waived. Hogs: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show Lambs: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show Goats: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show Rabbits: should be identified and tattooed 2 weeks prior to the show Counties will tag/identify animals according to their county programs, working in conjunction with state and federal laws on identifying animals. Minimum & Maximum Weights At the Initial Weigh-in Beef Cattle: Suggested weight ranges 450-750 lbs at 225 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for beef cattle is: 2lbs 2.5lbs per day Hogs: Suggested weight ranges 50-100 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for hogs is: 1.6lbs 1.8lbs per day Lambs: Suggested weight ranges 40-80 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for lambs is:.7lb 1lb per day Goats: Suggested weight ranges 20-40 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain is 3lbs per week.
Horns/Castration Beef Cattle: No horns and castrated by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Hogs: Castrated by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Lambs: Castrated and dehorned by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Goats: Castrated by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Note: dehorned was removed for 2013for goats only. All Market Animals should be completely castrated at time the animal is weighed in and/ or identified. There will be a 10 day grace period for animals not completely castrated at the time the animal is weighed in and/or identified. Member must show proof of complete castration to their extension educator from their veterinarian within 10 days of when the animal is weighed in and/or identified. Species - Breed Requirements Beef Cattle: Must be of beef breeding. Hogs: Breeding of members choice Lambs: Breeding of members choice Goats: Meat goat breeding recommended 4-H members are to check their county 4-H livestock rules in reference to gender of animals allowed to be shown. For example, gilts may be permitted to be shown as market hogs in one county, but not another, depending on county and/or fair rules. Animal Age Beef Cattle: Born after January 1 st in the year preceding the show Hogs: Born after January 1 st of the year of the show Lambs: Born after January 1 st of the year of the show Goats: Born after November 1 st of the year preceding the show Rabbits:Meat Pens and Fryers not more than 70 days old at time of show. Roasters over 10 weeks and under 6 months old at time of the show. Minimum Sale Weights Beef Cattle: 900 lbs Hogs: 200 lbs Lambs: 80 lbs Goats: 60 lbs Rabbits: 3 lbs per rabbit 4-H animals must meet these minimum sale weights to sell in the county 4-H Livestock Sale. These weights are the weights taken of animals at the county fair or round-up. Maximum Sale Weights Beef Cattle: 1550 lbs Hogs: 325 lbs Lambs: 170 lbs Goats: 125 lbs Rabbits: 8 lbs per rabbit 4-H animals must not exceed these maximum sale weights or they will not be sold in the county 4-H Livestock Sale. These weights are the weights taken of animals at the county fair or round-up. Typical Ideal Market Weight Ranges: Beef Cattle: 1150 1350 lbs Hogs: 230 280 lbs Lambs: 90 130 lbs Goats: 60-110 lbs
Showmanship tools Fitting/Grooming Grooming Products Dress Code Goats: No training collars will be allowed. Smooth small link chain or nylon collars are acceptable. Any collars deemed in-humane will result in disqualification. Members should be present at all times and actively involved in the fitting of their project animal. Members will follow the county guidelines and are responsible for appropriate use of any fitting/grooming products used. Clean long pants or dress/skirt below the knee. Dress shirt with sleeves, buttoned appropriately, or 4-H Club T-Shirt. No commercial logos other than 4-H or FFA. No bare midriffs. No hats. Appropriate shoes for showing, which should be hard sole shoes, especially for beef cattle and hogs. No sandals. Individual county standards should comply with this basic dress code, but can add consequences of improper attire. Carcass Shows Sale Consignments Special Needs Youth Carcass show recommendations for weights and judging criteria will follow guidelines provided by Penn State Meats Lab/or Department of Dairy and Animal Science County decision on how to run -operate the county 4-H Livestock Sale. County Livestock Committee, in cooperation with Extension Educators and FFA Advisors, will make all reasonable efforts to include all youth, will be permitted to grant lenience for special needs youth with disabilities or injuries as situations arise. These Rules Adopted: August 2004 Reviewed: September 25, 2014
11/1/17 Additional Erie County 4-H Market Livestock Rules Spare Animal Policy County decision, but should be uniform across all species within a county. ERIE COUNTY: If animals of the same species are being raised in the same barn, then all related 4-H members may elect to tag one additional common backup animal of that species in said children s joint names. But animals must remain being raised in the same barn for the entire 4-H year.(related means - brothers, sisters, step siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) Grooming Products Members will follow the county guidelines and are responsible for appropriate use of any fitting/grooming products used. ERIE COUNTY: follow the current year Farm Show and Ethics Standards, which read as follows: Use only grooming products that are approved for use on meat producing animals when fitting any animal for show. Unapproved products may contain ingredients that result in unacceptable residue in the meat. If it is not certain that a product is residue safe and approved for use on meat animals, don t use it. Jr. Market Steers & Jr. Breeding Heifers No exhibitors, individuals assisting exhibitors or member owners at the Livestock Show shall be allowed to use any coloring agents on any animal exhibited. No aerosol cans or pressurized containers will be allowed in the designated make-up areas. All sale animals must be washed after showing. The use of any grooming products applied to livestock after the Show and prior to the Sale is prohibited. Sale Consignments County decision on how to run-operate the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale. ERIE COUNTY: All animals must be shown in the Junior Market Classes at the Waterford Fair in order to be sold. A member may show four species but is only permitted to sell two. Members must sign a declaration, at the Waterford Fair weigh-in, yes or no, whether each animal is selling or not. If the animal not going through the Sale receives a sale banner, it must be surrendered, in the Show ring, to the next in class. If one species is goat, it must go through the Sale. A maximum of two animals of any one species will be identified as on feed for the Sale per 4-H member. All market lambs must be shorn by weigh-in at Waterford Fair and may not have any coats/blankets on at time of weigh-in. A steer lead test may be performed by leaders prior to the Fair.
A sales commission of 5% on the Grand Champions of each species and 4% on all other animals will be assessed to help defray expenses of conducting the Sale and recognizing buyers. Checks will be issued to sellers when all payments from buyers are received. If there is a non-payment by a buyer or an animal death at the Fair, the Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale Fund will make payment to the seller. Additional Erie County Specific Rules: Tagging Program Supervision Waterford Community Fairgrounds All Lambs must have a Scrapie ear tag. At the 4-H Roundup, all disputes/rule interpretation will be settled by the Erie County 4-H Livestock Committee. All disputes/rule interpretation at the Waterford Fair in regards to the Sale/Show will be settled by the Erie County 4-H Livestock Committee and the Waterford Fair. Action taken by the appropriate committee will be final with a majority vote. Action taken could be up to and including removal from the Erie County 4-H Program. If a member, parent or leader sees someone that they believe is not following the 4-H rules or guidelines, they should immediately find an Erie County 4-H leader. That leader should immediately find a member of the Erie County Livestock Committee who will contact the other members of that committee. A committee will observe and analyze the situation. If they believe rules are not being following, the entire Livestock Committee will assemble. At this time the Committee will speak with the member and his/her parents/guardians to hear their side. The Committee will then discuss the matter and decide what if anything needs to be done to remedy the situation. They will also determine if immediate action needs to be taken or if action will be taken at a later time. In certain instances immediate action may be necessary without the entire Committee being present (i.e. Animal abuse). If this occurs the Committee member should step in immediately and then find the other members. Depending on the situation the Waterford Fair board may also need to be contacted and involved in the matter.
Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale and 4-H Roundup Waterford Fair Youth Livestock Sale Genders of species for Erie County include: Statement from veterinarian with vet-client relationship: 1. Free of contagious, infectious, or external parasitic disease (cattle, hogs, lambs) 2. Immunized against IBR, PI3, and BVD (cattle) a. Modified live vaccine 15-180 days before show b. Killed vaccine 2 doses 2-4 weeks apart with last dose a minimum of 15 days before show All animals must meet the health requirements of the Waterford Community Fair as listed in the premium book (also available online at http://www.waterfordfairpa.org). Market Beef - castrated males Market Goats - castrated males and females Market Hogs - castrated males and females Market Lambs - castrated males and females