Harris County Fair Calf Scramble Handbook

Harris County Fair Calf Scramble Handbook 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS CALF SCRAMBLE CONTACT INFORMATION. 3 CALF SCRAMBLE GENERAL RULES AND ELIGIBILITY..4 SPECIAL RULES.5 DUTIES AFTER CATCHING A CALF 6 PURCHASE CERTIFICATE RULES.8 REDEEMING 2016 CALF SCRAMBLE PURCHASE CERTIFICATE..9 REQUIREMENTS OF CALF SCRAMBLE PROGRAM..11 2017 HARRIS COUNTY FAIR SCRAMBLE SHOW REQUIREMENTS.14 STALL DECORATIONS 15 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.16 RETURNING TO THE 2017 SHOW..17 2017 CALF SCRAMBLE PROJECT CHECKLIST.19 2

CALF SCRAMBLE OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION Co-Chairman: Kari Ollis 281-435-2215 Kari.Ollis@yahoo.com Mary Farley 832-331-6954 Maryfarley.home@gmail.com Mailing Address: Harris County Fair Office 1 Abercrombie Drive Houston, TX 77084 Questions: Please address to Kari Ollis or Mary Farley 3

General Rules and Eligibility General Houston Farm and Ranch, Inc. or the Harris County Fair is not responsible for any accidents which may occur to any participant in the Calf Scramble before, during or after the event. Calf Scramble entries must be submitted by the applicant s Agriculture Science teacher or 4-H leader no later than September 18, 2016 to the Farm and Ranch office. Applicants will be considered on a first-come, first served basis. Selection will then be based on the applicant s adequate facilities, availability of resources and their desire to raise and show an animal. Once the necessary paperwork has been received and verified by the Calf Scramble Committee, qualified applicants will be notified of their acceptance as a participant or alternate. This official notification will be sent to you by the Harris County Fair Office only. All applicants are required to complete a Minor s Release and Indemnity Agreement and return it with the application. An application will not be considered without this signed and notarized release form. All applicants are subject to the General Rules of the Harris County Fair and Special Rules of the Livestock Show. Applicant must not have purchased an animal prior to the scramble event. The Calf Scramble Committee reserves the right to determine the number of calves, number of participants, and awards to be given on the basis of committed sponsorships. Though the event is titled Calf Scramble Contest, the participant that catches a calf will be required to purchase a breeding beef heifer. ELIGIBILITY Applicant must have reached their 13th birthday, but not their 18th birthday by September 1, 2016 and not be enrolled beyond their junior year in high school. Applicant must be enrolled in and considered eligible in a Harris County 4-H or FFA at the time of application and if selected, at the time of scramble. 4

Applicant must be a resident of Harris County or zoned to a Harris County School. Applicant must be financially able to supply any additional funds that may be needed to purchase the breeding beef heifer and to feed and care for it. Applicant must be able to provide suitable facilities for caring and developing an animal. Applicant and his/her parents/guardian must be willing and the participant must be eligible to spend the required time away from school and other activities to exhibit and care for the animal at the 2017 Harris County Fair. Applicants who have previously won a scramble certificate through participation in a previous Harris County Fair Calf Scramble are not eligible to participate in the 2016 Calf Scramble. SPECIAL RULES Approved applicants are considered eligible by the Harris County Fair for participation in the Calf Scramble at the time the entry was made. Any Ag Science Teacher or 4-H Leader that has a member who becomes ineligible to participate, for any reason, must provide written and signed notification to the Scramble Office at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled Scramble in which the ineligible participant was to participate. Failure to do so may result in disqualification of said FFA Chapter or 4- H Club of entries for the following Fair year. If a participant is unable to scramble for any reason, an alternate will be assigned by the Calf Scramble Committee. There will be four (4) MANDATORY meetings for participants as stated below. Mandatory Meeting #1 (All Participants) TBD- During the 2017 Harris County Fair McAnally Hall Review Scramble information and turn in eligibility forms. Mandatory Meeting #2 (All Participants) Day of 2017 Harris County Calf scramble McAnally Hall Scramble Check-In Mandatory Meeting #3 (Scramble Winners Only) - Immediately following the Scramble McAnally Hall Meet Sponsor and take pictures Mandatory Meeting #4 (Scramble Winners Only) TBD Discuss requirements for buying an animal, reports required and receive Scramble Purchase Certificates. Thank you notes to sponsors will be written at this time. Bring a written thank you note with a stamped envelope. 5

Failure to attend any of these mandatory meetings will result in disqualification from competition and forfeiture of any prizes awarded. Excused absences MUST be cleared with the Scramble Chairman prior to meeting time and date. DUTIES AFTER CATCHING A CALF The heifer must be a FFA or 4-H project. The winner MUST exhibit the animal at the 2017 Harris County Fair. The animal purchased may not be entered in any show prior to the 2017 Harris County Fair that requires the winning animals to be sold at auction. Appropriate entry materials must be submitted through the exhibitor s club or chapter for the exhibitor to show in the 2017 Harris County Fair. Scramblers may purchase the animal of their choice in accordance with the General Rules of the Harris County Fair and Special Rules of the Junior Livestock Show and as designated on their application. Scramblers cannot purchase animals from themselves, immediate family members or their ranches. Checks will not be issued to 4-H Clubs, FFA Chapters, students, parents or supervisors. Scramblers cannot purchase an animal that they have previously shown at the Harris County Fair in any given year or any animal that has previously been recorded in their name or in an immediate family member s name. A Scrambler will be awarded a Purchase Certificate in the amount of $650 to purchase a Breeding Beef Heifer. Proof of purchase price must be provided in order to redeem Purchase Certificates. In the event the purchase price of the animal does not exceed the amount of the Purchase Certificate, the scrambler must provide proof of feed and care expenses in order to receive the remaining balance of their certificate. Once each month, starting with December, 2016, the Scrambler is required to complete a progress report on his/her animal. If an animal has not been purchased, a progress report is still required, stating any activities leading up to the purchase of an animal. The original report and one copy shall be turned in to the Harris County Fair office by the 10th of each month. If the report is mailed to the Harris County Fair 6

office, it must be postmarked by the 10th of the month. Any report received after the due date will be stamped late and will be reflected in the final evaluation of your scrapbook. The Scrambler will also keep one copy of the report and submit one copy to his/her 4- H leader or Ag Science Teacher. These reports will be submitted monthly for Ten (10) months with the last report due September 10, 2017. In addition to these reports, a 500-550 word Breed Essay, will be due July 15, 2017, must be submitted to the calf scramble office, this essay describes why you choose the breed. Year End Essay 1,000-1,100 word essay describing his/her experience during this project and bound in a scrapbook will be due September 10, 2017 (Any essay more than 1,100 words will not be judged) The scrapbook shall contain essay, copies of monthly reports and any photos of project. The Scrambler with the best scrapbook will receive a check for $150.00. This check will be awarded at 2017 Harris County Fair Calf Scramble awards ceremony. A winner who fails to fulfill their obligations will have their Scramble Certificates revoked, will be required to repay the certificate value to the Harris County Fair and will be required to provide a letter of explanation to the donor and the Fair office. Failure to comply with these rules could also result in forfeiture of Calf Scramble entries for one year for that club/chapter. If repayment is not made within 30 days of the 2016 Harris County Fair, the Show reserves the right to repossess the scramble animal. 7

PURCHASE CERTIFICATE RULES 1. The total award for all Calf Scramble Certificate recipients is $800, $650 of which will be used to purchase the heifer and $150 of which will be received upon return to the 2017 Harris County Fair, provided that all obligations are fulfilled. Purchase certificates in the amount of $650 must be used in the purchase of a breeding beef heifer approved by the CEA or AST. 2. Heifers must be born between Jan. 1, 2016 and Dec. 31, 2016. Animal purchased must be a purebred, registered female, however not limited to of one of the following breeds: American breeds: Brahman, Brangus (black), Red Brangus, Santa Gertrudis, Simbrah and Beefmaster. English breeds: Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Polled Hereford and Shorthorn. European breeds: Aberdeen Angus (black), Charolais, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Simmental and Chianina. (Charolais must be 31/32nds to be purebred). (Simmentals, must be purebred). All Heifers must be registered with their respective breed association. 3. The calf must be an FFA or 4-H project. The winner MUST return to the 2017 Harris County Fair and show the calf in the Scramble Beef Heifer Show. Projects may not be entered in any show prior to the 2017 Harris County Fair that requires the winning animals to be sold at auction. Appropriate entry materials must be submitted through the exhibitor s club or chapter by the registration deadline to be announced at a later date. 4. Payment on scramble heifer certificates will be made to the seller after the completed purchase certificate and the original, transferred registration paper are received in the Scramble Office. Please refer to the back of the Scramble certificate for the required details. The original scramble certificate must be signed by the supervisor, seller, student and parents. Payment will be delayed if documentation is incomplete. 5. All correspondence, including certificate and registration papers, should be sent to: Harris County Fair Office, Attn: Calf Scramble, 1 Abercrombie Drive, Houston, Texas 77084 6. Winners cannot purchase animals from themselves, immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandfather, stepfather, stepmother, halfbrother, half-sister, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, cousin) 7. Winners cannot purchase a calf that they have previously shown at the Harris County Fair in any given year or any calf that has previously been recorded in their name or in an immediate family member s name. 8

8. If a calf is purchased for less than the $650 certificate amount, the seller will be issued a check for only the actual purchase amount. 9. Heifer Certificates may be combined with certificates from other stock shows. Heifer must return to the 2017 Harris County Fair and be shown in the heifer scramble show. If a combination of certificates is being used, the original transferred registration papers must be sent to the Show that is earliest in the calendar year. The first Show will make copies of the original transferred registration papers and then forward the original transferred registration papers to the later Shows. The last Show of the calendar year will receive and hold the original transferred registration papers and forward the original transferred registration papers to the winner/exhibitor upon completion of his project at all of the Shows involved. 11. Scramble Heifer substitutions are made on a case by case basis and MUST be approved by the Scramble committee Chairman. 12. Winners who fail to fulfill their obligations as stated in these rules will have their Calf Scramble Certificates revoked, will be required to repay the certificate value to the Harris County Fair and will be required to provide a letter of explanation to the donor and the Scramble Office. Failure to comply with these rules may also result in forfeiture of Calf Scramble entries for one year for that club/chapter. If repayment is not made within 60 days of the 2017 Harris County Fair reserves the right to repossess the scramble heifer and revoke invitations to participate in future Harris County Fairs. 13. Failure to submit three (3) or more monthly reports to the donor and Scramble Office during the course of the yearlong project will make the exhibitor ineligible for the remaining $150 received at the 2017 Awards Ceremony. Redemption of Scramble Certificate 1. The animal must be purchased not later than April 15th, 2017 a. ORIGINAL TRANSFEREED REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE MUST BE FILED IN CALF SCRAMBLE OFFICE HOUSTON FARM AND RANCH. b. NOT LATER THAN June 1st, 2017. (IF HEIFER IS A COMBINED PURCHASE WITH H.L.S.R.,SAN ANTONIO, AUSTIN OR FT WORTH A COPY OF THE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IS ACCEPTABLE) 2. Animal purchased must be a purebred, reference above Rule 2 of Purchase Certificate Rules. a) The Heifer must have calved from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2016. 9

3. Calf purchased must be approved by the CEA or AST before a check will be issued from the Calf Scramble Fund for payment. 4. The purchase certificate must be given to the seller, who is responsible for transferring the registration certificate to the scramble winner s name. The transferred registration papers, scramble certificate and health papers (which include Brucellosis test or vaccination certificate by a licensed veterinarian) must be returned to the Houston Farm and Ranch, Attn: Calf Scramble Committee, One Abercrombie Dr., Houston, TX 77084. 5. PAYMENT WILL NOT BE MADE TO THE SELLER UNTIL THE ABOVE PAPERS ARE RECEIVED IN THE CALF SCRAMBLE OFFICE. Check will be mailed directly to seller upon receipt in Calf Scramble Office, of this completed certificate, transferred registration certificate and health papers. HEIFER MAY NOT BE PURCHASED FROM PARTICIPANT S OWN HERD OR FAMILY MEMBER. 6. The original registration certificate will remain in the files of the Houston Farm and Ranch, until the winner has returned to show the heifer at the 2017 Harris County Fair. 7. The obligation of the Calf Scramble Program must be met and this must be verified by the scramble participant s supervisor. If not, the participant will be required to return the $650.00 to the Harris County Fair. 10

REQUIREMENTS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FAIR CALF SCRAMBLE PROGRAM 1. Thank-you letter bring your thank you letter to the November 2016 mandatory meeting. The thank you letter must be unsealed and in an envelope addressed to your sponsor with appropriate postage. 2. Monthly Reports (with photos) and Expense Reports a. Post marked by the 10th of every month for the previous month. Ex: May report is due no later than June 10th. b. It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your donor, the Calf Scramble Office, and provide your AST/CEA a copy of the report each month. c. You must keep a copy of each report for your records to be inserted into your scrapbook. d. Reports are due even if you have not purchased your heifer or if no expenses are incurred for the current month. Your donor still wants to hear about any progress made from November 2016 through August 2017. e. If you need assistance contact your Calf Scramble greeter. f. The first report is due December 10 for the month of November. g. The last report is due September 10 for the month of August. You may choose to submit this report early. h. No reports will be accepted late. Reports submitted late, will be marked late, and reported for your final submissions. 3. Breed Essay a) Due July 15, 2017 must be submitted to the calf scramble office. b) Essay Title Why I Selected My Specific Heifer Breed c) Length 500 to 550 words describing the reason you chose the breed of heifer you are raising. d) Keep a copy of your essay to insert in your scrapbook. e) If Mailed must be posted marked by July 15, 2017 f) Do not use all capital letters, bold typeface or decorative background as it makes it extremely difficult to read. 4. Your essay will be evaluated on the following criteria: a) Content b) Rationale for breed choice 11

a) Information about breed b) Focus & Coherence c) Stays on topic and makes sense d) Organization e) Logical progression of ideas f) Clear beginning, middle, and end g) Voice h) Reflects scrambler s personality i) Original and genuine j) Grammar & Mechanics k) Follows guidelines with specified title l) Demonstrates standard English usage of correct spelling and grammar m) If information is used from the internet or other resources, please cite the source. n) Your sources will be checked do not copy and paste from websites o) Have a peer or parent proofread your essay before submittal 5. Year-End Essay a) Due September 10, 2017 b) Length 1,000 to 1,100 words describing your experience raising your Scramble Calf. c) Essay Title My Breeding Beef Heifer Calf Scramble Project d) Keep a copy of your essay to insert in your scrapbook. e) Must be posted marked by September 10, 2017. f) Have a peer or parent proofread your essay before submittal g) Do not use all capital letters, bold typeface or decorative background as it makes it extremely difficult to read. h) Your essay will be evaluated on the following criteria: i) Content j) Describe significant events in the year-long process k) Include entire year s experiences expand beyond the night you scrambled l) Focus & Coherence m) Consists of clear paragraphs and sentences n) Organization i. Presents logical progression of ideas ii. Contains beginning, middle, and end o) Grammar & Mechanics 12

p) Follows guidelines with specified title q) Demonstrates standard English usage of Voice i. Reflects scrambler s personality r) Original and genuine 6. Scrapbook a) Must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the Calf Scramble Office by September 10, 2017 b) Judging takes place prior to the 2017 Show, so it is imperative that your scrapbook arrive on time. c) Your scrapbook is required to contain the following: a. Decorative and original exterior cover b. Inside cover page with your name, club/chapter name. c. Table of Contents with corresponding tabs order of content does not matter, only consistency d. Monthly reports e. Pictures relating to project f. Copy of Breed Essay g. Copy of Year-End Essay h. Maximum Sizes: Length 18 / Width 15 / Weight max 35lbs. / Height & Depth 8 7. Everything listed must be included in your scrapbook; however, you may add anything else that may highlight your scramble experience this is a Highlight Show of your year as a Harris County Calf Scramble participant. 8. Scramblers will have the opportunity to pick up their book during the 2017 Harris County Fair in McAnally Hall. They can be picked up after the Awards Ceremony. Your scrapbook must be picked up before the end of the 2017 Harris County Fair. All scrapbooks remaining in the possession after the 2017Harris County Fair will be disposed of. **Items received after the deadline, will not be judged. ** 13

2017 Harris County Fair Requirements 1. -You are required to bring the heifer that was purchased with your scramble certificate, to the 2017 Show. If you are unable to show due to ineligibility, you will be required to repay the value of your Scramble Certificate. 2. -You may not have a substitute exhibitor show your Scramble entry because you are showing a different animal at the same time. 3. -You have the option to show your scramble heifer in the Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show for an additional entry fee. 4. Your entry for the Scramble Heifer Show and Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show, must be made through your AST/CEA prior to registration deadline. You are not automatically entered in any of these shows. 5. -The Calf Scramble Show is subject to the Harris County Fair General Rules and Regulations, the Junior Show Rules and Regulations and to the Special Rules listed for each. Where Special Rules conflict with other rules, Special Rules will prevail. 6. -Calf Scramble heifer exhibitors must have a copy of their heifer registration paper in their possession as they enter the show ring or they will be disqualified. This copy should have the red Harris County Calf Scramble stamp on it as provided to exhibitor by the Harris County Fair Scramble Office when the original paper is received with the Purchase Certificate. 7. Check-in, on the date of arrival, you must check in with the Calf Scramble Co-Chairman, Kari Ollis and Mary Farley. Stalls are preassigned and stall assignments cannot be changed without Chairperson approval. 8. Scramble Heifers must be checked and cared for twice a day while at the 2017 Harris County Fair defined as morning (before 9 am) evening (6pm or later) 9. Scramble Heifers must have a neck tie each night while at the 2017 Harris County Fair. 14

Stall Decorations 1. Stall Display (upon return to the 2017 Show) 2. -A decorative stall display should be brought to be hung from the top rail of the panel at the head of your heifer s stall for the 2017 Show. Be creative and original. 3. -Maximum size 42 inches wide and 30 inches tall. PLEASE SEE DIAGRAM BELOW 4. -Note: Any displays exceeding the maximum will not be judged. 5. -The Show will provide an 11 x 17 laminated sign that must be attached to your stall display. You can attach it on top, below or to the middle of your stall display. Do not attach on the side of display. Plan ahead to attach the sign. 6. -You may attach legs for more support, but there MUST be a place to tie the animal between the legs. 7. -Decorating is allowed at the head of the stall only and nothing is allowed at foot of stall. 8. -Displays should be set up no later than 7 p.m. on the day of heifer move-in as judging begins this day. 9. -Show Management has the right to remove any questionable decoration (NO GLASS is allowed to be incorporated on/in/around the stall decoration) 10. -Displays should be mounted to the metal pole at head of stall. Zip ties and/or baling wire are easiest methods to attach display. Hooks are Discouraged. Displays must be between stall markings. Do not go over into another stall. 11. -Electricity is available yet limited throughout stalls. 12. -Two bags of shavings are provided in stalls. 13. -Stalls should be kept clean as exhibitors are judged on both their Stall Display and as a Good Herdsman. 14. -Using water or any other substance to clean the rubber mats in the aisles is prohibited. 15

Additional Information 1. Donor Reception and Awards Presentation: a. Please look for information sent via email and mail in February along with other show information. You, your parents and supervisor are invited. No RSVP is required. b. This reception/presentation honors your donor for their generosity. It also honors you, your parents, and your supervisor for a year s worth of dedication and hard work. c. You are required to attend unless your particular breed is showing concurrently in the Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show or Junior Market Steer Show. d. Contact with your donor regarding your attendance is encouraged. 2. Check the Harris County Fair webpage often for updates throughout the year. 3. If you miss the deadline for a monthly report, you are still encouraged to send correspondence to your donor for that month. The missed report will still need to be in your scrapbook to fulfill the requirements for the scrapbooks. 4. If any of your contact information changes, you must contact the Calf Scramble Office and your Greeter with those updates. 5. Your Calf Scramble Greeter can answer questions you have regarding updates or guidelines. 6. All requirements listed on pages 10-14 are to be completed to receive your $150 bonus upon completion of the 2017 Show. 7. If you encounter any problems throughout your project, please contact your Calf Scramble greeter. 16

RETURNING TO THE 2017 HARRIS COUNTY FAIR 1. Your AST/CEA is responsible for submitting your junior heifer show entries prior to the registration deadline. You must enter the Scramble Heifer Show. It is optional but strongly encouraged that you enter the Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show. 2. You are only allowed to bring your scramble heifer to the 2017 Harris County Livestock Scramble Show. 3. All heifers must have either a Tattoo or Brand as designated by the specific breed association registration requirements. The permanent identifier must be clear and legible, permanent tattoo or fire/freeze brand that matches exactly to the permanent identification referenced on the heifer's registration papers. Please verify this before coming to the show as tattoos can fade over time. Heifers with an incorrect or illegible tattoo/brand will be disqualified from the show. 4. Stall space is very tight at the show and there is no room for excessive tack or large show boxes. Bring only necessary items with you. Large show boxes and upright dolly boxes will not be allowed in the stalls. If your show box is larger than your allotted stall space or if excessive feed or tack is brought to the show, it may be moved at the discretion of the Calf Scramble Show Committee, Harris County Fair Superintendent or Show Management. 5. There is not a fee for the Scramble Heifer. The Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show has an entry fee. Please refer to the Harris County Fair webpage for fees, dates, and questions regarding the 2017 Breeding Beef Heifer Show. 6. Stalling: a) All scramble heifers will be stalled together by club or chapter in a designated area. b) Heifers must remain in their assigned stall to be judged, no switching of stalls or moving heifers. 7. Eligibility: 4-H and FFA members are considered to be eligible by the Harris County Livestock Scramble in the Livestock Show at the time entry applications are received from the AST/CEA. Any AST/CEA who has a member who becomes ineligible to participate, for any reason, must provide written and signed notification to the Calf Scramble Office at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of any Junior Show 17

activity in which the ineligible exhibitor was to participate. If an exhibitor is determined ineligible, then the entry is ineligible resulting in repayment of certificate amount (maximum of $650). 8. All Scramble Heifers must be exhibited by the certificate recipient. Official written notification must be provided to the Calf Scramble Office 24 hours prior to heifer. If a substitute exhibitor is allowed by Show management, the substitute showman must be from the same county and FFA or 4H program as the original exhibitor. The substitute exhibitor also must meet all requirements of a Junior Livestock Show exhibitor and an official substitute exhibitor form must be filled out and turned in to the Livestock/Superintendent s Office before the closing of Scramble Heifer and Scramble Steer Show check-in. 18

2017 CALF SCRAMBLE PROJECT CHECK-OFF SHEET Thank-You Letter Bring to November Mandatory Meeting November Report - due December 10 December Report - due Jan. 10 Jan Report- due Feb. 10 Feb. Report- due March 10 March report due April 10 Purchase of Heifer completed- due April 15, 2017 April Report due May 10 May Report due June 10 Heifers: Original registration papers and certificate due June. 1, 2017 June Report due July 10 Breed Essay due Jul. 15, 2017 July report - due Aug. 10 August report - due Sept. 10 Year End Essay Due September 10, 2017 Scrapbook Due September 10, 2017 Return to Harris County Fair October 2017 19

Stall Display set-up upon return Donor Reception/Awards Presentation upon return to 2017 Show 20