C.1.7 Regulations for 4-H Animal Shows at Maine Agricultural Fairs

1. "4-H Age" is defined as the age of the 4-H member as of December 31 of the current 4-H year.  All ages below are "4-H Ages."
   •  4-H exhibitors must be 9 through 18 years of age in order to show competitively in any 4-H animal show.
   • 4-H members age 8 may participate in non-competitive demonstration shows using a rabbit, dog, kid goat, non-market lamb, piglet, or non-market calf.  One-on-one supervision by an adult or older teen is required. All participants will receive identical forms of recognition of participation. (See Cloverbud Policy)
   • 4-H members age 5 through 7 may participate in a skilathon, educational clinic or other public educational activity with one rabbit, dog, kid goat, non-market lamb or piglet, or calf.  One-on-one supervision by an adult or experienced older teen having ultimate control of the animal is required. All participants will receive identical forms of recognition of participation. (See Cloverbud Policy)
2. All shows will require that exhibitors ages 9 through 18 present the standard Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows Approval Form for 4-H Animal Shows.
3. Each animal must be listed on only one member’s approval form with the exception of horse.  Two members who are not siblings or all the children from one family may share the same horse.
4. Since animal approval forms document animal projects, Cloverbud members will not be required to use Animal Approval Forms for their animal activities.
5. 4-H members ages 9 through 18 must fit any animals they show. Members ages 5 through 8 may assist an adult or older 4-H member in fitting their animal with the amount of hands-on participation related to the skills and abilities of the younger member.
6. 4-H members 9 through 18 may use leased animals in 4-H shows.

NOTE: For the 2008 Fair season only, 8 year old members may continue to participate in competitive animal shows as they have done in the past if fairs choose to hold those classes for them.

Regulations for Market Lamb and Market Steers to be sold at fairs open to 4-H members statewide: 

These regulations are for 4-H Members planning to show and sell at either Windsor and/or Fryeburg Fairs.  4-H members need to send in the Intent to Participate Form to the Extension office prior to January 3 for Market Steers.  An Intent to Participate Form is not required for Market Lambs.

1. Market Steers must be owned and in possession by January 1^st and Market Lambs must be owned and in possession by June 1^st, a bill of sale must accompany the Approval Form.

2. Approval forms are due as follows:

   • Market Lambs – June 30^th. This is not a change. (Market Lamb Approval Form)

   • Market Steers – February 15^th. (Market Steer Approval Form)

3. Approval forms must have the electronic ID and Maine State ID (metal) numbers included.  These numbers will be checked by each Extension office against the numbers provided by the electronic system.
4. All projects must be the work of the 4-H member.
5.  The Market Animal project must be raised on your home premises or within a 30-35 mile radius.  Projects outside of this radius must receive an exemption from the local Extension Office and the fair where the animal is entered.
6. All Market Animals must be identified for a specific fair when the animals are tagged (January for Market Steers and June for Market Lambs).  4-H members can tag and identify only one market steer and /or one market lamb per fair per show and sale.
7. 4-Her’s must be willing to have their animals electronically tagged in one ear and a state of Maine metal tag put in the other ear.
8. 4-Her’s must be willing to have a hair or wool sample taken from the animal at the time of tagging.
9. If there becomes a reason to administer a DNA test on the animal, and the animal turns out to be a replacement, the 4-H member will be responsible for the cost of the test. If the animal proves to be the original animal, the 4-H member will not be asked to pay for the test.
10. The 4-H member will be required to contact the Extension office or Maine Department of Agriculture to have a tag replaced in the event that an animal rubs the tag out.  If both tags are missing or have been tampered with the animal is automatically disqualified unless the 4-H member is willing to pay for a DNA test and can prove the animal is the same animal.  At the time the second set of hair is taken for the DNA test, the new ear tags will be replaced at the member’s expense.
11. If 4-Her’s purchase an animal they must provide the original receipt with the approval form and a copy will be made by the Extension Office.
12. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the West Oxford Agricultural Society and the Windsor Agricultural Society reserve the right to administer the DNA test at any time.

4/2008

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