Rules for 4-H & FFA Animal Projects

  • Entry Fees: To help pay for judges, some projects will charge an entry fee. These fees are due at the time your entry form is completed and turned in.
  • Record Book Requirements:  Please read page 6 for all record book and interview requirements.
  • Code of Ethics: Montana 4-H is based on principles of positive youth development. We believe that all producers and exhibitors of livestock have an interest in maintaining a reputation of integrity, as well as an interest in presenting a positive and progressive image at livestock shows. Because we believe that all livestock producers want to produce a wholesome, safe, and reliable source of food for the public, we have adopted the following “Livestock Code of Ethics”. Violations of this code are considered unethical in the raising, showing, and exhibiting of livestock for shows and fairs.
  • Sportsmanship All exhibitors and their families are required to conduct themselves in a positive, honest, sportsmanlike manner during shows. Losing gracefully is just as important as winning humbly. The following practices are prohibited:
    • Unsportsmanlike conduct, such as abusive language to show officials, other exhibitors, or the public.
    • Misrepresenting the age of an animal for the class in which it’s shown.
    • Criticizing or interfering with the judge, other exhibitors or show officials while at the show or fair may result in an individual or group being expelled, placed on probation or declared ineligible to exhibit at the show.
  • Treatment of Animals All animals are to be treated in a humane manner with adequate feed, water, and shelter provided. Physically abusing an animal is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Exhibitors or anyone associated with an exhibitor who abuse their animal(s), for whatever reason, will be disqualified from the show. Striking an animal to cause swelling or a mark is absolutely prohibited.
  • Administration of Drugs of any kind or description, internally or externally, except for treating a recognized disease or injury is prohibited. For the purpose of this code, “drug” shall mean any substance commonly used by the medical or veterinary professions that affect the circulatory, respiratory, or central nervous systems of an animal. Only those drugs approved and labeled for use on animals can be administered and proper dosages and withdrawal times must be observed. Exhibitors own and manage livestock and are ultimately responsible to see that they follow appropriate and approved practices. In addition, the following practices are prohibited and unethical:
    • The use of any diuretic on any animal.
    • The use of alcoholic beverages in the feed or administrated as a drench.
    • Treating or massaging any part of the body, internally or externally, with an irritant, counter-irritant or other substance to temporarily straighten a weak back or loin or to produce unnatural animation.
    • Minimizing the effects of cramps by feeding or injecting drugs, depressants, or applying packs or using any artificial contrivance or therapeutic treatment exempting normal exercise.
    • Administration of human tranquilizers to calm down animals.
    • Surgery of any kind performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body, teeth, hide or hair. Not included is the removal of teats or horns, clipping or dressing of hair, trimming of hooves.
    • Insertion of any foreign material under the skin.
    • Any attempt to change the natural color of any animal, either purebred or crossbred, by changing the color of or adding false hair, fleece, or skin at any point, spot, or area of the animal’s body.
  • Violations of the rules and regulations may result in forfeiture of all premiums and awards, disqualification, change in sale order, expulsion or probation of the exhibitor or organized group(s) the exhibitor represents and the exhibit or livestock involved in the violation. Probation, disqualification, expulsion or other disciplinary action of the Gallatin County 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee, Gallatin County Extension 4-H Agent and FFA Advisors will be final. Such action will require application for readmission under such terms as the Gallatin County 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee, Gallatin County Extension 4-H Agent and FFA Advisors may prescribe before the group or individual is allowed to exhibit at future shows. The Gallatin County 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee, Gallatin County Extension 4-H Agent and FFA Advisors reserves the right to interpret rules and arbitrarily settle all differences and questions not adequately addressed by the above Code of Ethics.

  • Care & Display of Animals Exhibitors must be currently enrolled in Gallatin County 4-H or FFA.

    • All animals, except dogs, must have a completed health form and a general health inspection the day of delivery to the Fair. NO ANIMAL WILL BE ALLOWED TO UNLOAD AT THE FAIRGROUNDS WITHOUT THE INSPECTION! The general vet inspection may be obtained for free at each species specific barn during check-in times (see schedule).  Horse owners may have their horses inspected by a veterinarian within the 72 hours before entering the Fair and must bring health form completed and signed by the veterinarian.  All animals showing infectious ailments will be sent home. All poultry must be pullorum free. All female beef and dairy cattle over 1 year of age must have a brucellosis certificate with health inspection.  All horses must have proof of 5 Way vaccination.  West Nile Vaccination recommended.  Strangles vaccination is required for horses under the age of 5.  Coggins test is recommended if you have hauled your horse from out of state.  Rabies vaccination is not required.  Bring your horse’s vaccination certificate with you. 
    • Ownership: All registered stockowners must show original breed certificates in own name or transfer papers including ownership. Livestock must be owned or available under contract (except for breeding animals which must be owned) and cared for by member ninety (90) days prior to the Fair. Proof of ownership, contract or share agreement will be required. Ninety-Day rule doesn’t apply to breeding stock that is an offspring of a female project animal owned by the exhibitor. Market lambs must be owned and in possession seventy (70) days prior to the Fair. All project horses must be owned by the member, or in partnership with his or her immediate family. Any horse that is leased or borrowed must have a current lease contract on record with the Horse Committee.  The owner must be aware of and agree to the rules outlined in the contract. All market and carcass beef must be owned and in possession of 4-H/FFA member by the mandatory January weigh in, no less than 180 days prior to fair.
    • Exhibitors must use ONLY their Project Animal(s). Project animals are defined as animals tagged, tattooed, weighed or declared before the species deadlines.
    • Ear Tags: Barn Superintendents may identify all livestock, upon arrival at the Fairgrounds, with ear tags or tattoos. Market Beef, Sheep, Goats and Swine animals will be tagged at a date set by the respective committees PRIOR TO FAIR.
    • Tying Animals: For security reasons, all beef and dairy animals (except cow/calf pairs that are in pens) must be tied with a neck strap, chain, or rope, in addition to halter rope. Pens will be available for cow/calf pairs upon request on your entry form; they must be halter broke and be led from the truck to the pen.
    • Display of Other Awards: Exhibitors may not display awards won at previous shows until after the class in which they are showing has been judged.
    • EXHIBITORSMUST FURNISH THEIR OWN FEED AND BEDDING - The Fairgrounds provides the first bedding of wood shavings.
    • Exhibitorsmust clean stalls their animals occupied; there will be a cleaning charge if left dirty! ALL ANIMALS MUST BE FED, WATERED AND STALLS PICKED REGULARLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY, EVERY DAY. The Horse Committee has decided that for those who feel that their horse(s) need a break from fairground activity that you will be allowed to take your horse(s) off the fairground premises after 7PM, and must return before 8AM the following day.
    • Adultsmay provide assistance only when there is concern for the safety of the youth member.
    • Refer to Project Manuals available from the Extension Office and your Project Committee for specific requirements or guidelines such as participation contracts. 
  • Herdsmanship 
    • Livestock Exhibitors will be responsible for the appearance , condition and cleanliness of the stalls and barns assigned to them. 
    • Neglect of animals will constitue bing sent home and disqualified. 
    • Every 4-H or FFA member exhibiting livestock is automatically entered in the herdsmanship contest. A $25.00 award will be presented to an individual in each barn area who displays the best herdsmanship. Rob Brownell provides these awards in memory of his father Bob Brownell. Consideration for Award: 
      • Stalls and alley in front of your pen kept clean and orderley during the entire fair.
      • Feed and proper care of your animals throughout the Fair.
      • Courteous and polite to fellow 4-H & FFA members, adults, and Fair visitors in the barn and elsewhere on the Fairgrounds.
      • Neat and clean dress.Equipment neatly stored. 

  •  Showmanship

    • Only 4-H & FFA members will be permitted to fit animals. Younger members are encouraged to get assistance from older members. Animals will be disqualified from the Showmanship Contest if this rule is broken. Adults may provide assistance only when there is concern for the safety of the youth member
    • NO outside groomers/ fitters for shows.
    • The beef members must have their cattle clean and presentable for showmanship, but do not need to use adhesive or black paint.
    • Only 4-H & FFA members are eligible to hold animals in the show ring.
    • 4-H or FFA members must be exhibiting their project animal enrolled in that project to participate in the showmanship contest. All beef market animals must be tagged at the initial January weigh in, and ownership of all breeding animals must be proven to beef committee 90 days prior to fair, to be eligible for showmanship.

    • Showmanship Contest Awards: Each barn (beef, sheep, swine, goat, horse, rabbit and poultry) will present awards for their Champion and Reserve Champion Showman in the Junior and Senior divisions. The Grand and Reserve Showman Junior and Senior from each species will participate in the Round Robin.

  • Judging Criteria:

    • Judging should be based on preparation of animals for show, apparent training and the appearance and behavior of the participating show person.
    • Type of animal should not be considered unless it affects the way the animal should be fitted and shown.
    • Fine or technical points should not be overemphasized to the extent that they are given more weight than an effective job of presenting a clean animal, nor should minor infractions result in disqualification of a show person.

  • Dress Code:

    • Showmanship Classes: White collared dress shirt, long sleeve. Shirt needs to be tucked in. Tie is highly recommended. Black or dark blue jeans for 4-H members. Official FFA dress for FFA members
    • Polished boots for large livestock showmen. Clean tennis shoes are acceptable in sheep, rabbit, and poultry divisions.
    • Market and Breeding Classes: Either official 4-H dress code (White shirt, dark pants) or collared western shirt with black or dark jeans and polished boots. 
    • Market Sale: Either official 4-H dress code (White shirt, dark pants) or collared western shirt with black or dark jeans and polished boots. 
    • FFA Dress code: Official Dress for Showmanship and Sale.  White shirt, black pants for Market/Breeding Classes.

  • Round Robin Rules

    • Large animals and small animals will be combined for the Round Robin Event.
    • The Junior and Senior Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Showman will be selected from each species to compete in the Round Robin.
    • The 3rd and 4th place showman from each species should be identified in order to provide alternates to the Round Robin if necessary.
    • Awards will be given to the Junior and Senior Grand & Reserve Champion showman of each species. If the same Showman wins Grand or Reserve in more than one species, that Showman may choose which species to show in the Round Robin and are still eligible to win the trophy for any species won.
    • Exhibitors must bring their showmanship qualifying animal to the Round Robin. EXCEPTIONS: An animal that is not well behaved or poses an undue risk to the other exhibitors will be replaced but must be approved by the species committee. Species committee members, 4-H Agent or FFA advisors may switch animals out for the safety of the animal.
    • Each round will last approximately 5-8 minutes.
    • The contestant will NOT be scored on their own species.

  • Judging Criteria and Scoring for Round Robin:

    • Judges will be given 5 sets of criteria for each species represented in the Round Robin, these sets of criteria will be compiled by leaders in that species. The judge will evaluate the showman through a scoring system of 1-5 on each of the 5 set criteria. For example, 1 being very poor, 2 being poor, 3 being good, 4 being very good and 5 being excellent. A total of 25 points will be available; no decimal points will be given.
    • The judges will ask each showman 2-3 questions, these questions will be used in the event of a tie.

  • Showmanship Guidelines for Round Robin:

    • Members participating in Round Robin need to follow the same showmanship dress code for the species which they qualified.
    • All participants are required to wear boots, for the safety of the youth participant.
    • Refer to your project manual for further guidelines or contact a species committee member.
    • Check specific rules in appropriate divisions.

  • General Rules for Breeding Animals Only (applies to all animals except dogs)

    • Animals entered in breeding classes will be judged on breed type and characteristics. Dairy Cattle and Dairy Goats will receive consideration for milk producing characteristics and development for age.
    • Animals shown in breeding classes may not be shown in market classes or vice versa.
    • All female Beef and Dairy Cattle over one year of age must have a Brucellosis Certificate with health inspection.
    • Get-of-Sire (sheep & swine) – 3 animals, offspring of 1 sire. Both sexes may be represented, but not more than 1 male. Owned by Exhibitor. Sire need not be present.

  • Poster and Option Rules:

    • Poster entries will be divided into junior and senior divisions. The top 5 posters in each division will receive ribbons and premiums.  All other poster/options will not receive ribbons or premiums.

  • Market Sale Rules:

    • Only animals exhibited in market Class will sell.
    • Exhibitors must show their own animal in Showmanship and at the Market Sale. Exceptions such as medical and family emergencies must be approved by majority vote of the 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee.
    • Exhibitors are limited to 2 animal units. Please refer to species specific project rules as some projects restrict animal units for first year members.
      • 1 steer = 2 animal units
      • 1 lamb = 1 animal unit
      • 1 pig = 1 animal unit
      • 1 goat = 1 animal unit
      • Pen of 3 rabbits = 1 animal unit
      • Pen of 3 poultry = 1 animal unit
    • Exhibitor must take care of animal until they are taken to market.
    • All market animals will be weighed at official Fair weigh-in time. This weight is the official weight.
      • All market animals will be weighed once. In the event of an equipment malfunction, all animals in that species will be re-weighed. Margin of error is at the discretion of the project committees.
    • All market animals are accepted with the understanding that they will be sold at the auction after they have been exhibited and judged, unless released by the livestock superintendent. Champions and Reserve Champions must sell unless the Champion or Reserve champion in Beef is also a Champion or Reserve in another species.  In this case, the 4-H/FFA member may only sell one animal and must decide which one to sell. The remaining animal must be sold by private treaty outside of the market sale.  This exception is to ensure the integrity of the 2 animal unit limit for exhibitors in the market sale.
    • Satisfactory Bill-of Sale must be provided for all market cattle at the time animals are weighed. Provisions for releasing mortgaged stock must also be made prior to sale.
    • All animals will be sold subject to slaughter inspections. If condemned, carcass will be returned to exhibitor for disposal and all money refunded to the purchaser. Refunds will be made at the discretion of the Market Sale Committee.
    • A 5% commission is deducted from the sale price of each animal to pay sale expenses.
      • 5% commission will be deducted from all add-ons.
    • Sale bids are unrestricted – no one’s selling price constitutes a ceiling. Proxy buyers must present a current proxy form with a buyer’s signature and an upper bid limit when registering for the sale. Proxy buyers who exceed the agreed upon upper bid limit will be personally responsible for the difference in dollar amount.
    • A written thank you should be mailed directly to the buyer immediately following the sale. A list of buyers will be available through the Market Livestock Committee.

A BUYER APPRECIATION BARBEQUE PRIOR TO THE SALE WILL BE SERVED

FRIDAY, JULY 19th  AT 3:00 PM. at Exhibit Building #4

THE MARKET SALE WILL START AT 5:00 P.M. 

Sale Committee determines sale order:         

Grand & Reserve Champions of all species sell first. then the following sale order:  To be Determined

             2019 = Goats – Poultry – Sheep – Beef – Rabbits – Swine

            2020 = Poultry – Sheep – Beef – Rabbits – Swine – Goats

            2021 = Sheep – Beef – Rabbits – Swine – Goats – Poultry