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Fair Book 2008 / General Rules

I. Eligibility - Exhibitor

  1. Exhibitor must be a bona–fide member in good standing of a Denton County 4–H club, FFA, or FFCLA chapter. Exhibitors must be at least 9 years old as of Sept 1, 2007, (or 8 years old and in the third grade) but no more than 18 years old as of August 31, 2007, and below college level to be eligible to show. Clover kids and Junior FFA members not meeting the above age requirements may not participate in the Youth Fair due to the competitive nature of the show.
  2. Second semester FFA and FCCLA members must be members by February 1, 2008, in order to enter in any division or contest. These second semester members may enter animals in the market rabbit division as well as all breeding divisions. They may also enter Public Speaking, Tractor Driving, Home Economics and Environmental Science, Queen / Princess, Rodeo, and Horse Show.
  3. FFA, FCCLA, and 4–H contestants who participate in the Denton County Fair and Sale may not participate in any other county’s show and sale. Any violation will result in the forfeiture of all prizes and premium money. (Floor money will be paid minus 3 percent commission if shipped.)

II. Eligibility - Entry / Project

  1. NO PASS – NO PLAY – NO PROJECT
    If an exhibitor is not passing, he / she will not be permitted to show his / her project at the Fair.
  2. Each entry must be certified by ag science teachers, Home economics teachers, or 4–H leaders for the purpose of entering the “Fair.” All eligibility will be decided prior to the time of exhibition of the entry. All eligibility will be verified with the school principals and final eligibility of 4–H members will be determined by the Denton County Extension Office.
  3. All entries must be exhibited by owners.
    Exceptions, such as illness, will be handled individually by each Superintendent. Those exhibitors found in violation of this rule will be asked to leave the show ring and further participation in the show will be subject to review by show personnel. When an exhibitor has more than one entry per class, a person meeting the approval of the Department Superintendent may exhibit the animal. Exhibitors found in violation of show rules will forfeit all premium and auction sale money.

III. Market Division Rules

  1. Entry Validation
    1. An exhibitor may tag-in and pay for as many entries in the market and food divisions as he or she wants. However, an exhibitor may show 4 entries from the market animal divisions with a limit of 2 per species.
    2. All market animals must be owned by the exhibitor and will be permanently identified by the superintendent of each division at the state validation times (TBA) or at county validation on December 8, 2007, at the fairgrounds by two means of permanent identification. Market rabbits will be validated (tattooed) on Feb 22, 2008.

      All state validated animals will be cross referenced to prove ownership.

      Must submit pictures with entries: 1 of each, clear head shot, (front), chear shot of tag in ear, both profiles

    3. Family entries – When more than one immediate family member feeds market animals, individual ownership must be declared upon arrival at weigh–in. The project then belongs solely to the exhibitor designated.
    4. Entry forms – All entry blanks must be complete with all information and signatures or entries will not be accepted.
    5. Fees – A fee will be charged for all market animals at time of validation or tag–in.

      No entry fees will be refunded.

      The fees are as follows:
      Steers, swine, lambs, meat goats $20.00
      *Pens of chickens and/or mkt rabbits $20.00
      *(plus $35.00 for the animals)

      If an exhibitor plans to show 2 pens of rabbits, two entries will be required. Fifteen (15) market rabbits may be validated from which a pen of three (3) will be exhibited.

      An exhibitor may show 2 pens of chickens (3 birds same sex) from one hatch, the 2 pens must be opposite sex. Ex. Exhibitor buys a "hatch" (all hatches are straight run) of 25 birds. From this hatch exhibitor gets 12 males 13 females. Exhibitor may pick 3 best females for one pen and 3 best males for other pen. Two entry fees are required.

    6. Loss of tag – Any lost tag must be reported to And replaced by the division superintendent or Show superintendent ASAP. No 4–H or FFA Leader may replace tags on their own.
  2. Entry declaration / auction sale
    1. An exhibitor may sell only one item. An Exhibitor making the sale order or silent auction with more than one project will not receive support money on the non–selling project. An exhibitor may not sell in both the Silent Auction and the Live Auction.
    2. Exhibitors who make the sale order with more than one project must declare which project will Sell by the conclusion of the steer show. Superintendents of the involved divisions must be told ASAP and the Livestock Office must be informed.
    3. In the event an exhibitor wins more that one Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion in different Divisions, he / she must declare which one will sell In the auction. Alternates may move up in Sale Order but not replace the Champion or Reserve in “title”. (The judge will name the alternate to be moved up if necessary.)
      1. If an exhibitor wins Grand Champion in a division, any other animals that the exhibitor has in that division are eligible to receive the Reserve Grand Champion title will be pulled so that the next animal will move up for the right to the Reserve Grand Champion title in that division.
    4. Entry release – Market animals that do not make the sale will be shipped or removed from the grounds Immediately after showing.

IV. Breeding Division Rules

  1. Number of entries allowed – An exhibitor may enter as many breeding animals as they want So long as they enter no more than two animals per class.
  2. Ownership of entries – All breeding animals must Be owned by the exhibitor by Dec 31, 2007.
  3. Entry forms – All breeding entries must be postmarked by March 3, 2008. Late entries will be Accepted for the time scheduled for that division, with late fee. Please check division rules.
  4. Entry fees:
    $20
    for breeding beef, swine, sheep, goats
    $5
    for breeding rabbits
  5. Late fees:
    $10
    per late breeding beef, swine, sheep, goats
    $1
    for breeding rabbits

V. Grounds for Disqualifications

Exhibitors in violation of the rules will be asked to leave the show by the Executive Committee and further participation in the show this year or any other year will be subject to review by the Executive Committee.

  1. Exhibitors should practice rules of fair competition.
    1. Everyone is required to keep the grooming and fitting of animals on an amateur basis and keep professionalism out of the show. It is the Responsibility of the Denton County Extension Agents, agricultural science and home Economics teachers, 4–H leaders, and parents to assist in this manner. No others will be allowed to groom show Animals on the show grounds.
    2. The showing of unethically fitted livestock or Livestock of any ineligible age for exhibition In the class entered is prohibited.
      1. Unethical fitting will be deemed to consist of any method altering the natural conformation of any part of the animal's body and painted / dyed to conceal the additional material. No change of the major color pattern of the animal will be allowed. The final decision will rest with the Division Superintendent and Judge.
      2. Animals showing, in the opinion of the Judge, Superintendent, Show Superintendent or Veterinarian, signs of having been operated Upon or tampered with for the purpose of concealing faults in conformation or with intent to deceive relative to the animal’s soundness will be disqualified.
  2. Animal Health — General
    1. All requirements of the Animal Health Commission must be met. Any animal condemned at slaughter by the USDA or Texas Animal Health Commission will be charged back to the exhibitor.
    2. As a condition for participation in the Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair, every exhibitor must agree to submit any animal so entered by him / her to inspection by a veterinarian appointed by DCLA and agrees to have such animal submitted to any test that may be designated and requested by the veterinarian, and agrees that the conclusion reached by the veterinarian shall be final, WITHOUT RECOURSE AGAINST THE DENTON COUNTY LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION OR ANY OF IT’S OFFICERS.
    3. SIFTING — An appointed Show Committee will have the right to remove any entry which in their opinion, is undesirable. Animals not meeting show weight requirements will be removed from the fairgrounds Immediately. All animals weighed wet will be sifted. Animals will be weighed one time only.
  3. Animal Health — Drug Testing
    1. The Denton County Livestock Association reserves the right to have blood, tissue samples, or urine laboratory analysis made on any animal entered for competition. An Exhibitor of any animal producing an analysis with a quantity of diuretic or any non–approved medication will be barred from future competition at the Denton County Youth Fair.
    2. All market animals will be required to have a Cerification form signed by the following:
      1. exhibitor
      2. parent or guardian
      3. CEA or AST
      This form must be signed and MUST BE Brought to the Youth Fair officials by the Exhibitor at the time that the market animals Are weighed in / entered. NO Youth Fair animal will be allowed to show without this this certification form properly filled out.
  4. Classifying Animals
    1. The official classifier of a division (as needed) will review any questionable animal pertaining to the class or breed on the day of the classifying before the judging begins.
    2. Exhibitors / parents will not be allowed to talk to the classifier while he / she is in the classifying area.
  5. Any market animal that has passed through auction sale in connection with any other livestock show is ineligible.
  6. NO ANIMALS WILL BE ALLOWED TO STAY IN TRAILERS, UNLESS DESIGNATED BY THE Show Superintendent due to special conditions.
  7. Parking — All trucks and trailers will be parked in a designated parking area immediately after entry is in place. All others will be towed at the owner’s expense. No vehicle should be parked between barns.
  8. Exhibitors will not be allowed to spend the night on the grounds. The gates will be locked between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Night watchmen will be on duty during these hours.
  9. Bedding is not to be put down until stalls have been assigned. SHAVINGS WILL BE THE ONLY BEDDING ALLOWED.
  10. DOGS OR PUPPIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON SHOW GROUNDS.
  11. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE GROUNDS DURING THE YOUTH FAIR AND RODEO.
  12. DISORDERLY CONDUCT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
  13. JUDGING — ALL DECISIONS BY THE OFFICIAL JUDGE WILL BE FINAL. No harassment of the Judge will be allowed. Adults and/or exhibitors will be asked to leave the grounds and projects are subject to disqualification. Protest procedures must be followed. Questions / complaints should be first directed to the Division Superintendent.
  14. ALL DECISIONS OF THE SUPERINTENDENT WILL BE FINAL. ANY ABUSE (VERBAL OR OTHERWISE) TOWARD DIVISION SUPER–INTENDENTS, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENTS, JUDGES MAY CAUSE FOR EXHIBITORS AND FAMILIES TO BE PUT ON PROBATION. Further protests must follow the stated procedures.

VI. Complaint / Protest

  1. A Youth Fair Rules Committee composed of the DCLA Directors, Show Superintendent, Division Superintendents, and a representative from the FFA, 4–H, and FCCLA will meet to hear all proposed rule changes at an evaluation meeting held the end of April following the show. This will be an open meeting with input welcome from all those associated with the Youth Fair. The Rules Committee will meet a second time in a work session to set the rules and select judges for the next fair. This group will nominate and recommend judges for all livestock departments.
  2. Stages of appeal / protest:
    1. The Grievance Committee, composed of the Show Superintendent or Assistant Show Superintendent, Division Superintendent, and Show Secretary will hear any initial complaints / protests at the show. If not resolved immediately, the matter will go to the Show Committee.
    2. A Youth Fair Show Committee will decide all matters concerning the rules and discipline of the Fair if unresolved by the Grievance Committee. This committee will be composed of the Show Superintendent, one of the County Extension agents, one Ag Science teacher, one FCCLA teacher, one 4–H leader and the Division Superintendent. (The FFA, FCCLA, and 4–H leaders will be selected by their groups.)
    3. APPEAL / PROTEST – $200.00 DEPOSIT Appeal to the DCLA Board of Directors — All protests must be in writing and accompanied by a deposit of $200 which will be forfeited if the protest is not sustained. Such protests must state plainly the cause of the complaint or appeal and must be delivered to the Fair Show Superintendent immediately after the incident leading to the protest. Protests will be accepted prior to or immediately after judging. Judging procedures will not be interrupted for protest investigation. Depending on the basis of the protest, a decision may be withheld until complete investigation is done. Protests concerning ages of animals must be filed prior to the day the animals are to be judged. Any other protest must be filed within 14 days of the show.
    4. The Board of Directors of the DCLA reserves the right to be the final authority.

VII. Auction Sale General Rules

  1. Live Auction — The sale of the market animals and baked goods will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2008, following the presentation of special awards at 12:15 p.m. The sale order is as follows:
    1. Grand Champion Rabbits
    2. Grand Champion Swine
    3. Grand Champion Meat Goat
    4. Grand Champion Broilers
    5. Grand Champion Steer
    6. Grand Champion Senior Food
    7. Grand Champion Lamb
    8. Reserve Champion Rabbits
    9. Reserve Champion Swine
    10. Reserve Champion Meat Goat
    11. Reserve Champion Broilers
    12. Reserve Champion Steer
    13. Reserve Champion Senior Food
    14. Reserve Champion Lamb
      All breed champions will sell in order before others placed in sale order.
    15. Rabbits*
    16. Swine*
    17. Meat Goat*
    18. Broilers*
    19. Steer*
    20. Lamb*
    *Sale order will continue to rotate in groups until all eligible animals are sold. The order is shifted each year.
  2. There will be a maximum of 155 sale lots. Each exhibitor may sell only 1 project.
    1. There will be 50 swine, 30 lambs, 26 steers, 6 rabbits, 6 broilers, 35 meat goats, and 2 food items sold during the live auction.
    2. No more than 80% of the exhibitors in a division may sell. If a division falls below 20 entries, no more than 50% of the exhibitors will sell.
  3. Silent Auction — The silent auction of the eligible foods takes place during the Buyers’ Barbeque.
  4. An exhibitor may be excused from the sale only upon written request to participate in a UIL sanctioned activity at a district or higher level. Written request must come from a teacher or coach as soon as possible.
  5. All animals will sell in “show condition.”
    1. There will be NO graffiti, signs, handheld props, floweres, ribbons, hats, glitter, other exhibitors, etc. on the animals or with the exhibitor while selling the project.
    2. There will be no solicitation of buyers at or during the Buyers’ Barbeque.
  6. No exhibitor can “P.O.” an animal after it has been placed for sale order. Animal that make the sale but are not to be sold must be scratched immediately after the judging of that division / class.
  7. The remaining market animals (steers, swine, lambs, and goats) may be sold at floor price. All floor prices must be turned in at the end of weigh in of each division, to at the Livestock Office.
    1. Only animals that are eligible to show in the market classes are eligible to be sold at floor prices.
    2. Any animal that goes through the sale and is shipped cannot be bought off the floor on “Fair” property. It is the property of the DCLA. The DCLA is not responsible for any private treaty sales off “Fair” property.
  8. The following statement will be signed by each exhibitor of market animals:
    If my animal qualifies for the auction sale and the buyer elects to keep my animal, I, nor anyone who represents me, will not attempt to buy or trace for the animal in order to get the animal back. I realize that if this happens, I will forfeit all premium money.
  9. All items will be paid for through the office. A commission of four (4 %) percent will be deducted from the sale of all items. The commission will also be deducted from any additional add-on money designated for an exhibitor. (This includes animals that are shipped through the show.) EXHIBITORS WILL BE PAID AFTER ALL MONIES ARE COLLECTED.
  10. Pictures of all auction items, their Exhibitors and Buyers, will be made at the auction for the buyer and cost will be deducted from premium checks.
  11. Exhibitors will be provided the name and address of their buyer. Exhibitors are required to write a thank you note to the buyer.
    This courtesy helps greatly in keeping former buyers and getting new ones. Adult leaders will assist in getting thank you notes written.
  12. THE EXHIBITORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR AUCTIONED ITEMS UNTIL THEY ARE DELIVERED.