General Rules & Guidelines For All Livestock

LIVESTOCK

1.  All livestock must comply with livestock health rules and regulations as set forth by the Fulton County Fair.

2. All livestock offered for premiums must have been the property of the owners thirty (30) days or longer. (Livestock entered under a name other than the owner’s shall be disqualified for premiums.)

   2a. ALL LIVESTOCK ENTRIES ARE DUE JULY 1 TO THE FAIR ( Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs & Goats).

3. The market animals will be weighed on the same set of scales under a qualified weight master at the discretion of the fair.

4. Should any animal awarded a prize be disqualified, the animals gaining the lower prizes shall move into the next higher position if, in the opinion of the judges, the animals are worthy of such prizes.

5. Over fitting of livestock will be discriminated against. Any artificial means used to change the form, shape, condition or appearance of an animal will disqualify it from competition. 

6. When on exhibition in the ring, each animal must be under halter and in the charge of the owner or employee. The fair will have stand-by attendants available during the youth judging or showing. 

7. Joint ownership is considered to be as one owner in accordance with registration papers.

8. Initial bedding will be supplied by the association; additional bedding will be available at the prevailing rate. Exhibitor will furnish their own feed. All animal areas must be cleaned at least every day. Aisles are to be kept clean and clear at all times. Exhibitors are expected to also clean up their area prior to removing animals at the end of the fair.

9. No exhibitor may enter more than one entry per class except where noted under livestock classes.

10. One animal CANNOT be cross entered in Dept.10 & 11. Exhibitors can do showmanship in either Dept.10 or 11, not both Depts.

11. Exhibitors will be expected to display or parade their animals as directed by the Superintendent; to accept the stall assigned without controversy; to keep their animals in an attractive appearance, and to cooperate with the Department in every way that may serve to increase the educational value of the show.

12. Exhibitors of livestock must inform themselves as to when their stock will be judged. Stock must be in the ring promptly on call and a failure to comply with the order renders exhibits liable to be ruled out of competing.

13. Decorations with ribbons or ornaments previously won by animals at shows shall be prohibited until after the awards have been made in their respective classes by the judges.

14. Any animal of unsuitable condition or which cannot be satisfactorily handled must be removed from the fairgrounds. 

15. Youth exhibitors are Fulton County youth under 19 years of age. 

16. The exhibitor must show an animal during the show in order to compete in the showmanship class for that species. 

17. All animals must remain on fairgrounds until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday but must be removed that night.

GUIDELINES FOR THE CARE OF ALL ANIMALS

1. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor to care for animals in a manner that is responsible and ethical. Following are some guidelines for the treatment of animals exhibited at the fair.

a. Restraining Animals

 i. Animals should be tied or penned in a manner that will not hurt the animal or restrict its breathing in any way.

 ii. Animals should be tied so that all four feet are firmly on the ground and they have enough room to stand comfortably and lie down.

 iii. Animals should be tied so that they are not able to injure animals near them.

 iv. Animals unaccustomed to each other should not be penned together.

b. Handling – Any type of rough handling which could harm the animal is prohibited. The use of whips, canes, and show sticks should be restricted to showing only and then be used only to guide the animals, not punish them. Remember, animals will respond quicker and better to quiet, gentle handling, than loud, rough handling.

c. Bedding – All animals should have bedding that is dry and clean. Pens should be cleaned regularly to keep the animals clean and comfortable. If non-traditional bedding such as carpeting is used, it should be regularly cleaned (at least twice daily) to keep the pen free from manure. The Livestock Superintendent has final authority over all bedding choices.

d. Feeding & Water – Animals should be well fed and have access to clean water regularly. Realizing that many market animals must have restricted amounts of feed to maintain the proper weight, animals must be fed adequate amounts of feed to meet the animal’s basic requirements. Animals not allowed reasonable access to feed and water will be disqualified from the show.

e. Transportation – Animals should be transported in a way that is both safe and considerate of the animal’s well-being.

f. Blanket/Sweat Collars – Any type of material such as blankets or sweat collars should be large enough to permit normal body functions such as breathing, eating, drinking or lying down

g. Health – It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to provide proper health care for their animals through routine inspection and consultation with health care professionals. The improper or illegal use of drugs or antibiotics is prohibited. If medication is indicated, be sure to follow the label directions and allow more than the stated withdrawal time

HEALTH RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ALL LIVESTOCK

 An “Animal Owner or Caretaker’s Verification of Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship” form must be presented upon arrival at all shows and fairs in Pennsylvania, including out-of-state entries.

 All animals admitted to the fair shall be identified by a unique and permanent ear tag, tattoo, brand or records of unique physical attributes. Animals known to be infected with or exposed to any contagious, infectious or external parasitic disease, and animals restricted by quarantine may not be assembled for show purposes.

All animals admitted to fair must comply with applicable state (7 PA Code) or federal (9 CFR) rules. All cloven-hoof animals, not subject to 7 PA Code or 9 CFR, including members of the deer and camilid families, shall have been born in Pennsylvania or resided in Pennsylvania for at least six (6) months.

Animals presented for exhibition will be subject to inspection by show officials and will be rejected if evidence of infectious, contagious or parasitic disease is apparent or if health certification or identification documentation is not acceptable. ALL HEALTH PAPERS MUST BE CHECKED BEFORE UNLOADING.

The base date for computing health rules will be the opening day of the show. Animals will not be admitted without the necessary health papers. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must be available at all times as additional inspections of Certificate of Veterinary Inspection will be made.

 All show animals should be held in isolation for at least 30 days after return to the herd or origin.

ANIMAL GROOMING REGULATIONS

Printed below are the State Grooming Regulations and the Fulton County Fair Grooming Regulations. The Fulton County Fair will be using and enforcing the Fulton County Fair regulations at this year’s fair.

USE CAUTION WHEN FITTING YOUR ANIMALS

Fitting Guidelines:

1. Fitting participation is open to all exhibitors and persons. Exhibitors MUST be present for the fitting of her/her animal.

2. All fitting must be performed in the upper livestock barn. No fitting is permitted outside the upper barn/fenced area. 

3. NO INJECTIONS

4. Be sure to use only grooming products that are approved for use on meat animals and/or are approved for human consumption when fitting your animals for show. Unapproved products may contain ingredients that result in unacceptable residues in the meat.

5. Any non-nutritional product administered internally or used externally to alter the conformation of an animal for exhibition is prohibited. No illegal/unapproved steroids, growth stimulants and no tubing. The exhibition of animals displaying false hair/hemp will not be allowed.

6. Any of the above infractions will deem the animal disqualified for exhibition and animal(s) will go to the buyback program. Any questions please see your superintendents.

**Important!** If upon slaughter, treatment with drugs, biologics, or any chemical form fitting products, is the cause of condemnation of a carcass, the loss of the carcass and any other damages will be borne by the exhibitor.

**The Fair Board and Show and Sale Committee have the final say in all fitting matters. Please see livestock handbook for additional rules.