All animals exhibited at a 4-H fair or show must be part of the 4-H member’s 4-H livestock or dog project. A 4-H Livestock Verification Form or Dog Verification Form must be on file for the current 4-H year with the county or regional 4-H office. Deadlines – May 1st for dairy cattle, beef, and working steers. June 1st for dogs, goats, llamas, alpacas, sheep and swine.
UMass 4-H sanctioned animal events follow all MDAR animal health and safety recommendations. We support and encourage the humane treatment of all animals. Animals showing any evidence of prolapse or mechanical repair will not be allowed. Exhibitors are expected to treat their animals with respect and provide for their continuous well-being through proper feeding, handling, disease prevention, sanitation, and attention to their safety.
Exhibitors should be mindful of the show equipment being used and the manner in which it is being used. Department Heads along with the regional 4-H Educator, and/ or the 4-H Animal Science Specialist reserve the right to decide what constitutes acceptable show equipment and how the equipment is being used by the exhibitor.
Members must enter one showmanship contest per project area and must exhibit their own animal. All showmanship animals must be shown in their respective breed or market classes.
4-H members must have owned or leased any project animals they exhibit since MAY 1 or JUNE 1 of current year depending upon the species deadlines. Please reach out to the 4-H Animal Science Specialist with any concerns ( birth, death, injury/illness) that may constitute for an exception to this rule.
Members with leased animals must submit to the regional 4-H office the Animal Lease form to the office by MAY 1 or JUNE 1 depending upon the species. All leased animals must be approved by the regional 4-H educator and/or 4-H Animal Science Specialist.
If an animal is registered it must be in the name of the 4-H member in accordance with the rules of the Breed Association. Registration in a farm or family name is acceptable if the 4-H member’s animals have been designated at the beginning of the project. A Lease Form and Verification Form will need to be on file at the regional 4-H office showing the owner of the animal. If a member fails to abide by this rule while at a county4-H fair, the member will forfeit any awards earned in that species.
If a member's only project animal dies, that member may be allowed to show another animal. Prior arrangement must be made. The member must have the approval of the State 4- H Animal Science Specialist in order to show a substitute animal. Conditions which need to be met are: animal died between ownership deadline and the 4-H event, no other project animals are listed on the verification form, and written verification from a veterinarian certifying the death or illness of the animal.
Animals must be shown and cared for by the 4-H MEMBER beginning by MAY 1 or JUNE 1 of the current year depending upon the species through the duration of the county 4-H fair or the Big E shows. Failure to do so may disqualify the animal as a 4-H project and result in withdrawal of any 4-H awards earned.
All livestock presented at the 4-H fair must have a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), Registration paperwork, 4-H verification and 4-H Lease Form(s). Dogs need a health form plus rabies vaccination record signed off by a veterinarian. Horses will need to have a current Coggins and Rabies before it is able to be stabled or housed. Poultry will need to have documentation of Pullorum testing.
Animals will be inspected for any signs of disease, by a on-site veterinarian, department head, or 4-H Animal Science Specialist. Upon inspection, if the animal is found to be sick, have a contagious disease, or show signs of injury or unsoundness, the animal will be required to leave the fairgrounds. This is to be communicated by the on-site veterinarian or 4-H Educator in consultation with the State 4-H Animal Science Specialist. This decision must be communicated to the 4-H member with the 4-H club leader, parent or guardian present.
All animals will be required to have all their paperwork with them at the time of unloading before they are allowed to be stabled or housed. If the member is missing any of their animal’s required health or 4-H documentation, they may be delayed stabling or housing until the required paperwork is presented. Animals may be asked to leave the fairgrounds if the documentation is incorrect.
At any time 4-H members may scratch livestock and other animals from events without providing detailed information. It is the animal owner’s responsibility to work with their attending veterinarian and in some cases the MA Division of Animal Health’s State Veterinarian to address and monitor illness and injury in livestock, equine, dogs, and poultry. The Massachusetts 4-H Program recognizes the confidentiality in these matters that exists between the animal owner and the attending veterinarian(s).
In the event of an emergency concerning a 4-H member or 4-H volunteer first contact 911, alert emergency contacts and the 4-H staff person, and file an incident report. The 4-H staff person will communicate with the UMass 4-H Program Director on any emergency situations.
The Animal Science Specialist in consultation with the UMass Extension 4-H Program Director reserve the right to remove a 4-H member, 4-H volunteer, general participant, and/or animal that does not meet the qualifications listed above. The 4-H Animal Science specialist reserves the right to cancel any 4-H animal shows due to safety and biosecurity concerns.