1. All cattle participating in the Cass County Fair are required to have an official radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tag approved by MDARD inserted in left ear.

2. Exhibitors must have reached the minimum age of nine (9) through the age of nineteen (19) by January 1 of the current year to enter cattle in Sections A – Beef Breeding Stock, B – Beef Market Cattle, and C – Dairy Market Steers. Exhibitors must have reached the minimum age of seven (7) through the age of nineteen (19) by January 1 of the current year to enter cattle in Section D – Beef Feeder Calves and specifically Class 309/310 of Section A – Beef Breeding Stock.

3. Exhibitors will be limited to two (2) entries per class, each listed separately on entry form with the following limitations: A combined total of two (2) entries total from Section B – Beef Market Cattle and Section C – Dairy Market Steers. Two (2) entries total from Section D – Beef Feeder Calves. Six (6) entries total from Section A – Beef Breeding Stock, and an overall limit of eight (8) animals in Department 3. Each animal must be listed separately on entry form. a. Seven- and eight-year-olds are limited to two (2) beef cattle total at the fair. They may show two (2) Breeding Stock (class 309); two (2) Beef Feeders; or one (1) Beef Feeder and one (1) Beef Breeding Stock (class 309).

4. All Beef Cattle must be unloaded from trailers and taken directly to scales for check-in, health inspection and weigh-in on the first Sunday of the fair, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. DO NOT TAKE CATTLE INTO BARNS UNTIL AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN CHECKED IN. Any cattle with a questionable health issue or status shall be sent immediately back to their respective trailer. until such time as they may be examined by the Cass County Fair veterinarian.

5. All exhibitors’ & parents are to meet on Sunday at 3:00 p.m., for the beef cattle meeting held at the barns.

6. Beef Breeding Stock sign-in shall be held immediately following the beef meeting. All Beef Breeding Stock exhibitors & parents need to be present with completed cattle records and information (breed, birthdate, sire, class, type, example: cow, calf, heifer).

7. No grooming chutes in the barns. Grooming chutes will NOT be allowed in beef weigh-in area, between the two (2) beef barns, until after 3:00 p.m. Sunday of the fair.

8. Fans will not be allowed behind the cattle or in the aisles unless suspended overhead.

9. It is the responsibility of each exhibitor and their parent(s) and/or guardian(s) to read and familiarize themselves with the Cass County Fair Beef Barn Rules. Beef Barn Rules are posted in the Beef Barns and/or available from the Beef Superintendents.

10. Generators will not be allowed during the entire week of the fair.

1. Competitive exhibitor age is 7-19.

2. Each exhibitor may enter no more than 2 cats in any class.

3. Cats must be brought to the show in a secure carrier, and remain in carrier when not being shown, unless otherwise approved by show committee.

4. Cats must wear a safety harness and leash at all times. Exhibitor should have leash loop around wrist while carrying an individual.

5. Possession date for cats is June 15 th of the current year.

6. Feline ID Form, photo, and attached veterinary vaccination copy are required to be turned in by June 17 th of the current year, along with class enrollments. If vaccinations or other medical status changes between June 17 th and the show, updated records are to be presented at the show.

7. Vaccination series should be complete at least 14 days prior to show. Yearly boosters can be done any time after initial series is complete. Rabies, distemper and leukemia vaccinations are required and flea preventative is strongly encouraged for the protection of your cat.

8. Feline leukemia positive cats will not be allowed at fair.

9. Dress code for exhibitors: NO blue jeans. Long sleeve shirt with no logos is required. Recommended – black pants and white shirt or lab coat.

10. All toenails must be trimmed or clipped, or animal can be disqualified.

1. Exhibitors are limited to two (2) entries per class and an overall limit of eight (8) animals in this division, each   listed separately on entry form. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

2. An informative dairy barn rules/guidelines meeting will be held on the first Sunday of the fair at 4:00 p.m.

3. All dairy exhibitors will be required to participate in the dairy showmanship classes listed below. All showmanship Participants must be present throughout the entire

4. All cattle participating in the Cass County Fair are required to have an official radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tag approved by the Michigan Department of Agriculture inserted in left ear.

1. Dairy Feeder Steers must be owned and in the possession of the exhibitor no later than the third Saturday in April of the current year.

2. Dairy Feeder Steers must be 100% dairy breeding.

3. Dairy Feeder Steers must be validated and weighed the third Saturday of April. Times will be from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Cass County fairgrounds. All Dairy Feeder Steers must be vaccinated for respiratory diseases at validation for a small fee.

4. All youth will be required to pay a $10.00 exhibitor fee. Fee will be deducted from exhibitor’s auction check.

5. Dairy Feeder Steers must be tagged with Cass County Fair tags on the validation day.

6. Dairy Feeder Steers must weigh between 400-650 lbs. at fair weigh-in to be sold in the auction or to be considered for champions. They must weigh at least 360 pounds at check-in to remain on the fairgrounds.

7. Exhibitors may show two (2) Dairy Feeder Steers, of which only one (1) may sell through the livestock auction. (Exception – if one exhibitor would have both the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion, both animals must be sold at the auction). Each animal must be listed separately on entry form.

8. Dairy Feeder Steers must be castrated (must be banded/castrated, not clamped) and if they had horns, must be dehorned, no later than June 1 of the current calendar year. In the event of regrowth, absolutely no horns or scurs any longer than ¾ of an inch will be allowed at the fair.

9. Showmanship is mandatory for all exhibitors in the Dairy Feeder division. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

10. No fans are allowed in the aisles during the fair.

11. All cattle participating in the Cass County Fair are required to have an official radio frequency identification device (RFID) ear tag approved by MDARD inserted in left ear.

12. All dairy feeders must be housed in the dairy feeder barn.

1. The major care and training must be done by the exhibitor. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

2. All dogs must be registered with the Cass County Fair ID sheet (with photo uploaded) located on the Cass County Fair website and all classes entered in Blue Ribbon by midnight June 17. No late registration will be accepted.

3. Rabies and DHPP immunization certificates are required; if not presented by June 17, exhibitor will be ineligible to show at the fair. (Vaccination for Lepto, Bordetella (Kennel Cough), and canine influenza is highly recommended.) Forms available online must be completely filled out and on file by all deadlines for the dogs to be eligible to exhibit at the fair including all vaccination certificates and forms, with photo. If vaccinations change between June 17th and show day, updated records must be presented to superintendent at time of check-in.

4. Vaccination series should be completed at least 14 days prior to show. Yearly boosters can be done any time after initial series is complete. Heartworm and flea preventive, Bordetella, Influenza and Lyme vaccinations are strongly encouraged for the protection of your dog.

5. The superintendent and the dog review committee have the authority to disqualify any dog due to undesirable disposition or condition of the youth dog project.

6. All dogs must be checked in with the superintendent prior to the show. For the Friday night show, check in time is between 5:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. For the Saturday show, check in time is between 11:30 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Armbands will be available for pick-up at these times.

7. Female dogs in season will only be allowed in obedience and costume class. They will NOT be allowed to show in agility or showmanship. The exhibitor must note his/her dog is in season when checking in and stay confined in a designated area. They will show at the end of the obedience class. Exhibitor may use substitute dog in this case, upon committee/superintendent approval prior to start of show. Failure to notify a female dog in season will result in dismissal/disqualification from the show.

8. Dogs must remain on lead in hand, or confined, unless in the ring. No dogs are allowed to be left unattended in vehicles or bleacher area. No dogs will be allowed in the aisle ways between bleachers and rings, nor in bleachers.

9. Three-foot rule: Keep all dogs 3 feet or more away from all other dogs at all times, including dogs they may know. Show day is stressful for dogs and people alike. We strive to maintain a safe environment for all.

10. All obedience and agility judging will be based on a point system as suggested by Michigan State 4-H Dog Show and the 4-H Dog Care and Obedience Project Guide. Scoresheets available at the MSU Extension office and online.

11. Dress Code: NO blue jeans, T-shirts, muscle shirts, sweatshirts, halter-tops, low-cut blouses or sweaters, mini-skirts, blue jean shorts or cut-offs. Any clothing which draws undue attention to one’s self is unacceptable. Dress shorts, dress jeans and skorts will be permitted, but they must be fingertip lengths. Low-heeled shoes are preferred, and hair must be worn away from face.

12. Exhibitors must receive an “A” ribbon/placing in the qualifying class in order to receive a championship.

13. Participants must pick up after their dogs. If found not doing so, you may be excused from the rest of the show and awards may be held.

14. Awards will be given at the end of each show day. If participant is not present to receive awards, it is their responsibility to make arrangements with the youth office to pick them up. Score sheets will be released at the end of the show Saturday after all equipment has been cleared. After Saturday, the MSU Extension office will hold sheets and awards for the same allotted time as still exhibit items.

15. See other Youth Department rules and regulations.

16. Resources for the MSU 4-H dog program website, including score sheets and rules: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_dog_show_scoresheets

1. Market goats must be owned and in the possession of the exhibitor no later than May 1 of the current year. Breed goat exhibitors must own OR acquire use of animals to be shown no later than May 1 of the current year.

2. Exhibitors are limited to two (2) entries per class, per breed, in breeding section, with an overall limit of 6 animals, each listed separately on entry form. Only one (1) entry allowed in cart, obstacle, and costume classes. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

3. Breed animals will be placed in classes based on age of animal.

4. No bucks allowed.

5. Horned goats will only be allowed if their breed standards include it (Boer) in their conformation scoring for breed classes. No horned goats allowed on market goats.

6. All market goats will be required to attend market validations to be assigned an animal number. A maximum of three (3) animals can be validated. Goats will be validated on the first Saturday of May in the goat barn at the Cass County fairgrounds from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and the first Sunday in May from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

7. No market goat will be allowed into the fair unless it is validated on validation day, unless extenuating circumstances exist and the superintendent is contacted prior to the validation day for other arrangements.

8. Market goats must be weighed-in by their exhibitor at check-in on Sunday of the fair. These weights will be used to assign exhibits to weight classes for the show and for determining selling weights for the auction.

9. There is no maximum weight for market goats, the minimum weight to show and sell in the auction for market goats is 40 pounds. Market goats must weigh at least 35 pounds at weigh in to be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds.

10. No goats due to kid at fair. No goats just kidded at fair.

11. All goats entering the goat barn MUST follow federal scrapie’s law. Accepted methods of identification: a. Goats are scrapie tagged in the ear. b. ONLY earless goats may have a permanent collar with scrapie tag attached. c. Goats are tattooed or microchipped with scrapie tag number. If either of these methods are used, the corresponding scrapie tag must be present on the goat’s collar OR a copy of the animal’s registration paper must be presented to the superintendents to keep at check-in. If goats are microchipped, the owner/showman is responsible for having a chip reader that is readily available to identify animals throughout fair week.

12. Best Individual Udder: Milk-out will be left up to the judge.

13. Dairy showmanship attire: white, black or khaki pants/skirt and white shirt. Non-dairy showmanship attire: dark colored jeans/slacks/skirt and dress type shirt. Closed toe shoes for all exhibitors. No cutoffs, logos or bare midriffs.

14. Showmanship classes will be separately judged as Dairy Type and Non Dairy Type. Champion Showmanship exhibitor will be chosen by the meat judge in even years, and the dairy judge in odd years.

15. You will be allowed tack area space for TACK BOXES ONLY. All bedding, hay, feed and supplies must be contained in tack box. If space is limited, tack may be asked to be removed.

16. Any animal shown in showmanship must also be shown in a market or breed class. No “showmanship only” goats allowed at fair.

1. Maximum of 14 total entries in Department 7, which includes showmanship, each entered separately on entry form. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

2. Exhibitors are limited to sign up for two (2) entries in each class in section A (Market Poultry). Exhibitors are limited to bringing and showing two total Market Poultry and selling ONE Market Poultry. Exhibitors are responsible for communicating with the Auction Office after the show on Thursday which bird will be sold in the auction.

3. The funds from the sale of the dozen eggs will be equally split between the exhibitor and the Poultry Program.

4. Exhibitors are limited to two (2) entries per class in sections B (Standard Breeds), C (Bantam Breeds), and E (Other Fowl Breeds); and one (1) entry in sections D (Hen and Chicks) and G (Showmanship).

5. Poultry exhibits must be owned and in the possession of the exhibitor no later than the first Sunday in July.

6. All poultry (with the exception of ducks, geese, pigeons, and doves) must be certified as Pullorum Typhoid free. Pullorum testing will be done during check-in at the fair.

7. Any bird with spurs exceeding ½ inch in length or deemed sharp or pointed will be prohibited.

8. Each bird exhibited cannot be shown in more than one class. (Example: individual hen cannot also be shown as part of a Production Pen; and individual breed duck cannot also be sown as a market duck.) Exception – the bird used for showmanship must be shown in a breed or market class (excluding birds used by exhibitors showing in the Exhibitors with Disabilities Showmanship class).

9. All Poultry must be presented clean and dry for proper inspection by the superintendents before caging on entry day. No unhealthy birds, including those with lice or mites, or open wounds, will be allowed to enter the fair. Check-in personnel may refuse to check in poultry until the bird is in acceptable condition. Check-in personnel are not required to re-check birds rejected due to live lice or mites or open wounds. The fair is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury to any birds exhibited.

10. There will be a short mandatory meeting on the first Sunday of the fair at 3:30 p.m. for all poultry exhibitors.

11. Market poultry must be hatched in the current year.

12. All Market Chickens will be weighed and banded before caging on entry day. Broiler class will include birds weighing 3.5 lb. to 4.99 lb. Roaster class will include birds weighing 5.00 lb. to 6.49 lb. Heavyweight class will include birds weighing 6.5 lb. to 8.00 Ib.

13. Market Ducks minimum weight is 4.00 lb.

14. Market Turkey minimum weight is 15.00 lb.

15. Market Goose minimum weight is 10.00 lb.

16. Each exhibitor is expected to show and sell their own poultry projects. If an exhibitor is unable to do so for any reason, prior notification and approval must be made to the poultry superintendent. Exhibitors that are not present and do not have prior approval will be scratched from the show or auction.

17. All exhibitors must have completed small animal tag hanging above their cages after check-in. These tags must remain in place until load-out is complete on the Sunday after the fair. It is strongly suggested using the wire above he cages to hang signs so the birds cannot tear them down.

18. Each exhibitor is responsible for cleaning their poultry cages and providing fresh water and feed by 10:00 a.m. daily, and as needed. Cage cups for feed and water will be provided.

19. All exhibitors must sign up for one hour of barn duty.

20. Feed should be removed from all cages the night before show (Wednesday) and all market cages the night before auction (Friday) in order to keep exhibitors, birds, tables, and show arena clean. Please return feed to cages as soon as birds are done showing and selling.

21. All birds will be released between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday after the fair. Early release is not permitted unless prior arrangements are made with the poultry superintendent. All market poultry (sold or not) require leg band verification and check-off before being released to owner/buyers.

21. Exhibitors are responsible for thoroughly cleaning out their cages and returning feed and water cage cups clean and dry to the superintendent on Sunday after the fair.

1. All rabbit exhibitors are limited to 10 entries overall, each entered separately on the fair entry form. Exhibitor may enter only 2 rabbits total in class 1011 – weight classes will be determined when rabbits are weighed in at the fair. (An exhibitor may NOT enter 2 rabbits as fryers and 2 rabbits as roasters). Only one entry is allowed in fur class.

2. No does with young.

3. Breed rabbit possession date is June 1. (Includes Pee Wee/Cloverbud and Showmanship animals.)

4. Breed rabbit validation will be the first Sunday on/or after June 1, from 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. OR 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the rabbit barn.

5. More rabbits may be validated than entries shown.

6. Market Rabbits must be born in current year – possession date for Market Rabbits is July 1.

7. All market rabbits will be required to attend a market rabbit validation to obtain a show-specific tattoo.

8. Only market rabbits will be validated on the first Saturday after July 4th , from 8:00 –11:00 a.m. OR 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.at the rabbit barn.

9. All rabbits must be presented clean and dry for proper inspection by the superintendents/vet inspector. No unhealthy rabbits, including those with lice or mites, will be allowed to enter the fair. Weigh-in personnel may refuse to check in rabbits until they are in acceptable condition. The fair is not liable for any loss, damage or injury to any rabbits exhibited.

10. Rabbits shall be transported to the fair in standard metal rabbit transport cages to keep rabbits out of their own urine. Pet taxis or carriers, clothesbaskets and cardboard boxes are highly discouraged.

11. Entry weights will be used for placing in classes and judging.

12. Market rabbits weighing less than 3.8 pounds or over 9 pounds may only be shown in breed classes, and will not sell in the auction. (Note – 3.8 pounds = 3 ½ lbs.)

13. The eight (8) most popular breeds as determined the day of validation will comprise the 10 breed classes at the fair (includes 1 any other 4 class and 1 any other 6 class).

14. Exhibitor must furnish proper food and water receptacles that can be secured to the side of the cage and/or are not able to be tipped over. They should be appropriate in size and relation to the cage.

15. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19. See Section E for Pee Wee/Cloverbud Rabbit classes for children 5-6 years of age.

16. Rabbit Barn Clean & Set-up date will be announced in the Cass Clover.

17. In Sections B & C no more than 2 animals in a class per BREED can be signed up. Example for Section C you can sign up for Class 1021 (SR Buck) 2 Mini-Lop, 2 Netherland Dwarf, 2 Dutch…with no more than 10 total entries for Department 8.

1. Exhibitors are limited two (2) animals in Department 4. Each will be shown as individuals. Only one (1) animal will sell through the auction. Each must be listed separately on entry form. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

2. All animals in Department 4 must be owned and in the possession of the exhibitor no later than May 1 of the current year.

3. There will be a $10 stall fee per exhibitor.

4. All lambs exhibited at the Cass County Fair must have a USDA official Scrapie tag, tagged in either ear. See the MDARD requirements for exhibition sheep.

5. No muzzles allowed.

6. No unaltered male sheep allowed.

7. Market lambs must be weighed and tagged at the mandatory county validation on the first weekend in May of the current year. Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 or Sunday, from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Cass County Fairgrounds. Rate-of- Gain participation is optional. If you are entering the Rate-of- Gain class, make sure you enter class 421 on your fair entry. form. Weights from the mandatory validation will be used to determine the ROG winners.

8. All market lambs weighing under 90 pounds are eligible to show in a light lightweight class, but cannot compete for champions or be sold in the auction. Market lambs weighing less than 80 pounds at weigh in will not be allowed to stay on the fairgrounds.

9. Showmanship is mandatory. In order to show in any market class and sell in the auction, you must show in your appropriate showmanship class.

10. Exhibitors should sign up for class 401 (for each lamb shown). Animals will be classified and placed into their breed class at weigh-in on Sunday. There will need to be at least 4 animals to make a class, otherwise they will show in AOB class.

11. At weigh-in, sheep will need to have tubes and blankets off for classification and inspection.

12. Sheep will be released after 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning. All sheep should be removed from the sheep barn by noon on Sunday.

1. The Cass County Fair Youth Swine Show is a non-terminal show.

2. Competitive exhibitor age allowed is 7-19.

3. Market hogs must be owned and in the possession of the exhibitor no later than May 1 of the current calendar year,

4. All youth exhibitors ages 7-19 will be required to complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) training prior to the fair.

5. Exhibitors are limited to two (2) animals in Department 6. Both animals will be shown as individuals. Only one (1) animal will sell through the auction. Each must be listed separately on entry form.

6. Hogs fed ractopamine (in feed or top-dressed) at any time during their growth will not be allowed to be exhibited at the Cass County Fair.

7. There will be mandatory swine validation at the Cass County Fairgrounds are on the first weekend in May. Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. All hogs will be tagged with a fair tag during this time.

8. As required by Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (MDARD), all hogs shown at exhibition (including the fair) are required to have an official animal identification (ID). Official animal ID approved by MDARD and accepted by the fair are 840 tags or PIN tags.

9. All hogs will be vaccinated for swine influenza at validation. Hogs that have previously been fully vaccinated by producer/breeder will be exempt from additional swine influenza vaccine at validation, only if a Swine Flu exempt form has been signed by the producer/breeder and brought to the day of validation. A Swine Flu exempt form can be found on the Cass County Fair website.

10. All market hogs will be weighed upon arrival at the fair on Sunday, 7:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. No re-weighing of the hogs will be permitted.

11. There will be a $10.00 per exhibitor fee, which will be deducted from auction checks.

12. All hogs must have a minimum hair length of ¼-inch over their entire body, except the head or tail. Superintendents will not evaluate the hair length on the head or tail of the hogs.

13. No clipping of hogs will be allowed after entering the fair.

14. Market hogs weighing less than 230 pounds or more than 290 pounds cannot compete in the market show or be sold in the livestock auction but will be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds and be used for showmanship. Market hogs weighing less than 210 pounds at weigh in will not be allowed to remain on the fairgrounds.

15. Registration paperwork for purebreds must be in the exhibitor’s or parent’s name and brought to fair weigh-in for verification and determination of purebred class eligibility. There will need to be 4 animals to make a class, otherwise they will show in AOB class.

16. Shavings must be used as bedding in the swine barn.

17. Self-waterers may be used with prior approval of the Swine Superintendent.

18. All stall signs must be filled out and be in place above the pens by 8:00 p.m. Sunday of check-in and remain in place above the pens until the until the load-out is complete at the end of the fair the following Sunday.

19. Small clip-on feeders on the gates will be allowed to remain in the pen at all times. All other feed pans must be removed by 10:00 a.m. every morning and 8:00 p.m. every night.

20. All hogs exhibited at the Cass County Fair are subject to testing for usage of unapproved products. Please see the current year health requirements for livestock exhibited in Michigan as defined by the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development. These are accessible at: www.michigan.gov/mdard
NOTE: Swine exhibited at the Cass County Fair must comply with the Michigan Pseudorabies Health Regulations. Any swine found to be exhibited or removed from exhibition in violation of any provision of these rules may be quarantined or ordered slaughtered, destroyed or disposed of by the MDARD State Veterinary without being eligible for indemnification.