Animal Exhibit Rules

In cases when printed publications (Fair Book, Brochure, etc.) differ from the fair website, the website will be considered the authoritative and final word for any and all information and rules.

Due to the threat of the African Swine Fever, ALL SWINE

• MUST be checked in by the state veterinarian on Sunday, 8/04/2024, from 6:30 to 8:30 AM before entering the fairgrounds.
• MUST be sent to slaughter by a USDA licensed butcher per the General Quarantine Order issued by the PA Dept. of Agriculture.
• Arriving after 8:30 am will be sent home.

Direct questions to the Mifflinburg Ag Dept. or the Union County 4-H Office.

Animal Entry and Registration

DEADLINE: Animal Entries must be postmarked by July 7.
EXCEPTION: Poultry entires must be postmarked April 1. Dairy Goat Show entries must be postmarked by July 1.

Submit the paper form(s) with payment, payable to “UNION COUNTY WEST END FAIR”. Mail Entry Forms to the Superintendent of each Department, as noted on the entry form(s).

• Breeding Beef Entry Form
• Breeding Meat Goat Entry Form
• Breeding Sheep Entry Form
• Dairy Beef Feeder Steers Entry Form
• Dairy Cattle Entry Form
• Dairy Goat Entry Form
• Market Goat Entry Form
• Market Lamb Entry Form
• Market Steer / Market Heifer Entry Form
• Market Swine Entry Form
• Poultry Entry Form
• Rabbit Entry Form
• Recap for Animal Exhibitors

Please note: The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) is provided by each veterinarian. 

Pre-Registration

JULY 7 – All Livestock Exhibits must be PRE-REGISTERED. Animal Entry Forms are available on the fair website. Do NOT use the Exhibit Registration and Entry Form in the Fair Book for animal entries.

Livestock Fees are due when exhibits are pre-registered. There is a $50 service fee for returned checks.

Exhibit Submissions

SUNDAY, 6:30 AM-8:30AM — Market Pig Exhibits will be received;
SUNDAY, 9:00 AM-10:00AM  — Market Lamb & Goat Exhibits will be received;
SUNDAY, 10:30 AM-11:30AM — Market Steers & Dairy Feeder Steers will be received.
MONDAY, 9 AM-1 PM — Breeding Exhibits will be received.  

The Fair Association will furnish a reasonable amount of initial bedding. Straw and hay may not be stockpiled in the stalls.

Exhibit Removal

FRIDAY, after 10:00 PM – Sold Livestock may be removed. It is the responsibility of all 4-H and FFA members to LOAD their project animals for hauling following the sale. If the member cannot be present at loading time, he/she must secure a representative to load his/her project animal(s).

SATURDAY, 9:00 – 11:00 PM –or– SUNDAY by 11:00 AM – Rabbit exhibit removal.

SATURDAY, after 11:00 PM – Livestock may be removed. Advise your haulers. Exhibitors MUST clean their livestock area at the conclusion of the fair.

Livestock Tagging

Market Steers, Market Heifers, Dairy Beef Feeder Steers

• Saturday, March 9, 2024: 9am – 12pm
• Wednesday, March 13, 2024: 5-8pm

Market Lambs, Market Goats, Market Pigs

• Saturday, May 11, 2024: 9am – 12pm
• Wednesday, May 15, 2024: 5-8pm

All tagging will take place at the Union County West End Fairgrounds

Livestock Rules

Refer to General Rules for all exhibitors. In addition, the following rules apply for livestock exhibits:

1. The PA Dept of Agriculture provides the PA Fairs Animal Health Rules for the 113 PA County and Community Fairs. This document can be downloaded from the PA Dept of Agriculture website and should be referenced to ensure adherence to these requirements.
2. SUNDAY, 6:30 AM-8:30AM — Market Pig Exhibits will be weighed; SUNDAY, 9:00 AM-10:00AM  — Market Lamb & Goat Exhibits will be weighed; SUNDAY, 10:30 AM-11:30AM —Market Steers & Dairy Feeder Steers will be weighed. All livestock exhibitors must be present. Failure to arrive on time will result in being sent home and you will not be able to show/sell your livestock project. 
3. The livestock exhibitor is responsible to ensure that the animal is weighed during the designated weighing times. Exhibitor is responsible for walking animal across the scales during the designated weighing times. No re-weighs are accepted for any species.
4. TUESDAY prior to the fair, 7:00 PM & SUNDAY, 3:00 PM– Livestock Meeting. All livestock exhibitors must attend.
5. Livestock exhibitor must be present and in charge of animal during the sale on Friday. Failure to be present with animal will result in forfeit of sale lot(s).
6. Exhibitors are expected to keep their animal(s) and pen(s) clean and tidy. Warnings will be given if superintendent(s) feel area / animal are not up to standards. Exhibitor has 12 hours to clean animal/area after warning is received. 3 Warnings during the fair and exhibitor will forfeit their lot(s) in the livestock sale, and subject to a $25 fine per warning. Animal(s) and pen(s) must be cleaned by 9am in the morning and 4pm in the afternoon each day during the fair.
7. NEW: Fitting products, with the exception of paint, will be allowed to use on both Open and Youth livestock entries during the show. Only soap and water will be permitted to use on livestock entries during the livestock sale.
8. All livestock offered for premiums, except rabbit meat pens, must have been owned a minimum of 60 days before the first day of the fair. No pending papers will be accepted.
9. Joint ownership is considered one owner, in accordance with the Livestock Exhibit Entry Form.
10. No substitutions of animals allowed for any breeding species.
11. No livestock may not be walked on fairgrounds except in and around barns, designated show arena and wash rack.
12. The Livestock breed name must be shown on cards large enough that the breed name may be readily identified by viewers; if the livestock is grouped together according to breeds, one large sign to designate the group will be satisfactory.
13. Livestock Awards must be placed on the stall or pen of the individual winners for the duration of the fair. Failure to comply with this regulation will result in forfeiture of premiums.
14. Should any animal awarded a prize be disqualified, the animals gaining the lower prizes shall move into the next higher positions if, in the opinion of the judges, the animals are worthy of such prizes.
15. Any artificial means to change the form or shape of an animal will disqualify it from competition.
16. Exhibitors are responsible for cleaning their livestock area at the conclusion of the fair. If the area is not cleaned by the Tuesday evening following the fair, 10% will be deducted from premium check.
17. All livestock exhibitors with the exception of rabbits and poultry will need to wear a show harness displaying their exhibitor number during the shows; two cards will be provided, one for the front and one for the back.
18. All livestock, except rabbits & poultry, must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by an accredited vet within 30 days prior to opening date of the fair.  Swine must have a CVI issued by an accredited vet within 30 days prior to opening date of the fair. Rabbits & Poultry follow rules outlined in Dept 9, Dept 10 – Sec 9 and Dept 10 – Sec 10.

Livestock Showmanship

1. When on exhibition in the ring, each animal must be under halter in the charge of owner or representative.
2. No person shall be allowed in the ring while stock is being judged except the judge, superintendents and necessary attendants.
3. The Fair Association will have stand-by attendants available during youth judging and/or showing, to provide assistance if an animal becomes unmanageable.
4. The State Farm Products Show Commission Code of Show Ring Ethics is as follows: Exhibitors of animals at the Farm Show shall at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in this competitive environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and dignity to promote the advancement of agricultural education. Complete Code of Ethics info can be found on the fair website.

Livestock Exhibitor Parking and Passes

1. Passes and parking permits for livestock exhibitors will be issued at the Fair Office. Exhibitor registration slip must be presented for identification.
2. Parking space for livestock exhibitors is available behind the barns and show arena (excluding trailers and large industrial vehicles).
3. A reserved area near the south gate has been designated for livestock trailers and large industrial vehicles.
4. Parking committee will enforce rules.

UPDATED: Jul 27, 2024 @ 9:23 pm