Market Sheep

The Pima County 4-H/FFA Market Sheep Division is subject to all rules of the following:

·      Pima County 4-H/FFA General Animal Science Rules & Regulations

·      Pima County 4-H/FFA Large Livestock Rules & Regulations

·      Pima County Junior Livestock Sales, Inc. Auction Rules

·      Pima County 4-H/FFA Market Sheep Project Rules

 A. Three (3) market sheep may be ear tagged at this time per exhibitor, but only two (2) market sheep may be brought to the fairgrounds. Upon arrival at tagging, animals will be health checked. Any animal deemed unhealthy by the Project Director or Extension Agent due to injury or illness will not be tagged. Unhealthy animals can be classified as, but not limited to, any animal with open wounds including recently castrated animals, animals with open sores, or any other open and bleeding wound.

B.     There will be a $20 project support fee, per tag, collected at the time of tagging. 

C.    Each member must provide proof of Quality Assurance that is valid through the last day of fair. Acceptable forms include the YQCA Course in either, email, digital or physical copy.

D.    No Rams will be ear tagged, testicles must be removed from the animal or band in place. Rams that have been castrated must not have open or bleeding wounds at the time of tagging.

E.     Market Sheep Class weights:

a.     Minimum weight at tagging:          None

b.     Maximum weight at tagging:         None

c.     Minimum weight at Fair:                110 lbs.

d.     Maximum weight at Fair:               None

               i. Please note that an exhibitor will be paid for a maximum sale weight of 150 lbs.

              ii. Please reference the Pima County Junior Livestock Sales, Inc. Auction Rules.

F. At the time of Tagging, the exhibitor must have a paper copy of the Arizona Department of Agriculture Seasonal Pass, proof of ownership as per the Arizona State Livestock Board Requirements, YQCA Certification, and a completed w9.

G.    Ownership and registration papers must be in the exhibitor’s name or proof of possession of the same documents at the time of ear-tagging or registration. 

H.    An IRS Form W-9 will be required at Ear-Tagging for each exhibitor with a market animal.

I.      In the event of a county ear-tag falling out prior to Fair Check-In, members should contact the County 4-H Agent for a replacement. If replacement is not possible, the County 4-H Agent will devise an alternative after animal identification has been verified.

J.      All exhibitors must participate in at least one (1) jackpot show, clinic, or mock show with at least one of their project animals prior to check-in at the Pima County Fair. Exhibitors who attend a show or clinic not sponsored by the Pima County 4-H Sheep and Goat Leader’s Committee must submit a Pima County 4-H Sheep & Goat Project Show/Clinic Attendance Form at Check-In.

K.    Each animal must have its own AZ Dept. of Ag Seasonal Pass at the Fair Check-In.

L.     Arizona Bred & Fed forms will be considered proof of ownership if this applies to the animal. Animal must have a Scrapies ID ear tag intact at ear tagging and a county tag at fair check-in to be eligible for AZ Bred & Fed Class. See General Livestock Rules

M.  All Market Sheep must be slick shorn to 1/4” at Fair Check-In. This includes head, neck and face. (Lower leg hair is permitted.) Touch-ups may happen at the county fair.

a.      Animals may not be clipped in the tack rooms, pens, or any other area other than the designated clipping area. Failure to comply with the clipping location rule may result in expulsion from the barn.

N.    The Market Sheep Show is open to wether or ewe lambs that have all milk teeth and no evidence of eruption of either of two (2) permanent front teeth.

O.    At the time of arrival at the livestock barn, there will be a health check conducted by three (3) certified 4-H/FFA Volunteer Leaders. Like other health checks, the animal will not be admitted if there are any open or bleeding wounds or visible illness which includes, but is not limited to, active club lamb fungus and/or ringworm outbreak.

a.     These leaders will be designated by the Project Director and/or Superintendent.

b.     This inspection will be conducted before the animal is placed on the scale.

c.     Once the animal has been cleared and weighed, it is considered acceptable for participation.

d. The weight read out given at time of weighing will be the official, and will not be changed. 

e.     Animals with will be allowed to return for a check-in once they have been failed the check-in inspection. Animals with healed, or treated wounds will be accepted at the discretion of the inspection committee.

P. Adhesives and paints cannot be used above the hock of the animal for Market and Showmanship Classes. Paint cannot be used to alter the natural color of the animal’s body.

Q. All lambs should be shown without a show halter- with exception to lambs being exhibited by a Junior Showman or of other special permission given by the Project Coordinator prior to show day to extraordinary circumstances. In both cases, a show halter is needed.

R. All animals must have bedding by the end of the check-in day.

a. muzzles are recommended at the end of each day.

S. Second part helpers will be allowed in the show ring only upon discretion of the Project Coordinator. Second part helpers must be currently enrolled members of Pima County 4-H/FFA 

a. exhibitors must be present and engaged while receiving assistance 

T. Classes will be divided by the Project Director and Superintendent.

U. If an exhibitor has two animals in the final drive of the market show, the exhibitor will show the highest placing animal, If one of the animals is selected as Grand Champion, the exhibitor must take over with the other entry, for the Reserve Champion drive.

V. Non-sale market sheep will be released Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 6:30pm to 7:00pm

THE MARKET SHEEP Project Coordinator or extension staff must be present in order for animal to be released.

W.  In the event of not being able to contact the Project Coordinator, the Project Superintendent may step into make decisions, or deal with issues. The substitution of authority will be made at the discretion of the Project Coordinator.

CLASSES AND LOTS FOR THE MARKET SHEEP PROJECT

CLASS 1: MARKET SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP

   LOTS:

1. SENIOR SHOWMANSHIP

2. SENIOR NOVICE SHOWMANSHIP

3. INTERMEDIATE SHOWMANHIP

4. INTERMEDIATE NOVICE SHOWMANSHIP

5. JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP

6. JUNIOR NOVICE SHOWMANSHIP 

CLASS 2: MARKET SHEEP

   LOTS:

1-    MARKET SHEEP

2-    CHAMPIONSHIP- GRAND & RESERVE CHAMPION MARKET SHEEP

CLASS 3: ARIZONA BRED & FED MARKET SHEEP

   LOTS:

1-    ARIZONA BRED & FED MARKET SHEEP