The WCYF Livestock Show and Sale is open to

• 4-H members enrolled in Washington, Holmes or Bay County

• FFA members enrolled in a Washington, Holmes or Bay County district school

• Livestock exhibitors must be at least 8 years old by September 1 of the current 4-H year

• Weigh-in/Check-in and Registration is MANDATORY.

  • This is a YOUTH livestock project - the youth exhibitor is expected to be in attendance with their animal.

  • Registration and fee is due at weigh-in/check-in.

Lost ear tags:

• Notify Mark Mauldin immediately.

• Arrangements will be made to re-tag your project. 

Project dies:

• Notify your Mark Mauldin immediately.

• A project may only be replaced within a two-week period after the mandatory weigh-in.

Entries may be limited if necessary.

• Entry fees and forms are due at mandatory weigh-ins and are not refundable.

• $25 per steer entry – due at mandatory steer weigh-in.

• $25 per hog entry – due at mandatory swine weigh-in.

• $25 per heifer entry – due at mandatory heifer check-in.

• $25 service fee charged on returned check.  Entry will not be complete until cash has recovered the returned check.

• An exhibitor may enter no more than two steers.

• Steer entries must be weighed at the initial weigh-in; entry forms and fees are also due at this time.

• Steers must weigh a minimum of 950 lbs. at final weigh-in. There is no maximum.

• Market animals below minimum weight cannot participate in market show classes or sale.

• Maximum pay weight for steers will be 1400 lbs. regardless of the actual final weight of the animal.

• The USDA mandates that all show cattle be officially, individually identified. All beef entries must be officially, individually identified prior to completing the Washington County Youth Fair (WCYF) entry form. 

• The only acceptable form of official ID will be RFID tags. 

• If project animals do not have an RFID tag when they are acquired, exhibitors must tag their projects with an RFID tag. If assistance is required, the exhibitor is responsible for making arrangements with the fair directors at least one week before the first weigh-in.

• In addition to the official RFID tag, steers are also required to have a numbered flap tag. Flap tags will be assigned by WCYF. If a steer already has a numbered flap tag at the first weigh-in, the tag will be evaluated then retained or replaced at the discretion of the fair directors. 

• Combination RFID/flap tags are permissible and will not require an additional flap tag.

• Market hog projects must be weighed at the initial weigh-in; entry forms and fees are also due at this time. 

• An exhibitor can enter no more than TWO hog projects in the WCYF.

• Market hog projects must weigh a minimum of 220 lbs at final weigh-in to participate in market classes and the sale.

• Market animals below minimum weight cannot participate in market classes or the sale. 

• Maximum hog pay weight at the WCYF Livestock Sale will be 300 lbs. regardless of the animal’s actual weight. Hogs in excess of 300 lbs. are not eligible for Grand Champion.

• Hogs will be required to be bled 3-4 weeks prior to the WCYF to test for brucellosis and pseudo-rabies.  Infected projects will be disqualified.

• Hair can be clipped but no shorter than ½ inch to allow for proper de-hairing at the packing house.

• Hogs should be clipped prior to the WCYF; clipping pigs is NOT PERMITTED at the WCYF.

• The USDA mandates that all exhibition swine be officially, individually identified. All swine entries must be officially, individually identified prior to completing the Washington County Youth Fair (WCYF) entry form.

• The only acceptable form of official ID will be RFID tags. 

• It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to officially identify their projects. If assistance is required, the exhibitor is responsible for making arrangements with the fair directors at least one week before the first weigh-in.

• In addition to the official ID tag, swine are also required to have a numbered management tag. Management tags will be assigned by WCYF. If a hog already has a management tag at the first weigh-in, the tag will be evaluated then retained or replaced at the discretion of the fair directors. 

• Combination official ID/management tags are permissible and will not require an additional management tag. 

• Breeding beef projects are required to be checked-in and registered at check-in.

• Up to FIVE heifer entries per exhibitor are allowed.

• Heifers and cow/calf pairs up to 30 months of age at the time of the fair are eligible to be shown.

• Projects will be shown by age classes determined by birthdates.

• The USDA mandates that all show cattle be officially and individually identified. All beef entries must be officially, individually identified prior to completing the Washington County Youth Fair (WCYF) entry form. 

• The only acceptable form of official ID for heifers is RFID tags.  

• It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to acquire official, individual identification for their animals. If assistance is required, the exhibitor is responsible for making arrangements with the fair directors at least one week before the check-in.

• Exhibitors must show their own animal in WCYF Livestock Showmanship classes.

• There are two showmanship divisions: 

  • Beef Showmanship & Swine Showmanship

• All exhibitors will be classifed by 4-H age groups for competition:

  • Junior 8-10 years old

  • Intermediate 11-13 years old

  • Senior 14-18 years old

• Market animals below minimum weight ARE allowed to participate in showmanship classes.

The following attire is required during showmanship and market classes:

• FFA members – FFA jacket, FFA tie or scarf, white button up shirt

• 4-H members - White, long-sleeve button up shirt

• Dark blue or black jeans

• Closed-toed shoes or boots

Exhibitor cards must be pinned to the back of the exhibitor’s shirt or in a card halter, belt, or clip so it is readily seen by the judge and show administration.

Other than a brush or comb, no items are allowed in exhibitor’s pockets or looped in belt.

Consult your 4-H Agent, 4-H Club Leader, or FFA Advisor if you have any questions.

Exhibitors may wear their choice of clothing during the auction but must still wear closed-toed shoes or boots.  

• All livestock entries must be on a current certificate of veterinary inspection.

• Livestock will be checked for proper health certificates, signs of communicable disease, external parasites, any unsightly disease condition, and any wounds, open or closed, that may be contagious.

• Any animal found to be in an unsafe or unsightly condition will be quarantined in a designated area and then dismissed from the fairgrounds as soon as possible.

• Any animal sold in the State of Florida must comply with existing Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services health requirements.

• All market animals must remain in the barn at the close of the sale and will not be released without Mark Mauldin's permission.

Project Weight

• If a question arises over project’s weight, a protest must be made while the animal is in the weight chute. 

• The animal will be removed from the scales and remain in the weight chute.

• Scales will be zeroed.  A second weight will be taken and will stand as the given weight.

• After the animal leaves the scale chute without a protest being registered, the first scale weight will be considered official.

• At no time may an underweight animal be taken from the fair barn and brought back into the barn to be re-weighed. 

Judging

• Animals may be removed from the class by the judge for type, quality, and finish.

• Judges’ decisions are final in all cases and cannot be protested.

• If fraud, misrepresentations, error, or collusion is discovered after awards have been given out, a review board will be convened and may decide final placement.

• No person shall be allowed, under any circumstances, to interfere with the judges during their adjudication or to offer any criticism of any exhibit. 

Protests

• In the event of a disagreement, an exhibitor must

• • Complete a protest form and make three copies.

  • Submit form and $50 cash deposit to the fair directors within six hours of the time the protested incident occurred. 

• A review board will be convened. 

• The deposit will be forfeited, and the review board decision is final.

• All fans, blowers, and other electrical appliances must be equipped with a ground wire. 

• Use of electrical appliances is limited to plug in outlets provided in the barn.

• Stapling, attaching, or extending any extension cord in an unsafe manner is prohibited. 

• All extension cords must be Underwriter Laboratory (UL) approved for outdoor use.

• All walkways will be kept clear during public viewing times.

• No wires, extension cords, chairs, feed bags, etc. can be left in or positioned across the common walkways in such a manner as to create a hazard for people or animals.

• Any items found in the common areas during public viewing times will be removed.

• Exit gates are not locked at any time during the fair hours. 

• Panels are to be used to aid in the safe movement of animals.

• Pens are generally first-come, first served. However, pens may be assigned at the discretion of the fir directors.  One pen per animal should not be expected. 

• The barn layout can and will be rearranged during periods of inclement weather.

• If an exhibitor, parent/relative of an exhibitor or any visitor on the premises displays behavior(s) violating the 4-H Code of Conduct for youth or 4-H Code of Conduct for adults, the following consequences may be put into action:

  • Forfeiture of premiums

  • Dismissal from premises (with aid of local authorities if necessary)

  • Exclusion from further competition.

• All animals must be cared for and fed during and after the show and sale at the expense and time of the exhibitor.

• Feeding, grooming, cleaning, walking, and caring for livestock projects are the responsibility of the youth exhibitor.

• Clipping livestock is NOT PERMITTED at the WCYF. Project animals should be clipped prior to the WCYF.

• Steer and heifer shows are “blow and go."  Adhesives or other holding solutions is prohibited. 

• Remember, this is a YOUTH project – adults should serve in an ASSISTANT role and not as primary caregiver in livestock projects.

• TEAMWORK (youth and adult partnerships) should be discernable to the average observer.

• All livestock pens and stall areas must be kept clean and free of litter.

• Beef projects – do not leave feed and water in the stalls overnight.

  • Properly used hay bags may be left in stalls overnight. Hay not fed in a hay bag may not be left in stalls overnight.

  • If hay bags are used, they must be positioned in the center of stall gate to not pose a hazard for other animals.

• Hay cannot be used as bedding.

• The penalties for an exhibitor not conforming to the above rules are:

  • 1st offense – WARNING

  • 2nd offense – DISQUALIFICATION

• Humane treatment of animals is expected.  Any abuse of animals is grounds for immediate disqualification, expulsion from the show and sale and forfeiture of all awards and premiums.

• Nose leads are not allowed.

• To enter, show or sell, animals must be properly cleaned, fitted, and manageable by the exhibitor.

• Steers, heifers, and swine receiving a blue or red ribbon are eligible to be sold through the Washington County Youth Fair Sale.

• At the final weigh-in exhibitors, will be required to declare if their animal(s) are to be included in the sale or not. This declaration will be final.

• Heifers will be sold to the highest bidder as breeding stock (by the head). The heifer’s age, weight, and pregnancy status will be announced at time of sale.

• Steers and swine will be sold to the highest bidder as market animals (by the pound) Note: 300 lb. maximum sale weight for swine and 1400 lb. maximum sale weigh for steers.

• Youth are responsible for selling their project. Contact with potential buyers should start at the beginning of the project year. 

• The WCYF will provide transportation of market animals to local packing houses only.

• Remove animals not going through the sale from the premises after the conclusion of the market show and at least 2 ½ hours before the beginning of the sale. 

• Exhibitors who sold their animal at the auction should feed their animal after the sale. Leave a bag of feed and bale of hay (beef animals only) with Mark Mauldin.

• Danish system will be used.  Each animal will be scored on its own merit earning a blue or red ribbon then ranked from top to bottom of each class. 

• Premiums will be awarded according to adequate funding. 

• Premium amounts may vary from year to year.

• Livestock premium checks will not be available until at least one month after the close of the sale.

• Thank you letters to buyers and sponsors are MANDATORY.

• Project record books are mandatory for all exhibitors in the WCYF Livestock Show and Sale. 

  • Due to UF/IFAS Extension Washington County by 4 pm on the FRIDAY immediately following the fair.

  • Available from your 4-H Club Leader or FFA Advisor .

  • Downloaded from this webpage (below).

  • If you are unable to print, contact UF/IFAS Extension Washington County.

• Record books are per species.  (Example:  If exhibitor has two hogs, complete one market hog record book).

• Youth will forfeit livestock show premium money if the record book is not received on time. 

• Record books may be typed or handwritten.

• Photographs may be digitally imported into the record book or created using other computer software. 

• Only BLUE RIBBON record books, earning a 90 or above in points, will be eligible for premium monies.

• Livestock must be manageable by their exhibitor.  

  • Animals posing a danger to the exhibitor, other exhibitors, or the public will not be allowed in the show or sale.

  • Animals not sufficiently trained to be safely handled will be disqualified and dismissed from the arena and/or barn.

• Unethically fitted livestock or livestock of an ineligible age is prohibited.

  • Unethical fitting is any method altering the natural conformation of any part of the animal’s body.

• Animals operated on or tampered with (in the opinion of the judge) for the purpose of concealing faults in conformation or with the intent relative to the animal’s soundness, will be disqualified.

• Report sick animals to Mark Mauldin who will notify a veterinarian.

• Animals may be disqualified at any time during the show if sickness or abnormalities develop.