Steer, Swine & Heifer Projects
Questions? Contact Mark Mauldin
850.638.6180 . mdm83@ufl.edu
General Entry Information
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 your Mark Mauldin/Julie Dillard immediately.
Arrangements will be made to re-tag your project.
Project dies:
Notify your Mark Mauldin/Julie Dillard 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 & Registration
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.
Market Steer Show
An exhibitor may enter no more than two steers.
Steer entries are required to be weighed-in and registered at the initial weigh-in.
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 Swine Show
Market hog projects are required to be weighed-in and registered at the initial weigh-in.
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.
Beef Heifer Show
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.
Showmanship
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.
4-H & FFA Attire
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.
Health Requirements & Certificates
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.
Protests/Disagreements
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.
Safety
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 first-come, first served. However, you will be asked and expected to move your animals or to pen your animals with others if necessary. 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.
Care of Animals
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.
Sale of Animals/After the Sale
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/300 lb. maximum for swine).
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.
Rankings, Premiums, Ribbons, Thank You
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
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 earn premium monies.
Disqualification
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.
Sponsored by Orange Hill
Soil & Water Conservation District
Points will be earned throughout the 4-H year beginning September 1st and ending at the conclusion of the WCYF and its events and requirements.
Who is eligible?
Washington County 4-H & Chipley or Vernon FFA members who exhibit steer, breeding beef, and/or swine projects.
What can I earn?
Grand Champion Exhibitor - $500 & belt buckle
Reserve Champion Exhibitor - $250 & belt buckle
How do I qualify to participate and earn points?
Attend Champion classes
Attend weigh-in with your project
Submit completed WCYF entry form & fee at weigh-in/check-in
Complete the Champion classes evaluation & earn a score
Showmanship placing (1st, 2nd, or 3rd place)
Showmanship animal must be in your ownership and/or care
Your project’s placing within its market class (blue or red ribbon)
Exhibit your project in at least one other show (record in your record book)
Complete a record book & earn a score
Beautiful custom belt buckles by Molly's Custom Silver to
Grand and Reserve
Champion of Champions winners!
What if I have more than one livestock project?
When you turn in your registration form and fee, you’ll declare which project you will use for Champion of Champions.
Example: Mark has two WCYF project animals - a steer project and a swine project. Mark decides he’ll use his steer project for his Champion of Champions project. On his registration form, he checks the box that reads: This entry will be my Champion of Champions project. Mark’s attendance at the steer weigh-in, his beef showmanship placing, steer class placing, and steer record book will be used on his total points score sheet.
2023-2024 WCYF Events & Due Dates
Steer Preliminary Weigh-In 9/26/23
Swine Preliminary Weigh-In 11/28/23
Heifer Preliminary Check-In 12/14/23
All weigh/check-ins are 3:30 - 5:30pm in the livestock barn.
Champion of Champions Class 1 11/9/23
Champion of Champions Class 2 12/12/23
Champion of Champions Class 3 1/4/24
Champion of Champions Assessment 2/8/24
All Champion of Champion events are 5:30-7:30pm in the East Classroom.
Steer Final Weigh-In 3/1/24 7:30-9:00am
Heifer Final Check-In 3/1/24 7:30-9:00am
Swine Final Weigh-In 3/1/24 9:00-10:00am
WCYF Showmanship Contest 3/1/24 6:00pm
WCYF Livestock Show 3/2/24 9:00am
WCYF Livestock Auction 3/2/24 6:00pm
Record Books Due to Extension Office 3/8/24 before 4pm
Exhibitor's Dinner 3/21/24 5:30pm
WCYF Record Books
JUNIOR - 8-10 years old
INTERMEDIATE - 11-13 years old
SENIOR -14-18 years old
Selling your Livestock Project
At the end of the WCYF, you have three options for your 4-H steer or swine project:
Take your animal home.
Sell your animal through the WCYF auction.
Secure a private buyer for your animal.
Take your animal home.
4-Hers will take their animal home if it needs to be fed out more to reach a finished weight. For gilts, 4-Hers may want to keep their animals for breeding stock.
Sell your animal through the WCYF auction.
The price per pound you receive for your steer or pig will be determined by buyers present at the sale. Sometimes this price is low, and sometimes this price is high. It's a gamble on how much you'll make or lose going through the auction.
Secure a private buyer.
While this requires more work on your part, it usually pays off in the price per pound you receive for your animal. Sending out buyer's letters and personally visiting people is an excellent way to market your animal, showcase your hard work, and bring in a better price for your animal. You can sell your animal prior to the auction via private transaction, or ask your buyer(s) to come to the auction and bid on your project.
Remember, it is your responsibility to sell your steer or swine project. The more you market yourself and your animal, the better chance you have to earn a premium price for the high-quality animal protein that you have raised.
WHO should send buyer letters?
ALL steer and swine exhibitors who intend to participate in the auction should send out buyer letters.
WHY send buyer letters?
You've worked hard to raise a high-quality market animal. Don't let that hard work go to waste. Youth who market their animals see a higher return on their investment when they send buyer's letters and personally invite people to attend the WCYF Livestock Auction.
Don't stop at a letter - follow up with a personal phone call, or even better, a personal visit to talk about your project and invite them to the auction.
WHEN do you send buyer letters?
Write and send your letters to arrive at least two weeks before show and auction week. You can send letters any time you want to like at the beginning of your project with a mid-project report followed by an final letter and invitation before the fair and sale.
WHERE do you send buyer letters?
Sit down with parents or guardians and make a list of people you think would support your livestock project. These can be businesses, individuals, community groups, or organizations. Be sure to get accurate names, spellings, addresses, and phone numbers. It's up to you to decide how many people you want to contact.
HOW do you write buyer letters?
Use a business letter format. Address the letter to a specific individual - do not address it "to whom it may concern." You can either type or hand-write your letter. If you type your letter, hand-sign each one. You can mail your letter, or deliver it in person. A picture of you with your animal is a nice touch.
WHAT do I include in a buyer letter?
Your full name
4-H club name
Basic information about your animal
What you learned by raising a 4-H livestock project
Information about the quality of the protein produced by your animal
The time and and place of the WCYF auction
Information about how the animal will be processed after the sale
Contact information for this office if the potential buyer needs further information