Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows shall at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship. Their conduct in the competitive environment shall always reflect the highest standards of honor and dignity to promote the advancement of agriculture education. This code applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in structured classes of competition. This code to all livestock offered in any event at livestock show. In addition to the “IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics”, fairs and livestock shows have rules and regulations which they impose on the local, county, state, provincial, and national levels.

All youth leaders working with junior exhibitors are under an affirmative responsibility to do more than avoid improper conduct or questionable acts. Their moral values must be so certain and positive that those younger and more pliable will be influenced by their fine example. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers and absolutely responsible persons who violate this code of ethics demean the integrity of all livestock exhibitors and should be prohibited from competition at all livestock shows in the United States and Canada.

The following is a list of guidelines for all exhibitors and all livestock in competitive events:

• 1. All exhibitors must present, upon request of fair and livestock show officials, proof of ownership, length of ownership and age of all animals entered. Misrepresentation of ownership, age or any facts relating thereto is prohibited.
• 2. Owners, exhibitors, fitters trainers, or absolutely responsible persons shall provide animal health certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show officials.
• 3. All exhibitors are expected to care for and groom their animals while at fairs or livestock shows.
• 4. Animals shall be presented to show events where they will enter the food chain free of violative drug residues. The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitors, fitter, trainer and/or absolutely responsible person for show management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances from the animal to be used in testing. Animals not entered in an event which culminates with the animal entering the food chain shall not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal, state and provincial statues, regulations and regulations and rules. Livestock shall not be exhibited if the drugs administered in accordance with federal, state and provincial statues, regulations and rules affect the animal’s performance or appearance at the event.
     If the laboratory report on the analysis of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of forbidden drugs or medications, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. (cont'd next column)

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• It is presumed that the sample of urine, saliva, blood, or other substances tested by the laboratory to which it is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation, transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample are correct and accurate and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time of sample was taken, with burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise.    At anytime after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock premises, all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal shall be administered ay a licensed veterinarian.
• 5. Any surgical procedure or injection of any foreign substance or drug or the external application of any substance (irritant, counterirritant, or similar substance) which could affect the animal’s performance or alter its natural contour, confirmation, or appearance, except external applications of substances to the hoofs or horns of animals which effect appearance only and except for surgical procedures performed by a duly licensed veterinarian for the sole purpose of protecting the health of the animal is prohibited.
• 6. The use of showing and/or handling practices or devices such as striking animals to cause swelling, using electrical contrivance, other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.
• 7. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair livestock show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, fair and livestock show management, or other show officials shall be treated with courtesy, cooperation and respect, and no person shall direct abusive or threatening conduct toward them.
• 8. No owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person shall conspire with another person or persons to intentionally violate this code of ethics or knowingly contribute or cooperate with another person or persons either by affirmative action or inaction to violate this code of ethics. Violation of this rule shall subject such individuals to disciplinary action.
• 9. The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal’s condition by an owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or participant whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in contravention of this code of ethics.
• 10. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent be the owner, exhibitor, fitter, or absolutely responsible person to have disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an anumal is giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show may be published with the name of the violator or violators in any publication of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, including Fairs and Expositions and any special notices to members.
• 11. The act of entering of an animal in a fair or livestock show is the giving of verification by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, or absolutely responsible person that he or she has read the “IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics” and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for actions prohibited by the code. It is further a consent that any action which contravenes these rules and is also in violation of federal, state, or provincial statutes, regulations, or rules may be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over such infractions.

1. All large animal exhibitors (market beef, beef breeding, sale bred heifer, horse, swine, sheep) are required to do an interview at interview judging on Wednesday, August 13 between the hours of 1:00 till 5:00 p.m. Exhibitors who fail to complete their interviews will not be allowed to exhibit or sell their animal.

2. Posters are required. Posters have been purchased by the Council and will be distributed to all animal members (except pocket pets, cats, dogs). The posters will be filled out and hung above the members animals on Wednesday, August 13, by 8:00 p.m.

3.4-H members must exhibit their own livestock to qualify them eligible for the 4-H market sale. If a senior member is not able to be present, due to college, etc., another 4-H family member or club member will be allowed to fill in. Parents are not allowed to show an animal for an absent 4-H member. In case of an injury, the 4-H member must contact the livestock superintendent to request someone to show his or her animal. Failure to do so will make the animal ineligible for the 4-H market animal sale.

4. Pictures must be taken of all market animals.

5. A two percent fee will be withheld from each market animal member’s check to cover sale expenses.

6. All market animal owners should canvass for the premium fund.

7. Animals must be in good health. Those who are not will be considered unsaleable.

8. Animals must receive a blue or red ribbon to be eligible for the 4-H market sale.

9. Market animals will be weighed in on Wednesday, August 13th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

10. The blue showmanship book will be our guideline.

11. Leather footwear is recommended for safety.

12. Blue and red ribbon livestock will be allowed to compete in the Open Class.

13. Members will properly care for and feed animals during the fair.

14. Members are responsible to feed and care for their own animal exhibits while on the fairgrounds. This includes keeping stalls and pens in good condition. If assistance is needed, members should consult your leader or barn superintendent. Pens and stalls must be cleaned daily. Pens must be cleaned BY 6:00 a.m. on Thursday and Friday, 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. A member should take a pitchfork and shovel to the fair and a rake is also helpful. A member must furnish his own animal feed, feed pans, and water tub.

15. All 4-H members enrolled in any market project must submit to your organizational leader record books and manuals on or before September 2, 2008, and provide evidence that he/she completed the required minimum 7 activities and 3-5 additional learning experiences for the level in which he/she is enrolled.

16. A 4-H member must exhibit his market project animal in the appropriate showmanship contest to qualify the animal eligible for 4-H Market Livestock Sale. A senior member who has left for college will be exempt from this rule.

17. By fair time market livestock members are required to be certified in the Quality Assurance Program which was adopted in 2002. If you fail to certify, you are not eligible to exhibit or sell your market livestock at the Chouteau County Fair.