SHEEP

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture Sheep Program holds many opportunities for youth participants to show their livestock across the state. With seven market shows spread from the eastern part of the state to the western part of the state, 4H and FFA exhibitors can choose shows close by or travel to them all!

Additionally, three Kentucky Junior Livestock expos are held throughout the summer. The breeding sheep show brings youth and breeding stock from all over the state. Exhibitors have the opportunity to participate in showmanship at all shows if they like. Participants and breeders are eligible to be members of the Kentucky Proud Livestock Tag Program. Any animal born and raised in Kentucky is eligible for this program and any youth exhibiting these animals with a legitimate Kentucky Proud tag will receive additional premiums and be in contingent for Kentucky Proud winnings at the Kentucky State Fair. Exhibitors also accumulate points throughout the show season in competition and the results are presented at a Points Banquet at the conclusion of the season.

DISTRICT LAMB RULES, REGULATIONS, AND SHOWS

GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS

1.     The district shows are open to Kentucky 4-H and FFA members engaged in an approved sheep project. NOTE: All lambs showing at District Shows and the Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos MUST have a scrapie tag and a KUIP tag to be eligible to show.

2.     Exhibitors ages 8 years old and younger as of January 1 of the current year are eligible to participate in the Novice classes only. Each Novice exhibitor is limited to one entry and must be KUIP tagged in his/her name.

3.     All KY origin animals for exhibition shall be individually identified on a certificate of veterinary inspection written within the current calendar year. January 1 through December 31. See general health requirements for more information.

4.     All sheep must meet Kentucky health requirements for exhibition. Contact the State Veterinarian's office for further information.

5.     4-H and FFA exhibitors may exhibit a total of SIX (6) entries, be it market lambs or commercial ewes. Exhibitors must be present during the show.

6.     All exhibitors may enter market wethers or market ewes. Induced cryptorchids (short scrotum lambs) and ram lambs may not be shown.

7.     All lambs are required to have a complete unbroken mouth and lamb teeth. The judge will make the determination.

8.     Wool lambs must be docked, clean castrated, and the animal must be shorn slick above the knee and hock joint (1/4 inch or less) prior to check-in. The minimum weight limit is 60 pounds, with no upper weight limit. All blankets must be removed for inspection before entering check-in. No artificial color may be used. No muzzles, etc., may be used at any time.

9.     Hair lambs must be clean castrated. Docking is optional. The minimum weight limit is 35 pounds with no upper weight limit. All blankets must be removed for inspection before entering check-in. No artificial color may be used. No muzzles, etc., may be used at any time.

10.  All lambs must have been owned by the exhibitor as of May 15th of the current year, be part of their project, and be under the continuous care of the 4-H or FFA exhibitor.

11.  All 4-H, FFA and Novice entries must be nominated in the exhibitor's name and identified by the Kentucky Uniform Identification Program by May 15th. See 4-H agent or vocational agriculture teacher for details. Co-tagging with KUIP tags will only be permitted among 4-H, FFA, and Novice siblings unless a waiver has been obtained. To purchase tags visit Livestock Validation Form & Tags - Kentucky State Fair

12.  All lambs must be shown by the 4-H or FFA exhibitor (owner) unless the exhibitor is incapacitated (deprived of strength or ability; physically impaired) or has more than one entry in a class, then he or she may have another 4-H or FFA youth exhibit his or her animal. No Novice exhibitors are eligible.

13.  The classes are to be broken after weigh-ins are completed. An exhibitor shall have the right to challenge the weight of the lamb, remove the lamb from the scales, have the weigh-man balance the scales, then reweigh their lamb before another lamb is weighed. The second weight will be the official weight. If a lamb does not meet weight requirements that lamb may be allowed to be shown in the Showmanship contest only.

14.  Lambs will shown by breed and weight. Classes will be broken at the discretion of the local committee. There must be five (5) lambs in a breed to have a breed show. If five head cannot be met, lambs will be placed an AOB all other breeds Division. There will be a Blackface and Whiteface Cross Division at all shows.

15.  All Breeds shall be declared at time of validation. At time of validation, lambs can be classified as any breed recognized with a breed registry or as a black face cross (BFX) or white face cross (WFX).

16.  Once a breed has been declared it cannot be changed throughout show season, with the exception of changing an entry to a crossbred class prior to weigh in. Once changed, classification cannot be reversed at any point throughout the district show season.

17.  The local show committee will check classification at weigh-in based upon these adopted breed guidelines.

18.  •Click here to download your breed guidelines

19.  In situation of reclassification due to local show committee's discretion, the following options are allowed:

1. Move white face crosses (WFX) to black face cross (BFX).
2. Move Suffolk, Hampshire, Natural Colored, Shropshire, and/or Oxford breeds to black face cross (BFX)
3. Move Dorset, Dorper, Southdown, Columbia, Corriedale, Cheviot, and/or Montadale breeds to white face Cross (WFX)

20.  An animal could be required to show as a different breed at the Kentucky State Fair. State Fair classification may not reflect the same breed as classified at a District Show.

21.  Only 4-H and FFA members, their parents and siblings, local 4-H and FFA leaders, or their 4-H agents and their instructors of vocational agriculture may fit sheep during the junior show. A Kentucky driver's license will serve as identification.

22.  No adult shall enter the show ring while classes are being judged unless the exhibitor is physically impaired. This includes Novice classes.

23.  Exhibitors are expected to treat their lambs in a manner consistent with good animal husbandry and display proper sportsmanship at all times. Four on the floor is expected. Failure to comply may result in disqualification of exhibitor if so recommended by the local show committee.

24.  In the event of a violation of the above rules, a protest can be filed as follows: A signed written statement, outlining the problem, is filed with the show chairman within one hour of the incident.

25.  Any legal or illegal substance that alters the conformation or enhances the natural appearance of the animal is not permitted. All lambs may be subject to random drug testing and/or veterinary examination.

26.  Any exhibitor violating the above rules shall forfeit all premium money and awards. Any violation of the rules shall be reported to a representative of the Division of Show and Fair Promotion, who in turn shall inform the appropriate youth agency. Said violation of the rules may, at the discretion of the youth agency, result in a suspension from showing.

27.  Each local committee shall have the authority to interpret and enforce all rules.

28.  NOTE: To be eligible to compete at the Kentucky State Fair, all 4-H/FFA market lambs must compete in one of the District Shows or Kentucky Junior Livestock Expos conducted by the Division of Show & Fair Promotion. A lamb will only qualify for the Kentucky State Fair if it has competed and been placed during a market lamb class at a District Show or Kentucky Junior Livestock Expo.

PREMIUM SCALE

These Premiums have been adjusted accordingly and could be changed due to available funds.

SHEEP, GOAT, AND SWINE

1.          KY Proud            Non KY Proud

2.          1st - $20             1st - $15

3.          2nd - $19            2nd - $13

4.          3rd - $18             3rd - $11

5.          4th - $17             4th - $9

6.          5th - $16             5th - $7

7.          6th - $15

8.          7th - $14

9.          8th - $13

10.       9th - $12

11.       10th - $11

GENERAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

All KY origin animals for exhibition shall be individually identified on a certificate of veterinary inspection written within the current calendar year. January 1 through December 31st of the current year. For More information click here.

SHOWMANSHIP DIVISION

All 4-H and FFA members must show their own animals. An exhibitor may be allowed to bring one extra lamb, KUIP tagged, and be allowed to show for showmanship only. Showmanship exhibitors must show in their respective age group for the entire show season as of January 1 of the current year. Showmanship classes will be broken into divisions and shown as follows:

1.          AGE 17 AND ABOVE

2.          AGES 14-16

3.          AGES 12-13

4.          AGES 9-11

5.          NOVICE -- Open to exhibitors ages 8 years old and younger as of January 1 of the current year. A Novice exhibitor may show his or her own lamb, or someone else's lamb for showmanship only.

6.     The local rules committee may split Showmanship classes which they feel are too large.

7.     The judge will place the classes with an emphasis on alertness, courtesy, control of the lamb, fitting of the lamb, and show ring behavior.

8.     Each division winner will receive a special award.

9.     NOVICE CLASS: This class is designed to allow young exhibitors who have not reached club age to gain experience in the show ring. The exhibitor is limited to one market lamb entry. The novice class will be broken by weight. Novice lambs must be KUIP tagged in his/her name. There will be no minimum weight for novice lambs. The novice winner will not be eligible to show in the Grand Champion Class.

COMMERCIAL EWE LAMB DIVISION

1.     Class(es) will be broken by weight.

2.     All lambs are required to have a complete unbroken mouth and lamb teeth. The judge will make the determination

3.     Ewe lambs must be KUIP tagged.

4.     No lamb is allowed to show in a market class and the commercial ewe division at the same district show. A lamb may be Grand or Reserve Champion Market lamb at one show and Grand or Reserve Champion Commercial Ewe lamb at a different show.

NATIONAL CODE OF SHOW RING ETHICS

Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows shall at all times comport 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. This code applies to junior as well as open class exhibitors who compete in structured classes of competition. This code applies to all livestock offered in any event at a livestock show. 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. Exhibitors who violate the code of ethics will forfeit premiums, awards, and auction proceeds and shall be prohibited from future exhibition in accordance with the rules adopted by all District Shows. Exhibitors 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.     Exhibitors shall provide animal health certificates from licensed veterinarians upon request by fair or livestock show officials.

3.     Junior 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 livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, 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, regulation 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 medication, this shall be prima facie evidence such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine, saliva, blood, or other substance tested by the laboratory to which it is sent is the one taken from the animal in question, its integrity is preserved and all procedure 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 the sample was taken, with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise. At any time after an animal arrives on the fair or livestock show 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 by 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 affect 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, or other similar practices are not acceptable and are prohibited.

7.     Direct criticism or interference with the judge, fair or livestock show management, other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during, or after the competitive event is prohibited. In the furtherance of their official duty, all judges, 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 exhibitor 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 individual to disciplinary action.

9.     The application of this code of ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal's condition by an exhibitor whether or not he/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 by the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to have disciplinary action taken by the fair or livestock show for violation of this Code of Show Ring Ethics and any other rules of competition of the fair or livestock show without recourse against the fair or livestock show. The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent that any proceedings or disciplinary action taken by 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 Exposition, including Fairs and Exposition 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 exhibitor or absolutely responsible person that he/she has read the IAFE National Code of Show Ring Ethics and understands the consequences of and penalties provided for action 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. The National Code of Ethics was modified March 9, 1998.

ADDITIONAL LINKS

• Kentucky 4-H/FFA Market Animal Validation