Attention Livestock Exhibitors: Quality Assurance Requirements

Quality Assurance is an annual requirement of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for youth taking livestock projects to county and state fair. In Fairfield County, Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding, Dairy Steers, & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2025:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2025.
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 30th, 2025.

At this time, Quality Assurance CANNOT be taught by club/chapter advisors to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA youth virtually (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Google Classrooms, Facebook Live, etc.).

Here are the acceptable options to complete Quality Assurance in 2025:

  • In-Person 4-H Club/FFA Chapter Clinic taught by a 4-H/FFA Advisor who has completed the Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor Training this year. Advisors who attended this training will notify their members of their club/chapter QA Clinic date and will be responsible for getting all QA paperwork submitted to the Extension Office by the appropriate deadlines.
  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Thursday, May 1st from 6:30-8:30 p.m. or Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Fairfield County Ag Center/Extension Office (831 College Ave. Lancaster). An RSVP is required. Please click here to register for a countywide QA makeup clinic.
  • In-Person Beef Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person BQA taught by a certified BQA instructor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.
  • In-Person Pork Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person PQA taught by a certified PQA advisor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.eduYouth MUST be age 14 or older (current age) to complete in-person PQA. Youth will receive a PQA certification number from the National Pork Board upon completion.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2025, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to  https://yqcaprogram.org/ for the training and quiz.
    • Instructions for using the new website can be found at: 2022 YQCA Website Instructions
    • Exhibitors must complete by June 30, 2025 or they will not be able to show at the Fairfield County Fair.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually). The age of the course should be age as of January 1st of the current year.
    • When you are finished, please send a pdf/picture of your certificate which includes exhibitor name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Youth Opportunity: Ohio Beef Youth Day

Are you a youth involved in Ohio’s beef industry or wanting to get involved? LOOK HERE!
Ohio Beef Youth Council is hosting TWO beef youth days where we will cover essential topics that will elevate your knowledge and skills in the beef industry! These days will consist of hands-on sessions to enhance knowledge on topics including biosecurity, disease traceability and animal health, nutrition, genetics, carcass evaluation and cut ID, and much more.

ODA Animal Health – Fairs and Exhibitions Newsletter (Special Edition 2)

Please review the following items as shared by the Ohio Department of Agriculture – Division of Animal Health as it relates to county/state fair participation. Items are current as of March 17, 2025 when this newsletter was shared.

Poultry Shows at County Fairs

There are currently no ODA restrictions for holding poultry shows for the 2025 County Fair Season. ODA will continue to monitor the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza situation, both nationally and in Ohio. We recommend fair boards, 4H agents, and OSU Extension Educators continue to work with ODA and their official veterinarian on biosecurity protocols.

The ODA website has the most up-to-date information on detections in Ohio as well as biosecurity resources.

5 Frequently Asked Questions

Last bulletin, we covered 5 of the FAQ questions in the FAQ Document on the ODA AH Website. See below for 5 additional frequently asked questions

1) Am I allowed to use a cold towel on my sheep/animal in the makeup ring?

Per 901-19, the application of ice, ice packs, cold packs, or cold compresses prescribed to relieve heat stress or a medical condition diagnosed and prescribed by the official veterinarian at an exhibition are allowed. If the fair is taking place on an extremely hot day and cold water is necessary to cool down the animal per the official veterinarian, that is allowed. However, using ice, ice packs, cold packs, or cold compresses internally or externally for reasons other than what is listed above is an unacceptable practice.

2) Can our county fair drug test feeder calves?

There is growing support to expand drug testing to other classes of livestock exhibition, such as junior livestock exhibition non-terminal shows. Beginning in 2025, ODA will provide testing for the Grand and Reserve Champion market meat goats, market dairy goats, beef feeder calves, and dairy feeder calves (non-terminal) on a voluntary basis. If a fair or sponsor voluntarily wishes to have animals in these additional classes tested, the state will test in the same manner as other market classes. Regardless, all exhibition livestock must maintain the same status at the time of show, which is exhibition drug residue legal.

3) Can my child show an animal in showmanship with a drug in their system or when the animal is not “exhibition drug residue legal”?

ODA allows an animal to be shown in showmanship, even if they do not meet the “exhibition drug residue legal” definition and cannot show in their market or breeding class. That is because the showing of the animal in showmanship is a reflection on the individual showing the animal, not the animal itself. However, a county fair can have more strict rules than ODA and may not allow this animal to be shown.

4) Is an animal allowed to go through the sale ring when they are not exhibition drug residue legal? 

If a situation arises that necessitates that an animal receives a medication after the show and before the sale, a new DUNF must be filed with the local sponsor immediately. This must also be done under the advisement and approval of the official veterinarian. Once done so, the animal may then go through the sale ring. All appropriate withdrawal times must be kept and the buyer notified of withdrawal time, if there is one.

However, a county fair can have more strict rules than ODA and may not allow this animal to be sold until the withdrawal time has been met.

5) Can I give my animal water by mouth via a hand pump or syringe at the exhibition?

You cannot FORCIBLY give an animal water by mouth at an exhibition. This practice is referred to as drenching. “Drenching” means the act of using an instrument, including a bottle, placed in an animal’s mouth to orally administer a liquid, food, or any other substance. Drenching of livestock at an exhibition is prohibited, unless prescribed by the official veterinarian. Drenching is when you are forcing the animal to take in the liquid.

However, if you are holding a hand pump (in the example of swine) and the hog comes up and voluntarily takes a drink from the hand pump, that is acceptable.

Guidance Documents

Find the First Fairs and Exhibitions newsletter on our website.

Download a copy of the updated ODA FAQ, which includes additional questions not listed above.

Exhibition Guidance and Best Practice Checklist

To see the current rules:

– OAC 901-19

– OAC 901:1-18

– ORC 901.70-76

Cattle Warts

Cattle warts, also know as papillomatosis, are caused by several strains of bovine papilloma virus (BPV). Warts are typically found in the head, neck, and shoulder regions but may also be located on the teats, back, abdomen, or venereal region.  

Most wart appears as growths on the skin with a thickened, hard, and scaly surface that may resemble cauliflower. Some strains of BPV may produce a papulonodule, which extends deeper into the dermal layer with a similar hard and scaley surface. Diagnosis is typically made by observation. 

Transmission of cattle warts may occur due to direct contact with the warts or through indirect contact with fomites such as halters, tack, and medical instruments. There is also potential for spread through insect vectors. While cattle warts are contagious among cattle, they are not zoonotic as most papilloma viruses are species-specific.  

Prevention of cattle warts includes disinfection of shared tack, medical instruments, and other equipment. If papillomatosis is problem at the herd level, vaccination is possible through commercially available or autogenous vaccines. Cattle warts typically resolve on their own, though they may last a year or more. Surgical removal is recommended for warts that are large or numerous.  

Cattle with warts should refrain from exhibition or have the warts surgically removed before shows and fairs.  

Additional Questions?

If you are an educator, parent, exhibitor, or fair veterinarian and have additional questions, our Fairs/Exhibitions Administrative team is always available to answer questions. If you wish to speak to the team, please email animal@agri.ohio.gov.

 

Dr. Dennis Summers – State Veterinarian

Dr. Kristy Shaw – Assistant State Veterinarian

Jacquie Keller-Potvin – Program Administrator

Cindy Bodie – Program Administrator

Market Beef and Dairy Market Beef Tagging, Weighing, and DNA Sample Collection Procedure for 2025

Weigh-in for all calves intended for the market beef show in 2025 is March 8th, by appointment!

It’s time once again to prepare for Jr. Market Beef tagging and weigh-in. This year it is being conducted in a fashion like recent years and continues to include exhibitors planning to participate in the ‘finished’ Dairy Beef Steer project that was created last year in Fairfield County.

Market beef weigh-in for traditional beef animals as well as dairy market beef is set for Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Fairfield Cattle Company located at 3443 Cincinnati-Zanesville Road (S.R. 22), Lancaster, from 8:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. In advance of March 8th exhibitors will be required to tag their own market beef animals with an 840 EID tag (unless the calf already has an EID tag). Visual numbered tags are encouraged but will not be provided or required this year. As in the recent past, participants will submit a hair follicle DNA sample at the weigh-in for each calf.

Again this year families with market beef and dairy market beef projects are also required to reserve a weigh-in time for the 8th, and only those directly involved in transporting and weighing-in calves should plan to attend . . . please, no spectators! The goal remains to reduce congregation at weigh-in and minimize the transfer of paperwork. Specifically, the step-by-step process and requirements include . . . Continue reading Market Beef and Dairy Market Beef Tagging, Weighing, and DNA Sample Collection Procedure for 2025

Livestock Tagging/Weighing and MQP Dates for 2025

Get the tagging and weigh-in dates on your calendar.

The good news is . . . participation in livestock projects remains strong while muscle quality and performance carcass-based project participation continues to grow in Fairfield County. The rest of the good news is, although there will be a few changes, plans continue to accommodate all the livestock project participation that is being experienced. That said, for the most part weigh-in/tagging dates, as well as harvest dates will remain similar in 2025 to what they were in 2024.

The changes being considered involve the Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (BPCQ), Swine MQP and Goat MQP programs.

A third, optional, early harvest date for participants in the BPCQ is being added for those youth with early born calves who would like to conclude their carcass-based project in August. The youth participating in the August harvest will weigh/tag their BPCQ calves on February 1. The two later September beef harvest dates will also be maintained and calves being harvested then will be weighed/tagged along with the ‘live’ beef cattle on March 8. Youth had the opportunity to apply for BPCQ with an application deadline for the 2025 BPCQ contest of January 8, 2025 and on a first come, first served basis select their preferred harvest date.

Swine MQP will be considering two changes. First change being considered is pigs will be weighed/tagged in specifically for either the MQP or ‘live’ show. The pigs for each contest will be Continue reading Livestock Tagging/Weighing and MQP Dates for 2025

Youth Opportunity: Ohio Beef Youth Council

Please see the attached message from Elizabeth Harsh with Ohio Cattleman’s that includes a press release about the Ohio Beef Council & OCA’s new Ohio Beef Youth Council opportunity and an invite to the launch. Please forward to youth members who may be interested in this opportunity!

Note there is no cost to attend, but attendees must register for the launch event.

Youth Council Invitation

2025 Ohio Youth Beef Council Launch PR.docx

one-pager

Beef Performance and Carcass Quality Contest Rules Released, Application Portal for 2025 is Open

Apply to participate by January 9.

Again in 2025, the entries in this contest will be harvested prior to the Fair.

This contest is open to any 4-H or FFA members who will enroll in a market beef animal project in 2025. Participation in the BPCQ contest does not affect eligibility for participation in the “live” market beef show.

New for 2025, a third, optional, early harvest date for participants in the BPCQ is being added for those youth with early born calves who would like to conclude their carcass-based project on August 19. The youth participating in the August harvest will weigh/tag their BPCQ calves on February 1. The two later September beef harvest dates will also be maintained and calves being harvested then will be weighed/tagged along with the ‘live’ beef cattle on March 8. The application process and rules for the 2025 BPCQ contest include Continue reading Beef Performance and Carcass Quality Contest Rules Released, Application Portal for 2025 is Open

Join us November 20 to discuss the Fairfield County Jr. Beef Show and Beef Carcass Evaluation

Join us November 20.

If you’re a Fairfield County’s Junior Fair Beef exhibitor, beef exhibitor family member, or simply interested in the completion of local beef cattle projects, your Jr. Show Superintendents are inviting you to come to the Fairfield County Ag Center on Wednesday, November 20 to talk about the 2024 beef show and beyond.

Beginning at 6 p.m. those interested in beef carcass evaluation are invited to join in as OSU Extension Beef Field Specialist Garth Ruff discusses grading and scoring of the Beef Performance and Carcass Quality contest. You need not be a Junior beef exhibitor to attend. If you want to learn more about beef carcass quality and yield evaluation you are welcome.

Following at 7:30, the Jr. Show Superintendents will lead discussion reviewing the 2024 fair, and possible improvements for 2025 and beyond. This is intended to be an opportunity to share your thoughts on how best to host the 2025 Jr. beef show and the learning experiences that can accompany it.

If you are a junior beef exhibitor, the parent of a junior beef exhibitor, interested in becoming a Fairfield County junior beef exhibitor, or simply wanting to learn more about youth beef projects and how they might relate to real world beef production, make plans to attend this open meeting in the Fairfield County Ag Center beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20.

Beef Exhibitors: Showing at the 2025 Ohio State Fair – DNA/EID Tag Info

The Ohio State Fair requires all market beef entered in the 2025 Ohio State Fair to have individual DNA samples taken from each animal that may potentially be entered. These DNA samples must be in the possession of the Ohio State Fair by January 15.  Attached is a document containing sample collection instructions: DNA Sample Collection Instructions 2025. Please read the attached instructions that will be a part of each sample collection kit, and contact the Ohio State Fair, if you have any questions (Andi Hershey, A.Hershey@expo.ohio.gov ).

Continuing in 2025: Ohio State Fair will NOT be providing EID tags for market beef entries.

Exhibitors must get their own 840 tags for their entries. The EID 840 tag number MUST be listed on the envelope with the DNA sample.

DNA sample collection kits will be available at the Fairfield County Extension Office (first come first serve as we will have a limited supply) and can be picked up by the individual directly from the OSF fairgrounds. Prior to submission, the nomination envelope for each sample kit remitted must be signed by either the 4-H professional or FFA advisor, depending in which organization the youth is taking the market animal(s).

Also note that youth showing at any of the BEST sanctioned shows must have EID tags in their calves prior to the first show in which they exhibit. BEST shows occurring prior to the January 15 deadline to submit samples to OSF include: Mardi Gras Masquerade (November 22-24, Circleville), AGR Holiday Classic (December 6-8, Columbus), Northern Lights BEST Show (December 13-15, Wauseon), Saddle & Sirloin Spectacular (December 27-29, Circleville), and Scarlet & Gray Midwest Showdown (January 3-5, Columbus). DNA kits will be available at these BEST shows, but exhibitors are responsible for submitting the kits directly to OSF.

Please remember:

  • Beef DNA/EID kits will be due to state fair by the normal January 15th date.  Kits will be mailed back to State Fair.

Drug Use Notification Forms – due at NOON, Friday, October 4th for Market Beef/BEEF FEEDERS/DAIRY MARKET STEERS/Dairy Beef Feeders/Lactating Dairy Cows & Dairy Goats/Market Hogs/Market Goats/Market Lambs

Animals must be drug free by weigh-in day of fair. Each member must complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) (http://go.osu.edu/fairfielddunf) form online for each animal they plan to exhibit prior to weigh-in at the fair. If the forms are not correctly completed, exhibitors will not be permitted to show. The link to the form will open on Monday, September 30th (as forms should be completed more than 5 days before fair weigh-in).

  • Animals requiring a DUNF indicating the animal is free from any/all drugs in its system on fair weigh-in/move-in day are:
    • Market Beef
    • NEW FOR 2024: BEEF FEEDER
    • NEW FOR 2024: DAIRY MARKET STEER
    • Dairy Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Cow (lactating)
    • MQP Hog
    • Market Barrow
    • Market Gilt
    • Market Goat
    • MQP Goat
    • Dairy Goat (lactating)
    • Market Chickens
    • Market Turkey
    • Market Duck
    • MQP Lamb
    • Market Lamb
    • Market Rabbit
  • Forms should be completed no sooner than 5 days prior to animal weigh-in to be sure that their animal is drug free during fair.
  • Forms submitted prior to that timeframe will be deleted and exhibitors will be asked to resubmit the DUNF form closer to their animal’s weigh-in. All animals being brought to the fair requiring DUNF forms will need to submit their forms by 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2024.
  • The only EXCEPTION to the Friday deadline will be Market Poultry and Market Rabbits who will complete DUNF Forms AFTER they receive tags/leg bands so they have identification information to enter into the DUNF Form. One form per pen of animals should be completed for Poultry and Rabbits. Deadline for poultry and rabbit exhibitors is MIDNIGHT on Saturday, October 5th.
  • Animals tagged with an EID 840 (15 digit tag) should include the last 6 digits in the identification field of the form.
  • Scrapie Tag numbers DO NOT need to be entered for market goats and market sheep – please use the last 6 digits of your EID 840 tag.
  • There should be ONE form submitted for each animal Exception: Each pen of rabbits and each pen of market chickens will need a form per pen.
  • Turkeys exhibitors will put N/A in the identification field.
  • Market Chicken exhibitors will put all 3 leg band numbers in the same identification field for their pen of chickens.
  • Market Rabbit exhibitors will put both tag numbers for their pair of rabbits in the identification field for their pen of rabbits.