Livestock

2025 Ohio State Fair Reminders and Updates

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Below include general reminders and updates related to the 2025 Ohio State Fair:

Heat Lamp Use for Newborn Livestock

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It’s that time of year when we hear in the news of barn fires as a result of heat lamps being used for lambing, kidding, and even calving.  As temperatures get colder, livestock producers raising young animals need to make conditions favorable for rearing newborns in adverse conditions. Adding heat lamps to livestock pens should be done with caution.  With any electrical appliance or heating source, precautions need to be taken.

If you must use a heat lamp, best management practices recommend the following tips:

  1. Purchase a high-quality heat lamp. Use lamps that are enclosed with a heat lamp guard (wire or otherwise). If using a lamp outdoors, make sure the lamp is labeled for outdoor use.
  2. Use high- quality bulbs. Low quality bulbs such as thin glass can shatter.
  3. Regularly inspect to make sure that the bulb is tightly secured, and wiring is not exposed, is sealed, and is secured.
  4. Avoid using bulbs over 250W.
  5. Many lamps are used over numerous years. Remove any dust, cobwebs, or dead insects before use.
  6. Secure the lamp to a panel using a non-flammable chain or a heat lamp clamp.  Do not use twine or rope.
  7. Make sure the lamp is secured high enough that adult livestock cannot tamper or abuse the fixture (with head butts, kicks, or bashing).
  8. Keep the lamp away from the ground, combustible bedding (like straw and blankets), and the newborn livestock at a minimum distance of 20”.  Never lay a heat lamp on a flammable surface.
  9. Plug your heat lamp into an Arc Fault Interrupter breaker which will trip if the fixture sparks.  Best practice is to plug directly into an outlet and not an extension cord.
  10. Keep a 10-pound, ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher in the barn for incipient fires.
  11. Install a loud smoke detector that can be heard at the house that will help to alert you of a fire.
  12. A barn temperature monitoring system or fire monitoring system is ideal, but barn cameras will help monitor conditions when use of alternate heat methods are necessary.  This will help keep an eye on barn conditions and potential problems.
  13. Never leave a heat lamp unattended, especially overnight.

Heat lamps pose a significant fire risk, as they are designed to warm the area they are heating. There will be cases where you cannot avoid using a heat lamp, and in those situations, it is important to continuously check on the livestock and monitor the pen area for signs of overheating or dryness of the bedding material. Once the animal is warmed, turn off the light.

 

This column is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team, https://agsafety.osu.edu/.

Sabrina Schirtzinger, ANR Educator Knox County, can be reached at 740-397-0401 or Schirtzinger.55@osu.edu.

Wayne Dellinger, ANR Educator Union County, can be reached at 937-644-8117 or Dellinger.6@osu.edu.

Dee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health Specialist, can be reached at 614-292-6008 or Jepsen.4@osu.edu.

 

MQP Applications for Goats, Swine and Lambs are Due by April 15, 2025

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Apply by April 15th!

Entries for the 2025 Fairfield County Jr. Fair Goat, Swine, and Lamb MQP programs are now being accepted. Again this year all MQP entries will be accepted on-line and must be submitted by April 15, 2025.

Please note that some of the important MQP details have changed as follows:

  • Goats for the MQP contest must be owned by May 17, 2025 and will be weighed-in on that date at the Fairgrounds. After 99 days on feed the Goat MQP contest will conclude at the Fairgrounds on Sunday, August 24, 2025. NEW for this year, female goats may now be entered in MQP, and there is no minimum weight requirement at harvest. Go here for the Goat MQP application.
  • Lambs for the MQP contest must be owned by June 28, 2025 and will be weighed at the Fairgrounds on that date. After 65 days on feed the MQP lambs will be brought back to the Fairgrounds for the conclusion of the contest on September 1, 2025, which – NEW for this year – is Labor Day Monday. Go here for the Lamb MQP application.
  • Barrows or gilts for MQP must be owned by June 28, 2025 and will be weighed this year at the Fairgrounds on that date. After 71 days on feed the MQP pigs will return to the Fairgrounds for the contest conclusion on September 7, 2025. NEW for this year, only two pigs may be weighed/tagged in for MQP and these pigs may not be used for the “live” show at the Fair. Go here for the Swine MQP application.

Applications for any of these contests must be received on-line by April 15, 2025. Find more details about MQP here: https://go.osu.edu/mqp

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

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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

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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 →

Livestock Exhibitors – Please Read: Ohio Animal Health News – Fairs and Exhibitions Edition

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From the Desk of the State Veterinarian, Dr. Dennis Summers, State Veterinarian and Animal Health Division Chief

Ohio’s Livestock Exhibition Rules, Livestock Show Reform Act, and state Livestock Exhibition Program are nationally and internationally recognized for being some of the best in the country and the world. Ohio and all its livestock producers and exhibitors help to keep Ohio as a top state for exhibition regulations and superior quality exhibition livestock.

In this newsletter, we aim to provide key topics and discussions on the most important and current topics related to livestock exhibition rules. It is important that all sponsors, exhibitors, producers, and veterinarians understand these new rules and be familiar with the changes and expectations. Failure to read and understand these rules, or ignoring the requirements, may have a negative impact on an exhibitor and their family. The goal is to provide information in various formats so that everyone can exhibit and enjoy the rewards of their hard work while following the law.

The 2024 fair season was another great year, and we know that 2025 will be even better. Thanks for your support!

5 Frequently Asked Questions

1) What livestock are required to complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF)

A drug use notification form is to be completed for the following livestock exhibited in a junior livestock show: market beef; market hog; market lamb; veal calf; market dairy cattle; market goats; market poultry; lactating dairy animals; market rabbits; and feeder cattle. **Please review Fairfield County Junior Fair Book for a complete list of species.

2) What is Exhibition Drug Residue legal?

All livestock shall be exhibition drug residue legal (EDRL) prior to the start of the show in which the livestock is entered into for exhibition. This includes market, non-terminal, open, and breeding classes. This means that all exhibition livestock:

  • must be slaughter eligible at time of show;
  • have only been administered an approved drug, for which the withdrawal time has elapsed and met tolerance;
  • have not been administered an unapproved drug;
  • do not contain an unlawful substance.

**Please review Fairfield County Junior Fair Book as we require all livestock to be Exhibition Drug Residue legal at fair weigh-in/check-in.

3) Do feeder calves and lactating cattle have to meet the same drug residue or withdrawal times as market class animals?

Yes. All livestock shall be exhibition drug residue legal (EDRL) prior to the start of the show in which the livestock is entered into for exhibition. This means that drugs, including but not limited to, pain killers, steroids, antibiotics, dewormers, and vaccines, must have met withdrawal times and tolerance by time of show to be eligible. This will require responsible use, recordkeeping, and stewardship of drugs and quality assurance on behalf of the veterinarian and exhibitor. ODA expects exhibitors to maintain the highest ethical standards when completing drug use notification forms to ensure that drugs and treatments are properly disclosed and to ensure exhibition livestock maintain EDRL status at time of show.

4) Can vaccines be given to animals before the show?

As stated above, all livestock must be exhibition drug residue legal at the time of show. This means that all vaccines, dewormers, and medications must meet their withdrawal period by the day of show. Vaccines and preventive drugs should be part of managing disease during stressful commingling events with livestock, such as exhibitions. The rules do not prohibit the use of vaccines as part of an effective disease prevention program designed by the official veterinarian, fair board, or your private veterinarian. But vaccines are drugs with a withdrawal time, and if those medications are given as preconditioning before coming to the fairgrounds, they must be given far enough in advance to take into the account the withdrawal period for those medications and drugs. In some circumstances, sponsors may have to adjust their prevention programs or policies in consultation with the official veterinarian to ensure that exhibitors maintain eligibility for the show.

5) Are vaccines considered drugs? How does this impact drug testing?

Yes, vaccines are considered drugs. The federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&Act) defines drugs as “articles intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease,” and vaccines meet this definition. Additionally, under the exhibition rules, “drug” means “any article…intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in humans or animals or any article, other than food, intended to affect the structure or any function of the body of humans or animals…”

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, the state program will offer testing for market meat goats, market dairy goats, and 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.

Guidance Documents and Resources

Download a copy of the updated ODA FAQ, which includes 22 additional questions not listed above.

Exhibition Guidance and Best Practice Checklist

To see the current rules:

RFID tags and ODA’s RFID Loan Reader Program

Ohio’s Exhibition Rules including Ohio Administrative Code 901:1-18 and Ohio Administrative Code 901-19 were updated May 23, 2024. Beginning January 1, 2027, all cattle and swine will be required to have official ear tags at exhibitions in Ohio. Official ear tags are USDA-approved electronic identification devices that are both visibly and electronically readable (i.e. 840 RFID tag).

Currently, free official RFID ear tags are available from ODA for cattle exhibitors that have a Premises ID. Additionally, official RFID tags can be purchased from vendors and distributors.

To assist Ohio fairs and exhibitions with the requirement to have RFID ear tags in all swine, ODA has purchased Allflex HDX button RFID ear tags approved for swine. Each fair is eligible for an initial distribution of up to 100 free swine RFID ear tags.  To request tags, please contact Cindy Bodie at Cindy.Bodie@agri.ohio.gov or call the ODA office at 614-728-6220 ext 1.

Many (at least 35) of Ohio’s county and independent fairs are already using RFID tags in some capacity; we expect that number will grow with the new exhibition rules in place (see above). While the requirement to have official ID that is electronically readable does not require fairs and other exhibitions to utilize an RFID reader, doing so can certainly help reduce transcription errors and improve efficiency. Several fair software programs, including FairEntry and ShoWorks, allow for RFID tag data to be gathered and transmitted directly to the program.

ODA has RFID readers available for loan to Ohio veterinarians, livestock markets, exhibitions, and producers. There are different models and manufacturers including the Allflex AWR 300 and RS 420 and the TruTest (Datamars) XRS2i. The readers are available for loan free of charge on a first come, first served basis, so please contact us early to get your reservation. You can start the reservation process by submitting a request form—more information is also available on the ODA Animal Health website: RFID | Ohio Department of Agriculture. Additional questions can be directed to our office at 614-728-6220 ext 1.

Pullorum Testing in Poultry

In the past, there was confusion around when to pullorum test poultry at county fairs. Starting for the 2025 fair season and going forward, all market chickens and market turkeys that are bought from an NPIP source do NOT have to be pullorum tested before exhibition.

As a part of the NPIP program, those hatcheries and flocks continue to be a part of a testing program to ensure pullorum free status. Even if an individual brings those market poultry to their property where they have other birds present (layers, fancy birds, etc.), they do NOT need to be retested.

The above exemption is for market poultry projects (turkeys, chickens) only. If individuals are showing in a fancy or breeding poultry show (typically these projects are multi-year projects), those birds MAY be subject to pullorum testing.

The fairs and exhibitions may have more stringent rules than those enacted by ODA. However, if they do, then that fair will be responsible for enforcing that rule.

Ringworm in Livestock Species

Ringworm is a fungal infection affecting the skin, hair, and nails and is also known as dermatophytosis. Ringworm affects many mammalian species including cattle, sheep, goats, swine, horses, dogs, and cats. It is also zoonotic, meaning that humans can get infected from animals as well. It is highly infectious among animals and between animals and humans, so be sure to wear gloves and wash hands when handling an animal with a known or suspected ringworm infection. 

There are many species of fungus that cause dermatophytosis.  Most of these species of ringworm do NOT glow under Wood’s Lamp, so it is not an effective means of diagnosis. Fungal culture is the only test that can definitively diagnose dermatophytosis, but results can take as long as three weeks. However, ringworm has distinctive lesions that can indicate an infection to you and your veterinarian.  

Ringworm lesions are typically individual, circular areas of hair loss that may have scaling, crusting, and/or oozing along with redness or inflammation. Lesions are commonly found on the face, neck, chest, and limbs. These lesions may only become evident after shearing, so it is important to disinfect clippers between animals or use an entirely different set after clipping an infected animal.  

While ringworm typically self-resolves, there are treatments that can aid the process and reduce spread since resolution may take 4 to 12 weeks. Supportive treatment of ringworm typically consists of topical therapy and adjustments in husbandry, as overcrowding can perpetuate infection among individuals.  Isolation of infected animals until resolution of lesions is ideal when possible. Please consult your veterinarian for use of topical therapies. Resolution is usually determined by new wool or hair growth in the lesion and supported by hair or wool around the edge of lesion not being easily removed when pulled.

As a reminder – animals that have active ringworm lesions should NOT be taken to the fair, especially given the zoonotic and contagious nature of the disease.

To see how ringworm lesions may progress overtime, please see the infographic provided below.

Diamond C Livestock: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=572655578410153&set=a.472144501794595 

What’s next? Plan for 2025

The Division of Animal Health is making a concerted effort for the 2025 fair season to do as much outreach to the various interested parties and entities affected by these new rules as possible, to make sure the exhibition rules are visible to everyone. The following are meetings and outreach activities that are planned or have already been attended by ODA Animal Health staff (with more added as they arise).

  • Annual Assuring Quality Care for Animals (AQCA) meeting to OSU Extension educators in November 2024
  • Advisory Committee on Livestock Exhibitions Meeting in November 2024
  • Fair veterinarian trainings both in the winter (December 2024) and in the spring (2025) preceding the exhibition season
  • OFMA convention in January 2025
  • OFMA District Meetings in the Spring 2025
  • 4-H volunteer conference in March 2025
  • Spring Dairy Expo in March 2025
  • Outreach via ODA/USDA field staff during the 2025 fair season

If your 4-H club, Fair Board, or other entity would like ODA Animal Health staff to present at a meeting of yours, do not hesitate to reach out – animal@agri.ohio.gov.

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

Source: Fairs and Exhibitions FAQ and Hot Topics Edition – shared December 20, 2024

Drug Use Notification Forms – Market Poultry and Market Rabbit Exhibitors (due at midnight on weigh-in day)

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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.

Market Turkeys/Ducks/Chickens and Market Rabbits must complete a Drug Use Notification Form. One form per pen of chickens and one form for each pen of rabbits. 

Due to market poultry and market rabbits not having identification until weigh-in day, you will be able to submit your DUNF form AFTER weigh-in. It must be completed by MIDNIGHT on Saturday, October 5th.

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

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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.

Livestock Sale Updates for Fair (Sale Etiquette, Commissions, Add-On’s, Take Homes, Buyer Info)

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Livestock Sale Etiquette – Due to some concerns expressed from buyers and families, please make sure you review the Livestock Sale Etiquette fact sheet to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of Buyer communication.

Livestock Sale Update: Sale Commissions – Continuing for 2024: All dollars handled by the Livestock Sale Committee are subject to commission, not to exceed 4%. This includes direct to packer animals and all add-ons.

Livestock Sale Update: Add-Ons – Continuing for 2024: In order for an exhibitor to receive an add-on, the exhibitor must qualify for a sale slot as either an individual or in a group. Take Home animals are not able to receive add-ons. Parents and exhibitors should not be completing Add-On Forms on behalf of a buyer – it is the Buyer’s responsibility. Parents and exhibitors should not be including Add-On Forms in their buyer letters. Buyers can request an Add-On Form by contacting the Sale Clerk or picking up a paper copy on sale days. New for 2024: Add-On’s must be received by the Sale Clerk by 5:00 p.m. the last Saturday of fair week (Saturday, October 12th at 5:00 p.m.)

Livestock Sale Updates: Take Home Animals – The 2024 Fairfield County Fair Junior Fair will have a partial terminal sale/show for all species. This will allow for a Take Home option this year.

  • The exception to this is the 10 champions that must be slaughtered and inspected at a designated packer according to ODA (grand/reserve market beef, grand/reserve market dairy steer, grand/reserve market hog, grand/reserve market lamb, grand/reserve market goat).
  • Additionally, grand/reserve dairy beef feeders, grand/reserve market rabbits, grand/reserve market turkeys, grand/reserve market ducks, and grand/reserve market chickens will forfeit any take home option and must sell in the respective sale slots.
    • In the event that the buyer chooses to NOT KEEP any of the top non-terminal species (grand/reserve dairy beef feeders, grand/reserve market rabbits, grand/reserve market turkeys, grand/reserve market ducks, and grand/reserve market chickens), then the exhibitor may take their animal home if they completed a Take Home Form at weigh-in.
    • Any animal that does not have a packer bid (i.e. poultry) will be offered to the buyer, if turned, the owner is responsible for that animal.
  • Take homes will be allowed for all species with the exception of those all grand/reserve champions listed above.
  • Take homes must be declared before the animal leaves the scale during check-in (no exceptions). Exhibitors must express their intent to take home their animal by submitting the Take Home Form at weigh-in. Take Home Forms will be available from your Show Superintendent at weigh-in.
  • Take home animals will lose their sale slot and will not be eligible for a premium, packer bid, or add-on’s.
  • Exhibitors who do not take home must qualify for their sale slot (as individual or group) at the discretion of the species show committee.
  • Take Home animals will be released by the specie’s Superintendent. See Specie Department Rules and Junior Fair Schedule for details: https://go.osu.edu/fcjrbook.

Buyer Information

  • If exhibitors are aware of buyers who often choose to “KEEP” and wish to have animals processed for meat, it is important for the buyer to have arrangements made prior to fair with the harvest facility of their choice. This is due to limited availability for custom livestock harvest and processing capacity.
  • Please send buyers to the https://u.osu.edu/livestocksale/ website to review this information.