Request for Public Comment from Ohio Dept. of Ag. – Animal Health Livestock Exhibition Rules Ch 18 and 19

Request for Public Comment: Animal Health Livestock Exhibition Rules Ch 18 and 19

Revised Bulletin- Through stakeholder feedback, the division of Animal Health has further amended rule 901-19-13 of the Administrative Code to further clarify the prohibited and unacceptable practices. A statement has also been added to paragraph (C) to clarify that any of the listed practices, if applied during an exhibition, would cause the livestock to be ineligible for the show.  Due to this revision, the comment period will be extended until February 23, 2024.

The rules in Chapter 901:1-18 of the Ohio Administrative Code outline the rules and requirements for animals which are imported into or moved within Ohio for exhibition purposes. Pursuant to section 941.02 of the Revised Code, the Department, through the Chief of the Division of Animal Health, shall promote and protect the livestock, poultry, and other animal interests of the state, prevent the spread of dangerously contagious or infectious disease, provide for the control and eradication of such disease, and to cooperate with the United States Department of Agriculture in such work. The rules of this chapter meet this directive. More specifically, the rules outline the disease testing requirements as well as proof of ownership of all animals coming into Ohio. These rules are necessary in ensuring that all animals in the state of Ohio remain disease free.

The rules in Chapter 901-19 of the Ohio Administrative Code outline the regulations for the exhibition of livestock in the state of Ohio. Exhibition of livestock generally occurs at a livestock show held at the Ohio State Fair or a fair under the control of a county or independent agricultural society. The rules in this chapter set forth the governance and administration of these exhibitions and standards related to food safety and the health, safety, and welfare of livestock including grooming, commercial, or medical practices that are generally accepted in the community. The rules have been reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Livestock Exhibitions which advises the Director on topics pertaining to the administration of the exhibition of livestock program.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 901.72, the rules adopted under which apply to exhibition related food safety and the health, safety, and welfare of livestock shall apply to every exhibition. However, exhibitions may choose to adopt rules which do not apply to those issues. The rules as drafted indicate which rules are mandatory and which rules are optional for adoption by the exhibition.

  • (Amended) OAC 901:18-01 to 11 and 901:19-01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 10, 12, 13, 19, 21, 31, 32, 35, 39 and 40
  • (No Change) OAC 901:19-33
  • (Rescinded) OAC 901:19-09, 11, 34, 38,

View Business Impact Analysis and Proposed Rules: https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/legal-office/Admin-Rules

These Rules are open for comment between January 26, and February 23, 2024. Please send your written comments on these rules to eComments@agri.ohio.gov and CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov

Source: February 16, 2024 News Release from the Ohio Department of Agriculture

Youth Opportunity: Livestock Judging Webinar Series starts January 24th

The  Ohio 4-H Animal Science Design Team Livestock Evaluation committee has been working with OSU livestock judging coaches, Matthew Chaney and Seth Ebert to host a series of livestock judging webinars. Each month we will focusing on a new topic/species in helping youth across the state prepare for various contests available to them. Please share with parents, coaches, and any youth who might have an interest in livestock evaluation.

DATE: Monthly TBD

TIME: 7:00–8:00 p.m.

LOCATION: ZOOM –  go.osu.edu/livestockevaluation

  • January 24 – Let’s Start a Team
  • February – Beef 101
  • March – Swine 101
  • April – Sheep 101
  • May – Goats 101
  • June – EPDs & Scenarios
  • July – Reasons, Part 1
  • July – Reasons, Part 2

‘Finished’ Dairy Beef Steer project is approved for 2024

‘Finished’ Dairy Beef Steer project, new for 2024!

Fairfield County 4-H and FFA youth now have an additional opportunity to raise and market a meat animal project for the 2024 Fair in the form of the ‘finished’ Dairy Beef Steer project. Dairy Beef Steers must be owned and in the possession of the youth by weigh-in on March 9, 2024, and weigh a minimum of 1100 pounds at weigh-in at the Fair on Saturday, October 5. Each youth entering and showing an eligible finished Dairy Beef Steer will earn one sale slot in the 2024 Junior Fair Livestock Sale. Details for this project include Continue reading

Market Beef and Dairy Beef Steer Tagging, Weighing, and DNA Sample Collection Procedure for 2024

Weigh-in for all calves intended for the market beef show in 2024 is March 9th, 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 but in addition will include exhibitors planning to participate in the recently created ‘finished’ Dairy Beef Steer project in Fairfield County.

Market beef weigh-in for traditional beef animals as well as dairy beef steers is set for Saturday, March 9, 2024, at Fairfield Cattle Company located at 3443 Cincinnati-Zanesville Road (S.R. 22), Lancaster, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. In advance of March 9th 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 beef steer projects are also required to reserve a weigh-in time for the 9th, and only those directly involved in transporting and weighing-in calves should plan to attend . . . please, no spectators! The goal remains to Continue reading

Livestock Exhibitor Opportunity: Ohio 4-H Animal Science Virtual Judging Contest

Announcing the 3rd annual Ohio 4-H Animal Science Virtual Judging Contest brought to you by JudgingPro.com.
  • The contest will begin on January 25th and will last for 6 weeks.
  • Classes will be posted every Thursday and will close on Sunday at 11:59 pm.
  • The link to participate will be posted each week.
  • Please complete the survey to submit your response.
  • Results will be uploaded on Monday at: https://go.osu.edu/judgingprocontest
  • It is open to anyone and FREE to participate.
Age divisions are as follows:
  • Novice: 3-7
  • Junior: 8-11
  • Intermediate: 12-14
  • Senior: 15-18
  • Advanced: 19+
Participate each week for the chance to be named the Ohio 4-H Animal Science Virtual Judging Contest Champion. Please reach out to 4hanimalscience@osu.edu with any questions. More resources and study materials are located at JudgingPro.com.
Don’t forget to include this in your 4-H and FFA record books as a learning opportunity/experience for this year!
May be an image of text that says '3RD ANNUAL OHIO 4-H ANIMAL SCIENCE VIRTUAL JUDGING CONTEST CONTEST BEGINS JANUARY 25TH P COURTESY OF JUDGING PRO -NOVICE (3- (3-7] -JUNIOR (8- 1] -INTERMEDIATE [12- 14] -SENIOR (15- 18) -ADVANCED (19+) THE .H OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ENVIROMENTAL Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences 2029 Animal Science Building'

Livestock Exhibitors: Become a member of the 2024 Granville Milling Show Team!

Being a member of the 2024 Granville Milling Show Team is your ticket to:

  • Exclusive Promotions and Coupons
  • Exclusive Giveaways and Drawings
  • GMC Winners Program (more details to come)

Become a member of the 2024 Granville Milling Show Team!

Please fill out the form below for EACH youth exhibitor that will be participating in the Granville Milling Show Team for 2024.  (submit a separate form for each exhibitor)

Who is eligible? Current 4H/FFA members that will be showing livestock during 2024 who shop at Granville Milling for show feed and supplies.

Any questions? Contact us at 740-587-0221 and we will be glad to assist you!

New Livestock Tagging/Weighing and MQP Dates for 2024

Several dates including tagging, weigh-in, and MQP conclusion have changed!

A Greek philosopher once said, “the only constant in life is change.” If you plan to participate in large animal market livestock projects at the 2024 Fairfield County Jr. Fair, that couldn’t be truer.

Due to a quirk in the 2024 calendar, some historic calendar conflicts, and the move to harvesting the Beef Performance and Carcass Quality animals in 2024 several adjustments have been made to the calendar for goat, lamb, swine, beef and dairy feeder project participants. In 2024 weigh-in and tagging will be held the last Saturday in June, and the schedule for the MQP projects will also change. Specifically, the dates for 2024 that were approved by the Sr. Fair Board at their November 4th meeting include:

March 9:  Market Beef weigh-in

May 18:  Goat MQP weigh-in

June 29:  Dairy feeder weigh-in, market goat tag check-in, market hog (including MQP) tag check-in, market lamb (including MQP) tag check-in.

August 25:  Goat MQP conclusion

September 1:  Lamb MQP conclusion

September 8:  Barrow MQP conclusion

September 24:  Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (beef carcass contest) conclusion

October 1:  If participation exceeds capacity for the 24th, date for second Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (beef carcass contest) conclusion

Place these dates on your calendar and more information and detail about tagging and weigh-in will be released as soon as it becomes available.

New Livestock Tagging/Weighing and MQP Dates for 2024

Several dates including tagging, weigh-in, and MQP conclusion have changed!

A Greek philosopher once said, “the only constant in life is change.” If you plan to participate in large animal market livestock projects at the 2024 Fairfield County Jr. Fair, that couldn’t be truer.

Due to a quirk in the 2024 calendar, some historic calendar conflicts, and the move to harvesting the Beef Performance and Carcass Quality animals in 2024 several adjustments have been made to the calendar for goat, lamb, swine, beef and dairy feeder project participants. In 2024 weigh-in and tagging will be held the last Saturday in June, and the schedule for the MQP projects will also change. Specifically, the dates for 2024 that were approved by the Sr. Fair Board at their November 4th meeting include:

March 9:  Market Beef weigh-in

May 18:  Goat MQP weigh-in

June 29:  Dairy feeder weigh-in, market goat tag check-in, market hog (including MQP) tag check-in, market lamb (including MQP) tag check-in.

August 25:  Goat MQP conclusion

September 1:  Lamb MQP conclusion

September 8:  Swine (barrows or gilts) MQP conclusion

September 24:  Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (beef carcass contest) conclusion

October 1:  If participation exceeds capacity for the 24th, date for second Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (beef carcass contest) conclusion. (UPDATE: October 1 is confirmed as the cattle collection, weighing and photograph date for half of the BPCQ cattle.)

Place these dates on your calendar and more information and detail about tagging and weigh-in will be released as soon as it becomes available.

Beef Performance and Carcass Quality Contest Cattle to be Harvested in 2024

In 2024, Jr. beef exhibitors will get into the cooler and actually see what they produced!

In 1995 the Fairfield County Cattleman’s Association created a contest that allowed local junior beef exhibitors the opportunity to participate in a real-world beef production contest that rewarded participants for added market value traits. Continuing since that time the Beef Performance and Carcass Quality (BPCQ) contest has evaluated entries based on a combination of growth, performance, and carcass characteristics.

In the beginning the carcass characteristics of economic significance were evaluated for the contest in the Bay Packing meat cooler after the animal was harvested. In recent years the carcasses have been evaluated using ultrasound technology. In 2024 the carcass evaluation will return to the meat cooler.

While ultrasound technology has served the contest well for several years, it prevented youth from having the opportunity to see firsthand the meat quality of the animal they had raised. Much like the other local county carcass-based program participants, youth in the BPCQ contest will now have the opportunity go into the meat cooler prior to Fair and see first hand the quality grade of their animal and Continue reading

Drug Use Notification Forms – due at NOON, Friday, October 6th for Market Beef/Dairy Market 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, October 2nd (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
    • Dairy Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Cow (lactating)
    • MQP Barrow
    • Market Barrow
    • Market Gilt
    • Market Goat
    • Dairy Goat (lactating)
    • Market Chicken
    • Market Turkey
    • Market Duck
    • MQP Lamb
    • Market Lamb
    • Market Rabbit (new for 2023)
  • 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 6, 2023.
  • 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 7th.
  • 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.