Sr. Fair Board: Brad Johnson, Kenny Rader, Andy Campbell
Jr. Fair Board: Karen Hamilton
DNA tissue samples are mandatory and taken from the following species: Sheep, Goats, Market Beef, and Swine.
Once samples are taken, they will be held by the Fair Office until the Fair. New samples from the Grand and Reserve Champions of the above species will be retaken and sent to the lab for positive identification of that animal. A sample from the 3rd, 4th, and 5th place animals will also be taken to be used in the event of the Grand or Reserve Champion being disqualified.
If the DNA sample is late, a $50 fine shall be paid per animal within 14 days of the collection date. If DNA samples are not taken or the sample is not returned (for swine) on the specified collection dates, the exhibitor will not be permitted to show at the fair, in any capacity, for the species that is not sampled.
Collection Process
Market Beef: Sample will be taken during ear tagging at the weigh-in. Tags are being covered by the Sale Committee.
Sheep and Goats: A sample will be taken during ear tagging at the May weigh-in. Tags are being covered by the Sale Committee.
Swine: Exhibitors may tag their own animals using taggers purchased by the Agricultural Society and available for borrowing from the Fair office. 4-H Clubs may also purchase taggers for club use. Tags and taggers will be available at the Fair office on the fairgrounds in the spring. Tags are being covered by the Sale Committee. Home-collected DNA samples and paperwork must be returned to the Fair office on or before May weigh-in day.
Lost Tags
In the event a tag is lost, a replacement tag will be issued by the Fair Office. The replacement tag will need to be purchased. It is then the exhibitor’s responsibility to place the new tag in the animal which lost the tag. Also, exhibitors will be required to complete a lost tag verification form.
Protest Procedure
If an individual feels that there is a valid reason to protest the validity of an animal that is on the grounds, the process to do so is as follows:
- The Sr Fair department chairman of the protested species must be notified.
- The individual protesting must fill out a DNA protest form located in the Fair office.
- The protest form must be signed by the individual protesting and the corresponding department Chairman.
- A fee of $150 and the cost of the DNA test (varies by species) is due at the time of the protest being filed, CASH ONLY.
- The Sr Fair President and Department Chairman will notify the exhibitor that is being protested on the day that the protest was filed.
- The results of the DNA testing will be reviewed by the Sr Fair President, the Species Department Chairman, the individual protesting, and the Exhibitor being protested.
- After reviewing the DNA results, the Sr and Jr Fair Board members will take corrective actions as needed.
Sale Checks
All checks from the Sale of Champions and any protested animal will be held until DNA tests have been verified.
The Sr Fair Board’s decisions and rulings are final regarding any actions taken to implement and enforce the DNA policy. Refer to the Livestock rule violations section of the Junior Fair livestock rules in the Fair Book.
Any questions that you may have can be directed to the Sr. Fair Office and a board member will contact you in a timely manner.