Market Animals Rules | Missouri State Fair

Rules for 2022

The rules below outline participation in animal care practices on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. These rules will be strictly enforced!

Each 4-H/FFA exhibitor shall take responsibility for caring for and grooming their own animal(s). If assistance is needed it should be intended to help the 4-H/FFA exhibitor learn new skills. 4-H/FFA exhibitors can be assisted by an immediate family member (father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, grandfather, grandmother, brothers and sisters or legal guardian), fellow active Missouri 4-H and FFA exhibitors and/or FFA chapter advisor/4-H leader in fitting and grooming their cattle. No other assistants will be permitted. Anyone found in violation of this rule may be subject to immediate disqualification without recourse.
Any immediate family member not exhibiting who will be assisting a junior market Exhibitor MUST wear a wrist band. Missouri State Fair will provide one (1) wrist band per Junior Exhibitor. Up to three (3) additional wrist bands per family may be requested at time of entry. No additional wrist bands may be requested upon arrival by those not on the wristband list. Wristbands will be picked up and verified upon arrival at the corresponding Livestock species office; and will be put on by the Missouri State Fair staff. Wrist banded junior market exhibitors may offer help and assistance to their fellow exhibitors.

Each 4-H/FFA exhibitor shall take responsibility for caring for and grooming their own animal(s). If assistance is needed it should be intended to help the 4-H/FFA exhibitor learn new skills. 4-H/FFA exhibitors can be assisted by an immediate family member (father, mother, stepfather, stepmother, grandfather, grandmother, brothers and sisters or legal guardian), fellow active Missouri 4-H and FFA exhibitors and/or FFA chapter advisor/4-H leader in fitting and grooming their cattle. No other assistants will be permitted. Anyone found in violation of this rule may be subject to immediate disqualification without recourse.
Any immediate family member not exhibiting who will be assisting a junior market Exhibitor MUST wear a wrist band. Missouri State Fair will provide one (1) wrist band per Junior Exhibitor. Up to three (3) additional wrist bands per family may be requested at time of entry. No additional wrist bands may be requested upon arrival by those not on the wristband list. Wristbands will be picked up and verified upon arrival at the corresponding Livestock species office; and will be put on by the Missouri State Fair staff. Wrist banded junior market exhibitors may offer help and assistance to their fellow exhibitors.

The Exhibitor and parent or legal guardian of Exhibitor must sign the entry forms certifying that they have read the General Rules and Regulations, 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules and Regulations, Sale of Champions Rules and Regulations, specific and/or special division rules and regulations and that Exhibitor has been advised of these rules and regulations as well as The National Show Ring Code of Ethics; cautioned regarding sabotage, tampering, prohibited substances, unethical fitting and agrees to observe and abide by all rules and regulations. The parent or legal guardian must also sign the Quality Assurance Certificate in accordance with the USDA Wholesome Meat Act.
The signature of the 4-H County Extension Agent or FFA Advisor of said Exhibitor on the entry form is required to confirm that: the entry is a bona fide project of their state’s 4-H or FFA program; is a member in good standing; that the animal is owned and in the continuous possession of the Exhibitor; 4-H County Extension Agent or FFA Advisor has read the General Rules and Regulations, 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules and Regulations, Sale of Champion Rules and Regulations, specific and/or special division Rules and Regulations, and Exhibitor has been advised of these rules as well as The National Show Ring Code of Ethics; been cautioned regarding sabotage, tampering, prohibited substances, unethical fitting and all rules and regulations have been complied with, to the extent of their participation.

This policy is not intended to prevent any 4-H or FFA member from participating in the Missouri State Fair market shows. In the event a youth exhibitor’s circumstances would prevent them from complying with this policy, their FFA instructor or Extension Agent may request a Special Circumstances Exemption by contacting the Missouri State Fair Director’s Office.

For each animal entered in any Junior Livestock competition at the Missouri State Fair, the Exhibitor must complete prior to weigh-in (to be turned in at health check-in), a Drug Use Notification Form showing all illnesses, injuries, medications and injections, including the locations of any injuries and injections, the dates, amounts of medications and injections given the animal and the purpose of each treatment, since exhibitor ownership deadline (withdrawal time must be met the day of the show). If care is given by a licensed veterinarian, you must show the name and address of the veterinarian.

There will be no needles allowed in the Missouri State Fair livestock barns or in tie-outs. Any medication needed must be administered by the Missouri State Fair Veterinarian or with the approval of the Missouri State Fair Veterinarian. Anyone found in violation will be disqualified.
Missouri State Fair reserves the right to make spot checks of animals and Exhibitors at any time to inspect and verify ownership and possession of any livestock entered in the 4-H/FFA Livestock Shows.

Exhibitor must be present at processing and show and sell their own animal (s) unless excused in writing by Missouri State Fair. Exhibitor may secure some other 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitor to show their animal in case of illness or if they are showing more than one entry at the same time. Prior approval from Missouri State Fair is required. No one will be permitted to assist the Exhibitor while showing any animal.