Highland County 4-H & FFA Livestock Show & Sale Program

This section outlines the overarching policies that govern all aspects of participation in the program. 

1.1 Program Philosophy & Expectations 

• Participation in the 4-H & FFA Livestock Show and Sale is a privilege, and all participants are expected to respect event leadership and adhere to the established rules. 
• An exhibitor forfeits the right to participate in the show and/or sale if they do not adhere to all required rules and regulations. 

1.2 Proposing Rule Changes 

• Suggestions or changes for the next program year must be submitted in writing on or before the third Friday of September to the following address:

  Highland County Fair Association
  Attn: 4–H & FFA Show & Sale Program
  PO Box 366 Monterey, VA 24465 

This section outlines the requirements for any youth wishing to participate in the program.

2.1 Membership & Age Requirements

• Exhibitors must be members in good standing of a Highland County 4-H club or FFA chapter by the December 1, 2025 deadline.
  • 4-H membership requires enrollment in the 4-H Online system.
  • FFA membership includes the payment of dues to the Highland FFA chapter.
• Participants must be at least nine (9) years old and no older than nineteen (19) years old as of September 30, 2026.

2.2 The “Member 6-1-1” Rule

• Six Meetings: Exhibitors must attend six club or chapter meetings. A “meeting” is defined as a club/chapter business or educational program scheduled by the club leader.
• One Contest: Exhibitors must participate in one contest. A “contest” is defined as an individual or team contest sanctioned by local, district, state, or national 4-H and FFA leadership.
• One Fundraiser: Exhibitors must take part in one fundraiser. A “fundraiser” is defined as a club, chapter, or county fundraiser organized to support the program.

Confirmation Form:

• Exhibitors must submit the 6-1-1 Activity Confirmation Form to verify completion of these requirements by May 29, 2026.

2.3 Fees & Penalties

• Nomination Fee: $5.00 per animal, collected during the March 1 – May 31 nomination window. This fee will be used for the purchase of 4-H/FFA fair tags.
• Late Enrollment Penalty: $50 for enrollments submitted during the December 2-8, 2025 grace period.
• Late Record Book Penalty: $50 deducted from the exhibitor’s sale check.
• Unclean Pen Penalty: $50 per incident.

This section covers the process for nominating animals and the rules all animals must follow. 

3.1 FairEntry Nomination & Registration Process

Step 1: Animal Nomination (March 1 – May 31, 2026)

• Exhibitors must nominate all animals they expect to bring to the fair during this window (market animals, prospect heifers, and breeding heifers). Nomination requires uploading photos of each animal with its official, readable ear tag clearly visible.
  • A $5.00 nomination fee per animal is required at the time of nomination. This fee covers the cost of the 4-H/FFA fair tag.

Step 2: Class Registration (August 1-15, 2026)

• Exhibitors must log back into FairEntry to register each nominated animal for its specific classes. Registration for a Showmanship class for each species the exhibitor intends to show is mandatory to be eligible to compete.
  • The Pair of Market Lambs is an optional class for which exhibitors may register via FairEntry during this time.
  • The obstacle and costume contest (pet show) is an optional class for which exhibitors may register via FairEntry during this time.

3.2 Animal Limits

• An exhibitor may show and sell a maximum number of market animals based on their years of experience:
  • Less than three (3) years of experience: Maximum of five (5) market animals.
  • Four (4) or more years of experience: Maximum of six (6) market animals.
• Within this overall limit, an exhibitor may not exceed the following maximums for each species:
  • Two (2) total cattle (market and/or feeder steers)
  • Three (3) market goats
  • Two (2) market swine
  • Three (3) market lambs
  • Note: Prospect heifers and breeding heifers do not count against the maximum number of animals for the market animal show.

3.3 General Animal Requirements

Exhibitor Liability & Animal Handling

• Animals are entered and handled at the sole risk of the exhibitor and must be safely controlled for the show and sale.
• In extreme cases, the overall committee has the authority to remove an animal from the grounds as a safety precaution, which disqualifies the animal from the event.
• Animals must be clean, tame, and easily controlled by the exhibitor.

Eligibility

• No intact male livestock may be shown or sold.
• No animal substitutions are allowed.

Health & Inspection

• All animals must be free of infectious diseases. Animals are subject to veterinary inspection before unloading at the final weigh in and must meet minimum industry grading standards. The decisions of the veterinarian and state grader are final.

Animal Identification (Tagging)

• Official 4-H/FFA fair tags are required for all animals.
  • The 4-H/FFA tags for Cattle and Swine will have the 840 RFID incorporated into them.
  • Sheep and Goats must have a USDA Scrapie tag in addition to the 4-H/FFA fair tag.
• After nominating an animal in FairEntry, official 4-H/FFA fair tags will be available for pickup from the Highland Extension Office.
• Exhibitors will be responsible for tagging their project animals during the nomination window and uploading photos of the tagged animal to FairEntry by the close of the nomination window (May 31, 2026).
• All ear tags must be clean and legible at weigh-in.
• The Highland Extension Office must be notified immediately if a tag is lost.
• Tags must remain in the animal’s ear after the sale (for market animals) until a superintendent signs off.

Weigh-In Procedures

• All animals are required to attend both an initial and final weigh-in.
• Initial Weigh-In:
  • This weigh-in is mandatory to establish an official starting weight for the ADG Contest. It takes place on June 6, 2026 for cattle and July 11, 2026 for sheep, goats, and swine.
• Final Weigh-In:
  • This occurs on September 1, 2026.
• Animals must be presented clean, dry, and uncovered.
• Each animal is permitted only one immediate re-weigh and may not leave the scale area. The re-weigh weight will be considered final.
• Any animal not meeting weight requirements will be ineligible to show or sell.

3.4 Market Animal Specific Requirements

Cattle

• Market steers must weigh a minimum of 1,000 lbs. and grade Select or better.
• Feeder steers must weigh between 500-999 lbs. and grade M2 or better.
  • Steer declaration nomination is the division in which the animal must be shown and sold at the Show and Sale. A declared market steer that does not meet the minimum market steer weight cannot be shown or sold as a feeder steer. Likewise, a feeder steer that exceeds the maximum feeder steer weight cannot be shown or sold as a market steer.
• All cattle must be dehorned.

Goats

• Must weigh between 60 – 130 lbs. and grade #2 or better.
• Horns must be tipped to a blunt end before arrival.

Swine

• Must weigh between 200 – 300 lbs. and grade #1.
• Swine may be shown with natural hair or clipped no shorter than 1⁄2 inch.

Lambs

• Must weigh between 90 – 160 lbs. and grade Choice or better.
• All lambs must be slick shorn from the hock up prior to final weigh-in and must be docked.

3.5 Heifer Program Requirements

General Heifer Rules

• All heifer classes will be shown on Thursday, September 3, with the other cattle classes.
• Heifers are not part of the Livestock Sale on Saturday.
• The heifer project should be included in the exhibitor’ record book.
• A heifer entered in the 2026 Show will not count against the total number of market beef entries.

Prospect Heifer Rules

• Heifer must be born between September 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.
• One prospect heifer per exhibitor.
• The minimum weight at final weigh-in is 500 lbs.
• Heifer must be guaranteed open for the 2026 show.
• Heifer health and grade must meet the standards of the 4-H & FFA show and sale for beef entries.

Bred Heifer Rules

• Heifers must be home-raised or purchased prior to December 31, 2025.
• One bred heifer per exhibitor.
• Must be bred or exposed to a bull by show date.
  • Sire information (registration number, breed association (if purebred), and birth date) must be presented at Fair check-in.
• Heifers that qualify and are shown in the Bred Heifer class are not eligible to repeat another year.

This section details the required deliverables and duties for each exhibitor.

4.1 Record Book Requirements

• Exhibitors must use the official Highland 4-H & FFA Livestock Show and Sale record book. This single record book is required and will be used to document all project animals.
  • The record book will be differentiated for Junior and Senior exhibitors. (Ages defined in Section VI).
• Exhibitors must include information for all animals shown, including market animals and heifers, within this one record book.
  • Paper copies can be obtained at the Highland Extension Office. The record book is also available digitally and may be completed as a writable PDF.
• The deadline for submission is 5:00 PM on Friday, September 18, 2026, at the Highland Extension Office.
• Record books submitted after the deadline will incur a $50 penalty, which will be charged or deducted from the exhibitor’s sale check.
  • Late submission also disqualifies the exhibitor from the Record Book Award Contest.
• An exhibitor who fails to submit a required record book for a project animal brought to the fair will forfeit their participation in the following program year’s project.
• A record book scoring 69 or below will be brought to the attention of the program advisors, and a written warning will be administered to the exhibitor.
• If the same exhibitor submits a second poor-performing record book for the same species in a subsequent year, they will forfeit their eligibility to show and sell that specific species in the following program year.

4.2 Exhibitor Profile

• Each exhibitor must submit a profile by July 31, 2026.
  • The profile should be saved in an editable format and emailed to benjaminh@vt.edu.
  • It should include information such as age, grade level, interests, 4-H/FFA experience, and project experience.

4.3 Promotional Display Poster (Educational Exhibit)

• Exhibitors must submit one educational poster per species shown to be eligible for the Premier Exhibitor Contest.
• Displays must be original, new each year, and created by a single exhibitor; no joint entries from siblings or other exhibitors are allowed.
• Each poster must focus on only one species-specific industry topic.

4.4 Mandatory Training & Meetings

• All exhibitors are required to register for and attend the combined YQCA Training and Budget Approval Meeting on April 25, 2026.
• Attendance is also mandatory at the Exhibitor Meeting at 12:00 PM on September 1, 2026, following the final weigh in.

4.5 Fair Participation Duties

• All exhibitors are required to sign up for and provide assistance at either the Show and Sale Set-Up day on August 29, 2026, or the Clean-Up day on September 6, 2026.

This section covers rules that apply during the week of the show and sale.

5.1 Show Ring Procedures & Attire

• Exhibitors must remain near the show ring area on show days.
  • Missing a scheduled class forfeits the right to sell that animal.
• Proper attire is mandatory in the show ring and includes tucked-in, collared shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
• Adults or unregistered youth are not permitted to assist an exhibitor in any sanctioned class or during the sale.

5.2 Sale Procedures

• This is a terminal sale. The winning bidder during the auction assumes full ownership of the animal.
• The price announced by the auctioneer is the amount distributed to the exhibitor, less any associated program and industry-related fees.
• The salesclerk will not accept direct contributions to individual youth exhibitors. Any transactions not listed on the official sale sheet will not be processed.
• The winning bidder has two options for their purchase:
  • Farm/Freezer Purchase – The buyer can choose to keep the animal for personal use. Buyers who select this option must notify the auctioneer immediately upon placing the winning bid. The buyer is responsible for paying the full purchase price.
  • Floor Purchase – If a winning bidder does not declare their purchase as “Farm/Freezer,” the animal is automatically forfeited to the floor buyer. In this case, the winning bidder pays the difference between their winning bid and the pre-established floor price.
• No checkout will occur during the sale. A one-hour bookkeeping period will be observed immediately after the sale concludes to allow the treasurer to prepare invoices and load-out forms.
  • Checkout takes place in the Livestock Office.
  • For safety and efficiency, exhibitors are not permitted in the barn areas during the official animal load-out procedures.
  • Animals must remain in their assigned pen or stall after the sale until a release form, prepared by the treasurer and signed by a species superintendent, is presented.
  • Exhibitors are encouraged to use the one-hour bookkeeping time to contact, thank, and take photos with their buyers and sponsors.
• It is the sole responsibility of the exhibitor to deliver thank you notes to their individual animal buyers in a timely fashion after the fair.
• A final Sale Sheet, complete with the buyer’s name and sale price for each animal, will be made available by the treasurer and distributed by the Extension office after the fair week to assist with this process.

5.3 Barn, Parking, & Facility Rules

• For the safety and well-being of the livestock, dogs are not permitted in or near any livestock areas, including trailers.
• Smoking is strictly prohibited in or near any livestock areas.
• Facilities superintendents will assign all pens and stalls.
• Exhibitors are responsible for supplying all feed needed for their animal(s). Fresh, non-chlorinated water is provided for the animals by a donor.
• Exhibitors must maintain a clean space for their animal(s) throughout the event.
  • To avoid disrupting the events, pens should not be cleaned during the show or sale times.
  • All cleaning equipment must be properly stored near the shavings areas when not in use.
  • A final and thorough cleanout of pens must be completed by 9:00 PM on Sale Day.
  • A facilities superintendent must inspect the pen with the youth to ensure it meets the required cleanliness standards before departure.
  • Exhibitors with pens that are not properly cleaned will have $50 deducted from their sale check per incident.
• Each family will be issued one free 10X20 ft. parking/clipping space.
  • A vehicle or trailer may not be parked in this assigned space before 5 PM on the Monday of fair week and must remain in place after the Tuesday check-in.
  • As space allows, a vehicle pass or an additional 10X20 ft. space can be purchased for $50 by the deadline of August 15.

5.4 Behavior & Discipline

• Misconduct by any youth or adult in the livestock area will not be tolerated.
• Observed misconduct should be reported to a livestock committee member as soon as possible.
• Persons deemed a risk to others may be addressed an/or removed from the grounds as appropriate.

This section details all available awards, prizes, and contests for exhibitors.

6.1 Overall Contests (All Species)

Premier Exhibitor

• This award recognizes exhibitors for their combined skill and knowledge. A Premier Exhibitor, Runner Up, and 2nd Runner Up will be named for each species.
• Scoring Breakdown:
  • 50% Promotional Display Poster (Educational Exhibit)
  • 30% Showmanship Placing
  • 20% Highest Live Animal Placing
• Prizes are distributed at the start of the Livestock Sale.
• Prizes: 1st – $45 and gift; 2nd – $25; 3rd – $15

Average Daily Gain (ADG) Contest

• This award recognizes the animal with the highest rate of weight gain between the initial and final weigh-ins.
• Youth must weigh in their market animals on the designated initial weigh-in days to be eligible.
• Any ties will be broken using the animal’s highest live placing in its market class.
• Prizes are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd highest performing animal in each species.
• Prizes are distributed at the start of the Livestock Sale.
• Prizes: 1st – $45 and gift; 2nd – $25; 3rd – $15

Record Book Award

• This award recognizes excellence in record-keeping for the animal project.
• Exhibitors must submit their record books by the September 18th, 2026 deadline.
• Divisions:
  • Junior – Exhibitors aged 9-13.
  • Senior – Exhibitors aged 14 and over.
• Prizes are distributed with the return of the record books in mid-November.
• Prizes: 1st – $100; 2nd – $50; 3rd – $25

6.2 Showmanship Awards (All Species)

• Showmanship classes are offered for all four species with a consistent class and prize structure.
• Exhibitors showing a heifer may use their Prospect Heifer or Breeding Heifer as their choice for the Cattle Showmanship class.
• Classes:
  • First Timer – For first-time exhibitors in that species who are age 13 and under.
  • Junior – For exhibitors 9 – 13 years of age.
  • Senior – For exhibitors 14 – 18 years of age.
  • Master Showman – The 1st and 2nd place winners from each of the three age divisions will compete for Master Showman for that species.
• Prizes: 1st – $20, Rosette & Banner; 2nd – $15; 3rd – $12; 4th – $10; 5th – $7

6.3 Species-Specific Market and Special Class Awards

Cattle:

• Market Steer Class Prizes: 1st – $50; 2nd – $35; 3rd – $30; 4th – $25; 5th – $20
• Feeder Steer Class Prizes: 1st – $20; 2nd – $18; 3rd – $15; 4th – $12; 5th – $10
• Champion Prizes (per division):
  • Champion – $25, Rosette & Banner;
  • Reserve Champion – $20 & Rosette
• Prospect Heifer Prizes:
  • Champion – $500 & Banner;
  • Reserve Champion – $250 & Banner;
  • Overall 3rd – $125
• Bred Heifer Prizes:
  • Champion – $500 & Banner;
  • Reserve Champion – $250 & Banner;
  • Overall 3rd – $125

Goats:

• Market Class Prizes: 1st – $12; 2nd – $10; 3rd – $9; 4th – $8; 5th – $7
• Division Champion Prizes:
  • Division Champion – $12;
  • Division Reserve – $10
• Overall Champion Prizes:
  • Superior Champion – $25, Banner & Rosette;
  • Reserve Superior Champion – $20, Banner & Rosette

Swine:

• Market Class Prizes: 1st – $12; 2nd – $10; 3rd – $9; 4th – $8; 5th – $7
• Division Champion Prizes:
  • Division Champion – $12 & Rosette
  • Division Reserve – $10 & Rosette
• Overall Champion Prizes:
  • Grand Champion – $25, Banner & Rosette;
  • Reserve Champion – $20, Banner & Rosette

Lambs:

• Market Class Prizes: 1st – $12; 2nd – $10; 3rd – $9; 4th – $8; 5th – $7
• Division Champion Prizes:
  • Division Champion – $7 & Rosette;
  • Reserve Champion – $5 & Rosette
• Overall Champion Prizes:
  • Superior Champion Market Lamb – $25, Banner & Rosette
  • Reserve Superior Market Lamb – $20, Banner & Rosette
• Special Classes:
  • Pair of Market Lambs:
    • This is an optional class for which exhibitors must register via FairEntry.
    • Prizes: 1st – $12; 2nd – $10; 3rd – $9; 4th – $8; 5th – $7
  • Club/Chapter Pen of 3
    • A group class consisting of three market lambs from at least two exhibitors from the same club or chapter.
    • Registration for this class takes place on the day of the lamb show.
    • Prizes are paid to the club or chapter.
    • Prizes: 1st – $30; 2nd – $20; 3rd – $15

This section provides links to external guides and publications for further learning.

• Virginia 4-H Youth Livestock Program – https://ext.vt.edu/4h-youth/youth-livestock.html
• North Dakota 4-H Livestock Showmanship Guide – https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/north-dakota-4-h-livestock-showmanship-guide
• Your 4-H Market Beef Project – https://www.canr.msu.edu/manistee/4-h/Your%204-H%20Market%20Beef%20Project.pdf
• KSU Show Lamb Guide – https://www.asi.k-state.edu/extension/youth-programs/pdfs/Sheep_GuidePDF_3420.pdf
• Cattle Showmanship – https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/beef-showmanship
• Goat Showmanship – https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/club-goat-showmanship
• Lamb Showmanship – https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/lamb-showmanship
• Swine Showmanship – https://extension.msstate.edu/publications/swine-showmanship