Northwest Region of Penn State Cooperative Extension

Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Rules

Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules have been formulated with the input and suggestions of 4-H Volunteers, 4-H Extension Educators, FFA Advisors, and Penn State University Specialists.

Northwest Regional 4-H/FFA Livestock Rules are to be used in conjunction with county specific rules. County Rules shall never over ride a regional rule. For example: The minimum weight for beef cattle is 900 lbs. Counties in the Northwest will all have a minimum of 900 lbs for beef cattle. Individual counties are not to make their own rules to over ride the regional rules.
An advisory committee of 4-H Extension Educators, 4-H Volunteers, and FFA Advisors will be formed to review regional rules after the first year of implementation.

Topic	Rule
Project Books	Use approved 4-H curriculum obtained from your county 4-H Extension Educator or SAE (Supervised Agriculture Experience) approved FFA educational materials.
Ethics & Quality Assurance	4-H members must meet current Northwest Regional Ethics & Quality Assurance Requirements. As of July 1st of the current year, 4-H members enrolled in Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy, Horse, Goat, Rabbit, and/or Poultry projects must obtain at least 2 credits of educational training to show and/or sell in 4-H for the current 4-H year. One hour of training equals 2 credits. 4-H members must have current record of credits earned on file with the county cooperative extension office. 4-H members exhibiting a 4-H animal at the PA State Farm Show must meet current PA State Farm Show training requirements.
Multi-County 4-H Membership	Pennsylvania 4-H State Policy states that a 4-H member can not carry the same project in more than one county. For example: a member could not enroll in a beef project in X County and also enroll in a beef project in Y County. Members may sell livestock projects in only one county. For example: If a member sells a steer in X County, he/she can not sell another livestock 4-H project in another county.
Ownership of Animals	Market 4-H project animal must be owned by, and in the care of the member by tagging date. Member is responsible for all aspects of animal care, feeding and housing, regardless of location. 4-H members should use Best Management Practices when feeding and caring for their 4-H animals.
Minimum Ownership Time	Beef Cattle: owned and on feed at least 225 days prior to show Hogs: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show Lambs: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show Goats: owned and on feed at least 80 days prior to show
Spare Animal Policy	County decision, but should be uniform across all species within a county.
Project Identification/Weigh-In	Beef Cattle: Identified and/or tagged at least 225 days prior to show * It is strongly recommended that cattle be halter broke and under control to be tagged and/or weighed. County livestock committees reserve the right to reject animals from being identified. Hogs: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show Lambs: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show Goats**: Identified and/or tagged at least 80 days prior to show
Counties will tag/identify animals according to their county programs, working in conjunction with state and federal laws on identifying animal
Minimum & Maximum Weights At the Initial Weigh-in	Beef Cattle: Suggested weight ranges 450-750 lbs at 225 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for beef cattle is: 2lbs - 2.5lbs per day Hogs: Suggested weight ranges 50-100 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for hogs is: 1.6lbs - 1.8lbs per day Lambs: Suggested weight ranges 40-80 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain per day for lambs is: .7lb - 1lb per day Goats: Suggested weight ranges 20-40 lbs at 80 days out from the show to reach ideal market weight. The average weight gain is 3lbs per week.
Horns/Castration	Beef Cattle: No horns and castrated by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Hogs: Castrated by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Lambs: Castrated and dehorned by the date the animal is weighed in and/or identified Goats: Castrated and dehorned by the date of show.
There will be a 10 day grace period for animals not castrated at weigh-in. Members bringing non-castrated animals to weigh-in will have 10 days to have the animal castrated by a veterinarian. Member must show proof of castration from their veterinarian to an extension educator within 10 days of weigh-in.
Species - Breed Requirements	Beef Cattle: Must be of beef breeding. Hogs: Breeding of members' choice Lambs: Breeding of members' choice Goats: Meat goat breeding recommended
4-H members are to check their county 4-H livestock rules in reference to gender of animals allowed to be shown. For example, gilts may be permitted to be shown as market hogs in one county, but not another, depending on county and/or fair rules.
Animal Age	Beef Cattle: Born after January 1st in the year preceding the show Hogs: Born after January 1st of the year of the show Lambs: Born after January 1st of the year of the show Goats: Born after January 1st of the year of the show Rabbits: Not more than 90 days old at time of show.
Minimum Sale Weights	Beef Cattle: 900 lbs Hogs: 200 lbs Lambs: 80 lbs Goats: 60 lbs Rabbits: 3 lbs per rabbit
4-H animals must meet these minimum sale weights to sell in the county 4-H Livestock Sale. These weights are the weights taken of animals at the county fair or round-up.
Maximum Sale Weights	Beef Cattle: 1550 lbs Hogs: 300 lbs Lambs: 160 lbs Goats: 125 lbs Rabbits: 6 lbs per rabbit
" 4-H animals must not exceed these maximum sale weights or they will not be sold in the county 4-H Livestock Sale. These weights are the weights taken of animals at the county fair or round-up.
Typical Ideal Market Weight Ranges:	Beef Cattle: 1150 - 1350 lbs Hogs: 230 - 280 lbs Lambs: 90 - 130 lbs Goats: 60-110 lbs
Fitting/Grooming	Members should be present at all times and actively involved in the fitting of their project animal.
Grooming Products	Members will follow the county guidelines and are responsible for appropriate use of any fitting/grooming products used.
Dress Code	Clean long pants or dress/skirt below the knee. Dress shirt with sleeves, buttoned appropriately, or 4-H Club T-Shirt. No commercial logos other than 4-H or FFA. No bare midriffs. No hats. Appropriate shoes for showing, which should be hard sole shoes, especially for beef cattle and hogs. No sandals. Individual county standards should comply with this basic dress code, but can add consequences of improper attire.
Carcass Shows	Carcass show recommendations for weights and judging criteria will follow guidelines provided by Penn State Meats Lab/or Department of Dairy and Animal Science
Sale Consignments	County decision on how to run and operate the county 4-H Livestock Sale.
Special Needs Youth	County Livestock Committee, in cooperation with Extension Educators and FFA Advisors, will make all reasonable efforts to include all youth, will be permitted to grant lenience for special needs youth with disabilities or injuries as situations arise.

o These Rules Adopted: August 2004 o

Revised September 2007