COUNTY & DISTRICT FAIRS, RULES & REGULATIONS OF ANIMAL HEALTH

Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Rod Nilsestuen, secretary

 Subchapter I - General Requirements and Definitions

Ag 160.01 Definitions. As used in this chapter:
 1.    "Class" means a grouping in which exhibits may be entered, including an animal breed or age  group for animal exhibits; a type of produce, crop or food; or a specific age, age group or educational grade level of exhibitor.
 2.       "Department" as it relates to the organizational structure of a fair, means an animal species, production group, or other principal classifi­cation of exhib­its. As used in any other context, "department" means the state of Wiscon­sin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
 3.    "Division" means one of 3 exhibitor group classifications for a fair and is limited to junior division, open division and senior citizens division.
 4.    "Lot" or "lot number" means the numerical designation assigned by a local fair for a specific category of exhibits within a class.
 5.    "Premium" means a monetary prize that a county or district fair awards to an exhibitor after judging all competing exhibits within a class.

Ag 160.02 Premium Requirements

General
a.    The state aid authorized by s.93.23 (1), Stats., may be paid only on net premi­ums, which consist of total premiums paid less total entry fees re­ceived. The department may withhold state premium aid from any fair which does not enforce the animal health provisions required under ch. ATCP 10 for all classes of livestock exhibited at the fair. State aid will be paid only on premiums actually paid by bank check or draft.
b.   No deductions may be made from premium money won by an exhibitor. Premiums may, however, be withheld where exhibition rules established by the fair association are violated. A written statement of violation shall be submitted to the department to justify action taken by a local fair.
c.    Premiums offered shall be definite in amount. No decrease or increase in published premiums may be made because of the financial condition of the organization or for any other reason.
d.   State aid may be paid on no more than 2 premiums awarded an exhibi­tor under one premium or lot number in open division individual live­stock classes, except poultry and rabbits, and no more than one premi­um in all other classes, including poultry and rabbits.
e.    No county or district fair may receive state aid for a premium awarded to any exhibitor in the open division if that exhibitor entered the same exhibit in the junior division at the same county or district fair. This paragraph does not apply if the exhibit was entered in the junior division only as part of a herd group, carcass class or performance class.
f.    No state aid will be paid on the cost of ribbons, cups, trophy, prizes or enter­tainment contests.

Premium Lists
a.    Premiums for which state aid is requested by county and district fairs shall conform with the uniform premium list and other requirements set forth in these rules. Fairs requesting state aid for net premiums shall submit to the department a printed copy of the premium list used at the fair, as required under s. Ag 160.92(3)(d).
b.   The officers of each fair shall mail a copy of the premium list to other associ­ations, societies, or boards conducting a fair in Wisconsin upon re­quest.
c.    Sections Ag 160.01 through 160.07 and 160.91 shall be published in premi­um books used by a fair for which state aid is requested.

Entry Fees
a.    A county or district fair may charge an exhibitor an entry fee. Entry fees may not exceed 10% of the sum of all premiums offered to exhibitors in the same class for which the entry fee is charged. In lieu of an entry fee, a county or district fair may charge rent for horses, cattle, sheep, goat, swine, poultry, rab­bit, or pets. Stall rents shall not exceed $1.50 per single stall or ani­mals or $3.00 per box stall for horses; $1.00 per single stall or animal or $2.00 per box stall for cattle; and $.50 per animal or $2.00 per pen for swine, goats or sheep. A standard pen for swine, goats or sheep is approxi­mately 64 square feet. Cage rents may not exceed $.50 per head for poultry, rabbit and pet stock exhibits.
b.   Exhibitors in educational and school departments shall not be required to purchase an exhibitor's ticket. Any other exhibitor may be required, if no entry fee is charged, to purchase an exhibitor's season ticket at a price not to exceed that charged for a non-exhibitor's season ticket.

Split Fair Dates - No state aid may be paid to fairs having split dates, unless prior written approval is granted by the department. Extreme hard­ship must be established by the fair orga­nization before approval can be granted. A split date is one where exhibits or contests are judged, and premi­ums paid at more than one time or at more than one location during the current year. When split dates are approved, all blue ribbon winners shall be re­quired to repeat their demon­strations or exhibit at the regular fair dates, unless ex­empted by the de­partment in hardship cases. The repeated demonstration or exhibit may be pre­sented though the use of audio-visual media, still photog­raphy or an educa­tional dis­play. Split date ap­proval may not be required for clothing revue, demon­stra­tions, favorite foods revue or dogs and small ani­mals.

Ag 160.03 Exhibition Requirements - A county or district fair shall meet all of the exhibition requirements of this section to be eligible for state premi­um aid.

 1.    No fair society or other organization sponsoring a county or district fair shall require an exhibitor to become a member of the organization in order to enter an 

        exhibit at the fair, nor shall the sponsoring organiza­tion make any deduction from an exhibitor's premium as a donation to the fair society, or require an exhibitor in any other way to make a donation to the society.

 2.    State aid may not be approved for out-of-state exhibits or for separate class­es of local and non-local exhibitors. Aid may not be approved for payment of premiums to an exhibitor having an out-of-state address but claiming Wisconsin residency unless the fair secretary provides the department with an affidavit that the exhibitor's residence is geographi­cally located within the state.

 3.    State aid may be paid only on articles or animals actually on display in an exhibit building or actually shown in a show ring on regular fair dates un­less approval for split fair dates is obtained under s.Ag 160.02(4).State aid may not be paid on Dairy Herd Improvement Associa­tion records, transpor­tation aid, pro­duction contests or other special educa­tional exhibits unless prior approval is obtained under s. Ag 160.40(8).

 4.    State aid may not be paid on exhibits removed from the fair grounds before 4 p.m. of the last day of the fair, or such other later time as may be speci­fied by the fair, without prior approval of the department. Au­thority for earlier removal may be granted by the department in case of meat animal sales or other special classes, if requested before the begin­ning of the fair. In other hardship cases, approval may be granted by the local fair. Exhibits in dog obedience and small animal pet classes may be judged during the regular fair but are not required to remain present during the entire fair. The local fair may prescribe the length of time junior fair exhibitors of horses shall keep their animals on the grounds.

Ag 160.04 Junior Fair Division; General Requirements

 1.    Grade Level. In the junior fair division, the department may pay state aid on prizes offered to exhibitors who are under 20 years of age and have completed any grade at or below grade 13 prior to January 1 of the current fair year. The department may not pay state aid on prizes for club parades, club floats, song contest, or a project which is not an exhibit or demonstration at the fair.

 2.    All exhibitors in the junior fair division shall be members of 4-H, FFA, FHA-HERO, Scouting programs, breed groups, or any other recognized youth organization under adult leadership and with an education pro­gram approved by the local fair.

 3.    Exhibits in the junior fair shall be a result of the exhibitor's own labor and may include a study, merit, or other special project, a skill area or a super­vised occupational experience in which the exhibitor is regularly enrolled.

 4.    State aid may be used for the payment of no more than one premium award­ed an exhibitor under any one premium or lot number in the junior fair division, except when awarded as part of a group in livestock exhib­its or in showmanship.

 5.    Premiums in the educational department shall be paid directly to the exhibi­tor who made the exhibit and not to the school or teacher, except for group premiums offered to inter-school competitive classes. No aid may be paid on education department premiums unless a complete list of exhibitors and a complete set of judges' sheets for the education de­partment, similar to those required in other departments, is filed with the department. All educa­tional exhibits shall be displayed at the fair regardless of whether they are judged prior to or at the fair.

 6.    If 16 or more animals, items or articles are entered in any junior fair class, the class may be divided into 2 or more approximately equal groups accord­ing to weight, age or other identifying characteristic and each group judged as a class.

 7.    Special educational exhibits may be established if the proposal is pre­sented to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs before October 1 of the year preced­ing its proposed establishment and the exhibit is approved by the depart­ment.

 8.    Within any junior fair department under subch. IV, a county or district fair may establish special classes where none are specified under subch. IV. Special Classes may include classes for grade and crossbred females in beef, swine and sheep and horse departments. Premiums for special classes created under this subsection shall be equal to premiums for comparable classes estab­lished in the same department under subch. IV.

Ag 160.05 Open Division; General Requirements

 1.    The total maximum premiums set forth for all places in any open divi­sion livestock class, excluding poultry and rabbits, may be divided into premiums for a greater number of places, but the maximum premium offered for any addition­al place shall not be higher than the maximum for last place in the class.

 2.    State aid for premiums awarded for horses in open division classes shall be limited to horses which are owned by the exhibitor.

 3.    All animals in any open division class shall be owned by the exhibitor, except as provided in s.Ag 160.09.

Ag 160.06 Senior Citizens Division; General Requirements

 1.    The age of exhibitors in the senior citizens division is limited to persons 62 years of age or over.

 2.    Exhibitors in the senior citizens division may not enter identical items or articles in both the senior citizens division and in the corresponding classes of the regular open division.

Ag 160.07 Classes; General Requirements

 1.    Classes may be combined if the number of entries in several single classes is insufficient. If any classes are combined, state aid shall be limited to the maximum total premiums listed for a single class of ani­mals, items or arti­cles in that department.

 2.    (a) Except as provided under par. (b), no county or district fair may receive state aid for premi­ums awarded for sexually intact male dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, swine or horses unless those animals are regis­tered pure­breds. Registered purebred status shall be documented by a certificate of registry from the appropriate breed association or society, or by a copy of the application for registration.

(b)Paragraph (a) does not apply to dairy cattle exhibited at a county or dis­trict fair if a national breed association certified that those dairy cattle are re­corded in that breed association's qualified herd book which records the gene­alogy of that breed.

 3.    Any animal entered as part of a group class may also be exhibited in a class for individual animals.

 4.    Boars may not be entered as an exhibit in the swine department unless their tusks have been removed.

 Ag 160.91 Judging Regulations

 1.    Judging shall be done at county and district fairs by individuals who are registered with the department and who have knowledge, training or experi­ence in the specific class or classes to be judged as determined by the de­partment. Judging shall be done in accordance with the require­ments of s.Ag 160.92(3)(a). In no case shall any person who is an officer or director of a fair be eligible to judge exhibits at such fair; nor shall any person interested directly or indirectly in exhibits shown in any department of a fair be eligible to judge articles or animals in that de­partment.

 2.    Each judge shall be provided with a copy of the premium book at least 7 days prior to the opening date of the fair at which he or she shall act as a judge.

 3.    No animal or article, irrespective of the number of entries in the class in which it is entered, shall be awarded a higher rating than its merit would entitle it to in comparison to the standard of perfection in the class.

 4.    (a) No state aid will be paid on premiums awarded under the Danish system in any classes except in the junior and educational departments.

        (b) When classes in the junior and educational departments are judged ac­cording to the Danish system, 4 group placings shall be awarded in any class. When there are less than 8 exhibitors in the class, there shall not be more than 2 in the first group, not more than 4 in the first 2 groups and not more than 6 in the first 3 groups. If there are 8 or more entries in the class, there shall not be more than 25% in the first group, not more than 50% in the first 2 groups, and not more than 75% in the first 3 groups.

        (c) The number of awards in the last group placing may be increased to the extent necessary to give awards to all exhibitors.

 2008 County & District Fairs
Rules & Regulations Of Animal Health

If a fair or livestock exhibition last more than 24 hours the sponsors shall appoint a licensed Veterinarian to conduct a daily inspection of all livestock at the fair or exhibition.  The Veterinarian shall review all records and test results required under ATCP 11.62.  If a fair or exhibition lasts less than 24 hours, all records or test results required by ATCP 11.62 shall be reviewed by a licensed Veterinarian or by the show chairperson.

This is a summary of DATCP animal health requirements for exhibition only.  These requirements may change due to animal disease emergencies in Wisconsin or other states.  It is always advisable to check with the Division of Animal Health for the most recent health requirements when planning to exhibit animals. Animals meeting exhibition requirements may not meet all import or movement requirements for other purposes.

Cattle and Bison 

Cattle affected with Ringworm, Warts, Mange or Scab may not be ex­hibited, unless the veterinarian in charge determines the ringworm lesions or warts are inactive and incapable of transmitting the disease, any cattle found with ringworm, warts, mange or scab shall be removed from the premises of the fair.

Cattle originating from within Wisconsin

There are no tests or health document requirements for Wisconsin cattle. However, fair management is responsible for maintaining records of persons who have exhibited at the fair and the identification of animals shown for 5 years. Acceptable forms of animal identification for breeding animals are (1) an official metal eartag, (2) a breed registration number or (3) a breed registration tattoo (4) other identification approved by the department. For steers, either an official eartag or the metal eartag applied at weigh-in may be used.  Entry blanks submitted and signed by exhibitors, including one of the forms of identification listed above, will fulfill the exhibitor requirements. The fair's records of animals shown and exhibited are to be retained in case these are needed for disease tracing purposes. 

Cattle Originating From Outside Wisconsin

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall accompany all cattle documenting animal identification (see above) and all tests or certifications required.  Animals must meet normal Wisconsin requirements for interstate movement.

Steers are exempt from any brucellosis test requirement.

Cattle from Brucellosis Certified Free herds in Class A states may enter Wisconsin without a prior brucellosis test if the certified herd number and the last test date appear on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

Cattle originating from Tuberculosis Accredited Free herds or Accredited Tuberculosis Free states may enter without a prior tuberculosis test if the accred­ited herd number appears on the certificate.

        Cattle originating from Michigan must have permit number and require special Tuberculosis testing.  Exhibitors should contact the Division of Animal Health at 608-224-4878 well in advance of the fair or exhibition to determine their testing requirements.

        Cattle from Canada may be exhibited in Wisconsin if they meet current federal requirements to cross the international border.

Swine - Originating Within Wisconsin

        All swine shall be accompanied by a Wisconsin Intrastate Movement Certifi­cate stating that the herd-of-origin has been inspected on the farm for the past 30 days prior to the exhibi­tion and that no apparent disease has been present in the herd with­in 30 days.  The certificate must also include all required test documentation.

        All swine that do not originate from a pseudorabies stage IV or V area shall have a negative pseudorabies test within 30 days of arrival at the fair, or originate from a qualified pseudorabies negative herd conducting approved certification testing.  Wisconsin is a pseudorabies stage V area.

Swine Originating From Outside Wisconsin

        All swine shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating that no pseudorabies vaccine has been administered to the swine and contain all required test documentation.

        All swine shall have a negative pseudorabies test within 30 days of arrival at the fair or originate from a qualified pseudorabies negative herd that is quali­fied by testing 7% of all the herd each month or a state classified as Stage IV or V. The date of the last monthly test must be included on the certificate.

        Swine entering directly from a Stage II state are not eligible for show or exhibition.

SHEEP

Sheep - Originating From Within Wisconsin

        Sexually-intact sheep of any age, and all other sheep 18 months of age and older must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification.  Sheep exposed to scrapie will not be allowed for exhibition.

Sheep - Originating From Outside Wisconsin

        All sheep shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.  Sexually-intact sheep of any age, and all other sheep 6 months of age and older must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification.  Sheep exposed to scrapie will not be allowed to enter Wisconsin.

GOATS

Goats - Originating Within Wisconsin

        Breeding goats, sexually-intact goats going to exhibitions or that have resided with sheep, and dairy goats must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification.  Goats exposed to scrapie will not be allowed for exhibition.

Goats - Originating From Outside Wisconsin

        A certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall accompany all goats.  Breeding goats, sexually-intact goats going to exhibitions or that have resided with sheep, and dairy goats must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification.  Goats exposed to scrapie will not be allowed to enter Wisconsin.

        Goats originating from Michigan have a permit number and require special Tuberculosis testing.  Exhibitors should contact the Division of Animal Health at 608-224-4878 well in advance of the fair or exhibition to determine their testing requirements.

EQUINE

Equine - Originating From Within Wisconsin

        All equine animals shall be accompanied by documentation (original labora­to­ry report VS 10-11 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) of a negative equine infectious anemia (EIA) test conduct­ed within the current calendar year and which clearly identifies the equine by a registration number,  lip tattoo or freeze brand, or a complete description of the equine.

Equine - Originating From Outside Wisconsin

        All equine animals shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and have been tested negative for equine infectious anemia (EIA) within the current calendar year. The Certificate must clearly identify the equine by a registration number, lip tattoo or freeze brand, or a complete description of the equine animal. 

LLAMAS AND EXOTIC RUMINANTS

Llamas and Exotic Ruminants Originating from Within Wisconsin

        There are no requirements.

Llamas and Exotic Ruminants Originating from Outside Wisconsin

        All llamas and Exotic Ruminants must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

POULTRY

        All poultry (except waterfowl), over 4 months of age or that have reached sexual maturity shall be accompanied by documentation of a negative test for pullorum-typhoid conducted within 90 days prior to arrival at the exhibition.

CERVIDAE (Deer and Elk)

Cervidae originating from within Wisconsin

All cervidae must be officially identified be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, be  enrolled in a CWD monitoring program and originate from an accredited TB free herd or a qualified TB free herd if the herd test within 90 days (ATCP 11.56).

Cervidae originating from Outside Wisconsin

All Cervidae must have a pre-entry permit number from the department (phone:  608-244-4878), official identification, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and meet Wisconsin requirements for interstate movement (ATCP 11.55).

Cervidae originating from Michigan must have a permit and special Tuberculosis test requirements.  Exhibitors should contact the Division of Animal Health at 608-224-4878 well in advance of the fair or exhibition to determine their testing requirements.

DOGS AND DOMESTIC CATS

Dogs and Cats originating from within Wisconsin

Dogs over 4 months of age must have proof of current rabies vaccination.

Dogs and Cats originating from Outside Wisconsin

All dogs and domestic cats shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and have proof of a current rabies vaccination.  See ATCP 11.52 for specific vaccination information.

Circus, Rodeo, Racing & Menagerie - From Outside Wisconsin

        All shall have a permit from the Department, and shall be isolated from all non-circus, non-rodeo, non-racing, and non-menagerie animals at the exhibition.  They must meet current import requirements. Phone 608/224-4878 for a permit application.  Fair Managers: please note that this requirement applies to all animals belonging to midway attractions and rodeos.

ADVISORY FOR HOUSING NON-TRADITIONAL LIVESTOCK AND FOR MANAGEMENT OF OTHER ANIMALS WHILE THE FAIR IS UNDER­WAY:

The Department makes the following recommendations, but these are not required by statute or administrative rule:  (Jefferson County Fair stands by these rules and recommendations.)

1)      Exotic camelids (llamas, vicunas, alpacas, and guanacos) and other exotic ruminants and cervidae not be housed with domestic cattle.  

2)      Ratites (ostriches, emus, rheas, and cassowaries) should not be housed with domestic poultry.

3)      Swine should not be housed with other mammalian species. 

4)      Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is an infectious disease of cattle that can spread rapidly under the conditions of a livestock show.  The Department strongly recommends that all breeding cattle exhibited at Wisconsin fairs be properly vaccinated against BVD at least 30 days prior to the show.  Exhibitors should consult with their veterinarians regarding the proper choice of vaccine and the correct schedule for its administration.

5)      Recommend that cattle be test negative for BVD-PI by immunoperoxidase test and negative for Johnes disease by the ELISA test.

6)      Prohibit the use of common watering and feeding troughs.

7)      Recommend all vehicles used to transport animals to and from the exhibition be cleaned and disinfected prior to and after use for this purpose. 

8)      Require all animals found to be afflicted with a contagious or infectious disease to be promptly removed from the premises.

9)      Dogs and domestic cats should have a current rabies vaccination.