Rules & Regulations for Dairy
- Production will be figured on percentage above average in both milk and fat taken on 305 day mature equivalent basis to allow for age differential.
- Only records processed by the Central Processing Center will be allowed. Herds must be on DHIA, owner sampler or basic production and management testing.
- A 305 day mature equivalent record must have been completed between for personal record. First calf 2 years old must be in milk a minimum of 180 days to make a projected record eligible. All cows 3 years old and over must have completed the 305 day record.
- Records must be from own herd records for the entire lactation. Animals purchased while milking in a lactation will not be eligible that year.
- Animals must be exhibited in the proper age class to be eligible for the production class.
- 4‑H Cow Record Sheet available and can be filled out for the project for personal record. Record Sheet
ANIMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN INDIANA 2023:
For more information on cattle health requirements, call the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at (317) 544-2400 or visit BOAH’s website at www.in.gov/boah/species-information/cattle-sheep-and-other-ruminants/cattle-dairy-and-beef/
- SEE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SPECIES
- Identification (ONE of the following)
- 840 tags
- May or may not be an RFID (radio frequency device)
- 15 digits, beginning with “840,” with US Shield
- NUES (brite) tags
- National Uniform Ear Tagging System
- Steel or plastic acceptable, with US shield
- Official USDA Program tags
- Orange calfhood vaccination tags, with US shield
- Testing
- Cattle that originate within Indiana do not need a brucellosis test or a tuberculosis test for exhibition in Indiana.
- Cattle that originate outside of Indiana do not need a brucellosis test or a tuberculosis test for exhibition in Indiana as long as the state of origin is classified as brucellosis free AND tuberculosis free by the USDA.
- Cattle from the states that are NOT designated as free by the USDA must meet additional requirements for entry into Indiana. Contact the Indiana State Board of Animal Health for specific information.
Contact Us
Lauren Fenneman, Youth Educator
lhaase@purdue.edu
Purdue Extension Dubois County
505 W 5th Street
P.O. Box 588
Jasper, IN 47547
812-482-1782
General Rules
- Dairy animals do not have to be registered, but they must be purebred or of one breed. They must
have an 840 RFID official ear tag for Indiana Board of Animal Health and Indiana 4-H Exhibition
Requirements which may be obtained from Purdue Extension – Dubois County office.
2. Cows that are due to calve within 30 days prior to show will not be eligible to show.
3. Stall Selection - A draw for choice of where to tie dairy cattle at fair will be held prior to the fair.
Individuals may be drawn separately or families can have one draw. Number of pens needs to
match number of animals. Families put in can use one draw. Individuals not present at time of
drawing will take available space left. If you can't be there for drawing, have a representative there
for you at drawing. Absolutely no stall changes after set up night.
4. Equipment Placement - No show boxes, feed, bedding, etc. will be allowed between cattle in the
barn.
5. Dairy check in, show, and check out dates and times will be in 4-H newsletter and on the fair
schedule
6. Show numbers will be assigned at check-in to members and must be worn during show.
7. All first place animals not receiving Grand Champion and all second place animals are eligible for
Reserve Champion and/or Reserve Grand Champion.
8. Cattle must remain in stalls beginning at 5:30 p.m. each night of the 4-H fair. No animals will
be permitted to go out no earlier than 9:00 p.m. OR the conclusion of the evening show.
Whichever is later.
9. Lactating cattle may leave within two hours of the conclusion of the show or else stay until general
release time.
10. 4-H Dairy Species Committee - this group has the responsibility of bringing needs of species to the
4-H Council Livestock Committee, oversee check in at fair, oversee ID days, provide barn
chaperones as needed, provide volunteers to run the show, and livestock barn set up.
11. 4-H Council Livestock Committee – this group is the decision makers, review suggestions from
species committees, review concerns and grievances from livestock individuals, set livestock
dates, oversee and enforce rules, and procedures of the livestock program.
Colored Breed Junior calf born March 1 or later (at least 4 mos. old)
Colored Breed Fall Senior Calf born 12/1/20 to 2/28/21
Colored Breed Senior Calf born 9/1/20 to 11/30/20
Colored Breed Summer Jr. Yearling, born 6/1/20 to 8/31/20
Colored Breed Junior Yearling born 3/1/20 to 5/31/20
Colored Breed Intermediate Sr. Yearling born 12/1/19 to 2/28/20
Colored Breed Senior Yearling born 9/1/19 to 11/30/19
Colored Breed 2 yr. old cow not in milk born 9/1/18 to 8/31/19
Colored Breed 2 yr. old cow in milk born 9/1/18 to 8/31/19
Colored Breed 3 yr. old cow born 9/1/17 to 8/31/18
Colored Breed 4 yr. old cow born 9/1/16 to 8/31/17
Colored Breed Aged cow born prior to 8/31/16
Holstein Junior calf born March 1 or later (at least 4 mos. old)
Holstein Fall Senior Calf born 12/1/20 to 2/28/21
Holstein Senior Calf born 9/1/20 to 11/30/20
Holstein Summer Jr. Yearling, born 6/1/20 to 8/31/20
Holstein Junior Yearling born 3/1/20 to 5/31/20
Holstein Intermediate Sr. Yearling born 12/1/19 to 2/28/20
Holstein Senior Yearling born 9/1/19 to 11/30/19
Holstein 2 yr. old cow not in milk born 9/1/18 to 8/31/19
Holstein 2 yr. old cow in milk born 9/1/18 to 8/31/19
Holstein 3 yr. old cow born 9/1/17 to 8/31/18
Holstein 4 yr. old cow born 9/1/16 to 8/31/17
Holstein Aged cow born prior to 8/31/16
Members compete by grade.
Junior ‑ 3rd-4th graders
Intermediate - 5th-6th graders
Senior ‑ 7th-9th graders
Master - 10th grade & Up
Contest will immediately follow show. Top two exhibitors from each showmanship class will compete for this honor.
Refer to Mini 4-H Class rules
This award will be voted on by the exhibitors
Poster Guidelines
All poster exhibits must be 22" x 28", displayed horizontally, and have a stiff backing (corrugated cardboard or foam core board preferred) and be covered with clear cellophane, plastic or in poster bag unless otherwise stated in project requirements. Quiz Boards are not considered posters and do not require a clear covering. Leave space in the lower right hand corner of poster for project label affixed outside of covering. (Poster board, foam core board, and poster bags are available at the Extension Office at cost.)
Leave space on exhibit for label. Label size is 2 7/8” wide x 5 ½” long and will be attached in readily visible position.
References: All posters, notebooks, display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H member’s exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. It is recommended this reference list be attached to the back of a poster or display board, be the last page of a notebook, or included as part of the display visible to the public. The judge will not discredit an exhibit for the manner in which references are listed.
All pictures and wall hangings, etc. should be ready to hang or display. Use strong hangers (not can tabs) attached with nails or screws (not glue or tape) or provide a suitable stand. Label the stand with your name.
Exhibit labels supplied by the office are to be attached securely. There may be specific other instructions for certain projects. See individual project requirements for these instructions. Be sure all exhibit items can be identified with 4-H member name and 4-H club. i.e. notebooks, exhibits with multiple items, etc. Be sure all parts of your exhibit have your name on them.
Secrets of a Successful Poster
A successful poster will:
· Catch the eye of the passerby
· Be simple and clear
· Impress an idea or a fact upon the viewer
· Stimulate the viewer to support your idea, get more information, or take appropriate action.
· Have space left over—Posters that are uncluttered are easier to read.
An effective poster: attracts attention, focuses on a main interest or idea, and motivates you.
Planning A Poster
A poster should have one main idea. Have the reason clearly in mind before you start.
· Consider who your viewer will be
· Decide what you want them to know
· Decide what you want them to do
· Think of a clever theme or slogan
· Limit your effort to one main idea
· Make a small rough sketch
· Visual communication is an aid to what you are trying to teach with your project.
Choosing Colors
Color combinations affect how easily the message is read and the overall appearance of the poster.
· Consider the Contrast: This means you use dark letters on a light background, and light letters on a dark background.
· Let the most important items be the most important color.
· Colors that are close to the background shade will not show up well and cannot be read at a distance.
· Avoid using too many different colors. Two or three should be sufficient. You don’t want to overwhelm your main point!
· Avoid putting red and green next to each other—this is hard to focus on if a person is colorblind.
· Avoid bright neon colors—they may catch the eye, but they are hard to focus on.
Lettering
· Lower case letters are easier to read than all CAPITALS. Use capitals only for emphasizing an important phrase or word to give variety.
· Save fancy or script lettering for catching the attention of the viewer.
· When hand lettering, always use guidelines. Using a ruler, lightly pencil in straight lines that can be erased when your poster is complete.
· Letters may be cutout and glued on, or precut letters may be purchased.
· Keep written material to a minimum. Use only headings, captions and signs necessary to tell the story.
Use different size lettering for items of varying importance.
· Allow margins to keep things from running together and looking too cluttered.
· Below is a table of letter sizes and their effectiveness:
*Ask your parents, 4-H Leader, or older 4-H member to look at your poster and tell you what they think.
Revise-Re-Do-Rearrange
1. Cut out all your letters, pictures and graphics.
2. Draw guidelines and place or draw in letters.
3. Lay all your pieces of your poster out on the poster board.
4. Ask yourself, “How does it look?”
5. Revise and rearrange as needed. Re-Do anything that should be a different size or color.
6. Move things around until you are happy with the overall effect and message of your poster.
7. Glue everything in place.
9. Remember—NEATNESS COUNTS!