Exhibitors shall observe the following rules for all market and breeding species.

                                   Maximum Number              Market Weight                  Ownership Deadline

Horse                                 1 individual                                                                                June 1

Dairy                                  3 total                                                                                         June 15

Market Beef                     1 individual                        1,000 – UP                                    Dec. 1

Beef Breeding                 3 total                                                                                        May 1 1 each class

Dairy Feeder Beef           1 total                                                                                        March 1

Beef Feeder                      1 total feeder                                                                           March 1

Market Swine                   1 individual                        220 – 320                                     May 1

Breeding Swine              NONE

Market Lamb                   1 individual                         80 - over                                     May 1

Sheep (non-market)      3 each class                                                                             May 1

Goats                                 5 total goats- (1 Market and 4 Dairy)                                           June 15

Market Goats                   1 individual                         45 - over (small breed 25)      May 1

Dairy Goats                      4 total goats                                                                             June 15

Rabbits                              1 each class (6 total)                                                               June 15

Market Rabbit                 1 individual or                      3-5# (under 70 days)             June 15

                                            1 pen of 3

Cavy                                   1 per class (4 total)                                                                  June 15

Poultry Total of 5 (2 market and 3 breeding, or 1 market and 4 breeding, or 5 breeding)

Market Poultry                                                                                                                    June 15

chickens                           pen of 3

ducks                                 pen of 2

Turkey                               pen of 1

goose                                pen of 1

Cornish hen                    pen of 3                                                                                     June 15

Breeding Poultry Total of 5 if no market poultry entered                                      May 1

Llama/Alpacas Total of 4 (one in each class)                                                              June 15

 

**July 1st is the deadline for any replacement animal (livestock). Poultry deadline is before entry day of fair. ALL

 

Exhibitors are required to sign an agreement/contract waiver that their animals are drug free. However, the livestock division superintendent(s) reserve the right to randomly drug test any animal on exhibit at the Muskegon County Fair.

 

Animals exhibiting any of the following conditions, symptoms, or behavior shall not be permitted to enter the shows:

 

A. Animals (steers, beef breeding, dairy senior calf and older and dairy goats) should show no evidence of having been dehorned.

 

B. Male animals over one year of age except those permitted in respective division classes (all species)

 

C. Stags (market steers, lambs, or hogs); incomplete castration

 

D. External parasites, lice, ticks, mange or other obviously diseased or unhealthy animal (all species)

 

E. Ear Canker or respiratory infections. (rabbits)

 

F. Failure to lead or be handled by the exhibitor in or out of the show ring (all species at halter, collar or lead strap). 1.

 

As part of the entry process, exhibitors shall report to the superintendent upon arrival at the arena, pen or stabling area. All animal superintendents shall be responsible for ruling on qualifications of animal to be entered in their respective decision.

 

An exhibitor wishing to challenge a superintendent’s decision shall do so in writing to the fair management before judging.

 

2. All animals, with the exception of dogs and pets, shall be stabled or penned as designated by division.

 

3. All exhibitors must meet all state health and sanitation requirements. Refer to state health regulations which can be found at www.michigan.gov/mda-exhibitinfo

 

4. Showmanship ages shall be Sr. Teen 15 & Older; Jr. Teen 13-14; Pre-Teen 11-12; Novice 7-10. Explorer age 5-6. Age is determined as of January 1st the current fair year; see showmanship section for rules.

 

5. Showmanship will be the first class shown unless otherwise indicated and is open to all youth divisions. 9

 

6. The club herd in each division shall consist of three animals of any age from one club and owned by at least three different members of a club, except Dairy division. Limit one entry per club.

 

7. First and second place winners will compete for the championship of each division.

 

8. The primary grooming and fitting of livestock during Fair week is the responsibility of the exhibitor. Any excessive or inappropriate involvement of family members and friends may result in disqualification of the exhibitor. It is the discretion of the Superintendent as to what is considered excessive involvement of family members and friends and a warning may be issued. It is the decision of the Superintendent and Livestock committee to disqualify participants who ignore the warning.

 

9. All championship classes must have competition. If there is no competition in a class, judges may use their discretion in awarding trophies.

 

10. Any Exhibitor showing in the youth division is required to have an adult over the age of 20 registered with the Muskegon County Fair Board as a leader. A criminal history background check is required.

 

11. Any exhibitor whose project fails to qualify for entry may do for showmanship with another exhibitor’s animal upon Superintendent approval. (Market project books must be turned in.)

 

12. All handicapped exhibitors must be assisted by an adult when exhibiting in the large animal livestock classes.

 

13. All youth exhibitors must follow the dress code guidlelines in the exhibitor manual. Jeans/Pants must have no holes or rips.

 

14. The Livestock Committee shall be responsible to retain the service of the “Veterinarian on Call” to do a walk-through the day after livestock are entered. This will include all Livestock Divisions. Any concerns or disqualifications are to be communicated to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will then relay this information to the Exhibitor.