Show Rules

Dixie Junior Livestock Show Rule Book

These rules govern the Dixie Junior Livestock Show. Exhibitors, parents, and buyers — read them before show day. The Show Committee has final authority over interpretation of all matters.

Show dates change every year. See the Schedule page for this year's dates and times — setup, weigh-in, showmanship, market show, banquet, and sale day. All exhibitors are expected to help with clean-up and tear-down after the sale. Lamb exhibitors are specifically responsible for cleaning their own stalls.

Code of Ethics

1. Treating an animal internally or externally with any irritant, counterirritant, or other substance used to artificially change the conformation or appearance is prohibited. This includes graphite, powders, hemp, artificial hair, coloring, fly spray, ointment, or liniment.
2. Use of dyes, spray paint, or other artificial coloring at any time is prohibited.
3. Adding false hair, clipped hair or hair-like material, fleece, or skin is illegal and results in immediate disqualification.
4. Tranquilizers, sedatives, or depressants that alter the physical or physiological state of an animal are illegal.
5. Surgery, injection, or insertion of foreign material to change conformation is illegal. This includes vegetable oil or silicon. Acceptable practices: clipping, trimming hooves, and dehorning.
6. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, show management, or other exhibitors is prohibited.
7. At auction, exhibitors shall be held directly responsible for animals that are rejected at the processing center due to the presence of foreign residues. Sellers may be liable for three times the purchase price plus attorney fees and civil penalties.
8. Show management reserves the right to require animal health certificates.

Violations result in: forfeiture of premiums and awards, disqualification, probationary status, loss of future eligibility, and possible civil penalties.

Section 1: Show Committee Authority

1.1 The Committee holds final decision and control over all exhibits, grounds, and buildings. They reserve the right to withhold premiums and sale price in cases of non-compliance or fraud.

1.2 The Committee has final and absolute right to interpret all matters arising out of or connected with the show.

1.3 When limited competition exists, the judge awards premiums as merited.

1.4 The show is not responsible for loss or damage. Each exhibitor will be solely responsible for any loss or damage to others or caused by their animal.

1.5 Special awards and trophies are given at the exhibitor dinner.

1.6 All showing and selling of animals at the show must be done by the exhibitor, unless excused by the Grievance Committee for extreme circumstances. Failure to comply without prior approval forfeits all sale proceeds above market value.

1.7 This is a closed show: exhibitors must live in Washington County and/or attend a Washington County School that feeds into or is affiliated with Washington County School District High School.

1.8 Bad conduct forfeits premiums.

Section 2: Exhibitors

2.1 All exhibitors must be verified as Utah 4-H or FFA members in good standing to compete.

2.2 An exhibitor may enter a given show only as a 4-H or FFA member, but not both. The exhibitor must declare at time of entry.

2.3 Age divisions based on school grade (the Utah 4-H year begins September 1):

Youth must be age 8 AND in 3rd grade to participate with large animals. The exhibitor must turn 8 by the ownership deadline (100 days prior for cattle; 60 days prior for sheep, goats, hogs).

Exception: Disabled persons (Public Law 98-527) may participate if the animal is their project and is cared for daily.

2.4 Dress Code - 4-H: Collared long or short-sleeved white shirts with official emblem on the left sleeve (left front if wearing a vest). - FFA: White collared long or short-sleeve shirt and tie with emblem, or official FFA jacket. - No T-shirts, tank-tops, tube-tops, or sleeveless shirts. - Full-length pants required. - Violation result: Preclude from placing, selling, or receiving premium money.

Tagging Dates

Location: Blake's Feedlot, 2800 S. Little Valley Rd., St. George

Exact dates are posted on the Schedule page each year.

Clinic Dates

Location: Washington County Legacy Park, 700 S. 5500 W., Hurricane (indoor arena)

Steer clinic is held in late March. Lamb / hog / goat clinic dates are announced separately. Check the Schedule page for the current year.

Section 3: Registration / Entries

Timeline: Registration opens October 15 and closes December 31 at 10:00 PM each year.

3.1 Late entries may be accepted prior to tagging under the following conditions: 1. The exhibitor (not the parent) must email djlivestockshow@gmail.com with the parent's phone contact. 2. The Grievance Committee will review and respond via email or phone. 3. NO entries will be accepted after tagging. 4. An additional $100 fee is charged over the regular registration fee.

3.2 Please use your complete mailing address on the entry registration form, including zip code.

3.3 All entry fees are $34.00 per animal and must accompany the completed form.

3.4 Exhibitors can enter, show, and sell one animal.

3.5 Home-grown animals must be registered to qualify for that category.

3.6 Scholarship applications due February 1 each year — email PDF to djlsscholarship@gmail.com.

Eligibility: - 4-H or FFA member - GPA 2.5 or better - Participated in DJLS at least three years (including senior year) - Senior in high school

3.7 Signed, up-to-date record books are strongly encouraged for the Record-Book Contest but are not required for show participation.

Section 4: Show Animals

4.1 Animals are classified by weight within market classes for judging.

4.2 All market steers, market lambs, market hogs, and market goats in each division (4-H and FFA) will be judged jointly regardless of division membership.

4.3 Animals previously shown at another livestock show must be shown by the same exhibitor. Once an animal has been through a junior show and sale, it is ineligible for DJLS.

4.4 All market animals exhibited at DJLS must be OWNED, FED, AND TRAINED by the exhibitor for at least 90 days for lambs, hogs, and goats and 120 days for steers prior to the show.

4.5 All male animals in all market classes must have been castrated. No open sores permitted.

4.6 Pregnant animals or those with previous offspring are ineligible.

4.7 Each participant shall only bring one animal. No alternate animals may be brought to the show and left for slaughter.

4.8 Each participant may tag one alternate animal for use within their family, 4-H, or FFA group (may be a different species). Additional requests require Grievance Committee approval.

4.9 At official weigh-in Thursday, the only permitted tags are: scrapie, federal, Dixie County Livestock Show, or state-issued tags. All other tags must be removed by the exhibitor prior to weigh-in.

Section 5: Home-Grown Animals

5.1 To qualify as home-grown, the following conditions must be met: - The exhibitor or extended family must completely own the mother and house her at their local place of operation. - The mother may be bred elsewhere but must return to the local operation for pregnancy and delivery. - The animal must be born, raised, and cared for on the exhibitor's local place of operation. - Examples: local lambing shed, farrowing pen, or pasture/range.

5.2 Grand, reserve, heavy, middle, and light weight champions may participate in the Home Grown event, but winning forfeits champion weight buckles. Only one buckle will be awarded per exhibitor.

Section 6: Animal Care and Housing

6.1 Exhibitors must put up place cards on their stall with their name and club/chapter. Stalls and areas must be cleaned by 8:00 AM each day and kept clean. Refuse must be disposed of as directed.

6.2 Exhibitors shall furnish necessary feed for their animals. Bedding will be provided by the Dixie Jr. Livestock Show. Bedding charges may apply.

6.3 Waste shavings and manure must be piled outside of the area as designated.

6.4 No muzzles or other devices that prohibit or hinder eating or drinking are allowed. Liquid diets (drenching) are strictly prohibited. All feeds should be naturally taken, "free choice," by the animal. Violation results in sifting.

6.5 No one is allowed to sleep in the livestock areas.

Section 7: Miscellaneous

7.1 Exhibitors must allow their animals to be used in the judging contest if requested.

7.2 Premium money will be pro-rated as recommended by the judge and at the full discretion of the Committee.

7.3 Complaints / Protests must be made in writing along with a $50 deposit to the Grievance Committee within six hours. If the complaint is found valid, the deposit is returned; if not, it goes to the show fund. Grievance Committee: Vice President, President, Past President.

7.4 All entries must be on the grounds no later than 11:00 AM the last Thursday of April. Special approval is required for late arrivals. Animals are received 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM with sufficient help.

7.5 All animals may only be weighed in one time. You cannot rewater / refeed and reweigh. Underweight animals are sifted from market class but may show in fitting and showmanship.

7.6 Only exhibitors will be allowed in the show ring unless the Committee deems safety necessary.

7.7 ALL ANIMALS MUST BE TRAINED TO HANDLE PROPERLY.

Section 8: Sifting of Exhibits

8.1 A sifting committee examines exhibits and eliminates unsuitable animals. Improperly trained animals will be sifted. Market beef must be dehorned, trimmed, and must grade at least SELECT. Examination takes place at weigh-in.

8.2 Steers must gain a minimum 1.5 lbs average daily from tagging weigh-in to show weigh-in. Underweight projects may show in showmanship if a housing fee is paid at weigh-in. All underweight steers, hogs, lambs, and goats must be removed from the show barn by 10:00 PM on Thursday. If not removed, they will be turned to support and proceeds forfeited.

8.3 Sifted animals will be marked and must be removed by 10:00 PM Thursday. They may be taken home.

8.4 All animals must be castrated by tagging. If not, they are not eligible to participate in DJLS.

Section 9: Fitting and Showmanship

9.1 Fitting/grooming animals prior to the show is an educational practice. Parents and leaders should teach but not do it for exhibitors.

9.2 No chemicals, additives, adhesives, oils, coloring products, or sprays may be used at any time. Shampoos that do not alter color are allowed for washing.

9.3 NO clippers, shears, scissors, and/or grooming devices are allowed to be used at the show. All clipping/shearing must be done pre-arrival. Only blowers, scotch combs, and brushes are allowed at the show.

9.4 All species must be washed after weigh-in before entering the show ring. Must be checked off by an assigned Committee member.

9.5 Fitting and Showmanship Contest Classes: - Class 1: 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade - Class 2: 6th, 7th, 8th grade - Class 3: 3rd, 4th, 5th grade

9.6 Exhibitors must show their own animals.

9.7 Animals must be completely groomed and ready for contest when entering the arena.

Section 10: Market Hogs

10.1 Market hogs will be placed in Blue, Red, and White ribbons.

10.2 Premiums for the various grades will be pro-rated according to the number and quality of animals shown.

10.3 Hogs are weighed and classed by weight. Market hogs under 220 pounds will be sifted. Maximum sale weight is 285 pounds; animals above 285 are sold as a 285-pound animal. Top hogs in each class compete for champion.

10.4 Feeding of hogs and cleaning of pens must be done before 8:00 AM and between the hours of 5–7 PM. Troughs and feed must be moved at all other times.

10.5 Hogs must be fed away from the alleys. Troughs and other gear must be kept out of alleys.

10.6 All hogs must be washed before coming to the show grounds.

10.7 The Committee reserves the right to apportion space and assign pens as necessary.

Section 11: Market Lambs

11.1 Market lambs will be placed in Blue, Red, and White ribbons.

11.2 Premiums for the various grades will be pro-rated according to the number and quality of animals shown.

11.3 Weight limits are 100 – 180 pounds. Lambs under 100 pounds will be sifted. Animals above 180 are sold as a 180-pound animal. Top lambs in each class compete for champion.

11.4 Lambs must be slick-sheared before arrival with no butt pattern at weigh-in.

11.5 All female lambs are required to have a scrapie tag from the breeder.

Section 12: Market Beef

12.1 Market Beef will be placed in Blue, Red, and White ribbons.

12.2 Premiums for the various grades will be pro-rated according to the number and quality of animals shown.

12.3 Minimum weight on beef is 1,100 pounds. Animals below the minimum are sifted. Animals over 1,350 are sold as 1,350 pounds.

12.4 All Market Beef will be stalled in the specified area.

12.5 Any Market Beef exhibited at any previous show must be exhibited at this show by the original owner.

Section 13: Market Goats

13.1 Minimum weight 45 lbs at April show entry. No weight requirement at January tagging.

13.2 Goats should not be older than 12 months. Goats must have milk teeth in normal positions and have no permanent incisors erupted.

13.3 Wethers must be castrated prior to the show.

13.4 If horned, horns must be tipped (not less than a dime's diameter at the end). Tipping is not allowed on the grounds. No sharp points.

13.5 Goats should be shorn uniformly 3/8" or less above the knees and the hocks. Must be clipped at home.

13.6 No drenching.

13.7 No fitting products allowed — blow & go.

Section 14: Sale of Animals

14.1 An exhibitor will only be allowed to sell one animal. Animals shown in market class that are pulled from the sale are subject to standard commission fees of 5% based on market price. The exhibitor must declare and pay fees within 1 hour of the end of Grand Champion judging. Undeclared animals are required to sell.

14.2 Only animals receiving Blue or Red ribbons will be sold in the sale. White ribbon animals cannot be sold.

14.3 All steers must have a brand inspection certificate accompanying the animal at weigh-in, unless "Home Grown."

14.4 Exhibitors must not dispose of animals before the close of the show. Violation subjects the exhibitor to forfeiture of all premiums.

14.5 Show management has entire and complete say as to how and when animals are entered in the auction sale. The aim is to put similar-quality animals in sequence.

14.6 Owners of animals are responsible for their animals until they are sold and placed in the specific holding area. Buyers are then responsible.

14.7 All Grand Champion and Reserve Champion animals must be sold through the auction. All steers, barrow hogs, and wether lambs and goats must go to slaughter, but ewe lambs and gilt hogs may be kept for breeding.

14.8 Five percent commission charge on all private or auction sales. Additional $5.00 per animal charge for transportation and feed.

14.9 Animals exceeding maximum weight are sold at max:

14.10 All market animals may be sold by the pound or by the head at the decision of the sale committee.