Schedule
Sunday, August 16
5:00 p.m. earliest that beef can arrive
Monday, August 17
11 a.m. - all beef must be stalled
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.- Check- in of all 4-H beef
8 - 10 a.m. - Showmanship Sign in
2:30 p.m. - Showmanship Contest – Outdoor Arena
4:30 p.m. - Exhibitor Meeting - Sale ring, Cattle Barn
5:30 p.m. - Premier Beef Exhibitor Event
Tuesday, August 18
7:30 a.m. - 4-H Breeding Beef Show
3:00 p.m. - Parade of Champions for Breeding Beef
After Show - Release 4-H Breeding Beef
4:00 p.m. - 4-H Beef of Merit Show in the Pavilion
Wednesday, August 19
7:30 a.m. - 4-H Market Beef Show
After Show - Release 4-H Market Beef
3:00 p.m. - Parade of Champions for Market Beef
5:00 p.m. - All 4-H beef must be out of the barn
| Breeding Beef Show Order | Market Beef Show Order |
| Angus | Angus |
| All Other Breeds | All Other Breeds |
| Charolais | Charolais |
| Charolais-Cross | Chianina |
| Chianina | Gelbvieh |
| Gelbvieh | Hereford |
| Herefords | Limousin |
| Limousin | Maine-Anjou |
| Lim-Flex | Red Angus |
| Maine-Anjou (high %) | Salers |
| Maintainer | Shorthorn |
| Red Angus | Shorthorn Plus |
| Salers | Simmental |
| Shorthorn | Crossbred Steers |
| Shorthorn Plus | Market Heifer Division |
| Simmental | Market Heifer Champion |
| Foundation Simmental | Market Steer Parade |
| Commercial Heifers | |
| Parade, Supreme Heifer |
Q: Do we need to do anything with the Food Safety and Quality Assurance certification for state fair?
A: YES, all beef exhibitors must include a copy of their FSQA certification along with their entry form and identification forms.
Q: What if we want to arrive prior to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday evening?
A: All early arrivals must go to the tie out areas. No tack will be allowed in the barn until 5:00 p.m. Sunday.
Q: Do commercial heifers need to have a tattoo?
A: All breeding heifers, purebred and commercial, must have a legible tattoo, with legible being the key word. The tattoo can be a series of numbers or letters or both. The tattoo must also be included on the identification form and filed at the county extension office by May 15.
Q: What do I need to bring with me to the check-in area?
A: Bring original registration papers, stamped health paper, and signed drug affidavit to the check-in area. It would be wise to bring your carbon copy of the 4-H identification papers with you to the fair in case there are questions.
Q: Do the registration papers have to be in the 4-H'ers name?
A: Registration papers must be registered in the 4-H'ers name or show a logical family connection: Example: John Doe could have a heifer registered to Doe Family Farms - that is a logical family relationship. However, papers using the name of Hilltop Acres would not indicate a logical family relationship. The 4-H show follows the IJBBA breed rules; some breeds require registration papers to be exclusively in the exhibitor's name.
Q: What's up with the DNA, nose printing and retinal imaging?
A: All market beef wishing to participate at the Iowa State Fair MUST have been weighed and tagged at an official verification site, as well as had retinal images taken from the nominated animal. Both Exhibitors and parents must have completed and signed the state fair verification form. This has been done to ensure the integrity of the 4-H program.
Q: How and where do I get my animal checked in?
A: Upon arriving at the fairgrounds (either Sunday evening between 5-9 p.m. or Monday morning between 7 and 11 a.m.) pick up a check-in number for each market and breeding animal at the 4-H Beef Office in the Open Class Cattle Barn. Bring that number to the check in line. A series of numbers will be called for both market and breeding beef check-in lines - such as Market Beef Numbers 50-75, etc.
Q: Where do they weigh and check-in the cattle?
A: Check in animals from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday; the location will be announced in the exhibitor letter, or announced Monday morning prior to check-in.
Q: What do I do with the Health Certificate and drug disclosure statements?
A: Please take Health Certificates to the Vet Office located on the south side of the Cattle Barn to be approved and stamped. Then you bring the approved health statement and Completed Disclosure Statements - including signatures - to the check-in line where you will receive your T-shirt and exhibitor number.
Q: Where do I get my Exhibitor Numbers & T-shirts?
A: Exhibitor Number and T-shirts are to be picked up during check-in from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You must have your health papers approved at the vet's office before entering this line!
Q: What about stalling?
A: Every county has been given one stall per animal and one stall per chute purchased. A list of the stalling assignments will be posted outside the Cattle Barn Office. You may stall after 5:00 p.m. on Sunday evening. REMEMBER: Only ONE set of divider panels are allowed per county.
Q: What's the big deal about herdsmanship?
A: Herdsmanship is a way to show the public how proud you are of your county and your 4-H project. Plus, the top 3 to 5 counties in the herdsmanship contest will get the first pick of location in the barn for the following year.
Q: I would like to participate in the Showmanship Contest. What do I do?
A: Exhibitors wishing to exhibit in showmanship class need to sign up in the 4-H Beef Office by 10 AM on Monday. The showmanship competition will take place on Monday at 2:30 p.m. in the outdoor arena. Classes will be broken by grade completed and grooming is optional for this contest.
Q: If I am in showmanship, can I get my animal checked in quickly?
A: Yes, simply tell the person running the check-in line of your schedule and they will help you get through the check-in line.
Q: Is there an Exhibitor Meeting?
A: Yes, please attend. The meeting is scheduled for Monday at 5:00 p.m. and will be held at the sale ring in the Cattle Barn, where it is air-conditioned. It will only take approximately 30 minutes and will cover show rules and procedures for the next two days.
Q: I didn't get a sticker for my blocking chute - what do I need to do?
A: Space for chutes is limited. You must have purchased your chute sticker when you made your entry by July 1. No late chute purchases will be allowed.
Q: How many fans can I bring?
A: Only one fan per animal, and that fan must be located in the front half of the stall, with air flow going one direction. Historically, the barn has had power outages due to the over use of electricity. The "one fan" rule must be followed.
Q: Who can fit the animal?
A: The 4-H'er, an immediate family member, or another current Iowa 4-H'er. Family members include and are limited to: parent/legal guardian, brother, sister, or step-siblings.
Q: It's show day - where do I check-in my animal?
A: Both Breeding and Market beef check-in will be located in the show pavilion. Listen for the announcements for your class. Each class will receive three calls to bring their animals to the pavilion. Please use the street when making your way to the check-in areas. PLEASE AVOID THE SIDEWALKS.
Q: How many people can help me in the check-in area?
A: Please - only the animal, the 4-H'er and ONE immediate family member or current Iowa 4-H'er in the check-in area. Check-in calls will be made from the pavilion, and re-announcements will be made as necessary.
Q: I am entered in the Beef of Merit division, when do they load out?
A: Load Out will take place on Wednesday between 3 and 4 p.m. Please listen to the public announcement system for details on times and locations.
Q: I didn't sign up for Beef of Merit, but I would like to - what can I do?
A: All 4-H market STEERS are eligible for the Beef of Merit division. You can even sign up at the check-in line on Monday. Simply let the check-in crew at the first table know your wishes.
Q: When do I have to decide which window I need to enter for my Beef of Merit steer?
A: At the check-in line you can indicate if the Beef of Merit steer will be in Window A (High Cutability) or Window B (High Quality).
Graphics used by permission of Iowa State Fair