Schedule
Friday, August 21
5:00 p.m. – goats may arrive
Saturday, August 22
7:30 – 9:30 a.m. – meat goat check-in
8:00 a.m. - goats must be on the grounds
10:00 a.m. – Exhibitor meeting
1:00 p.m. – meat goat show (market wethers show first)
Following Show – meat goats released
Sunday, August 23
6:00 p.m. - All animals must be out of the barn.
Q: What's up with retinal imaging?
A: All meat goats 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: Where do they weigh and check-in my meat goat?
A: Check-in goats from 7:30 and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in the show arena of the swine barn.
Q: What do I do with the drug disclosure statement?
A: Each meat goat exhibitor must complete one disclosure statement, which can list all of your meat goat animals.
Q: What do I do with the Health Certificate and drug disclosure statement at the fair?
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 disclosure statements - including signatures - to the check-in line in the show ring where you will receive your T-shirt and exhibitor number.
Q: Where do I get my exhibitor number and T-shirt?
A: Exhibitor numbers and T-shirts are to be picked up during check-in from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the show ring. You must have your health papers approved at the vet's office before entering this line!
Q: Do we need to do anything with the Food Safety and Quality Assurance certification for state fair?
A: YES, all meat goat exhibitors must include a copy of their FSQA certification along with their entry form and identification forms.
Q: I would like to participate in the Showmanship contest - what do I do?
A: The showmanship competition will take place during the show on Saturday. Classes will be broken by grade completed. There will be 3 division: Junior (Grades 5-6), Intermediate (Grades 7-8), and Senior (Grades 9-12).
Q: Is there an exhibitor meeting?
A: Yes, please plan to attend. The exhibitor meeting will be held on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. in the show ring in the barn. It will only take approximately 30 minutes and will cover show rules and procedures.
Q: Is there a weight limit?
A: All wether goats must weigh a minimum of 50 pounds. There is no maximum weight. 4-H market meat goats (wethers) will be divided into classes/divisions by weight. Doe classes will be divided by age.
Q: How old can my meat goat be?
A: Wethers must have kid teeth in normal positions at time of check-in. Any wether having lost any kid teeth will be disqualified.
Q: Where can I park?
A: Lot T parking passes will be available for $6.00 each in the Administration Building . You may purchase them when you arrive in the Administration Building , or at the same time that you order your discount tickets. Your extension office will have the discount ticket order form.
Q: Can my meat goat have horns?
A: Exhibitors will be required to have horns disbudded, dehorned, or tipped blunt on all wethers before arrival on the grounds. Removal of horns on grounds is NOT permitted.
Q: Can I clip my meat goat's hair?
A: All meat goat wethers must be uniformly clipped with 3/8 inch length of hair or less above the knee and hock joints, to include the head, excluding the tail, prior to arrival on the grounds. All meat goats should arrive on the Iowa State Fairgrounds clipped and show ready.
Graphics used by permission of Iowa State Fair