Section 3: Nomination of Project Animals

Livestock Nomination Requirements for State Fair

The information below explains the livestock nomination requirements for market beef, breeding beef, feeder calves, market swine, breeding swine, market lambs, breeding ewes, market goats and breeding does. A livestock nomination is the identification process for making an individual animal eligible for show entry and providing evidence that the animal is part of the youth livestock project. Exhibitors will have the responsibility to complete the online nomination process as well as providing payment. County Extension staff will complete the process by validating each of the submitted online nominations (see Section 5 for further explanation).

Market Beef

1. All market beef must be identified with a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. It is recommended, but not mandatory, to tag 4-H market beef project animals with the supervision of the Extension staff or by someone else designated by the Extension staff and/or the 4-H Council. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.
   1. In addition to an 840 EID tag, to be eligible to show in a registered steer breed class, the animal must have a legible ear tattoo or identification type that is accepted by the breed association and corresponds with the registration papers and must be owned by the exhibitor. Any registered steer not having a legible tattoo or that shows evidence of a fresh or recent tattoo, will be shifted to the crossbred division. A fresh or recent tattoo is one that shows physical evidence of needle penetration of the skin that has not had time to properly heal (i.e., significant redness, scabbing, or bleeding).  A fresh or recent tattoo may also be indicated by presence of ink within the ear that wipes onto a clean cloth upon tattoo inspection. Original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted. Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. 
      1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. All market beef should be tagged and have all required information submitted, and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All beef must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.  
   3. Heifers may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15.  This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
   4. NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair. 

Registered Breeding Heifers

1. All registered heifers must be identified by an ear tattoo or identification type that is accepted by the breed association and corresponds with the registration papers. Calf-hood brucellosis (Bang’s) tattoos are not considered as an official identification tattoo. Any heifer not having a legible tattoo or that shows evidence of a fresh or recent tattoo, will be disqualified from the show or shifted to the commercial breeding division if there is an 840 EID tag present in the ear and the EID matches the online nomination submitted by June 15. A fresh or recent tattoo is one that shows physical evidence of needle penetration of the skin that has not had time to properly heal (i.e., significant redness, scabbing, or bleeding).  A fresh or recent tattoo may also be indicated by presence of ink within the ear that wipes onto a clean cloth upon tattoo inspection. 
2. All registered breeding heifers should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All beef must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.   
3. To exhibit at the State Fair, original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted. Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED. 
   1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. Heifers may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15.  This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
   3. NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair. 

Commercial Breeding Heifers

1. All commercial heifers must be identified by ear tattoos or a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Calf-hood brucellosis (Bang’s) tattoos are not considered as an official identification tattoo. Any heifer not having a legible tattoo or that shows evidence of a fresh or recent tattoo, will be disqualified from the show unless the 840 EID tag is present in the ear and the EID matches the online nomination submitted by June 15. A fresh or recent tattoo is one that shows physical evidence of needle penetration of the skin that has not had time to properly heal (i.e., significant redness, scabbing, or bleeding).  A fresh or recent tattoo may also be indicated by presence of ink within the ear that wipes onto a clean cloth upon tattoo inspection. Commercial heifers must have a legible tattoo or a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag matching the online nomination.
2. All commercial breeding heifers should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All beef must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.     
3. Heifers may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15.  This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
4. Commercial breeding heifers will be classed by weight as identified by the exhibitor on their weigh card during check-in at State Fair.
5. NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair. 

Market Feeder Calf

1. All market feeder calves must be identified with a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. It is recommended, but not mandatory, to tag 4-H feeder calf project animals with the supervision of the Extension staff or by someone else designated by the Extension staff and/or the 4-H Council. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.
2. All market feeder calves should be tagged and have all required information submitted, and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All beef must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.     
3. Heifers may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15.  This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
4. NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Market Swine

1. All market swine must be identified with a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.
   1. Purebred market swine will have ear notches and ownership verified against the registration paper. Original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.  Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED.
      1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. All market swine should be tagged and have all required information submitted, and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All swine must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.     
   3. Gilts may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Registered Breeding Gilts

1. All registered gilts must be identified with a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.  Registered gilts will have ear notches and ownership verified against the registration paper. Any gilt not matching the breed requirements will be shown in the crossbred division.  
2. All registered breeding gilts should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All swine must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.      
3. To exhibit at the State Fair, original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.  Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED.
   1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. Gilts may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
   3. Registered breeding gilts will be classed by age.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Commercial Breeding Gilts

1. All commercial gilts must be identified with a federally-accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID.
2. All commercial breeding gilts should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All swine must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.       
3. Gilts may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.
4. Commercial breeding gilts will be classed by weight.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Market Lambs and Market Goats

1. All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. 
2. All market lambs and market goats should be tagged, have all required information submitted, and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All sheep and goats must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.       
3. Ewes and does may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Registered Breeding Ewes

1. All ewes (registered and commercial) must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Registered ewes must be identified with the tag/tattoo required by the various national sheep breed associations.
2. All registered breeding ewes should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All sheep must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.       
3. To exhibit at the State Fair, original registration certificates for all breeds must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.  Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED.
   1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. Ewes may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Commercial Breeding Ewes

1. All commercial ewes must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag.
2. All commercial breeding ewes should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All sheep must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.         
3. Ewes may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Registered Breeding Does

1. All does must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Registered does must be identified with the tag/tattoo required by the breed association.
2. All registered breeding does should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All goats must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.        
3. To exhibit at State Fair, original registration certificates for all breeds, must be presented at check-in. The registration papers must show the exhibitor’s name or a co-owner who is an immediate member of the exhibitor’s family and is listed with the online nomination in the official online database. Family farm or ranch names will not be accepted.  Original registration papers or electronic document presented using a tablet or smart phone will be accepted if pulled up or downloaded from their respective breed website. NO PRINTED PAPER COPIES OR SCREENSHOTS ACCEPTED.
   1. Immediate family is defined as members of a household including parents, brothers, sisters, and youth in the care of the head of the household.
   2. Does may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Commercial Breeding Does

1. All commercial does must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag.
2. All commercial breeding does should have all the required information and payment received in the online nomination system by June 15 to be eligible for exhibition at State Fair. The nomination process is not complete without full payment. All goats must have a signed and sealed official DNA envelope with hair samples for every animal nomination submitted by June 15. Extension staff will mail DNA nomination envelopes to the appropriate location.          
3. Does may be eligible as both market and breeding, provided a DNA collector envelope with hair samples have been submitted to the County Extension office, and the completed online nomination with payment includes all required identification information for both a market and breeding animal by June 15. This option does not allow the animal to be shown in both market and breeding at the same show.

NOTE: Paper ID sheets are accepted as a form of nomination for county records ONLY and WILL NOT be accepted as a form of nomination for State Fair.

Dairy Cattle

Refer to Nebraska State Fair Regional Youth Open Dairy Cattle Show entry book for guidelines.

Horses

1. Horses must be identified by description on form F2-97-77 as to color, markings, brands, etc., or clear visible colored photos (front view, left side, right side of the horse).
2. Form F2-97-77 will need to be submitted to the Extension office by the deadline. Horse exhibitors will not complete the online nomination, only paper.

Rabbits and Poultry

1. Rabbits and poultry do not have a nomination requirement in order to exhibit at the State Fair. Please refer to Section 2 for id requirements.