Goat Rules and Regulations
Please refer to the “General 4-H Equine, Breeding and Market Animal Rules” for additional information
NEW Goat Project Enrollment Numbers:
135MG- Market Goat
135CP- Commercial Production Doe
135WG- Working Goat (Cart & Pack)
135DG- Dairy Goat
135EX- Exhibition (Pygmy, Angora, etc.)
874- Carcass Goat
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
1. Health certificates, tuberculosis tests or brucellosis tests are not required. There must be
no evidence of superficial abscesses, sore mouth, or foot rot.
2. All goat projects (breeding, market, pack and/or other projects) must have a Scrapie tag
present in their ear (prior to county tagging) identifying their flock of origin (prior to
county tagging) identifying their flock of origin. Contact USDA for information on
Scrapie tags at (614) 469-5602. Animals without official Scrapie identification are
ineligible to exhibit, compete and/or sell at the Scioto County Fair.
3. According to ODA guidelines, members must keep all goat records (including all market,
production and/or treatment records) for at least five (5) years.
GENERAL GOAT RULES:
1. All goat projects must be in the member’s ownership, possession and continual care by
May 1 of the current year. Any special arrangements must be approved individually and
on file at the Extension Office by May 1.
2. All projects must be weighed and/or identified at an official county tagging (or as
specified for that project) during the current 4-H project year. 4-H’ers must all
appropriate enrollment and identification forms on file in the Extension Office for the
current year. Only entries meeting these standards are eligible for exhibition, show
and/or sale at the fair.
3. All goats must be brought to the fairgrounds on the county tagging day to be tattooed,
and tagged, including those already bearing identification.
a. Exception: Any production female, cart, pack, pygmy or angora goat previously
identified and shown at the Scioto County Fair does not need to be brought to the
tagging if it is still being shown by the same 4-Her, BUT these animals must be
recorded on the Goat I.D. Form and the paperwork turned in to the OSU
Extension office before the county tagging deadline. All market goats must be
identified during the spring tagging event.
4. All goats must be properly dehorned and completely healed by fair. Only small spurs up
to 1” growth after proper dehorning, as determined by the fair veterinarian. Boer
production does may have horns according to breed standards. Male market goats must be properly castrated by the county tagging deadline and completely healed by fair.
Animals determined by the fair vet as not meeting these standards are ineligible for
exhibition, show and/or sale at the fair.
5. 4-H members are responsible for their project animals from the start of their project year
until they are loaded for shipment, their sale contract is fulfilled, the animal is taken,
home and/or their project year is completed. Members are responsible for their project
animals at all times. 4-H Volunteers, Extension Personnel, or Agricultural Society
members are not responsible for the safety of the animals under any conditions.
6. All goats are to be penned on Sunday of the Scioto County Fair by 5:00 p.m. All
members should be at their goat’s pen for animal check-in at 5:30p.m., Sunday of the
Fair. All goats being weighed are not allowed to wear any type of halter, leash, collar,
etc. on the scales.
7. Intact male goats are not allowed on the fairgrounds. All males must be wethers.
8. All goats must be tended to twice every day of the fair. Hay must be tied up in pens.
Feed pans and water buckets should be removed when not in use.
9. All 4-H members must clean their livestock pens daily to the bare floor. PREMIUMS
WILL BE WITHHELD AND ANIMALS WILL BE REMOVED FROM
FAIRGROUNDS IF PENS AND ANIMALS ARE NOT PROPERLY CARED FOR.
(See General Breeding & Market Animal Rules)
10. All goats must be washed and clipped according to breed and industry standards before
coming to the fair. Only touch up clipping is allowed at the fair (i.e. ears, udder, hoofs,
feet/toes, and eyes/face). Refer to project manuals and pre-fair clinics for assistance.
11. Grooming of project livestock will be limited to 4-H members, immediate family
members and approved Scioto County 4-H Volunteers. Immediate family is defined as
grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister (this includes
stepparents/grandparents and siblings).
12. Unethical fitting and showing procedures outlined in the GENERAL 4-H EQUINE,
BREEDING AND MARKET ANIMAL RULES are strictly prohibited. Violation of
these rules is grounds for disciplinary action. Refer to additional Project Requirements
for more information.
13. 4-H’er’s are encouraged to be dressed in jeans, appropriate dress shirts and suitable
shoes when showing their animals. 4-H’ers showing dairy does are encouraged to wear
all white clothing.
14. All goat project members are encouraged to participate in the showmanship classes.
The Senior Goat Showmanship winner will compete in the Showman of Showmen
Contest on Friday evening of the fair.
15. All goats not being sold through the Jr. Fair Sale may be removed between 12:00
midnight on Friday of the Fair and 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning. If not removed by 6:00
a.m. Saturday, they must be removed after 12:00 midnight on Saturday and before
12:00 noon on Sunday. No Exceptions.
16. Refer to the “General 4-H Breeding & Market Rules” for other rules pertaining to this
project.
4-H GOAT SHOW ORDER:
The goat exhibits will be shown on the Tuesday of the fair. See annual fair schedule for full
details.
Working, Exhibition, and Dairy show to begin at 9:00am:
Working Goat Classes: Cart and Pack Goats
Exhibition Goat Classes: Pygmy, Angora, others
Dairy Goat Production Classes: Does used for the production of milk
Working, Exhibition, and Dairy showmanship
Commercial and Market show to begin at 9:00am:
Commercial Production Classes: Does used for the production/breeding of meat
type goats
Market Goat Classes: Terminal does or wethers to be slaughtered as mea
Showmanship: Senior – 15-18 years; Intermediate (12-14 years); Junior (8-11
years)
o Note: Showman of Showmen species representative will be selected from the senior
showmanship class.
ADDITIONAL MARKET GOAT RULES:
1. Market goats can be wethers or does. Does should be a meat breed such as a Boer, Boer
cross, Spanish, Tennessee Meat Goat, etc. Wethers must be castrated and dehorned
shortly after birth and completely healed by fair time. Animals determined by the fair vet
as not meeting these standards are ineligible for exhibition, competition and the Junior
Fair Sale.
2. Market goats must have milk teeth intact during check-in of the fair. A market goat
missing any milk teeth at the Scioto County Fair check-in/weigh-in will be disqualified
and may not be shown or sold at the Scioto County fair. Beginner members are
encouraged to get January or February kids.
3. Liquid diets are discouraged. The use of a stomach pump for any purpose other than the
relief of temporary gas at the fair is prohibited.
4. Market goats must weigh a minimum of 55 lbs. Sunday of the fair in order to compete for
Champion, Reserve Champion, and Best Scioto County and to sell in the Junior Fair
auction. Weigh-in will be following the sheep Sunday evening.
5. Market goats weighing less than 55 lbs. are encouraged to show in the lightweight class
and showmanship to complete project requirements. Lightweight animals are not eligible
for champion, reserve champion, Best Scioto County, or to sell in the Junior Fair Sale. 6. If a 4-H’er wishes to participate in the beef, sheep, goat and/or swine carcass activity, the
4-H’er must identify and/or weigh carcass animals according to activity rules and
deadlines. 4-H’ers must enroll in a carcass activity by registering the appropriate project
activity number on their advisor’s enrollment form. Members who do not register on their
enrollment form correctly are ineligible to compete in this activity. Refer to the carcass
contest guidelines for activity number and completed guidelines.
7. Carcass Purchase/Process and registration forms must also be completed by the stated
deadlines.
8. 4-H’ers exhibiting lightweight goats must complete a “light weight slip” (given to them
at weight-in) and return it to the Extension Office within one hour of the conclusion of
the goat show. On this form, the exhibitor must indicate whether they wish to take their
goat home (after midnight on Saturday) or send it to the designated stockyard to be sold
for market price. Please note that lightweight animals are usually discounted at the
stockyards. Lightweight goats without completed forms (by the designated deadline) will
be sent to the stockyards, and cannot be taken home. Private treaty sales are not
permitted.
9. The Best Scioto County Champions will be selected from a separate “Born in Scioto
County” class if the Grand or Reserve Champion animals were not born in Scioto
County. The highest placing animal (that was born in Scioto County) from each market
class will be selected to compete in this class for Best Scioto County.
10. All market goats meeting minimum weight requirements and shown in the market
goat class are eligible to sell in the Livestock Auction on Saturday of the fair. See the
fair schedule for sale order. Goats will sell by premium bid in the Jr. Fair Sale. In their
sale check, participants will also receive market price per pound for their animal in
addition to the premium bid at the Jr. Fair Sale.
11. Refer to general goat rules or the GENERAL 4-H EQUINE, BREEDING AND
MARKET ANIMAL RULES for additional information.
MARKET GOAT CLASSES:
Lightweight Class
Market Weight Classes
o Divisions will be split by weight. Market goats of the same weight will show
together.
Light weight 55 – 70 lbs.
Middle weight 71 – 85 lbs.
Heavy weight 86 lbs. and above
Champion and Reserve Champion Market Goat
Best of Scioto County and Reserve Best Scioto County
ADDITIONAL DAIRY & COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION DOE RULES:
1. Refer to general goat rules.
2. Commercial production does are breeds used primarily to produce meat goats for
slaughter such as Boer, Spanish, etc.
3. Junior does born after the May tattooing date must be tattooed and registered with the
Extension Office by June 15.
4. There will not be a “Milk Out” for milking does. However, does should be milked out
completely at least once the day before the show.
5. Any dairy doe that has ever freshened (given birth), or that is being milked regularly,
shall compete in the senior doe dairy classes. All senior dairy goats should be in milk at
the fair.
6. There will be a dam and daughter class for commercial production and dairy. One
animal must be shown by the same 4-H’er in their respective class.
DAIRY GOAT PRODUCTION CLASSES:
Classes to include all breeding females utilized in milk production (dairy type goats.)
JUNIOR DOES
1. Doe, Jr. Kid, born March 1 to June 15, of the current year.
2. Doe, Senior Kid, born January 1 through February 28 or 29 of the current year.
3. Doe, Yearling (dry), born before August 1 of the previous year and under 2 at time of
show
SENIOR DOES
4. Doe, Yearling, 1 yr. old and under 2 in milk, as of August 1 of the current year
5. Doe 2 years old and older in milk, as of August 1 of the current year
6. Dam & Daughter, any age combination, both does must be owned and showed by the
same 4-H member in their respective classes.
COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION CLASSES
Classes to include all females utilized in the production/breeding of meat type goats.
Classes may be broken down or combined depending upon participation.
7. Doe, Jr. Kid, born March 1 to June 15 of current year Doe
8. Doe, February Kid, born February 1-February 28/29 of current year
9. Doe, January Kid, born January 1-January 31 of current year
10. Doe, Senior Kid, born August 1 to December 31 of previous year
11. Doe, Yearling, 1 year old and under 2 years old as of August 1 of the current year Doe
12. Older Does, 2 years and older as of August 1 of the current year
13. Dam and Daughter, any combination of ages, both does must be owned and shown by the 4-H
member in their respective doe classes
ADDITIONAL WORKING GOAT RULES:
Working goats are those animals used by humans to carry or pull loads. They are trained to lead
with a halter or harness as pack or cart goats.
Refer to the general goat rules.
2. Classes will be determined by the experience of the 4-H’er and goat into either novice or
advance classes.
3. Working Goats can be either does or wethers. No intact males allowed on the
fairgrounds. 4-H’ers will lead their work goat through a simulated trail obstacle course for
exhibition and judging during the fair. Refer to working goat project manuals available at
the Scioto County 4-H Web site www.scioto.osu.edu or OSU Extension office, Scioto
County, for additional information.
4. Pack goats should carry the 10 essentials plus.
5. Pack Goats Carrying Weight
Less Than 1 year old carries 0 lbs.
1 – 2 years old carry 10 lbs.
+ 2 years old carry 15 lbs.
WORKING GOAT CLASSES:
14. Cart Goats
15. Pack Goats
ADDITIONAL EXHIBITION GOAT RULES:
1. Other goat classes not listed (Angora, Pygmy, etc.) can be shown in exhibition classes at
the fair. These animals should be shown and groomed according to breed and industry
standards.
2. Members should refer and abide by all general goat rules contained within the goat project
guidelines.
3. Exhibition goats may compete for placings and awards only when sufficient numbers are
reached according to the show management.
EXHIBITION GOAT CLASSES:
20. Angora Goats
21. Pygmy Goats
SKILLATHON and OUTSTANDING EXHIBITOR
All livestock project members are encouraged to participate in the livestock skillathon. Specific
date information is located on the pre-fair schedule.
One Outstanding Exhibitor will be selected in each specie area each year. This person is selected
based upon their scores in the skillathon contest, showmanship, and a project class. Therefore,
4-H’ers must participate in all three events in order to compete for this award.
For complete rules, dates and guidelines on these programs refer to the “Educational Livestock
Event and Activities” section of the county project requirements.
GOAT HERDSMAN AWARD:
There will be a Goat Herdsman Award for all goat project members. This award is based on
member’s activities and attitude during the fair. It will be given to the member who is courteous
to the public and other 4-H’ers, maintains a neat and attractive project, helpful to others and
otherwise interested in the goat barn area as a whole. The winner will be chosen by 4-H leaders
in the goat project. The winner will be announced during the Showman of Showmen Contest
Friday evening. 4-H’ers may only win this award once.