2023 Mississippi State Fair and 2024 Dixie National Junior Round-Up: Beef Division
Reminders and Important Dates
Reminders
The rules in the current year’s Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium book supersede any rules published previously in a Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium book or in this publication. [New rules and regulations passed by the Mississippi Livestock Council Show directors will be in brackets throughout this book.]
An official show veterinarian from the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine will be on site during the junior livestock shows.
General Show and Animal Health Reminders:
- Health certificate from a veterinarian is required to get on fairgrounds
- 60-day health record forms are uploaded in MSU livestock show check-in app used for checking in all livestock
Important Dates
Ownership of animal – September 1, 2023 (Friday)
- Ownership for both Mississippi State Fair/Dixie National
- Market Steers, Market Lambs, Market Goats, Market Hair Sheep
- Ownership for Mississippi State Fair
- Beef Breeding Animals, Commercial and Dairy Breeding Females, Commercial Beef Heifers, Market Hogs, Commercial Meat Goat Does, Wether Dams, Commercial and Registered Dairy Goats, Breeding Hair Sheep, Registered Breeding Boer Does
Entries must be submitted to county Extension office by Friday, September 1, 2023.
Classification/DNA Hair Collection Week, September 11–13, 2023
- Monday, September 11: Hattiesburg – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 12: Raymond – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 13: Greenwood – 8 a.m–11 a.m.
- Wednesday, September 13: Oxford – 2 p.m–6 p.m.
Mississippi State Fair, Jackson – October 4–15, 2023
Ownership of animal – Friday, December 1, 2023
- Ownership for Dixie National Junior Round-Up
- Beef Breeding Animals, Commercial and Dairy Breeding Females, Market Hogs, Mississippi Bred Barrows, Commercial and Registered Dairy Goats, Commercial Beef Heifers, Wether Dams, Commercial Gilts, Commercial Meat Goat Does, Breeding Hair Sheep, Registered Breeding Boer Does
Entries must be submitted to county Extension office by Friday, December 1, 2023
Classification/DNA Hair Collection Week, December 11–14, 2023
- Monday, December 11: Hattiesburg – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
- Tuesday, December 12: Raymond – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 13: Greenwood – 8 a.m–2 p.m.
- Thursday, December 14: Oxford – 8 a.m–12 p.m.
District Livestock Shows
- NW District Show, Batesville – January 18–20, 2024
- NE District Show, Verona – January 19–20, 2024
- SE District Show, Hattiesburg – January 18–20, 2024
- SW District Show, Jackson – January 18–20/29–30, 2024
- Delta District Show, Greenwood – January 22–24, 2024
Dixie National Junior Round-Up, January 30–February 8, 2024
Beef Cattle Division
Superintendents
Shelby Bearden, MSU Extension – Copiah County
Brad Jones, MSU Extension – Stone County
Ellen Russell, MSU Extension – Covington County
Ownership/Entry Dates
- Market Steers: September 1, 2023, for the Fair, District, and DNJR
- Commercial Beef Heifers: September 1, 2023, for the Fair and December 1, 2023, for District and DNJR
- Beef Breeding Cattle: September 1, 2023, for the Fair and December 1, 2023, for District and DNJR
2023 State Fair Show Dates
- Beef Showmanship: Sunday, October 8, 9 a.m.
- Market Steer: Saturday, October 7, 8 a.m.
- Commercial Heifers: Saturday, October 7, 15 minutes after Steer Show
- Beef Breeding: Monday, October 9, 8 a.m.
2023 State Fair Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App
At the time of check-in at the fair, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when weights are to be declared for Market/Commercial Beef Heifers and when Beef Breeding Cattle are to be checked in, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:
- Market Steers: declare show weight by 3 p.m. on Friday, October 6
- Commercial Beef Heifers: declare show weight by 3 p.m. on Friday, October 6
- Beef Breeding: declare animals at show by 3 p.m. on Friday, October 6
- Beef Showmanship: declare intent to participate in Beef Showmanship by 3 p.m. on Friday, October 6
2024 Dixie National Junior Round-Up Show Dates
- Beef Showmanship: Monday, February 5, 8 a.m.
- Market Steer: Sunday, February 4, 10 a.m.
- Commercial Heifers: Sunday, February 4, 2:30 p.m. or 30 minutes after Steer Show if show runs late
- Beef Breeding Bull Show: Monday, February 5, 1:30 p.m.
- Beef Breeding Heifer Show: Tuesday, February 6, 8 a.m.
2024 DNJR Deadlines for Entry at Show Using Check-in App
At the time of check-in at the fair, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so that the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. The following list summarizes when weights are to be declared for Market/Commercial Beef Heifers and when Beef Breeding Cattle are to be checked in, along with uploading the 60-day 4-H Animal Health Record Form:
- Market Steers: declare show weight by 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 3
- Commercial Beef Heifers: declare show weight by 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 3
- Beef Breeding (Bulls and Heifers): declare animals at show by 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 4
- Beef Showmanship: declare intent to participate in Beef Showmanship by 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 4
Beef Cattle Showmanship
- All showmanship rules listed in Extension Publication 3814-1 2023 Mississippi State Fair and 2024 DNJR: General Rules apply for Beef Cattle Showmanship in addition to the ones listed below.
- There will be only one Beef Showmanship contest. Any exhibitor showing a Market Steer, Commercial Beef Heifer, or Registered Beef Animal is eligible to participate.
- Exhibitors will check in for Beef Showmanship on the dates and times listed above.
- In Beef Showmanship, animals should be clean and dry. Other grooming techniques (such as oiling, boning, etc.) are not recommended.
- Exhibitors may show the cow of a cow/calf pair in showmanship; however, the calf cannot be brought into the show ring.
- Top 5 Beef Showmanship Awards will be given at the fair and DNJR. Sponsors will be listed in those premium books.
- Beef Showmanship classes:
- Ring one: Ages 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Ring two: Ages 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18
Rules Applying to Market Steers, Commercial Beef Heifers, and/or Beef Breeding Cattle
General Rules
- Review the General Rules and Regulations for all exhibitors and animals listed elsewhere in this publication. These rules and regulations will apply in the Market Steers, Commercial Beef Heifers, and Beef Breeding Cattle Shows.
- All beef cattle (beef breeding, Commercial Beef Heifers, and steers) will be shown with a leather, nylon, or coated cable show halter in the show ring. No rope halters or rope leads will be allowed by exhibitors in the show ring. Show management or Livestock Committee leadership/ring stewards reserve the right to decide what constitutes acceptable show equipment and how the equipment is being used by the exhibitor.
- Steers, Commercial Heifers, and Beef Breeding Animals will be released after showing.
- When a Beef Breeding Heifer or Commercial Beef Heifer has calved and the calf is exhibited with its dam, the calf must be on halter and under control of the exhibitor or exhibitor’s assistant.
Scales for Market Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers
Certified scales will be available for weighing Market Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers as outlined in the schedule. Each breed designated will be divided into weight breaks as equal in number as possible.
Classification Guidelines of Market Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers
Refer to the Ownership/Ear Tag/Entry, Classification and DNA Validation of Livestock section listed in General Rules for classification dates.
Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers will be classified according to breed type as follows:
- American Breeds Cross
- Acceptable Breed Characteristics: any color or color pattern; progression of importance to include Bos indicus-influenced head, eye, ear of adequate length, slightly drooping and opening down and forward, and showing Bos indicus-influenced sheath; crest or slick neck; with adequate Bos indicus head, eye, and ear characteristics.
- Discriminatory Breed Characteristics: Bos taurus head; Bos taurus short ear; Bos taurus eye.
- Absolute Disqualifications: a combination of a Bos taurus head, eye, and ear; without adequate Bos indicus head, eye, and ear characteristics.
- English Breeds Cross
- Acceptable Breed Characteristics: shall have high set ears; small head; should exhibit elongated muscle pattern; should exhibit medium bone with smooth joint.
- Discriminatory Breed Characteristics: no diluted color patterns (yellows); no double muscling; no extreme muscle definition (freakish); no crooked neck; no long heads; no brindles.
- Absolute Disqualifications: no one characteristic will disqualify but a combination of these will.
- European Breeds Cross
Exhibition
All bulls being shown at the fair and DNJR livestock shows must have a permanent nose ring with the exhibitor having the nose lead in hand when leading the bull anywhere on the fairgrounds.
- Nose leads will not be allowed when showing Market Steers, Beef Breeding, and Commercial Beef Heifers.
Horn Length for Market Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers
Market Steers and Commercial Beef Heifers must be polled or dehorned with no scurs or regrowth to exceed 1½ inches above the skin line. Checking of horn length will take place as follows:
- At the fair, any Commercial Beef Heifer or Steer that is first or second in a class will have its horn length checked at weigh back before placings are announced and before entering the ring for the champion drive. Any Commercial Beef Heifer or Steer with horns longer than allowed will be disqualified from its class.
- For DNJR, horn length will be checked at the district shows to qualify for DNJR.
Stalling
All cattle must be tied in assigned area in the barn from 8 a.m to 5 p.m., except cattle that are being groomed, washed, exercised, or shown. No cattle are to be tied in alleyways, walkways, or the show arena. All other livestock must remain in their assigned pens except animals that are being washed, groomed, shown, or exercised. Animals taken to be exercised must remain in their assigned barn or in their respective show arena. After entering the show grounds, at no time will animals be allowed in a trailer except for loading to leave. All livestock that arrive before assigned stalls are available may remain on the trailer until the designated arrival deadline, by which time those animals are not permitted to remain on a trailer.
- No grooming chutes allowed in beef barn until all cattle are stalled. Show management will assign areas where grooming chutes can be placed.
Market Steer Rules and Regulations
Nominations
Exhibitors can nominate the number of steers they desire. At the fair, the number of steers that one can check in and exhibit is three. At the DNJR, the number of steers that one can check in and exhibit is three, provided that at the DNJR one steer is Mississippi Bred; if not, only two steers can be checked in and exhibited. Nomination forms are due in the MSU Extension county office by the dates listed in the Beef Cattle Division Section above. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all steers are under their supervision.
- Exhibitors in the Steer Show may enter Beef Showmanship Classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.
Mississippi Bred Steer Program
The rules and regulations governing the Dixie National Junior Round-Up as published in the show catalog will apply.
- All Mississippi Bred Steers must be conceived, calved, and raised in Mississippi.
- After the regular show, a Breed Champion and Reserve Champion will be selected. All Mississippi Bred Breed Champions and Reserves will compete for the Mississippi Bred Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion after the regular show champions have been selected.
- All Mississippi Bred Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Steers will be required to weigh back as soon as possible after being selected unless a weight was previously recorded. The animal must weigh within 5 percent of the overage or it will be disqualified. Animals will be weighed once (no re-weighs). Show management will designate an individual to accompany each animal and exhibitor to the scales for weigh back.
- Show management will have the authority to inspect all Mississippi Bred Market Steers entered in the Sale of Champions, their hide or carcass; and to collect blood, urine, body fluid, tissue and/or any other laboratory analysis deemed necessary. Refer to the animal inspection section in the General Rules for additional information.
Weight Requirements of Market Steers
For the fair, steers will be divided into a Prospect Steer Division and a Progress Steer Division. Steers that weigh 899 pounds and under will be shown as Prospect Steers, while steers that weigh 900 pounds and over will be shown as Progress Steers.
- For the DNJR, the minimum weight of steers is 1,000 pounds.
- Steer weights for the fair and DNJR will follow the dates/times listed in the Beef Cattle Division section above.
Hair Rule for DNJR
For steers to be eligible for the Market Steer show at the 2024 DNJR, the hair must be clipped to no more than ¼ inch in length on any location of the body, excluding the tail switch, which may be ratted and balled or bobbed off. Steers will be checked at weigh-in for ¼ inch hair length. If hair length is over ¼ inch, the exhibitor will have one opportunity to shear the steer to the correct length and will have 2 hours to report back to the weigh-in committee for compliance with the clipping requirements. The opportunity to re-shear to meet the hair length will be available for the 2024 DNJR. All steers entering the Market Steer show must meet the ¼ inch hair length at weigh-in. After one re-comb, steers that do not meet the clipping requirement of ¼ inch will be disqualified from showing in the Market Steer show. The decision of show management will be final. Hair length of Market Steers will be checked from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 3.
Market Steer Shows
For the fair (will use two concurrently running rings):
- Ring 1 – Prospect (American; English; European)
- Ring 2 – Progress (American; English; European)
For the DNJR:
- American; English; LTWT European; HVYWT European
Commercial Beef Heifer Show Rules and Regulations
Nominations
Registered heifers are not eligible for the Commercial Beef Heifer show.
- Exhibitors are allowed to nominate the number of animals they desire. At the fair and DNJR, the number of animals that one can check-in/weigh-in and exhibit include a total of six Commercial Beef Heifers in addition to three Beef Breeding animals. An exhibitor can show no more than nine beef animals (Beef Breeding Animals and Commercial Beef Heifers combined), with no more than six being Beef Breeding animals in some combination with Commercial Beef Heifers, or no more than six being Beef Heifers in some combination with Beef Breeding animals. Nomination forms are due in the Extension county office by the dates listed in the Beef Cattle Division section above. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all Commercial Beef Heifers are under their supervision.
- Exhibitors in the Commercial Beef Heifer show may enter Beef Showmanship classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.
Age of Commercial Beef Heifers
Age of Commercial Beef Heifers will be determined by milk teeth. Commercial Beef Heifers that have lost the center temporary incisor teeth (baby teeth), but have no visible permanent incisors, are eligible to show. Any visible permanent incisor tooth disqualifies the heifer. Heifers will be mouthed as follows:
- Fair: any Commercial Beef Heifer that is first or second in a class will be mouthed at weigh back before placings are announced and before entering the ring for the championship drive. Any Commercial Beef Heifer that fails to meet the mouthing criteria will be disqualified from its class.
- DNJR: heifers that are eligible for District based on mouthing will be eligible for the DNJR.
Weight Requirements of Commercial Beef Heifers
For the Fair and DNJR, the minimum weight of Commercial Beef Heifers is 500 pounds.
- Commercial Beef Heifer weights for the fair and DNJR will follow the dates/times listed in the Beef Cattle Division section above.
Order of Show
Breeds are shown by weight in the following order (will use two concurrently running rings):
For the Fair:
- Ring 1 – European; American
- Ring 2 – English
For the DNJR:
- Ring 1 – English
- Ring 2 – European; American
The Supreme Champion Commercial Beef Heifer and Reserve Champion Commercial Beef Heifer will be selected from the Grand and Reserve Champions from the divisions listed above. The Supreme Champion Commercial Beef Heifer will not be eligible to compete for the Supreme Beef Heifer against the Beef Breeding Heifer Breed Champions.
Junior Beef Breeding Show Rules and Regulations
Registration Certificates
All breeding cattle must be accompanied by an original registration certificate from a breed association showing that same animal is owned by the junior exhibitor. Animals without registration certificates will not be permitted to show. Registered Beef Breeding animals are permitted to show in Other Breeds if they have a set of registration papers (even though they are not allowed in the breed they have registered papers in). All Beef Breeding animals will show under the classification that falls under each respective breed association’s sponsored show (Junior National Show, if applicable). Any registered beef animal without a breed show will be allowed to show in Other Breeds. AOB will be split into Brahman, Non-Brahman, and Miniature Divisions. Exhibitors much check in their Beef Breeding Cattle using the online web app check-in process by the date/time listed in that show’s premium book.
- Mississippi youth livestock shows must adopt any breed association’s rules regarding fitting and grooming provided that the breed appropriates funds for premiums to the junior livestock show. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to know and follow the breed association’s fitting rules for the breed that they are showing.
Nominations
Exhibitors are allowed to nominate the number of animals they desire. At the fair and DNJR, the number of animals that one can check in/weigh-in and exhibit include a total of six Commercial Beef Heifers in addition to three Beef Breeding animals. An exhibitor can show no more than nine beef animals (Beef Breeding animals and Commercial Beef Heifers combined), with no more than six being Beef Breeding animals in some combination with Commercial Beef Heifers, or no more than six being Beef Heifers in some combination with Beef Breeding animals. Nomination forms are due in the Extension county office by the dates listed in the Beef Cattle Division section above. Nomination forms must be submitted by the Extension agent or agricultural education teacher verifying all Commercial Beef Heifers are under their supervision.
Exhibitors in the Beef Breeding show may enter Beef Showmanship classes at the time of entry and confirm participation in showmanship using the online check-in app at the show.
Identification
Breeding cattle must have a legible and correct tattoo or brand. Tattoo in ear of breeding cattle or brand may be checked.
Any Beef Breeding animal not having a legible tattoo, correct tattoo, or brand will be disqualified.
Beef Breeds
Beef breeds at each show: (will use two concurrently running rings; order of breeds in each ring will be determined following check-in):
- Beef Breeds at Mississippi State Fair: Shorthorn, Red Angus, Other Breeds (Non-American Influence), Other Breeds (American Influence), Angus, Star 5, Hereford, Brangus, Other Breeds (Miniature), Gelbvieh, Charolais, Simmental, Grey Brahman, Red Brahman, Santa Gertrudis, Percentage Simmental, and Beefmaster
- Beef Breeds at Dixie National Junior Round-Up: Shorthorn, Red Angus, Other Breeds (Non-American Influence), Other Breeds (American Influence), Other Breeds (Miniature), Angus, Star 5, Hereford, Brangus, Gelbvieh, Charolais, Simmental, Grey Brahman, Red Brahman, Santa Gertrudis, Percentage Simmental, Simbrah, and Beefmaster
Beef Breeding animals will be shown by age.
- Heifer classes offered at the 2023 Mississippi State Fair:
- Summer Heifer Calves; calved on or after May 1, 2023.
- Spring Heifer Calves; calved between March 1 and April 30, 2023.
- Junior Heifer Calves; calved between January 1 and February 28, 2023.
- Winter Heifer Calves; calved between November 1 and December 31, 2022.
- Senior Heifer Calves; calved between September 1 and October 31, 2022.
- Late Summer Yearling Heifers; calved between July 1 and August 31, 2022.
- Early Summer Yearling Heifers; calved between May 1 and June 30, 2022.
- Spring Yearling Heifers; calved between March 1 and April 30, 2022.
- Junior Yearling Heifers; calved between January 1 and February 28, 2022.
- Late Senior Yearling Heifers; calved between November 1 and December 31, 2021.
- Early Senior Yearling Heifers; calved between September 1 and October 31, 2021.
- Champion Female (1st place winners competing).
- Reserve Champion Female (2nd place winner from same class as Champion eligible to show for Reserve).
- Bull classes offered at the 2023 Mississippi State Fair:
- Summer Junior Bull Calves; calved on or after May 1, 2023.
- Spring Bull Calves; calved between March 1 and April 30, 2023.
- Junior Bull Calves; calved between January 1 and February 28, 2023.
- Winter Bull Calves; calved between November 1 and December 31, 2022.
- Senior Bull Calves; calved between September 1 and October 31, 2022.
- Late Summer Yearling Bulls; calved between July 1 and August 31, 2022.
- Early Summer Yearling Bulls; calved between May 1 and June 30, 2022.
- Spring Yearling Bulls; calved between March 1 and April 30, 2022.
- Junior Yearling Bulls; calved between January 1 and February 28, 2022.
- Late Senior Yearling Bulls; calved between November 1 and December 31, 2021.
- Early Senior Yearling Bulls; calved between September 1 and October 31, 2021.
- Champion Bull (1st place winners competing).
- Reserve Champion Bull (2nd place winner from same class as Champion eligible to show for Reserve).
- Heifer classes offered at the 2024 Dixie National Junior Round-Up:
- Late Summer Heifer Calf – born July 1, 2023, and after
- Early Summer Heifer Calf – born May 1 to June 30, 2023
- Winter Heifer Calf – born March 1 to April 30, 2023
- Junior Heifer Calf – born January 1 to February 28, 2023
- Late Senior Heifer Calf – born November 1 to December 31, 2022
- Early Senior Heifer Calf – born September 1 to October 31, 2022
- Late Summer Yearling Heifer – born July 1 to August 31, 2022
- Early Summer Yearling Heifer – born May 1 to June 30, 2022
- Late Junior Yearling Heifer – born March 1 to April 30, 2022
- Early Junior Yearling Heifer – born January 1 to February 28, 2022
- Champion Heifer (1st place winners competing)
- Reserve Champion Heifer (2nd place winner from same class as Champion eligible to show for Reserve)
- Bull Classes offered at the 2024 Dixie National Junior Round-Up:
- Late Summer Bull Calf – born July 1, 2023, and after
- Early Summer Bull Calf – born May 1 to June 30, 2023
- Winter Bull Calf – born March 1 to April 30, 2023
- Junior Bull Calf – born January 1 to February 28, 2023
- Late Senior Bull Calf – born November 1 to December 31, 2022
- Early Senior Bull Calf – born September 1 to October 31, 2022
- Late Summer Yearling Bull – born July 1 to August 31, 2022
- Early Summer Yearling Bull – born May 1 to June 30, 2022
- Late Junior Yearling Bull – born March 1 to April 30, 2022
- Early Junior Yearling Bull – born January 1 to February 28, 2022
- Champion Bull (1st place winners competing)
- Reserve Champion Bull (2nd place winner from same class as Champion eligible to show for Reserve)
Breed Champions will be selected from the class 1st-place winners. The 2nd-place winner from the class the Breed Champion was selected from will be eligible to compete for the Reserve Breed Champion.
All Breed Champions will compete for the Top 5 Beef Breeding Heifers and Bulls. [Reserve Breed Champions are allowed to compete once that Breed Champion has been selected in the Top 5 Beef Breeding Heifers and Bulls.]
Special Considerations for Beef Breeding Shows
Angus
The American Angus Association (3201 Frederick Avenue, St. Joseph, MO) will participate in premiums offered in individual classes for junior Angus heifers, as included in its standard show classifications, according to the premium schedule based on the number of head shown. The premium assistance provided by the American Angus Association for participation in this show is in addition to the premiums offered by the show itself. The premium assistance should not be used to offset show expense and shall be included in the premium payments distributed by the show to the exhibitors.
A minimum of 15 head must be shown in the junior Angus heifer classes to receive American Angus Association premium participation. The show is not required to have all classes to be eligible for premiums.
Separate classes for bred and owned heifers may be held if the size of the show merits a separate class.
To be eligible for association premiums, the entries must be recorded in the sole name of the junior exhibitor, and the issue date on the registration certificate must conform to the individual show’s requirements regarding ownership. The association’s contribution is included in the total premiums listed in each class.
Premiums from the association are paid only to registered Angus cattle and only if the registration number is a part of the show report provided to the association. Therefore, all cattle should be registered at the time of entry to make certain they receive the association’s portion of premiums. The association does not pay on premiums offered in championship classes. An animal may be counted only one time toward the total count for premium participation by the association.
Exhibitors must have the original registration certificate issued by the American Angus Association available for inspection at the show for each animal or another current proof of ownership issued by the American Angus Association pedigree look up. Any animal, upon check-in, that does not have a legible permanent identification mark (ear tattoo marks, freeze-branded marks, or hot-branded marks) corresponding to the permanent identification mark on the registration certificate is ineligible to show. Once disqualified due to an incorrect or illegible permanent identification mark, animals cannot be re-identified (tattooed/branded) and rechecked at the show.
Any female shown with a calf at side: the calf must be the cow’s most recent natural calf, and the calf must be registered by show day and have proof of registration at check in.
Only one person at a time shall lead an animal into the show ring.
Exhibitors who participate in shows that accept premium monies contributed by the American Angus Association are subject to the association rules as found in the Breeders Reference Guide of the association. These rules are found in Part 2: Association Rules. The rules relating directly to the exhibition of Angus cattle include Rules 800–810. These rules can be found at www.angus.org.
Altering the conformation and/or appearance of an animal for exhibition is prohibited. This includes using chin straps, covering white skin, or using false tail heads (or any false hair), with the exception of false tail switches. The use of graphite, powders, hemp, or other similar substances used externally are also prohibited. Other prohibited products include those used internally such as steroids, illegal or unlicensed pharmaceuticals, or artificial filling. Any animal found to be in violation will be barred from showing.
At any show for which the American Angus Association appropriates funds toward the payment of premiums, no exhibitors, individuals assisting exhibitors, or member owners at such show shall be allowed to use any coloring agents on any animal exhibited. The association may adopt and implement various tests designed to monitor this prohibition, including but not limited to a “white towel” or “white glove” test. No aerosol cans or other pressurized containers will be allowed in designated line-up areas.
All animals exhibited are subject to DNA marker or blood type test to verify accuracy of parentage as covered under the association rules and for other testing as required by the individual show.
Authorized representatives of the association have the authority to enforce the rules set forth herein as well as in the association rules, including the barring of a registered animal from a livestock show at which it is to be shown, if there are reasonable grounds to believe a violation has occurred.
The Mississippi Angus Association will conduct their showmanship contest for members 14 years of age and over to select their delegates for the national contest. This competition will be held 30 minutes before the start of Beef Showmanship in the coliseum. The Mississippi Angus Association will be awarding a Mississippi Bred Champion and Reserve Champion Bull and Heifer award at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. To be eligible for this award, the junior exhibitor must be a member of the Mississippi Junior Angus Association and be exhibiting a Mississippi Bred bull or heifer.
Beefmaster
The Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association of San Antonio, Texas, will provide 20 percent of the premium for the Junior Heifer Show, not to exceed $250 total. They will pay their portion directly to the exhibitors. The Southeast Beefmaster Breeders Association will provide $300 for the Champion Beefmaster Female and Champion Beefmaster Bull. Sponsors of these awards include the following: Clark Jones, Savannah, TN; Mike Savage, Hamilton, MS; Jerry Thomas, Henderson, TN; Steve Dodds, Lexington, TN; and Ronnie Teague, Ramer, TN.
Hereford
The Mississippi Hereford Association will be awarding a Mississippi Bred Champion and Reserve Champion Bull and Heifer award at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up. To be eligible for this award, the junior exhibitor must be a member of the Mississippi Junior Hereford Association and be exhibiting a Mississippi Bred bull or heifer.
Simmental/Simbrah
The Mississippi Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association will make a special cash award to the Grand and Reserve Grand Simmental and Simbrah Champions if the exhibitor is an active member of the Mississippi Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association. The Mississippi Simmental/Simbrah Association will make a special award to the “Herdsman of the Year,” which will be a rotating trophy and permanent plaque presented to the exhibitor that the association committee feels does the best overall job (this includes knowledge of cattle, feeding, grooming, etc.). The Mississippi Simmental/Simbrah Association will also sponsor Best 5 Mississippi Bred Heifer and Best 5 Mississippi Bred Bull Classes in the Simmental, Simbrah, and Percentage Simmental shows.
Publication 3814-2 (POD-08-23)
By Dean Jousan, PhD, Associate Extension Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Cobie Rutherford, Extension Instructor, Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development.