2023 Mississippi State Fair and 2024 Dixie National Junior Round-Up: General Rules

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

Contact Information for Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up

Danny Johnson

FFA Livestock Director

Mississippi Department of Education

Email: djohnson@lauderdale.k12.ms.us

Dean Jousan, Ph.D.

4-H Youth Livestock Specialist/Co-Manager

Mississippi State University Extension

Email: dean.jousan@msstate.edu

Greg Young

Livestock Director

Mississippi Fair Commission

Email: Greg@mdac.ms.gov

David Christiansen, DVM

Clinical Veterinarian

MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Email: christiansen@cvm.msstate.edu

Jim Brett, DVM

Clinical Veterinarian

MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Email: jbrett@cvm.msstate.edu

Carla Huston, DVM

Clinical Veterinarian

MSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Email: carla.huston@msstate.edu

Jim Watson, DVM

MS Board of Animal Health

Email: JimW@mdac.ms.gov

Linda Mitchell, Ph.D.

Head

Mississippi State Center for 4-H Youth Development

Email: Linda.mitchell@msstate.edu

Steve Martin, PhD.*

Interim Director

Mississippi State University Extension

Andy Gipson*

Commissioner

Mississippi Dept. of Ag and Commerce

Allen Keene*

President

Mississippi Livestock Council

*Mississippi Livestock Show Director

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General Rules Pertaining to Exhibitors and Participants in the Mississippi Junior Livestock Shows

Mission Statement

The Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Shows promote agriculture to educate the public and promote Mississippi youth through livestock education and competition.

Exhibitor Eligibility

Only youth (ages 8–18) physically residing in Mississippi who are bona fide members of a 4-H club or FFA chapter within the state are eligible to show. Exhibitors must be at least 8 years old before January 1 of the current year and must not have passed their 18th birthday before January 1 of the current year. The only exception to the eligibility rule is for exhibitors who have not passed their 19th birthday before January 1 of the current year and are currently enrolled in high school. Exhibitor’s age is determined by the exhibitor’s age on January 1 of the current calendar year in which the show is held (not necessarily age on show day).

Code of Conduct

Each exhibitor and their family participating in Mississippi Junior Livestock Shows is a representation of several thousand 4-H and FFA Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Goat, and Swine Project Members in the state of Mississippi. Each exhibitor and their family must accept the responsibility of creating a positive image that reflects the 4-H and FFA ideals. All exhibitors, parents, and guardians must participate in the Mississippi Youth Livestock Producer Quality Assurance Program to be eligible to show in the Mississippi State Fair, District Shows, and Dixie National Junior Round-Up. Show Management reserves the right to send any junior exhibitor home with their exhibit if they, any family member, or anyone helping to fit their animal is guilty of conduct unbecoming the junior livestock shows. This training is formalized by signatures on the Code of Conduct Agreement: 4-H/FFA Livestock Exhibitors (MSU Extension Publication F1152).

  • Any exhibit shown before misconduct will not be eligible for premium money, placings, or awards. The next high-placing animal will not be advanced (unless rule 1 under the General Show Rules that apply to Multiple/All Shows is relevant).
  • Criticizing, interfering with, or improperly contacting the judge before, during, or after the event; criticizing or interfering with other exhibitors, breed representatives, or show officials before, during or after the event is a violation of the Code of Conduct. This may result in an individual, their family or group, and anyone helping to fit their animal being expelled, placed on probation, declared ineligible, or barred from exhibiting at or attending an event or future events.
  • EJECTION FROM LIVESTOCK EVENT (Adopted January 20, 2014); Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-5-101 et seq.
    • Any person, while attending or participating in a livestock event being conducted under the auspices of the Mississippi Livestock Show (“Show”), including, but not limited to, the Dixie National Junior Round-Up or the Mississippi State Fair Junior Livestock Show, whether during show time or not, who engages in any conduct that poses a clear and present danger to the public health, safety, or welfare including, but not limited to, fighting, intoxication (alcohol or drugs), use of profanity, acts of terrorism, discharge of weapons, or disorderly or threatening conduct, may be immediately ejected from the premises where the event is being held by the show’s duly authorized agents or designees for the duration of the livestock event, including but not limited to, the Dixie National Junior Round-Up or the Mississippi State Fair Junior Livestock Show.
    • The ejected person will then have thirty days to request an informal administrative review before the Deputy Commissioner of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce or their designee, who will act as a reviewing officer. At this informal administrative review, subpoena power will not be available, witnesses will not be sworn or be subject to cross examination, and no record will be made of the proceedings. The reviewing officer’s decision will be in writing and will be delivered to the parties by certified mail. If the accused does not request a hearing within thirty days, then they are deemed to have waived their right to a review.
    • If any party is aggrieved by the decision of the reviewing officer, they will have thirty days after their receipt of the reviewing officer’s decision to appeal to the Show for a full evidentiary hearing before the Show’s directors or their designee. Witnesses will be sworn and be subject to cross examination. A written record will be made of the proceedings. The decision of the Show directors will be in writing and will be delivered to the parties by certified mail.
    • If either party is aggrieved by the decision of the Show directors, they will have thirty days after receipt of the directors’ order to appeal to the circuit court of the county where the event was held. Any appeal to circuit court will be made in accordance with existing state laws and regulations governing such appeals.

Code of Ethics

To maintain a high degree of confidence and integrity of our Mississippi Junior Livestock Shows, any animal found to have been fitted, cared for, or shown in an unethical manner will be disqualified and the exhibitor will forfeit all awards, premiums, and sale money. The exhibitor, their parent/guardian, or livestock fitter may be barred from participating in future shows. Exhibitors of animals at livestock shows will always deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship in order to maintain a high degree of confidence and integrity of our Mississippi Junior Livestock Shows. By entering an animal in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up, the exhibitor, their parent/guardian, and livestock fitter acknowledge that they have read and will abide by this Code of Ethics below as adapted from the National Code of Show Ring Ethics.

Animal Inspection

  • As a condition for participation in state supported shows, each exhibitor and their parent/guardian must agree to allow any employee of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce, Board of Animal Health, Extension Service, or an agricultural education teacher to inspect the exhibitor’s show animal after the ownership deadline date at any reasonable time without advance notice, provided that the exhibitor, parent/guardian, or property owner be present. If the animal is not at the physical location listed on the nomination form without justifiable cause, the animal is subject to disqualification following a review by the Rules Committee.
  • As a condition for participation in the show and sale, every exhibitor, by entering an animal, agrees their animal may be inspected and subject to any laboratory analysis or any other [diagnostic] tests as determined by the Show Management or Rules Committee. Specifically, management has the authority to inspect any animal (hide or carcass), to collect blood, urine, body fluid, or tissue, and/or to perform any other laboratory analysis deemed necessary. The exhibitor and their parent/guardian or designated volunteer leader must be present during the collection of samples for testing, sign necessary paperwork, and verify the sample to be properly collected and prepared for analysis. All specimens, which are taken randomly and from sale animals, will be collected and submitted for laboratory analysis following approved standard operating procedures from the Animal Drug Use Committee.

Drug Use Rule

  • Animals will not be administered drugs other than in accordance with applicable federal, state, and provincial statues, regulations, and rules. If a show is designated as terminal, animals must present to the show free of drugs in accordance with drug withdrawal times. Legal or illegal substances administered to physically alter the appearance and/or performance of an animal entered in livestock events are prohibited.
    • Performance enhancing drugs (including, but not limited to, steroids, diuretics, anti-inflammatories, tranquilizers, pain killers) may not be administered five days before showing the animal. [Examples include aspirin, flunixin meglumine, dexamethasone, and meloxicam.]
    • [Behavior modifiers and other over-the-counter products such as caffeine and calming or stimulating agents are not currently FDA approved for food animal species and are not allowable.]
    • [Exhibitors are responsible for knowing the FDA approval status of any substance administered to their animal. Information can be obtained from their local veterinarian, a state livestock show veterinarian, or through the FDA Animal Drugs website.]
  • As an exception at the Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up Junior Dairy Cattle and Junior Dairy Goat Shows, a veterinarian from MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine or the State Veterinarian (or a veterinarian designated by the State Veterinarian) may administer medication they deem necessary to treat an acute health condition in a lactating and/or pregnant dairy heifer, cow, doeling, or mature female dairy goat; the animal will be allowed to show provided that: (1) the treating veterinarian determines that showing the animal does not place the animal’s health or the health of other animals at risk and does not mask any pre-existing condition that could otherwise alter the gait or performance of the animal, and (2) after all entries in the class in which the treated animal is to be shown have entered the show ring and before judging begins, there will be an announcement made on the show ring’s public address system to all entries in the class and to the judge stating which animal has been treated if any of the medication administered is considered potential “performance enhancing drug.”

Violation of Drug Use Rule

  • If the laboratory report on the chemical analysis of saliva, urine, blood, or other sample taken from livestock indicates the presence of forbidden drugs or medications that have not been listed on the health form, this will be prima facie evidence that such substance has been administered to the animal either internally or externally. It is presumed that the sample of urine, saliva, blood, or other substance tested (by the approved laboratory to which it is sent) is the one taken from the animal in question. Its integrity is preserved and all procedures of said collection and preservation transfer to the laboratory and analysis of the sample are correct and accurate, and the report received from the laboratory pertains to the sample taken from the animal in question and correctly reflects the condition of the animal at the time the sample was taken, with the burden on the owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or absolutely responsible person to prove otherwise at any hearing in regard to the matter conducted by the fair or livestock show.
  • In the event of a drug violation, the DNJR Drug Committee will collect all pertinent information regarding the violation, hold a hearing, and recommend sanctions to the Show Directors. Violation of the Drug Use Rule will result in the disqualification of the animal being shown and may result in disqualification of the exhibitor. Violations of the Drug Use Rule may also result in an exhibitor forfeiting any premium, awards, or auction proceeds and being prohibited from further competition at officially sanctioned livestock shows in Mississippi.
  • The use of animal drugs or other substances in any manner other than in accordance with the labeling approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and/or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a violation of federal law. Any animal that exceeds acceptable levels established by the appropriate regulatory agencies, such as the USDA, FDA, and EPA, will be in violation of these rules and appropriate action will be taken. Furthermore, any information obtained on the practice of illegal alteration of an animal will be turned over to the proper authorities for criminal prosecution. The use of illegal drugs is considered a premeditated act.

Mississippi Livestock Exhibition Health Form

  • All exhibitors at the Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Show will be required to complete and turn in an Animal Health Record Form documenting the use of any drugs and/or medications administered to animals entered in these livestock shows (one per project/species) within 60 days prior to exhibition. Forms can be obtained from MSU Extension.
  • All products and treatments received must be recorded with their recommended or established withdrawal times, including, but not limited to, over-the-counter medications, medicated feeds, vaccinations, de-wormers, prescription medications, and extra-label drug use medications. [The prescribing veterinarian’s name and number must be provided when off-label drug use or use of a medicated feed is listed.]
  • [Veterinarians should follow the criteria outlined by the FDA Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) when using extra-label drugs on livestock. This requires that the veterinarian identify the animal treated, the condition(s) being treated, and the name and active ingredient of the drug used, along with its dosage and appropriately extended withdrawal period. Withdrawal periods for extra-label drug use must be obtained from the issuing veterinarian and may be found at the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database (FARAD).]
  • [Any deviation from approved label indications for disease treated, species of animal, dosage, route of administration, duration of administration, etc., constitutes “extra-label” drug use. All extra-label uses (including use in a non-label species) of medications must be by or under the direction of a licensed veterinarian to comply with FDA guidelines for extra-label drug use. Federal regulations prohibit animal owners from administering medications in any manner not consistent with the approved label. Extra-label use of any medicated feed is strictly prohibited.]
  • [Exhibitors submitting incomplete or incorrect health forms may not be allowed to show or may be disqualified if improper drug use is documented.].

Treatment of Animals on the State Fairgrounds

  • No medications or substances, as well as tools or equipment used to administer medications or other substances, are allowed on the Mississippi State Fair Grounds during the Fair and DNJR Livestock Shows, except those in the possession of a Mississippi-licensed veterinarian.
  • At any time after an animal arrives at the Fair or DNJR Livestock Show premises, a Mississippi-licensed veterinarian will administer all treatments involving the use of drugs and/or medications ONLY after consultation with and in the presence of an appointed MSU-CVM veterinarian, and a written medication record must be filed with the Livestock Show Management Office.
  • Animals treated with performance-enhancing drugs [for animal health or welfare purposes] while on the show grounds are ineligible for competition based on the Drug Use Rule unless it is a dairy animal (as indicated above) or more than five days will lapse between treatment and show.
  • There will be a licensed MSU-CVM veterinarian on call during the Fair and DNJR. The appointed MSU-CVM veterinarian will be available on the fairgrounds during specified hours as posted outside the veterinarian office in Barn 15. Parents or guardians of the exhibitors will be responsible for the cost of medications only.

Unethical Fitting

Unethical fitting is not acceptable and is considered a violation of the Code of Ethics. Any owner, exhibitor, fitter, trainer, or other responsible persons found to be practicing unethical fitting will be subject to disciplinary action. Unethical fitting includes, but is not limited to:

  • Any injection of air, gas, liquid, solid, or any other foreign material under the hide or into the muscle.
  • Surgery of any kind to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body. Not included are the removal of warts, teats, and horns, docking of tails, trimming of hooves, clipping of hair or wool, or any medical practice deemed necessary for health reasons, performed and verified by a veterinarian.
  • Using any product, including but not limited to, alcohol, aerosol coolants, ether, etc., and any other abnormal/artificial procedure or practice to change the degree of firmness, muscle tone or mass, and/or weight of the animal.
  • Any attempts to disrupt or change normal dental development.
  • Application of paint, dye, or other substance to any part of an animal’s body that attempts to change the color pattern or alter other aspects of the apparent breed character of an animal is prohibited.
  • Using any illegal substance or procedure that results in condemnation of the carcass.
  • Any use of added hair or hair-like material, natural or manmade. This includes, but is not limited to, artificial tail heads, polls, switches, and gluing of natural hair to any part of the body.
  • Striking an animal to cause swelling.
  • Drenching or administering substances internally or treating an animal externally with an irritant, counterirritant, or other substance used to artificially change the natural conformation or appearance of the animal or to cause swelling or change in contour or handling qualities for show is considered unethical and inhumane and is prohibited.
  • Balancing the udder by any abnormal means, including the use of a mechanical contrivance or the injection of fluid or drugs, setting the teats and/or occluding (sealing the ends) with a mechanical contrivance or with the use of chemical preparation, treating, or massaging the udder or its attachments with an irritant or counterirritant will not be permitted. The use of common products such as fly spray, ointment, or liniment in excess to the extent that it is irritating is included as an irritant.
  • Misrepresenting the age of the animal for the class in which it is shown. Commercial heifers must follow the tooth rule as stated in the premium book of the show. Birth dates, transfer dates, and other information on registration certificates of registered animals must be correct.
  • Switching animals between exhibitors, groups, or any individuals or changing ear tags or other forms of identification.
  • Showing an animal for another individual by claiming ownership.
  • The use of inhumane fitting, showing, and/or handling practices or devices.

Rules Committee

The Rules Committee for the Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up will be responsible for enforcing the Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics. It will consist of the following people:

  • Co-manager of junior show (4-H)
  • Co-manager of the junior show (FFA)Show Superintendent of division involved
  • Livestock Director, Mississippi Fair CommissionExtension agent (appointed by Extension Director)Agricultural education teacher (appointed by State Agricultural Education/FFA program supervisor)Veterinarian (appointed by State Veterinarian).

Code of Conduct Agreement

By enrolling an animal in the show, every exhibitor and exhibitor’s parents and/or guardians agree that:

  • They are responsible for the care and custody of their animals during the duration of the show.
  • The drug test results of the testing laboratories are final and binding upon the exhibitor and the exhibitor’s parents and/or guardians. Even if the source of the drug is unknown, the Show Management will be entitled to disqualify the animal and/or exhibitor and take further action as appropriate.
  • The conclusions reached and actions taken by the Rules Committee and Drug Committee regarding Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics violations will be final without recourse against the Show Management, the Rules Committee, the Drug Committee, or buyers.
  • Any animal found to have been fitted, cared for, or shown in an unethical manner will be disqualified and the exhibitor will forfeit all awards, premiums, and sale money. The exhibitor, their parent/guardian, or livestock fitter may be barred from participating in future shows. A second offense in the same immediate family may result in the barring of the entire family of the exhibitor from further participation in any state supported livestock show. Furthermore, the Show Management and Rules Committee may impose such penalties as the Committees deem appropriate.

Exhibitor Attire

[Exhibitors are expected to wear attire appropriate for the weather while remaining modest and socially acceptable. Exhibitors must wear shirts with sleeves. Clothing deemed immodest or distracting to other contestants or participants will not be permitted. No T-shirts, hoodies, sagging pants, pants with rips/holes, sandals, halter or open front or low-neck tops, or other inappropriate type attire will be allowed in the show ring or at the Sale of Champions. No clothing may be worn by an exhibitor that identifies a farm name, breed, slogan, or advertisement during judged competition.]

Animal Presentation

Each exhibitor will clip, groom, and dress their own animal throughout the ownership period and while at the Mississippi State Fair and Dixie National Junior Round-Up. An exhibitor may be assisted in the clipping, grooming, or dressing of their animal by others. There are no residency requirements, qualifications, or restrictions for those assisting with the clipping, grooming, or dressing of livestock. This rule does not apply to the removal of horns or the trimming of hooves.

Nomination Rules

  • All livestock entries must be made by the exhibitor’s supervising Extension agent or agricultural education teacher. Entry instructions will be provided to the Extension agents and agricultural education teachers before deadlines.
  • Exhibitors must maintain continuous ownership and care of their animals from the time of ownership deadline until show day. The eligibility of exhibitors will be determined by the supervising Extension agent/agricultural education teacher who certifies that the youth exhibitor is taking care of their animal.
  • Animals that are owned jointly on a partnership basis with an adult are not eligible to show in the Mississippi State Fair, District Shows, or Dixie National Junior Round-Up. FFA and 4-H members must be individual owners of any animal they exhibit unless two or more brothers or sisters (including legal foster children), each 18 years of age and under as of January 1 of the current show year of a family, constitute a partnership in ownership of the animal. At the time of check-in at the Fair and DNJR, all jointly owned animals must be changed to a single entry in the app so the FFA or 4-H youth in that joint ownership will be declared as the individual who will show each animal in that show. Animals must be registered in individual names and not in the name of a farm, partnership, or other entity.
  • No registered breeding animals (beef, dairy, breeding Boer doe, and/or dairy goat) will be allowed to be entered/nominated without a name and date of birth. All breeding animals with pending registration information after September 15, 2023, and January 5, 2024, will not be allowed to show at the Fair and DNJR, respectively, unless extenuating circumstances are presented in writing to the Rules Committee within five days of the above deadline. Animal registration information will be verified electronically before the Fair and DNJR. Updated registration information for each pending animal must be submitted to the supervising Extension agent/agricultural education teacher by September 15, 2023, and January 5, 2024.
  • Before any breeding animal or market animal is shown by a junior at the Fair, District Livestock Shows, and DNJR, the animal must be entirely owned and cared for by the exhibitor. After ownership deadline, the animal cannot be shown in its individual class at any show by anyone other than the junior owner, a member of the immediate family, or another junior. Further, before any animal shown by a junior is entered upon the books of the respective show, the Extension agent in charge of the county 4-H work or agricultural education teacher will certify that this animal has been in the junior exhibitor’s possession for the length of time as heretofore stated; the agent or teacher must check the tattoo number of the breeding animal to be shown against the registration papers of said animal and the tattoo number, ear tag, and date of birth in the registration papers must correspond with the information on the entry.
  • The approved animal I.D. method (840 USDA Official All-in-One EID tags) has been approved by the MLC Show Directors for the shows.

Ownership/Ear Tag/Entry, Classification and DNA Validation of Livestock

Exhibitors must purchase an 840 USDA Official EID [All-in-One] ear tag for all market or commercial animals (except for Commercial Dairy Heifers and Goats) through the State 4-H Livestock Office. These animals must be ear tagged before making entry and the EID tag number must match what was entered at the time of show, or the animal will be disqualified. In addition, all other ear tags must be removed from all animals, excluding official show tags. The Extension agent or agricultural education teacher must verify all animals are under the exhibitor’s supervision by the following dates.

Classification/DNA 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 – 8–11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, September 13: Oxford – 2–6 p.m.
    • Livestock to be classified for the Fair, District, and DNJR and hair sample collected for DNA validation purposes:
      • Market Steers, Commercial Beef Heifers, Market Hair Sheep, and Breeding Hair Sheep
    • Livestock to have hair sample collected for the Fair, District, and DNJR:
      • Market Hogs for Fair, Market Lambs, Wether Dams, Market Goats, Commercial Meat Goat does

Classification/DNA 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.
    • Livestock to be classified for the District and DNJR and hair sample collected for DNA validation purposes:
      • New entries for Commercial Beef Heifers and Breeding Hair Sheep
    • Livestock to have hair sample collected for the District and DNJR:
      • All hogs (Gilts, Mississippi Bred Barrows, and Market Hogs); new entries for Wether Dams, Breeding Hair Sheep, and Commercial Meat Goat does

Classification of all swine for DNJR (refer to DNJR schedule for times):

  • Commercial Gilts: Tuesday, January 30, 2024
  • Market Hogs: Thursday, February 1, 2024

General Show Rules That Apply to Multiple/All Shows

  • Top 3 in divisions of market shows at DNJR.
    • Each division in DNJR Market Shows should select a top 3 within the division. The purpose of this selection is to ensure that in the event the Champion or Reserve Champion is disqualified before the sale, there will be an alternate to fill those sale slots in DNJR Sale of Champions.
  • [Top 5 Selection of Animals
    • For junior livestock shows at the Fair or DNJR where a sponsor has awards for the selection of Top 5 animals in any given show, all champions (breed/breed-type/weight division/etc.) will compete for the Top 5. Reserve champions are allowed to compete once that champion has been selected in the Top 5 for that show.]
  • All animals in the junior division must meet health requirements governing admission of livestock entering fairs or livestock shows. Official Health Certificates will be checked on all breeding and market animals by the Mississippi Board of Animal Health. If papers are not in order, animals cannot be unloaded.
  • If a breed (breeding or market) shows fewer than 10 animals for two consecutive years at the Fair or DNJR, that breed will lose its separate classification and be shown in the other breeds classification. If a breed shows 10 or more for two consecutive years in the other breeds classification, that breed will receive a separate (breeding or market) classification the following year.
  • There will be no more than 15 animals in a class (breeding, market, and/or showmanship). If a class consists of more than 15 animals, that class will be divided into two classes as equally as possible. When an uneven number of animals occurs, the odd number will go in the first heat.
  • No market animal will be shown at any state-supported show that has been shown in any other show outside of Mississippi under different ownership.
  • The first- and second-place animals in each class of Market Animals, Commercial Beef Heifers, Wether Dams, Commercial Gilts, Commercial Meat Goat does, and Breeding Hair Sheep will be required to weigh back as soon as possible after their respective class. The animal must weigh within 5 percent of the overage or it will be disqualified. Animals will be weighed once (no re-weighs). If either, or both, of the first- or second-place animals are disqualified, weighing through the order of the class will continue until an official first and second are determined. Show management will designate an individual to accompany each animal and exhibitor to the scales for weigh back.
  • All registered beef and dairy breeding animals must be accompanied by original registration certificate or current electronic verification through the breed association’s database showing that animal is owned by the junior exhibitor. Such certificate will be checked for positive identification and to establish eligibility for showing. Animals without registration papers presented will not be permitted to show. Breed associations and management reserve the right to check animal tattoos or brand with registration papers.
  • No adults, other than ring staff, show officials, and judge, are allowed in show ring.
  • Exhibitors must show their own animal or animals. The only exceptions are in cases where the exhibitor has two entries in the same class, is showing in another breed or species at the same time, or is physically disabled (illness or injury) at the time of the show, or in case of the death of a junior exhibitor after the ownership deadline or in the case of death of an exhibitor’s immediate family member (father, mother, brother, sister, grandfather, or grandmother). In such cases, the exhibitor or parent may request a substitute show person. It is the responsibility of the parents, adult leaders, Extension agents, and agricultural education teachers to see that their exhibitors and others abide by these rules. All exhibitors must report to the class make-up area, where animals and exhibitors are checked to determine that the owner is showing their own animal before they enter the show ring. It is the responsibility of exhibitors to know when they must be in the makeup area or show ring. Not hearing or understanding class calls, etc., is not an excuse for missing one’s heat or class. The PA system is used to help the show move as smoothly as possible, but it is only a courtesy.
  • Exhibitor or parent requesting a substitute show person must make such request to show management before time of class and complete a request form available at the livestock office. This form must be completed and presented to show management before the animal entering the holding area. Substitute show person must be another junior exhibitor who qualified at District and is also showing their own animal in the same show. Failure to present request prohibits showing an animal.
  • Animals which are not properly trained and under the control of the exhibitor may be dismissed from the show ring.
  • Exhibitors must show their own animal in showmanship classes, and animals must be properly entered in their respective show.
  • Any exhibitor, parent, or anyone helping to fit their animal, who individually or through some other person, violates any of the show rules, and that violation is upheld by the show management and Rules Committee, may be subject to forfeit all premium money, may be barred from participation in future shows, and may face other penalties that the show management and Rules Committee may deem in order.
  • Arrival and release times are determined by the show management and the Mississippi State Fair Commission to make the best use of available space and to provide the best possible show for all exhibitors and the public. Exhibitors are expected to keep their livestock on display until designated release time.
  • Decisions of judges will be final. No person may ask the judge to reverse their decision.
  • Ribbons will be awarded as designated in the catalog.
  • To be eligible to receive premiums, exhibitors of livestock will, upon request of the show management, permit use of their animals for scheduled judging contests.
  • Exhibitors will be expected to furnish feed and necessary equipment.
  • In instances where a single animal is shown in a breed or division, if the judge deems it worthy to be a champion, the animal should be awarded the champion award for that breed/division and be allowed to compete in the Supreme drive.

Showmanship

Exhibitors in each type of market or commercial animal class may enter that species showmanship classes.

  • Beef cattle showmanship: steers, commercial heifers, and beef breeding cattle
  • Dairy cattle showmanship: commercial dairy heifers/cows and registered dairy cattle
  • Commercial gilt showmanship: commercial gilts
  • Swine showmanship: market hogs and Mississippi bred barrows
  • Meat goat showmanship: market goats and commercial meat goat does
  • Registered breeding Boer doe showmanship: registered breeding Boer does
  • Lamb showmanship: market lambs and wether dams
  • Hair sheep showmanship: market hair sheep and breeding hair sheep
  • Dairy goat showmanship: commercial dairy goats and registered dairy goats

Exhibitors must show their own animal, and that animal must be entered in that junior breeding or market show.

The age of the exhibitor entering showmanship classes will be determined by their age as of January 1 of the current show year.

Showmanship entries must be pre-registered. Entries must be completed by Extension agent/agricultural education teacher for exhibitors under their direct supervision. Exhibitors will be assigned into heats for each class as needed.

Protests

All protests must be made on an official protest form available at the livestock show office and sealed in an envelope with protest fees. Show officials will sign the seal to ensure it is not opened until rules committee meeting. Protests must be made and signed by the person protesting. The protest must designate the exhibitor and animal involved and the specific rule or regulation that the exhibitor and/or animal is violating. All submitted protests will be announced over the public address system, but the name of the person filing the protest will be kept confidential. Protests regarding the eligibility of an exhibitor and their animal to participate in the shows, not requiring carcass inspection and/or laboratory tests, must be accompanied by a $300 cash deposit (which will be forfeited if protest is not sustained) and submitted to the show manager before the start of that show. Once the show has started, no animal will be removed from the show but may be disqualified (awards forfeited) at any point after the show. Protests that involve unethical fitting, grooming, or exhibition of livestock must be accompanied by a $300 cash deposit (which will be forfeited if protest is not sustained) and submitted to the show manager before the conclusion of that show. Protests concerning unethical procedures, the basis of which requires inspection of hide/carcasses and/or laboratory tests, must be accompanied by a $500 cash deposit (which will be forfeited if protest is not sustained) and submitted to the show manager within one hour after the end of the show involved. Once protest has been filed, the decision to protest is final. No protest may be withdrawn once it has been properly filed.

Barn Rules

  • Exhibitors of livestock are required to keep the area occupied by them (stalls, pens, and aisles) neat and attractive. Area must be cleaned before 9 a.m. each day. Show arena is to be used only for showing and exercising animals. No tying out or feeding of animals in show arena is allowed. No animals are to be fed or tied out in area next to arena or along walkways. Exhibitors who violate these rules are subject to penalties as outlined in the General Show Rules applicable to all shows.
  • Straw is not allowed for bedding beef and dairy cattle in the stalls. All cattle will be bedded on bedding material furnished by the Mississippi Fair Commission.
  • No scooters, roller skates, roller blades, skateboards, bicycles, motorized scooters, or hover boards will be allowed in the barn except for equipment for the handicapped.
  • No electric power generators are allowed in the livestock stall barns.
  • Exhibitors may use fans on racks above the cattle provided the fans are firmly affixed to the rack. These fans may be mounted to blow toward the front, side, or rear of the animal. The fans must be mounted high enough for the animal to pass freely under without contacting the bottom to prevent a hazard to persons or animals. Persons using fans assume all responsibility.
  • All aisles must remain open for safety and ease of moving animals in the barns.
  • No dogs are allowed in any barn or building on the show grounds. Exception: Designated service animals, defined as dogs aiding individuals with disabilities.
  • No tents or similar structures are allowed in any livestock barns. Tables, chairs, or other leisure items will not be allowed in stall areas until after arrival deadline in case stall assignments need to be made.
  • Stalling Procedures: Stall space for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and hogs will be assigned by the show management. Reserving stall space will not be allowed. Check with stalling superintendent upon arrival for stall assignments.
  • Exhibitors may use UL approved heat lamps above animals if they are firmly affixed to a rack. The heat lamps must be mounted high enough for the animals to pass freely under them without contacting the bottom or power cords and to prevent a fire in the bedding area that could pose a hazard to persons or animals. Persons using heat lamps assume all responsibility.
  • Mississippi Fair Commission Rule:
    • Officials of the State Fire Marshal’s Office have worked very closely with the staff of the Mississippi Fair Commission to help ensure your safety and enjoyment while at the fairgrounds.
    • For your safety and the safety of others, the livestock exhibitors and visitors will be required to use only heating and cooking devices that are described as follows:
      • All heating devices used in livestock buildings must be UL approved and equipped with an oxygen shutoff sensor (ODS) and auto shutoff.
      • No heating or cooking fuels can be stored in barns.
      • Any cooking devices left unattended will be removed from barns.
      • No charcoal grills or smokestack type heaters that use any type of liquid fuel will be allowed in the barns.
      • All cooking and heating devices must be kept away from hay or other flammable materials.

Stall and Pen Assignments

  • Show Management will make all stall and pen assignments. Reserving stalls and pens will not be allowed. Check with Show Management upon arrival for your assignments. All stall and pen assignments will be posted outside the show office and in the sheep and swine barns.
  • All livestock must be penned by designated times.
  • All livestock must remain in their assigned pens or stalls 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, animals will not be allowed in a trailer except for loading to leave. [Livestock are subject to inspection at any time by show management, MS Fair commission, and/or the Rules Committee once they are taken to tie-outs, if applicable. These tie-outs include any pens built by exhibitors that are panels, panels covered by tarps, and/or panels that are around or surrounded by trailers.]
  • All livestock will be released after showing and must be removed from the stalls and pens.

Selection of Judges

A committee will be formed to select judges for the Fair and DNJR. The committee will consist of the following members: Head of the MSU Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences (committee chair), an appointed MSU Extension Service employee, an appointed agricultural education teacher, and the Mississippi Fair Commission Livestock Director. This committee will be known as the Judge Selection Committee. Judges will be announced for both shows from this committee by April 1 each year unless the date is extended by a vote of the Judge Selection Committee. If a judge is unable to serve, the Judge Selection Committee has the authority to hire a replacement judge.

Qualifying Animals for DNJR

An exhibitor must earn a blue ribbon with each animal exhibited at their district livestock show based on the 4-H club or FFA chapter in which they participate. Only junior exhibitors may compete in the DNJR Show. There will be no exceptions to this rule.

Liability of Exhibitors

All property of every character entered for competition, display, or other purpose left anywhere in the fairgrounds will be subjected to the control of the fair management.

  • If the property owners or others interested in the property desire protection against loss, damage, or injury from fire or from any other cause, they must make their own arrangements and pay for any such insurance.

Claims for Injury

No claim for injury to any person or property will ever be asserted, no suit instituted or maintained against the Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National, its officers or their agents, by or on behalf of any persons, firm or corporation or their agents, representatives, servants, or employees having license or privilege to exhibit on the fairgrounds or occupy any space thereon.

  • If any damage, loss, or injury to person or property will be caused by reason of any neglect or willful act of any person, firm, or corporation or their agents, representatives, servants or employees having license or privilege to exhibit on said grounds or occupying space thereon, the Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National will in no manner be responsible therefore and in case it be subjected to any expense or liability, all persons causing same are liable therefore and will indemnify the same Mississippi State Fair or Dixie National.

Livestock Liability Bill

WARNING: Under Mississippi law, an equine or livestock activity sponsor or an equine or livestock professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participate in equine or livestock shows resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities or livestock shows pursuant to House Bill #416.

General Premiums and Awards

Clean Aisle Awards: The Mississippi Fair Commission will pay premiums listed below in the junior beef, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, meat goat, and dairy goat division to the county group, 4-H Club, or FFA Chapter that keeps the cleanest aisle and most attractive display. To qualify for these special prizes, the county group must consist of six animals or more. Items considered for judging will include, but not be limited to, orderliness and cleanliness of quarters, stalls, and animals, promptness in having stalls and animals cleaned each morning, neatness of feed, equipment, and forage arrangement, and personal appearance of herdsmen and helpers.

  • Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premier County Livestock and Dairy Awards will be sponsored by the Mississippi State Fair Commission. These awards will be presented to a county group that has the most outstanding total livestock (beef, swine, lamb, and goat) and dairy exhibit at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Livestock Show. The winner will be determined by a point system. Each of the first ten awards in a class will be given one point for each animal placing below it, plus one point. Points are not to exceed ten for first place. Animals not placing in the top ten in a regular class will not receive points. Points will not be awarded for champions, showmanship, best fitted classes, etc. In case of a tie, the winner will be determined by the county having the greatest number of exhibits. Ties still existing will be broken by counting the total number of animals beaten in all classes, not to include champions, showmanship, classes, etc.

Mississippi Board of Animal Health Health Requirements Governing Admission of Livestock for the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Shows

An Official Health Certificate will accompany all animals with each animal individually identified (except nursing calves and kids) and be apparently free of any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease. As long as Mississippi remains a Brucellosis & Tuberculosis Free State, there will be no Brucellosis or Tuberculosis testing requirements for the Mississippi Junior Round-Up. No entry permit is required.

These regulations have been issued in compliance and cooperation with the Mississippi Fair Commission for the prevention of contagious diseases.

Dr. James Watson, State Veterinarian

PO Box 3889, Jackson, Mississippi, 39207

(601) 359-1170

Publication 3814-1 (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.

Filed under

Youth Livestock Livestock

Publication number

P3814-1