e-newsletter - Indiana Association of Fairs

Welcome from Paul Graf. . .
In the April newsletter we included an update on animal identification
requirements for exhibition of open swine and cattle at the Indiana State Fair. As a
result of this communication we have received a large amount of feedback
pertaining to our new requirements. We do realize that these changes will require
additional planning prior to competing at the Indiana State Fair, however, this is a
proactive step in continuing to keep our event progressive. For more clarification
on these requirements please scroll down.
In addition to the clarification, we also have an update on the Swine Department, the procedures for drug
testing at the Indiana State Fair, and an update from the Entry Department. Our first deadline is quickly
approaching for entry so please be sure to log into Exhibitor's Corner soon to sign up.
We look forward to seeing all of you during the Indiana State Fair!
Paul Graf
Indiana State Fair Board Vice President
Drug Testing at the Indiana State Fair
The Indiana State Fair and the Indiana 4-H Youth Development
Program have announced the results of the 2014 Indiana State
Fair Drug Testing Program, in which 97.9% of animals tested
negative for banned substances.
Jointly conducted by the Indiana State Fair and Indiana 4-H
since 1992, the drug testing program encourages youth to raise
and exhibit animals via actions that are consistent with
responsible animal care and ensures that 4-H animals entering the food chain meet all current food safety
guidelines. Additionally, the drug testing program also contributes to the assurance of an open and fair
competition for all youth exhibiting 4-H livestock at the Indiana State Fair.
In 2014, a total of 2,278 4-H livestock animals were exhibited at the Indiana State Fair. Of those, 329 were
tested through random selection and mandatory testing based on performance with only 10 testing
positive for an unapproved substance. These positive results violate the Indiana State Fair policy, and/or
the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture guidelines for food
safety.
“We believe that all Indiana 4-H members and their families have a responsibility to ensure that their
animals have been raised using responsible management practices in full compliance with both federal
food safety policies and stated Indiana State Fair guidelines,” said Dr. Renée McKee, Indiana 4-H Youth
Development Program Leader and Assistant Director of Purdue Extension. “The extremely high pass rate
illustrates that this program is helping the Indiana State Fair and Indiana 4-H both achieve our educational
objectives to uphold the presence and perception of a safe food supply.”
Prior to the 2014 fair, the Indiana State Fair updated the penalty structure for positive test results. Under
this new policy, improper use of FDA-approved drugs resulted in disqualification of the affected animal for
that fair. Positive tests associated with unapproved drugs resulted in disqualification of the exhibitor and
all of their associated exhibits, as well as a two-year ban from exhibiting at the Indiana State Fair. Per strict
enforcement of this policy, six of the top nine market lambs exhibited in 2014 received penalties pertinent
to the use of unapproved drugs.
“The State Fair Board has continually reviewed and strengthened the rules to make sure our exhibitors
understand that there will be strict consequences when the rules are disregarded,” said Douglas
Huntsinger, Executive Producer of the State Fair. “We have taken proactive steps to ensure those that
were disqualified are clearly identified to all participants to guarantee accountability and deter repeat
offenses. As we continue to place safeguards, we are making a new requirement this year that test results
will be final prior to the Celebration of Champions and will exclude exhibitors with positive results.”
For more information, please contact drugtesting@indianastatefair.com
Update on the Entry Department
Our first deadline for Exhibitor's Corner is quickly approaching! We hope that your experience with this
new platform has been great. There have been a few questions on some items so please see clarifications
below.
Important Reminders:
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4-H members using the ‘To be Determined’ division need to enter that division and the respective
class for the amount of animals planning on coming.
o For example: Horse and Pony exhibitors who don’t know which Western classes they
want to compete in, but know they will be participating in 3 western classes, the
exhibitor will have to enter TBD 3 times.
o For example: If an exhibitor knows he/she will be showing Beef Steers, but doesn’t
know the exact steers yet, but knows he/she might bring 6 steers to the State Fair, they
will have to enter TBD for each steer they anticipate bringing.
"Per class fees" is a universal term for all the departments the Entry Office handles. There is no
class fee for group/pair classes, showmanship, or Indiana Special/Lot classes.
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Open Show Judges will be announced on our website May 15.
The first deadline for these departments are June 1*:
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4-H Horse and Pony
4-H Beef Cattle
4-H Swine
4-H Sheep
4-H Cats
4-H Pygmy Goats
4-H Boer Goats
4-H Meat Goats
Open Beef Cattle
Open Swine
Open Pygmy Goats
Open Meat Type Goats
*After June 1 department fee increases.
For more information, please contact Megan Eve, meve@indianastatefair.com or 317-927-7514.
Read More > >
More Information on ID Requirements & the Swine Department
There has been an adjustment to our previously published requirements due to availability of certain
types of tags. Pease note changes below:
ID Requirements:
- ALL Open Show Swine must have an 840 identification tag (may or may not be a RFID tag)
- Tag must have the US shield emblem on them
- 840 tag number and Premises ID number must be listed on Health Certificate
Learn more about ID Requirements here.
Additional Swine Department Updates:
Exhibitors need to be aware of the change in the arrival pattern for 4-H Swine. Trailers will be entering
Gate 16 to proceed to the infield to receive their trailer tag prior to being sent to the check-in tent in Lot
5. More information pertaining to traffic flow will be provided in your exhibitor packet.
Exhibitors sending their hogs directly to harvest after exhibition should note the market truck will only
be available the evening of Sunday, August 9, 2015.
Finally, in an attempt to continue to remedy space limitations in the swine barn we will be issuing a
charge of $100 fine/pig that is checked in but not unloaded off the trailer. Exhibitor may not show until
the fine is paid in full.
For more details please read the Open Swine Department section found on our website.
Get to Know More
The 2015 CELEBRATION OF
CHAMPIONS will recognize 26
4-H youth competing at the Great
Indiana State Fair through a
transformative gala with monetary
awards that celebrate
achievement, scholarship, and
hard work.
Date: Sunday, August 23
Where: Indiana Farmers
Coliseum
Visit our webpage for more
information, such as partnership
opportunities and a pledge form.
Call out for Barn Staff:
The Indiana State Fair and Dow
AgroSciences have partnered
Any interested groups or
with INAF and FIsH to implement
individuals interested in working Farmers Care - a program to help
at this year’s State Fair should
county fairs host a food drive.
contact the Livestock Manager.
The livestock departments are
Deadline to sign up has been
seeking groups and individuals extended to May 15th!
for a variety of tasks during the
Indiana State Fair including
Sign up for Farmers Care now
unloading, set-up, check-in, and with our application. Participants
barn maintenance.
will receive an allotment of
Please Contact Emily Griffiths
at
egriffiths@indianastatefair.com
or 317-927-7541
Read More › ›
Upcoming Events at the Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indiana State Fair tickets to help
incentivize donations and the Top
5 performing food drives win
$200 from the Indaina State Fair.
Read More › ›