| There are many rules to show large livestock at the Van Buren County Fair -- Registration, Market Livestock books/interviews, weighing in at the Fair, Ownership Tagging/Photos, Dehorning, Altering Sex, Housing at the Fair, Showmanship, Large Animal Showmanship Sweepstakes, and Sale at Auction. While rules are posted in the previous year's Fair Book, those rules could have changed for the current year. You MUST consult your Young Explorers 4-H Leader in your species as soon as you register to determine the deadlines and rules applying to your species. |
 The following "age" rules shall apply for all Market Livestock: |
| Market Lambs & Hogs | Born 1/1 or after the Year of Fair |
| Market Steers | Under 24 Months of Age at Fair Time |
| Dairy & Beef Type Feeder Calves | 1/1 of After Year of Fair |
| Tagging of all livestock shall be done by ownership deadline using the tag numbers assigned to individual exhibitors. Each exhibitor will sign a statement agreeing to follow the rules set forth in the Fair Book, and that they are the owners of the tagged animal.
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| SPECIES | MAXIMUM NO. TO BE TAGGED | MAXIMUM NO. TO BE ENTERED | MARKET WEIGHT RANGE-POUNDS | OWNERSHIP DEADLINE |
| Beef: Breeding | 1 ea. Class | 1 ea. Class | May 1 | |
| Market Steers (Beef and/or Dairy) | Total of 4 Steers. One must be a dairy steer | 2 Live Steers (Beef and/or Dairy Breed) and 1 Carcass Steer | 800# and Up | Dec. 31 |
| Dairy and/or Beef-Type Feeder Calf | 3 (Beef and/or Dairy | 2 (Beef and/or Dairy) | 250# - 675# | May 1 |
| Breeding Sheep | 1 ea. Class | 1 ea. Class | May 1 | |
| Market Lambs | 5 | 2 Indiv & 1 Carcass Lamb | 85# and Up | May 1 |
| Market Hogs | 5 | 2 Indiv & 1 Carcass Hog | 220#-280# | May 1 |
| To recognize outstanding achievement in record keeping for market livestock projects, the Van Buren County Farm Bureau will present awards to the top three exhibitors in the Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Dairy Divisions. |
| Record books will be reviewed and judged by a committee with representatives from the Farm Bureau, the Junior Livestock Producers Association, and the Fair Board. Judging will be based upon "completeness", "accuracy", and "neatness" of the Record Book. |
| Judges will review the barns daily. Awards will be given in Beef, Swine, Dairy, and Sheep. The judging will be based on clean well-fitted animals, clean aisle, stall, and tack areas. Judging will also be on eye appeal of exhibit and identification of your group. |
