SHOW RING CODE OF ETHICS


Believing it is in the best interest of breeders of all livestock to maintain a reputation of integrity and to continue to present a wholesome and progressive image in the show ring, the management of Crawford County Fair lists here with those practices which are considered unacceptable in presenting livestock in the show ring. The use of such practices or procedures is, therefore, considered unethical in the showing of livestock at the Crawford County Fair. The Crawford County Fair will follow the National Code of Show Ring Ethics.

  1. Misrepresenting the age of the animal for the class in which it is shown.
  2. Treating or massaging of any part of the body internally or externally with an irritant, counter-irritant, or other substance to temporarily straighten a weak back or loin or to produce unnatural animation.
  3. Minimizing the effects of crampness by feeding or injecting drugs, depressants or applying packs or using any artificial contrivance or therapeutic treatment exempting normal exercise.
  4. Striking of any kind performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal's body, hide or hair. Not included is the removal of teats or horns, clipping and dressing of hair and trimming of hooves.
  5. Insertion of foreign material under the skin.
  6. Any attempt to change natural color of an animal, either purebred or crossbred, by changing the color or adding false hair, fleece or skin at any point, spot or area of the animal's body.
  7. The use of alcoholic beverages in the feed or administered as a drench.
  8. Administration of a drug of any kind or description, internally or externally prior to entering the show ring, except for treating a recognized disease or injury and for tranquilizing bulls that may otherwise be dangerous or females in heat. For the purpose of these rules, the term "legal drug" shall mean any substance, the sale, possession or use of which is controlled by license under federal, state or local laws or regulations and by any substance commonly used by the medical or veterinary professions. The use of any chemical and/or compound that is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in meat producing animals and the illegal use of approved chemicals and/or compounds are prohibited. All animals shall be subject to tests for foreign substances that exceed the acceptable levels established by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency. A positive test will result in disqualification, forfeiture of any premiums and/or awards and will exclude the exhibitor from future competition at the Crawford County Fair. All medications will be administered by licensed veterinarian.
  9. Dress Code: No shorts, sleevless shirts or open toed shoes are allowed for showing. Long pants and sleeved shirts are required.
  10. Balancing the udder by any abnormal means including the use of a mechanical contrivance or the injection of fluid or drugs.
  11. Setting the teats and/or occluding (sealing the ends) with a mechanical contrivance or with the use of a chemical preparation.
  12. Treating or massaging the udder or its attachments with an irritant or counter-irritant. 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 unless required to reduce edema at time of calving.
  13. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, other exhibitors or show officials while attending the Crawford County Fair may result in an individual or group being expelled, placed on probation or declared ineligible at the Crawford County Fair.
  14. Any violation of the Rules and Regulations incorporated in this Premium List, the Show Ring Code of Ethics and Youth Division Rules and Regulations may result in forfeiture of all premiums and awards, disqualification, expulsion or other disciplinary action of the Fair Management will be final. Such action will require application for readmission under such terms as the Management may prescribe before the group or individual is allowed to exhibit at future events.

The Crawford County Fair reserves the right to have a blood and urine laboratory analysis made for any market animals at the Fair. Any exhibitor administering a drug to an animal which would render the carcass unfit for human consumption or any exhibitor of an animal producing an analysis indicating the presence of an unapproved drug that can result in a quantitative or qualitative change in the characteristic of the animal will be required to return all premium money and could be banned from further competition in the Crawford County Fair. Their name and the lab analysis will be submitted to the USDA for further investigation and possible prosecution. Any animal receiving medication for any life threatening disease or illness must be registered at the time they are entered in the fair.