Pre-tagging, weighing for market livestock begins June 3

CHELAN - CASHMERE - It is time once again for the Chelan County Fair Pre-tagging and weighing for all market livestock that is to be entered in the Chelan County Fair.   There are two options for exhibitors. 

The first option is to bring fair animals is Saturday, June 3 at the Chelan Rustler’s Rodeo Arena in Chelan on Union Valley Road.  Steers will be weighed and tagged 9-10 a.m.; and, lambs and meat goats will be weighed and tagged between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The second option is to bring fair animals on Saturday June 10 to the Chelan County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Cashmere.  Steers will be weighed and tagged 9-10 a.m.; and, lambs and meat goats will be weighed and tagged between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..  

Due to the persistence of PED (Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea) throughout the swine industry outside the state of Washington and that some pigs shown at the Chelan County Fair may come from out of state, pigs will not be weighed and tagged in June.  Instead 4-H Club leaders and FFA Advisor will need to provide the Livestock Committee at list of exhibitors and the point of origin on the pre-weigh and tagging date.  All animals coming from out of state will need to provide a health certificate per the Washington State Veterinarian at the weigh-in at the fair.   Numbers will be assigned to exhibitors and specific pigs at that time.  It will be the responsibility of the leaders/advisors to tag the pigs in their club/chapter.  All pigs are susceptible to the PED virus, however it has only proved fatal to suckling pigs under two weeks of age.  All exhibitors are advised to practice sound biosecurity measures in their production operations.  Once again, please do not bring your weaner pigs to be weighed in in June.

 At the Fairgrounds, all exhibitors will enter through the Rodeo Gate on Kimber Road and exit onto Wescott Drive through the livestock gate. 

At the Chelan Weigh-in, exhibitors are asked to enter the North entrance and exit through the South Entrance off of Union Valley Road

 Exhibitors must have market animals pre-tagged and weighed to participate in the market animal classes and livestock sale at the fair. Exhibitors may choose to not pre-weigh their animals but this will exclude them from the Rate of Gain and Supreme Showman Classes.   Exhibitors may pre-tag and weigh in up to two market steers, three market hogs, three meat goats and three market lambs.  For the 2017 Chelan County Fair, exhibitors may sell one market animal. At fair they may only weigh in and enter three market animals.  This is from any combination of beef, sheep, meat goats or swine.

All animals that are pre-weighed will be entered into the Rate of Gain Class.  This class is designed to encourage exhibitors to monitor and manage their market animal’s gain throughout the production period.

Animals that don’t make market weight will not qualify for this class or premium points. Criteria will be established for each species to determine the rate of gain for blue, red, and white ribbon and premiums.

 All exhibitors who participate in market animal classes, fitting and showing classes, and rate of gain classes are entered into the supreme showman class.  The supreme showman will be determined by an aggregate score from all three classes.  Premium points, ribbons, rosettes, and trophies will be awarded. The overall 4-H and FFA Supreme Showman will receive trophy buckles. 

 The Supreme Showman will be determined by how the individual exhibitor scores on rate of gain, market, fitting and showing classes.  Exhibitors will be ranked from top to bottom in each area.
 
For more information or directions to the pre-tagging and weigh in site please contact the Fair Office at (509) 782-3232 or Livestock Committee Chairman, Rod Cool at (509) 682-4061 ext. 1290.