Iowa 4-H cancels fair livestock weigh ins

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The good news for Scott County 4-H’ers is that as of now, the Mississippi Valley Fair is still a go. The not-so-good news is that Iowa 4-H has cancelled all livestock weigh-ins across the state.

With a priority of keeping families, volunteers and staff safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be weigh-ins for sheep and meat goats. They were originally scheduled for May 3.

Unfortunately, that means there will not be rate of gain contests for those animals. Market Beef entrants were weighed in December, and there will still be a rate of gain contest.

In addition, the May 15 livestock ID deadline will be moved back to June 1, and that includes Breeding Beef, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Goat, Dog, Horse, Meat Goat, Poultry, Sheep and Swine. Rabbits will remain at the July 1 deadline.

The Scott County Extension office is currently closed, and will be most likely be closed until sometime in May. Iowa State University has cancelled all events until May 9, and that includes Extension.

Because of that, 4-H’ers who will be showing both county and State Fair swine, sheep and meat goats must fill out a Google form by April 15 at 4:30 p.m. to request the  number of tags they need for each species.

The May 1 ID date has been extended to June 1.

In a new twist from previous years, 4-H’ers wanting to exhibit State Fair sheep and meat goats are responsible for entering their animals at 4-H Online. They must take photos of each animal with the tag in its ear, and upload it as part of their animal ID.

All State Fair sheep and meat goats must be tagged, pictured and ID’ed by June 1 in 4-H Online.

New for swine participants is the fact they will need a green USDA tag for both the county and state fairs. State Fair will need an additional DNA punch tag that has been used in the past. All swine must be tagged and ID’ed by June 1 in 4-H Online.

Metal clip tags will not be allowed for the county fair this year. All swine must also have an ear notch listed in 4-H Online.

“We are thinking that it should go pretty smoothly,” said Emily Lyon, Scott County’s 4-H program coordinator. “I’m sure that with the first couple of people it will be trial and error, but it’s hopefully for just one year.

“Our goal is to make it as safe and easy as possible for everybody.”

If anyone has questions, they are encouraged to contact Lyon at (563) 528-5853.

Scott County 4-H, Mississippi Valley Fair, Iowa 4-H, COVID-19, coronavirus, Scott County Extension, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach, Emily Lyon

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