Cattle
Showing cattle at the county fair, whether dairy, beef, feeder or a calf, raising cattle offers valuable experiences beyond ribbons and awards. It teaches responsibility for animal care, from feeding and grooming to training for showmanship. Young exhibitors gain confidence while presenting their animals and knowledge about the agricultural industry. The fair provides a platform to showcase these skills and hard work, while connecting with others who share an interest in cattle production.
Dairy
Dairy cattle are important for two main reasons: their contribution to our diet and their role in the agricultural economy. They provide us with milk, a rich source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients, supporting healthy bones and growth. Dairy products like cheese and yogurt are also staples in many diets. Economically, dairy farms create jobs, support businesses that supply feed and equipment, and contribute to rural communities.
Beef
Beef cattle are multi-talented marvels. They're a delicious source of essential nutrients like iron and vitamin B12. Perhaps even more impressive, they can efficiently convert grasses on land unsuitable for crops into nutritious beef. This not only creates a valuable food source but also strengthens rural economies by creating jobs in ranching and related industries.
Feeder Beef
Feeder cattle are the unsung heroes of the beef industry. These young calves, after being weaned from their mothers, become the bridge between ranch and feedlot. By efficiently converting feed into muscle, feeder cattle grow into the mature beef cattle that eventually reach our plates. They play a vital role in ensuring a steady supply of beef, while also creating economic opportunities for ranchers and feedlot operators.
YOUTH DAIRY
Dairy Superintendent: Jim Hawkins (616) 636-7011
Email: jchawkins7273@gmail.com
1. All other exhibitors are limited to three animals (dairy), with only one in a class.
2. All cattle will be identified by a RFID Tag and will follow State of Michigan rules.
3. For a junior or senior champion, there must be at least two animals shown in the junior or senior class. For a Grand Champion in a breed, there must be at least two animals in the breed.
4. In case of accident, disease, or injury (as determined by Dairy Superintendents and one other member of the Muskegon County Livestock Committee) dairy cattle of equal quality may be exchanged upon request of the club leader or parent and approval of the developmental committee. Two representatives of the committee must see both animals before committee approval will be given. The substitution must be recorded with the Superintendent before July 1 st .
5. Produce of dam must consist of two animals of any gender from the same dam. They can be shown by one or more club members provided the produce is offspring of an original club animal.
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6. In the Club Herd Class, three animals must be owned and shown by three different members of the same club.
7. The only bulls allowed are junior calves.
8. Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form must be submitted by March 1st to be eligible to register a dairy project.
9. Exhibitor must provide their own feed, hay, and straw for their dairy animals.
10. Awards are as follows: Showmanship Trophy plus 2-5 place ribbons. Unless otherwise specified 1-5 place ribbons. Breed champions are rosettes. Overall Champion Trophy and Reserve.
11. Dairy Registration deadline is June 15. Forms may be obtained from the fair website: www.muskegonfairgrounds.com
JR. BULL CALF March 1(Current Year) to May 31
JR. HEIFER CALF March 1(Current Year) to May 31
INTERMEDIATE HEIFER CALF Dec. 1(Previous Year) to Feb. 29 (current year)
SR. HEIFER CALF Sept. 1(Previous Year) to Nov. 30 (previous year)
SUMMER YEARLING June 1(Previous Year) to Aug 31 (previous year)
JR. YEARLING CALF March 1(Previous Year) to May 31 (previous year)
WINTER YEARLING Dec. 1 (Previous Year) to Feb. 29 (previous year)
SR. YEARLING HEIFER Sept. 1 (Previous Year) to Nov. 30 (previous year)
TWO YEAR OLD COW Sept. 1 to Aug 31
THREE YEAR OLD COW Sept. 1 to Aug 31
FOUR YEAR OLD COW Sept 1 to Aug 31
AGED COW Five years & older before Sept. 1
EXPLORER/MENTOR DAIRY PROJECT- This class is open to 5-6 year old children as an educational experience. They will participate in a non-competitive showmanship event. Explorers may exhibit on one livestock area under the guidance of a parent/adult or teen mentor age 13-19. Animals may be borrowed from a teen mentor, or may bring the animal from home for the day, or they my house them the whole week at fair if they so choose. No premiums will be paid. All Explorers will receive a participation ribbon.
SECTION 1: SHOWMANSHIP DAIRY
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY, ROSETTE, AND RESERVE ROSETTE
2001 EXPLORER 5-6
2002 SR. TEEN 15 & Older
2003 JR. TEEN 13-14
2004 PRE-TEEN 11-12 21
2005 NOVICE 7-10
GRAND CHAMPION; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION
SECTION 2: DAIRY CLASSES (ANY BREED)
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY, ROSETTE, AND RESERVE ROSETTE
2006 JR. BULL CALF
2007 JR. HEIFER CALF
2008 INTERMEDIATE HEIFER
2009 SR. HEIFER CALF
2010 SUMMER YEARLING
2011 JR. YEARLING HEIFER
2012 WINTER YEARLING
2013 SR. YEARLING HEIFER JR. BREED CHAMPION (Trophy)
2014 2 YEAR OLD COW
2015 3 YEAR OLD COW
2016 4 YEAR OLD COW
2017 AGED COW SR. BREED CHAMPION
(Trophy GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY PRODUCE OF DAM 2018 CLUB HERD
SECTION 3: PRODUCTION RECORDS CLASS
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
This class may be entered in addition to the regular classes for cows in milk. Records that qualify for awards will be announced in the show ring following the judging of each class. In order to qualify, each cow must have produced in not more than 305 days.
2019 Butterfat 500 #FAT
SECTION 4: MILK AND BUTTER
2020 MILK- Token product to be sold at auction
2021 BUTTER- Token product to be sold at auction
OPEN DAIRY
Dairy Superintendent: Jim Hawkins (616) 636-7011
Email: jchawkins7273@gmail.com
1.Entry Fee $3.00 per animal.
2. Awards – Ribbons 1 st -5 th placings.
3. For overall Grand Champion Dairy, there must be at least two breed champions.
4. Produce of dam must consist of two animals of any gender from the same dam.
5. The only bulls allowed are junior calves.
6. All Exhibitor Entry Forms for Open Class Dairy are due the day of the show.
JR. BULL CALF March 1(Current Year) to May 31
JR. HEIFER CALF March 1(Current Year) to May 31
INTERMEDIATE HEIFER CALF Dec. 1(Previous Year) to Feb. 29 (current year)
SR. HEIFER CALF Sept. 1(Previous Year) to Nov. 30 (previous year)
SUMMER YEARLING June 1(Previous Year) to Aug 31 (previous year)
JR. YEARLING CALF March 1(Previous Year) to May 31 (previous year)
WINTER YEARLING Dec. 1 (Previous Year) to Feb. 29 (previous year)
SR. YEARLING HEIFER Sept. 1 (Previous Year) to Nov. 30 (previous year)
TWO YEAR OLD COW Sept. 1 to Aug 31
THREE YEAR OLD COW Sept. 1 to Aug 31
FOUR YEAR OLD COW Sept 1 to Aug 31
AGED COW Five years & older before Sept. 1
SECTION 1: SHOWMANSHIP DAIRY
34001 EXPLORER 5-6 34002 SR. TEEN 15-19
34003 JR. TEEN 13-14 34004 PRE-TEEN 11-12
34005 NOVICE 7-10
SECTION 2: DAIRY CLASSES (ANY BREED)
34006 JR. BULL CALF 34007 JR. HEIFER CALF
34008 INTERMEDIATE HEIFER 34009 SR. HEIFER CALF
34010 SUMMER YEARLING 34011 JR. YEARLING HEIFER
34012 WINTER YEARLING 34013 SR. YEARLING HEIFER JR. BREED CHAMPION
34014 TWO YEAR OLD COW 34015 THREE YEAR OLD COW
34016 FOUR YEAR OLD COW 34017 AGED COW SR. BREED CHAMPION
1. Only one animal in the market class and two animals in the beef breeding (with one animal per class) are allowed for each member, with the exception of club herd, or three breeding animals if no market class is entered. All breeding cattle not previously registered with the Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form will be trailered in the day of the show, as no housing is available. The Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form is due March 1st.
2. For market beef registration, pictures of animal from front, back, and side must accompany the registration form. www.muskegonfairgrounds.com RFID number must be listed on the registration form.
3. A minimum age limit of 10 years old as of January 1 required to show a market steer. An exception can be made if the child shows on the show circuit/attends 3 superintendent approved clinics and can prove to the superintendents that they can handle their beef animal.
4. A date will be set by the superintendent for a mandatory weigh-in in either December or January.
5. All cattle will be identified by a RFID Tag and will follow State of Michigan rules.
6. First and second place animals in each class will show for Grand and Reserve Champion.
7. The judge may determine an animal unfit for sale.
8. In the club herd, three animals must be owned and shown by three different members of the same club.
9. In case of an accident, disease, or injury (as determined by a licensed veterinarian) beef cattle of equal quality may be exchanged upon request of the club leader or parent and approval of the rules committee. Two representatives of the committee must see both animals before committee approval will be given.
10. Beef Breeding: Substitutions must be recorded with the Superintendent by July 1 st .
11. Market Beef: Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form with pictures is due December 1st. All animals will be tagged at that time. Substitutions must be recorded with the Superintendent by July 1st .
12. Beef Registrations: Market Beef Registration paperwork is due December 1st and Beef Breeding Registration is due the 1st of May.
13. Youth at ALL times must be in control of their market steer and/or breeding cattle during fair week. Cattle will be evaluated Sunday night of weigh-in. If cattle are behaving in an uncontrollable and unsafe manner, a final evaluation will be made by members of the Livestock Committee after the last animal has been weighed in. If the animal has been deemed unsafe and not controllable by the youth, it will leave the fairgrounds SUNDAY NIGHT. The youth will not be allowed to show the animal in the Beef Show or sell the animal at the Livestock Auction.
14. All beef exhibitors must use appropriate show equipment: leather show halter, show stick and scotch comb. If equipment is not being used, youth exhibitor will be disqualified from the Beef Show and will not be allowed to auction their animal at the Livestock Auction.
15. ONCE ANIMALS HAVE BEEN WEIGHED RECORD BOOKS MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE EXHIBITOR CAN SHOW ANIMAL.
16. All stalls should be kept clean on a daily basis, with stalls cleaned and re-bedded as needed. Bedding will be provided by the Livestock Committee and charged to the exhibitors on a “per animal” basis. All market beef and feeder steers will be tied out in the rest area at night at 9:00 pm and brought back into the barn at 9:00 am. All feeding will be done outside in the tie-out area. All market steers should be fed and watered by 9:00 a.m. each morning they are at the fair. Any exceptions to this rule will be made by the Superintendent. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $10 fine per animal, per occurrence.
17. All beef should be tied in their stalls with rope halters; nylon or other halters will not be permitted. All beef must have neck ropes while tied in the stalls, in addition to rope halters.
18. Youth will be responsible at all times for the proper care and nutrition of their animals.
19. The minimum weight for finished Market beef is 1000 lbs. The minimum weight for Miniature Market Steers is 700 lbs.
20. BQA Certification is mandatory for ALL beef entries. (feeder beef and market beef included)
21. All fitting chutes must be placed inside the chain link fence, along the west side of the beef barn.
22. All exhibitors will wash and fit their own animals with the help of another exhibitor only.
23. NO PARENTS OR PROFESSIONAL FITTERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO HELP THE EXHIBITOR FIT THE ANIMAL.
24. Heifers will be allowed to show in both the feeder division and the market divisions. Steers and heifers will be shown together; no separate heifer class will be added.
EXPLORER/MENTOR BEEF PROJECT- This class is open to 8-9 year old children as an educational experience. They will participate in a non-competitive showmanship event. Explorers may exhibit one livestock area under the guidance of a parent/adult or teen mentor age 13-19. Animal may be borrowed from a teen mentor, or may bring animal from home for the day, but cannot be housed on the grounds unless authorized by the superintendent and stall pen fees paid. Ribbons will be awarded. No Premiums will be paid. All 8-9 year olds will receive a participation ribbon.
SECTION 1: BEEF SHOWMANSHIP
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY, ROSETTE, & RESERVE ROSETTE
3001 SR. TEEN 15 & Older 3002 JR. TEEN 13-14
3003 PRE-TEEN 11-12 3004 NOVICE
GRAND CHAMPION SHOWMANSHIP; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHOWMANSHIP
SECTION 2: BEEF BREEDING
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY RESERVE ROSETTE
3005 COW (3 YEARS & OLDER) 3006 COW (2 YEARS & OLDER)
3007 HEIFER (1 YEAR & UNDER 2 YEARS) 3008 HEIFER (6 MONTHS-1 YEAR)
3009 HEIFER CALF (2-6 MONTHS) 3010 BULL CALF (2-6 MONTHS)
BEEF BREEDING CHAMPION
3011 CLUB HERD
SECTION 3: MARKET BEEF
1-5 Place Ribbons, TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
3012 ALLWEIGHT
GRAND CHAMPION MARKET BEEF STEER RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION MARKET BEEF STEER
SECTION 4: MARKET DAIRY
1-5 Place Ribbons, TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
3013 ALL WEIGHT
GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY STEER RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY STEER
SECTION 5: MARKET BEEF – MINIATURE BREEDS
3014 ALL WEIGHT
SECTION 6: RATE OF GAIN
3015 RATE OF GAIN
All beef will be entered in rate of gain contest. Rate of gain will be an average daily gain (ADG) calculation. This is a measure of the steer’s daily growth rate. It is calculated by dividing the total weight gain by the number of days required to achieve the gain. Beginning and ending dates for the contest will be the first date of the December/January mandatory weigh-in and weigh-in on the Monday of the Muskegon County Fair. SECTION 7:
SECTION 7: MARKET BEEF RECORD BOOK
3016 MARKET BEEF RECORD BOOK
Youth showing a market beef must complete the Market Livestock Record Book. Livestock record books are due Tuesday morning by 10:00 a.m. to the Beef Superintendent.
The book may be obtained from the Fair website: www.muskegonfairgrounds.com. D
OPEN CLASS BEEF LIVESTOCK
Beef Superintendent: Matt Wert (616) 438-1804 email: mlwert76@aol.com
1. ENTRY FEE: $3.00 per animal
2. All beef cattle not previously registered with the Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form will be trailered in the day of the show, as no housing is available. The Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form is due March 1st.
3. All cattle will be identified by a RFID Tag and will follow State of Michigan rules.
4. ALL ENTRIES WILL BE PLACED
5. Awards – Ribbons 1 st -5 th placings
6. ENTRIES MUST BE COMPLETED BY 1:00 PM MONDAY PRIOR TO SHOW
SECTION 1: BEEF BREEDING
35001 COW (3 YEARS & OLDER) 35002 COW (2 YEARS & OLDER)
35003 HEIFER (1 YEAR & UNDER 2 YEARS) 35004 HEIFER (6 MONTHS-1 YEAR)
35005 HEIFER CALF (2-6 MONTHS) 35006 BULL CALF (2-6 MONTHS)
YOUTH BEEF
DIVISION 2 – FEEDER CATTLE Beef Superintendent:
Matt Wert (616)-438-1804
email: mlwert76@aol.com
1. There are no birthdate requirements for the feeder beef project. Maximum weight limit is 700 lbs. at weigh-in.
2. Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form must be submitted by March 1st to be eligible to register a beef project.
3. The dairy feeder beef project must be vaccinated by a 5-way vaccination.
4. Dairy feeders must be of one of the six main dairy breeds: Holstein, Jersey, Guernsey, Brown Swiss, Ayrshire or Milking Shorthorn. Both sire and dam must be of dairy origin. Dairy crossbreds will be permitted, but beef breed crossbreeding will be shown as a beef feeder steer and not as a dairy feeder steer.
5. Participants may show a total of (1) dairy feeder or (1) beef feeder project.
6. The dairy feeder beef project must have an RFID Tag.
7. Both steers and heifers will be allowed to show in the feeder division and will be shown together; no separate heifer class will be added.
8. It is recommended that the project be implanted, but not mandatory.
9. Steers must be dehorned and castrated by May 1st .
10. All stalls should be kept clean on a daily basis, with stalls cleaned and re-bedded as needed. Bedding will be provided by the Livestock Committee and charged to the exhibitors on a “per animal” basis. All market beef and feeder beef will be tied out in the rest area at night at 9:00 p.m. and brought back into the barn at 9:00 a.m. All feeding should be done outside in the tie-out area. All feeder beef should be fed and watered at 9:00 a.m. each morning they are at the fair. Any exceptions to this rule will be made by the Superintendent. Failure to comply with these rules will result in a $10 fine per animal, per occurrence.
11. All beef should be tied in their stalls with rope halters; nylon or other halters will not be permitted. All beef must have neck ropes while tied in the stalls, in addition to rope halters.
12. Youth will be responsible at all times for the proper care and nutrition of their animals.
EXPLORER/MENTOR BEEF PROJECT- This class is open to 5-6 year old exhibitors as an educational experience only. They will participate in a non-competitive showmanship event. Exhibitors may exhibit one livestock area under the guidance of a parent/adult or teen mentor age 13-19. Animal may be borrowed from a teen mentor, or may bring animal from home for the day, but cannot be housed on the grounds. Ribbons will be awarded. No Premiums will be paid.
SECTION 1: FEEDER BEEF SHOWMANSHIP 1-5 Place Ribbons;
TROPHY, ROSETTE, & RESERVE ROSETTE
3017 EXPLORER – 5-6 yrs. old 3018 SR. TEEN 15 & Older
3019 JR. TEEN 13-14 3020 PRE-TEEN 11-12
3021 NOVICE 7-10
GRAND CHAMPION SHOWMANSHIP; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHOWMANSHIP
SECTION 2: DAIRY FEEDER DIVISION
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
3022 ALL WEIGHT
GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY FEEDER STEER; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION DAIRY FEEDER STEER
SECTION 3: BEEF FEEDER DIVISION
1-5 Place Ribbons; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
3023 ALL WEIGHT
GRAND CHAMPION BEEF FEEDER STEER; RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BEEF FEEDER STEER
SECTION 4: FEEDER BEEF RECORD BOOK
3024 Youth showing a feeder steer must complete the Market Livestock Record Book. Livestock record books are due Tuesday morning by 10:00 a.m. to the Beef Superintendent.