Sheep
Showing sheep at the county fair isn't just about winning ribbons. It's a chance for young shepherds to develop responsibility and showcase their knowledge of these valuable animals. Sheep are a cornerstone of the agricultural industry, providing us with wool for clothing and bedding, delicious lamb and mutton for our tables, and even sheepskins for warmth. Through daily care, feeding, grooming, showmanship and training, young exhibitors gain confidence while learning the importance of sheep in our agricultural world. The county fair becomes a platform to celebrate this dedication and connect with a community passionate about raising sheep.
YOUTH SHEEP
Sheep Superintendent:
Kayla Schaefer (616) 272-8561
Email Address: kaylaschaefer2011@gmail.com
1. All exhibitors must show in showmanship class. All exhibitors must show without help from any leader or adult. Only ONE market sheep may be shown per exhibitor and it may be a ewe or whether.
2. All sheep must be sheered within 30 days of the Fair.
3. Market sheep must be shown in both showmanship and market classes to be eligible for auction. Market sheep must be judged as market quality to be eligible for the sale.
4. Market sheep must weigh 80 lbs. and over to be eligible for the sale (with the exception of exotic breeds).
5. In case of an accident, disease, or injury (as certified by a licensed veterinarian) sheep of equality may be exchanged upon request of the club leader or parent and approval by the livestock rules committee. Two representatives of the rules committee must see both animals before approval will be given. Substitutions must be recorded with the Superintendent by July 1st .
6. Club flock consists of three sheep owned and shown by three different members of the same club. A minimum limit of 2 clubs for club flock class is required, in order to hold the class.
7. Market sheep showman must have completed a record book turned in at weigh in.
8. No intact rams are allowed to be housed at fair; they may be trailered in for the day, but then need to go home.
9. Stall/Pen Reservation Fee form must be submitted by March 1st to be eligible to register a sheep.
10. All sheep must have an official USDA scrapie I.D. Tag in ear. Your scrapie tag number (premise and individual number) must be completed on all entry forms to enter fairgrounds.
11. There is a mandatory weigh-in before the Fair and the official Muskegon County Fair tag will be inserted in ear of the market lamb at weigh in. (For market lambs only.)
12. Breed divisions will be categorized according to weight class.
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13. Youth will be allowed to show and sell one commercial lamb and one exotic lamb. This will also require that all the showmanship and market classes be separate based on type of sheep.
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14. An Ultimate Sheep Showman class will be held to determine which exhibitor will be eligible for the Showman of Showmen event.
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15. Exotic lambs will be sold on the hoof, not by weight.
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16. Exotic lambs are not required to be sheared prior to fair unless the exhibitor feels that it is necessary.
EXPLORER/MENTOR SHEEP PROJECT- The sheep Explorer class is open to 5-6 year old youth as an educational experience. They will participate in a non-competitive showmanship event and participation ribbons will be awarded, but no premiums will be paid. Explorers may exhibit only one sheep under the guidance of a parent/adult or teen mentor age 13-19. The Explorer may borrow a sheep project by teen mentor or they may trailer in their sheep project from home for the day of the show. Explorers also have to meet all other health requirements to be able to bring their sheep project.
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SECTION 1: COMMERCIAL SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
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5001 EXPLORER 5-6 5002 SR. TEEN 15 & Older
5003 JR. TEEN 13-14 5004 PRE-TEEN 11-12
5005 NOVICE 7-10
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GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP
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SECTION 2: EXOTIC SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RESERVE ROSETTE
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5006 EXPLORER 5-6 5007 SR. TEEN 15 & Older
5008 JR. TEEN 13-14 5009 PRE-TEEN 11-12
5010 NOVICE 7-10
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GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION SHEEP SHOWMANSHIP
SECTION 3: COMMERCIAL MARKET SHEEP
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RES. ROSETTE
​5011 CHAMPION LIGHT WEIGHT
5012 CHAMPION MEDIUM WEIGHT
5013 CHAMPION HEAVY WEIGHT
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GRAND CHAMPION MARKET SHEEP RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION MARKET SHEEP
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SECTION 4: EXOTIC MARKET SHEEP
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS; TROPHY, ROSETTE, RES. ROSETTE
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5014 CHAMPION LIGHT WEIGHT
5015 CHAMPION MEDIUM WEIGHT
5016 CHAMPION HEAVY WEIGHT
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GRAND CHAMPION MARKET SHEEP RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION MARKET SHEEP
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SECTION 5: COMMERCIAL MEAT BREEDING STOCK TROPHY
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
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5017 EWE LAMB 5018 RAM LAMB
5019 YEARLING EWE 5020 YEARLING RAM
5021 AGED EWE 5022 AGED RAM/CHAMPION EWE STOCK CHAMPION RAM STOCK
CHAMPION EWE STOCK - COMMERCIAL
CHAMPION RAM STOCK - COMMERCIAL
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SECTION 6: EXOTIC BREEDING STOCK - MEAT
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
5023 EWE LAMB 5024 RAM LAMB
5025 YEARLING EWE 5026 YEARLING RAM
5027 AGED EWE 5028 AGED RAM
CHAMPION EWE STOCK - EXOTIC
CHAMPION RAM STOCK – EXOTIC
SUPER EWE BREEDING STOCK
SUPER RAM BREEDING STOCK
SECTION 7: WOOL BREEDING STOCK
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
5029 EWE LAMB 5030 RAM LAMB
5031 YEARLING EWE 5032 YEARLING RAM
5033 AGED EWE 5034 AGED RAM
CHAMPION EWE STOCK
CHAMPION RAM STOCK
SECTION 8: WOOL CLASS
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
5035 BUNDLE WOOL – WHITE WOOL
5036 BUNDLE WOOL-COLOR WOOL
SECTION 9: PROJECT RECORD BOOK
5037 MARKET SHEEP RECORD BOOK
5038 EXOTIC SHEEP RECORD BOOK
SECTION 10: COSTUME CLASS
1-5 PLACE RIBBONS
5039 AGES 7-12
5040 AGES 13-19
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OPEN SHEEP CLASS
Sheep Superintendent: Kayla Schaefer (616) 272-8561 Email Address: kaylaschaefer2011@gmail.com
1. Entry Fee $3.00 Per Animal BREEDING CLASS ONLY
2. Awards – Ribbons 1st -5 th placings
3. Supreme Champion Overall- Ribbon
4. All Sheep must be bona fide property of the exhibitor at the time of making entry.
5. All sheep must have an official USDA Scrapie tag in ear.
6. All sheep entered must follow official fair guidelines stated in fair book.
7. All sheep must be sheered prior to competition.
8. Exhibitor entry form must be completed and turned in to the Superintendent by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday of the fair week.
9. All sheep must be trailered in the day of show-no housing available.
10. Limit 4 entries per class.
SHEEP CLASSES- BREEDING ONLY
36001 EWE LAMB 36002 RAM LAMB
36003 YEARLING EWE 36004 YEARLING RAM
36005 AGED EWE 36006 AGED RAM
36007 FLOCK- (consists of one ram, one aged ewe; one yearling and one ewe lamb)