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Dairy Cattle

DAIRY CATTLE SHOW

Superintendent: Adam Thompson

865-661-2317

Dairy Advisory Committee: Kerri DeBusk and Robert Scarlett

Registration begins August 1 and ends September 4

Lactating Dairy Cattle residing within Tennessee and moving to an exhibition, show or sale within Tennessee (intrastate movement) do NOT require pre-movement testing.

Lactating Dairy Cattle (LDC) coming into Tennessee from other states will need to be tested according to federal and state orders. It is recommended that any person bringing LDC to a show or fair NOT share milking equipment between cattle and farms without cleaning and disinfection. It is also recommended that owners of LDC NOT share halters, grooming tools, buckets, etc. between cattle and other livestock.

Special Rules

1. Applications for entry must be made online accompanied by a fee of $15.00 per head. Entries can be completed at the Tennessee Valley Fair website: www.tnvalleyfair.org. Entries may be submitted online beginning August 1, 2026.

2. All exhibitors must purchase an Exhibitor Armband for $15.00, which must be included with registration. An Exhibitor armband consists of 5 day admission and parking.

3. When entries exceed stall capabilities, animals will be accepted according to the date entries are received or date postmarked, whichever is first. Stall assignments will be made as applications, accompanied by the required fees, are received. * Fore reference, there will be three (3) entries per panel when stall assignments are made.

4. If you need additional space for supplies, hay, fans, camping, chairs, etc., you may purchase a 12ft wide panel/stall for $40.00. This fee must be paid upon registration, is non-refundable, and will be assigned at the Superintendent's discretion at check-in. Nor more than 3 panels per registered Farm.

5. Application for entry where the age determines the lot or lots for which the animal is eligible, must give exact date of birth.

6. All applications for entry of cattle in individual lots must be accompanied by the animal’s full registered name, registry number, exact date of birth, breed, sex, sire/dam information and breeder information. Animals composing a competitive herd or group must have been shown in one of the individual lots.

7. The pedigrees of all animals entered must be recorded in the recognized herd book for the breed, and animals shall be recorded in the name of the exhibitor. Certificates of registration must be available. Animals that cannot be identified by tattoo or color markings shall not be eligible to be shown.

8. No more than 2 changes per exhibitors, and you must notify Superintendent immediately with any deletions or additions. Superintendent has executive decision on and over all circumstances.

9. Exhibitors of livestock must inform themselves when their stock will be judged, and stock must be in the show ring and in line promptly after being called. Stock not in the ring on time may be ruled out from competing.

10. 4-H and FFA animals shown by members of the same family may be shown in the groups, provided they are shown in their respective classes.

11. Animals belonging to a recognized partnership may be recorded on the registration certificates in the name of the partnership or in the name of either of the individual partners, provided all animals shown come from the same herd. This rule applies only to group classes.

12. Exhibitor is defined as the owner recorded on the registration certificate. For the Breeders’ Herd Lot and for the Premier Exhibitor’s Lot the definition will be interpreted to include the exhibitor and current or former 4-H or FFA projects that are maintained on the exhibitor’s dairy. The breeder is defined as the breeder recorded on the registration certificate. For the Breeder’s Herd and the Premier Breeder lots the interpretation will be that “bred by” animals must possess the same prefix or have the same individual(s) listed as breeder.

13. Premier Exhibitor’s Award - The exhibitor winning the most points not to exceed six animals owned and exhibited by himself in the open single lots shall be designated the Premier Exhibitor. The scale of points will be the same as that for determining Premier Breeder.

14. Premier Breeder’s Award - The breeder winning the most points not to exceed six animals in the open single lots, exhibited by himself and/or other exhibitors shall be designated the Premier Breeder.

The point system for determining Premier Breeder is as follows:

Placings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Points—Senior Females 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2

Points—Junior Females 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Open Registration: August 1st, 2026

Entry Deadline: September 4, 2026

14. AOB consists of all other breeds with the exception of red and white Holsteins, which will show in the Holstein Class.

15. Dry Cow Class - Must have calved at least once.

16. Animals will only be released in the order of distance traveled, and will be made at the Superintendent's discretion.

17. National Dairy rules shall govern, so far as practical, cases not covered in the rules of this show.

18. Cows, 42 months old or older, to be eligible to show, must have produced a calf carried to maturity within 18 months preceding the show.

Affidavits must be filed at time entries are made substantiating the above facts and giving date of birth of last calf produced.

19. Each superintendent must check the health and registration papers for each exhibitor.

20. Dumping of milk into drains or on the grounds is not allowed. Sale of milk is prohibited.

The Tennessee Valley Fair provides a Milking Facility to exhibitors in the Cattle Barn. This facility is used at your own risk.

The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association

SHOW RING CODE OF ETHICS

History: Adopted by PDCA in March 1969;

Revised March 1971; February 1977, 1981, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1993;

November 1995; April 2003; April 2004; May 2015

About PDCA

The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, Inc. is a federation of the national dairy breed registry associations serving breeders and owners of Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn and Red and White dairy cattle. PDCA and its member organizations promote the added value and profitability registered dairy cattle offer all dairy business owners.

PDCA endorses this Show Ring Code of Ethics for all dairy breed shows and pledges its full cooperative support for its enforcement to show management, show judges, and the national breed associations.

The application of this Code of Ethics provides for absolute responsibility for an animal’s condition by an owner, exhibitor, fitter or participant whether or not he or she was actually instrumental in or had actual knowledge of the treatment of the animal in contravention of this Code of Ethics. Dairy cattle exhibitors shall at all times deport themselves with honesty and good sportsmanship.

It is recognized that there are certain practices in the proper care and management of dairy cattle that are necessary in the course of moving dairy cattle to and between shows that are advisable to keep them in a sound, healthy state so they might be presented in the show ring in a natural, normal condition. At all times, exhibition livestock shall be treated in a humane manner and in accordance with dairy quality assurance practices so as to protect the health, safety and welfare of the livestock and the consuming public. No person shall present for exhibition or exhibit an animal which he or she knows, or has reason to suspect, is affected with or has been exposed to a dangerously contagious or infectious disease, disease, or illegal or non-approved use of drugs, medication and/or prohibited substance, or residue.

The position of the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association is that all animals presented for exhibition shall be in their natural conformation and structure, free of any alteration or modification by injection or internal or external administration of any substance or by any involvement in unethical fitting.

Grooming and Preparation

Dairy cattle exhibitions are conducted under standards for evaluating conformation established by the PDCA Unified Score Card (2009), with specific breed characteristics taken into consideration by the show judge. In this connection, animals will be groomed and prepared for the judge’s evaluation in order to display the animal’s natural contour, conformation, performance and mobility. Specifically:

1. Changing the natural color of the animal is prohibited (effective 6/1/2015). However, external applications of cosmetics that affect only appearance may be used, including by way of example hoof polishes and false switches.

2. The maximum allowable length of naturally growing hair anywhere on the topline is not to exceed 1”. Exhibitors will be required to comply with this rule before the animal is allowed to enter the ring.

3. Addition of foreign objects, including but not limited to hair or hair substitutes, cloth or fiber, to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body is prohibited.

4. Externally sealing the teat end with a preparation that does not harm the animal’s skin is permissible. Natural teat placement will be given preference over artificially positioned teats.

Violations: False, Deceptive or Unacceptable Practices

These practices are violations of the Code of Ethics and will be reported to show management and may be reported to the respective national breed associations:

1. Misrepresenting the age and/or milking status of the animal for the class in which it is shown.

2. Treating the animal, particularly the udder, internally or externally:

a. with an irritant or counterirritant,

b. using a device to artificially create or enhance the udder crease,

c. using other substances as detected by testing that causes changes in the udder to artificially improve the conformation.

d. plugging of teat canal with foreign substances.

3. Surgical or unethical insertion of any matter under the skin or into body cavities, performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body (e.g., administration of fluid via a stomach tube or other similar apparatus to fill the rumen), though not to preclude practices required or involved in normal management.

4. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors while in the show ring or other conduct detrimental to the breed or the show.

5. Challenging, threatening or interfering with an ethics committee appointed by show management to monitor the animals on exhibit on the show grounds.

Exhibitor Responsibility

The act of entering an animal in a livestock show is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter and/or absolutely responsible person

(hereinafter referred to as “Exhibitor”) for show management to obtain any specimens of urine, saliva, blood, milk, or other substances from the animal to be used in testing. Materials may also be collected by ultrasound and photographic methods and by direct examination of animal.

The act of entering an animal is the giving of consent by the owner, exhibitor, fitter and/or absolutely responsible person (the “Exhibitor”) to have disciplinary action for violation of this Show Ring Code of Ethics taken by show management, the state in which the show occurs, and/or the national dairy breed association without recourse.

Violations: Reporting and Investigation: Complaints of alleged violations can be reported to the Show Superintendent.

Before An Animal is Shown

If the Show Superintendent suspects that a violation of the Show Ring Code of Ethics will occur if the animal is shown, and that violation is

reasonably well established before the animal is shown, the Show Superintendent will submit a report to the Executive Director.

Show Superintendent will discuss the violation with the Exhibitor:

1. If, at the Exhibitor’s discretion, the animal in question is not shown, no violation will have occurred.

2. If the Exhibitor wishes to challenge that a violation occurred, he/she/they will have opportunity to appeal to an Ethics Committee. If its decision is not changed, the Exhibitor will be denied opportunity to exhibit the animal in question.

During and After An Animal is Shown

All animals are subject to examination during judging. The judge and Show Superintendent are instructed to examine the top five (5) animals in each class closely for violations of the Show Ring Code of Ethics. When a violation may have occurred, a milkout may be called for. This call may be by breed association rule, or by request of an authorized representative of the national breed association, the Judge, or Show Superintendent.

If an animal is exhibited and a violation of the Show Ring Code of Ethics is subsequently suspected, investigated, and determined to have occurred, the violation will be reported to the Show Superintendent for action. The Exhibitor will be notified of the violation and the supporting evidence and invited to defend or explain the allegations.

Violations are subject to the disciplinary provisions of Show Superintendent, Executive Director, state in which the show occurs, and the national dairy breed association. Sanctions may include any one, or combination of the following:

· forfeiture or return of awards, prizes, premiums or proceeds;

· written letter of reprimand to the owner, exhibitor, fitter and/or absolutely responsible person (the “Exhibitor”);

· disqualification of the exhibition livestock from an exhibition;

· disqualification of the Exhibitor from the show;

· publication of offense.

Disqualification may include any or all shows and classes and may be for any number of years.

Class A - Holstein

Class B - Jersey

Class C - Guernsey

Class D - Brown Swiss

Class E - All other breeds

All classes and lots to be judged

Sunday, September 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Animals are not allowed in the barns until 12:00 p.m., Thursday,

September 10. All animals will be released Sunday,

September 13 at the discretion of the Show Superintendent and must vacate the barns by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14.

Open Premiums for Classes A - E

Schedule A

1st - $55.00 2nd - $50.00 3rd - $45.00

4th - $40.00 5th - $35.00

6th thru 10th - $25.00

Schedule B

1st - $70.00 2nd - $60.00 3rd - $50.00

4th - $40.00 5th - $35.00

Lot

01 - Spring Heifer Calf - born on or after Mar. 1, 2026______A

02 - Winter Heifer Calf - born Dec. 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026__A

03 - Fall Heifer Calf - born Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2025________A

04 - Summer Yearling Heifer - born Jun. 1 - Aug. 31, 2025___A

05 - Spring Yearling Heifers - born Mar. 1 - May 31, 2025___A

06 - Winter Yearling Heifer - born Dec. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 25_A

07 - Fall Yearling Heifer - born Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2024______A

08 - Junior Champion Female_______________Rosette $60

09 - Reserve Junior Champion Female________Rosette $35

10 - * Milking Fall Yearling - Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2024________B 11 - *Junior Two Year Old Cows - March 1 - Aug. 31, 2024__ B

_________________________________________________12 - *Senior Two Year Old Cows - Sept. 1, 2023 -

Feb. 29, 2024_________________________________B

13 - *Junior Three Year Old Cow - Mar. 1 - Aug. 31, 2023___B

14 - *Senior Three Year Old Cows - Sept. 1, 22 - Feb. 28, 23__B

15 - *Four Year Old Cows - Born Sept. 1, 2021 - Aug. 31, 2022________________________________________________B

16 - *Five Year Old Cows - Born Sept. 1, 2020 - Aug. 31, 2021________________________________________________B

17 - *Aged Cows 6 years & Over - Born before Sept. 1, 2020_________________________________________________ B

18 - Dry Cow Class - Born before March 1, 2024__________B

19 - Senior Champion Female______________Rosette $60

20 - Reserve Senior Champion Female_______Rosette $35

21 - Grand Champion Female______________Banner $100

22 - Reserve Grand Champion Female_______Banner $50

23 - Breeders’ Herd* of Five Females - This group, all owned by the exhibitor, consists of two (2) females over 2 years of age that have freshened, two (2) females under 2 years of age, and one any age. Three must be bred by the exhibitor. This group replaces all of the former group classes. NOTE: 1) Each Farm limited to one entry. 2) Registration papers will be checked in ring before the class is placed.

____________________________________$200, $150, $100

24 - Premier Exhibitor_____________________________$75 25 - Premier Breeder (See rules 11)__________________$75

Class G - Supreme Champion

Dairy Classes

The Supreme Champion Dairy Classes will be selected from the Grand Champions and Jr. Champions from the breeds shown in the open dairy show.

These classes will be judged after the completion of the dairy breed show by the judges from the breed shows.

Prize money for these classes is in addition to the prize money awarded in the individual breed shows. Animals must participate in the Supreme Show to receive prize money and awards.

Lot Rosettes and Banners will be awarded for Lots 1 & 2.

01 - Supreme Champion Junior Female__________$300.00

02 - Reserve Supreme Junior Champion_________$150.00

03 - Supreme Champion Female________________$750.00

04 - Reserve Supreme Female Champion________ $500.00

The Scarlett Memorial award

The Scarlett Memorial Award will be awarded to the Supreme Champion Female of the Open Dairy Show. This award is is made available by the friends of Neal, Ollie Frances, Sam and Bobbie Scarlett. The Scarlett Family have supported the Tennessee Valley Fair and the Tennessee Dairy industry for many decades.

OPEN JR. DAIRY SHOW

Open Junior Dairy Show - Age Qualifications: Anyone who can exhibit their animal without any assistance, and have not reached 22 years of age by the day of the show. All Juniors that are non-eastern Juniors should note the rules concerning ownership, transfer policy, and age requirements. All exhibitors in the Junior Show must adhere to the National Junior Show Rules.

General Rules and Registrations for The Open Junior Dairy Show

1. Entries may be submitted online beginning August 1, 2026 by visiting the Tennessee Valley Fair’s website. There is no entry fee for the Junior Dairy Show. Junior Exhibitor, vehicle and a parent/guardian will be admitted to the Fairground at no charge. Entries deadline: September 4, 2026

2. All animals entered in the Junior Dairy Show must be registered in the name of the Junior Exhibitor or transferred to the boy or girl in whose name the entry is made before August 1, prior to the show. Registration papers or transfer certificates and health certificate, properly executed, must be presented to the Director of the Show when cattle arrive at the Fairgrounds, or before the time of judging. Registered Owners on the fairgrounds are expected to show their own Junior entry in class. In cases where a substitute is needed to show an animal, any other Junior Exhibitor may show another Exhibitor's animal. The substitute MUST be the same age or younger than the registered Exhibitor and MUST already be another registered Junior Exhibitor.

3. Additional stall space (12ft. panels) for hay, camping, equipment, etc., may be purchased for $40.00.

4. Exhibitors are allowed to enter no more than two animals in any one lot.

5. All cattle to be exhibited in the Junior Division must conform to health rules and regulations as outlined and required by the Division of Animal Disease Control. See TN Department of Agriculture-Regulatory Services-Animal Health guidelines.

6. Judging will take place Sunday, September 13 starting at 10:00 a.m.

7. Animals may begin to arrive Thursday, September 10 at 12:00 p.m.

9. Classes will be provided for those breeds that have at least 10 entries. Those breeds entered that do not have 10 entries will be shown in the “All Other Breeds” class.

Class A - Holstein

Class B - Jersey

Class C - Guernsey

Class D - Brown Swiss

Class E - All other breeds

Class F - Showmanship

All classes and lots to be judged Sunday, September 13 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Animals are not allowed in the barns until 12:00 p.m., Thursday, September 10. Animals will be released Sunday, September 13 after all shows conclude.

Junior Premiums for Classes A - E

Schedule - A

1st - $40.00 2nd - $35.00 3rd - $30.00 4th - $25.00 5th - 10th - $20.00

Schedule - B

1st - $60.00 2nd - $50.00 3rd - $40.00 4th - $30.00 5th - $25.00

Lot

01 - Spring Heifer Calf - born on or after Mar 1, 2026_______A

02 - Winter Heifer Calf - born Dec 1, 2025 - Feb. 28, 2026___A

03 - Fall Heifer Calf - born Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2025_________A

04 - Summer Yearling Heifer - born Jun. 1 - Aug. 31, 2025___A

05 - Spring Yearling Heifer - born Mar. 1 - May 31, 2025____A

06 - Winter Yearling Heifer - born Dec. 1, 2024 - Feb. 28, 2025___A

07 - Fall Yearling Heifer - born Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2024_____A

08 - Junior Champion Female_______________________$55

09 - Reserve Junior Champion Female________________$30

10 - *Milking Fall Yearling - Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2024_________B 11 - *Junior Two Year Old Cows - March 1 - Aug. 31, 2024___B

12 - *Senior Two Year Old Cows - Sept. 1, 2023 - Feb. 29, 2024 ________________________________________________B

13 - *Junior Three Year Old Cow - Mar. 1 - Aug. 31, 2023___B

14 - *Senior Three Year Old Cows - Sept. 1, 2022 - Feb. 28, 2023___________________________________B

15 - *Four Year Old Cows - Born Sept. 1, 2021 - Aug. 31, 2022 ________________________________________________B

16 - *Five Year Old Cows - Born Sept. 1, 2020 - Aug. 31, 2021 ________________________________________________B

17 - *Aged Cows 6 years & Over - Born before Sept. 1, 2020 _______________________________________________ B

18 - Dry Cow Class - Born before March 1, 2024__________B

19 - Senior Champion Female_______________________$55 20 - Reserve Senior Champion Female________________$30

21 - Grand Champion Female_______________________$75 22 - Reserve Grand Champion Female________________$50

Class F - Showmanship

Open to All Junior Exhibitors -

Must use Grade entered as of January 1st, 2026

01 - Pee Wee - Exhibitor must be old enough to show animal without assistance_______________________$50, $30, $20

02 - Junior Level - 4th, 5th, and 6th Grades___$50, $30, $20

03 - Jr. High Level- 7th, 8th, and 9th Grades__$50, $30, $20

04 - Sr. Level - 10th, 11th, and 12th Grades___$50 $30, $20 05 - Post High School - 21 or less___________$50, $30, $20

Little Dairymen Contest