2004 State Fair of Virginia Youth Sheep Show

Livestock Update, June 2004

Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Sheep, VA Tech

Market Lamb & Commercial Ewe Lamb Nomination Schedule
Locations for identification and weighing of market lambs and commercial ewe lambs for the 2004 Virginia State Fair Youth Sheep Show have been set. Nominations will take place at various locations around the state between July 17 and July 26. All youth who plan to exhibit market lambs and/or commercial ewe lambs at the 2004 Virginia State Fair are required to weigh and identify their lambs at one of the following sites:

Date & Time	Location (for directions to a nomination site, please call the contact person listed)
Shenandoah Valley/Northern Virginia- Contact Person: Corey Childs, (703) 777-0373, cchilds@vt.edu
Saturday, July 17 9:00 ­ 11:00 a.m.	Rockingham Livestock Market Harrisonburg, VA
Monday, July 19 6:00 ­ 8:30 p.m.	Clarke County Fairgrounds Berryville, VA
Monday, July 26 4:00 ­ 7:00 p.m.	Shenandoah Valley Ag Research & Extension Center Steeles Tavern, VA
Central Virginia- Contact Person: Brad Jarvis, (540) 948-6881, bjarvis@vt.edu
Monday, July 26 11:00 a.m. ­ 12:00 noon	Young Farmers Grounds Madison, VA
Southwest Virginia- Contact Person: Matthew Miller, (276) 728-7611, mamille6@vt.edu
Saturday, July 17 9:00 a.m. ­ 12:00 noon.	New River Valley Fairgrounds Dublin, VA
Monday, July 19 1:00 ­ 4:00 p.m.	Graystone Farm Wytheville, VA
Tuesday, July 20 1:00 ­ 4:00 p.m..	Abingdon 4H Center Abingdon, VA
Tidewater Region- Contact Person: Cynthia Gregg, (434) 848-2151, clgregg@vt.edu
Wednesday, July 21 7:30 ­ 9:30 p.m.	Virginia Tech Tidewater Center Research Farm near Holland, VA

Nomination procedures:

1. Lambs will be weighed, tagged, and tattooed. Nomination forms will be completed by exhibitors.
2. Exhibitors may take lambs to any nomination location. However, exhibitors must take all of their lambs to the same location.
3. A maximum of 12 lambs may be nominated per exhibitor. These lambs may be wethers or ewes, to be shown as either market lambs or commercial ewe lambs (no designation required at time of nomination). A maximum of 6 total market lambs and commercial ewes may be shown at State Fair.
4. It is suggested that lambs weigh between 70 and 100 pounds at the time of nomination (there is not a minimum or maximum weight limit at nomination). Minimum weight of 90 pounds at State Fair.
5. Market lambs and commercial ewe lambs must also be entered to be shown at the State Fair. Entries are due August 15. Weighing and identification at these locations does not constitute final entry for State Fair. Virginia State Fair entry forms and competition guides may be accessed on-line at www.statefair.com.

Rule Changes for 2004

• The market lamb show will be terminal for the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion lambs as well as all Division Champion and all Reserve Division Champion lambs. These lambs will be required to go to slaughter and participate in the carcass contest. Accordingly, these lambs will qualify for the State Fair Scholarship Program and exhibitors of these lambs will be eligible to receive more than one scholarship should they show more than one of these qualifying lambs.
• The maximum number of commercial ewe lambs that can be shown has increased to 3. However, and exhibitor is still limited to a total of 6 lambs in the market lamb and commercial ewe shows (maximum of 4 market lambs and maximum of 3 commercial ewes, total not to exceed 6 lambs).
• Major changes adopted last year will remain in effect this year, including: market lambs will show by breed type, there will not be market lamb pair classes, AOB division for registered breeding sheep, more age categories for showmanship, county groups competition, and detailed rules related to acceptable fitting practices.

For further information concerning the State Fair of Virginia Youth Sheep Show contact Dr. Scott Greiner, Virginia Tech, phone 540-231-9159, email sgreiner@vt.edu

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