08/20/2026
Proposed Livestock Rule Recommendations
1. Maximum Turkey Weight
Recommendation: Reduce the maximum allowable live weight for market turkeys from 38 lbs. to 30 lbs.
Oversized turkeys have repeatedly created processing and packaging issues. Birds exceeding appropriate processed weights may not fit properly in vacuum-seal bags, resulting in inadequate seals, freezer burn, food safety concerns, and reduced product quality.
A 30-lb. maximum live weight should result in an approximate processed weight of 25–27 lbs., better aligning with processor packaging capabilities and helping ensure buyers receive a safe, quality product.
Proposed Rule: Market turkeys shall not exceed 30 lbs. live weight.
2. Rabbits Remaining After Saturday Night
Recommendation: Enforce the existing Saturday-night removal deadline for all rabbits not designated for processing.
Non-market rabbits left in the barn create significant delays during processor load-out because volunteers must identify individual animals and verify ear tattoos. Any rabbit remaining after the required removal deadline should therefore be considered designated for processing.
Proposed Rule: All rabbits not intended for processing must be removed from the barn by the Saturday-night deadline stated in the Livestock Book. Any rabbit remaining after the deadline will be sent to the processor.
3. Side-Enclosed Canopies in Livestock Barns
Recommendation: Prohibit canopies with solid or enclosed sidewalls within livestock barn areas.
Enclosed canopies limit visibility and make it difficult for staff to monitor animal preparation and unauthorized assistance, including the use of professional fitters. Open canopies, mesh or see-through sides, and attached shade cloth may continue to be used for appropriate shade and animal comfort.
Proposed Rule: Canopies with solid or enclosed sidewalls are prohibited in livestock barn areas. Open canopies and approved see-through or shade materials are permitted.
4. Market Animal Sale Eligibility
Recommendation: Revise the current rule limiting participants to the sale of one small animal and one large animal to provide greater flexibility for exhibitors who may not have the space or opportunity to raise a large animal.
The existing limit of one large and one small animal would remain in place; however, exhibitors would have the alternative option of selling up to two small animals instead of one large and one small animal. This provides a more equitable opportunity for exhibitors while maintaining the two-animal sale limit.
Proposed Rule: An exhibitor may sell a maximum of two market animals, consisting of either one large animal and one small animal, or up to two small animals.
5. Alternate Leadsperson for 4-H Showmanship
Recommendation: Consider allowing an eligible 4-H member who is not the animal’s owner to participate as an alternate leadsperson in showmanship classes, provided the member demonstrates substantial involvement in the animal project.
Current ownership requirements can limit showmanship opportunities for youth who are unable to own or house livestock due to financial, space, transportation, zoning, or other practical limitations. This is particularly relevant for projects such as dairy cattle, where the cost and space required for ownership can create a significant barrier to participation.
Showmanship recognizes an exhibitor’s animal-handling skills, preparation, knowledge, and herdsmanship—not ownership or market value. Providing a pathway for actively involved 4-H members to participate could increase accessibility without affecting ownership-based, breeding, group, or market awards.
Proposed Rule: An active 4-H member of eligible age may participate in a showmanship class using an animal owned by another eligible exhibitor, provided the leadsperson has met established participation requirements and demonstrates significant involvement in the animal’s care, preparation, and project activities. Eligibility must be verified and signed by the member’s project leader prior to the fair.
The Livestock Committee may establish a minimum number of project hours, percentage of project/club meetings attended, or other measurable participation requirements to verify eligibility.
6. Exhibitors With Two Animals in the Same Weight Class
Recommendation: Clarify who may show a second animal when an exhibitor has two animals entered in the same weight class and establish when the registered exhibitor must resume showing their own animal.
When two animals owned by the same exhibitor are placed in the same class, a substitute exhibitor may be necessary. However, once the animals advance beyond that class, the registered exhibitor should be responsible for presenting their own animal.
Proposed Rule: When an exhibitor has two animals in the same weight class, the second animal may be shown by another eligible exhibitor within the corresponding age/program division (4-H, FFA, Grange, or Independent). If either animal advances to a final or champion drive, the registered exhibitor must show their own qualifying animal in all remaining classes unless an approved exception applies.
7. Show Ring Assistance
Recommendation: Establish a clear and consistent rule regarding assistance to exhibitors while presenting animals in the show ring.
Developing the ability to independently handle and present an animal is an important part of the livestock experience. Allowing assistance without established criteria can create inconsistencies and concerns regarding a fair and level playing field.
Proposed Rule: Exhibitors must independently show and present their registered animal while in the show ring. Ring assistance may be provided only when an exhibitor has a documented medical need, disability, or other accommodation approved in writing by the designated Fair official prior to entering the show ring. Unauthorized assistance may result in penalties up to and including disqualification, as determined by the applicable rules and Fair management.
8. Family Co-op Meat Bird Weigh-In and Substitutions
Recommendation: Clarify the weigh-in, tagging, and substitution procedures for meat birds raised as part of an approved family co-op, particularly meat turkeys.
When substitutions are permitted, the tagging procedure should allow the Fair to maintain accurate animal identification while ensuring each exhibitor remains within applicable entry and weight-class limitations.
Proposed Rule: For approved family co-op meat bird entries:
1. Poultry may be leg-tagged after inspection and immediately before weigh-in to accommodate permitted substitutions; or, when birds are tagged prior to weigh-in, a new leg tag must be issued and officially recorded for an approved substitute bird.
2. Any substitution must comply with the Fair's established substitution requirements and be documented at weigh-in.
3. When an approved substitution results in multiple family co-op birds falling within the same weight class, Fair officials may reassign eligible co-op birds/tags among the registered family co-op exhibitors as necessary, provided ownership/co-op requirements are met and each exhibitor is limited to one bird in the applicable class.
4. All tag changes and reassignments must be documented and approved by the designated livestock official before the animal enters competition.
9. Buyer Breakfast Exhibitor Solicitation
Recommendation: Establish clear expectations regarding exhibitor solicitation during the Buyers Breakfast.
The Buyers Breakfast should remain an opportunity to recognize and thank buyers rather than becoming a time for exhibitors to circulate among tables soliciting purchases. Exhibitors should be encouraged to make buyer contacts and deliver or mail buyer letters prior to the Fair.
Proposed Rule: Exhibitors may not circulate among tables during the Buyers Breakfast for the purpose of soliciting buyers or distributing buyer letters. Buyer letters and invitations should be mailed or personally delivered prior to the Fair.
10. Add-On Contributions
Recommendation: Eliminate percentage deductions from add-on contributions.
Add-ons are direct contributions made by supporters specifically for an exhibitor. The full amount of an add-on should therefore be credited to the designated exhibitor.
Proposed Rule: Add-on contributions shall be credited at 100% of the amount contributed, with no commission or percentage deducted from the exhibitor's add-on.
11. Auction-Day Buyer Payment & Livestock Office Efficiency
Recommendation: Review and improve the auction payment and livestock office system to reduce buyer wait times.
Buyers are encouraged to pay for their purchases immediately following the auction, but extended lines and waits of 45 minutes to an hour or more create an unnecessary inconvenience. Systems, staffing, equipment, and procedures should be tested in advance to ensure efficient checkout.
Proposed Procedure: Implement an auction checkout system capable of processing buyer payments efficiently on sale day. Consider additional staffing, improved technology, additional payment stations, or a qualified outside auction/payment service. The complete system should be tested prior to the Fair to identify and resolve potential issues.
12. Complete Buyer Statements
Recommendation: Provide buyers with detailed statements that clearly identify each livestock purchase.
The final statement or invoice mailed to a buyer should contain the same essential transaction information available at the auction so buyers can easily reconcile their purchases and records.
Proposed Procedure: Buyer statements should include, at minimum, the buyer number, sale order number, lot number, exhibitor name, animal weight, purchase price, and applicable add-ons, fees, or other transaction information.
13. Award & Rate of Gain Notification
Recommendation: Improve communication with club and chapter leaders regarding exhibitors receiving auction awards and Rate of Gain recognition.
Advance notification allows leaders to ensure award recipients are present and appropriately dressed to receive recognition. Timely Rate of Gain results also allow exhibitors to display their accomplishment in the barn prior to the auction, providing buyers with additional information about the animal and exhibitor.
Proposed Procedure: Club/chapter leaders should be notified as soon as practical when one of their exhibitors has earned an auction award or Rate of Gain recognition. Whenever possible, Rate of Gain results should be provided following weigh-in and before the auction so recognition can be displayed at the exhibitor's animal area.
14. Timely Exhibitor Payments & Add-On Reporting
Recommendation: Establish a defined timeline for issuing exhibitor checks and reporting add-on contributors.
Exhibitors may have outstanding feed, animal, and project expenses that depend upon timely sale proceeds. Delayed payments can therefore affect exhibitors, families, feed suppliers, breeders, and others involved in the project. Delayed add-on reporting also prevents exhibitors from promptly thanking the individuals and businesses supporting them.
Proposed Procedure: Establish and publish a target deadline for issuing exhibitor payments and providing a complete list of add-on contributors. Explore banking or financial partnerships, appropriate reserve/backing arrangements, or other financial processes that would allow exhibitor payments to be issued promptly while outstanding buyer accounts are collected.
Exhibitors should receive add-on contributor information as soon as practical following the auction so thank-you correspondence can be sent promptly.
15. Drug Residue Responsibility & Penalties
Recommendation: Establish a clear rule assigning responsibility and penalties when an animal carcass tests positive for prohibited drug residue.
Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring that all medications, treatments, and withdrawal periods are properly managed before an animal enters the food supply. A positive residue creates food safety concerns and may have financial and regulatory consequences for the Fair, processor, buyer, and exhibitor.
Proposed Rule: Any carcass found to contain a prohibited drug residue shall be the sole responsibility of the registered exhibitor. The exhibitor will be assessed a $500 fine, for-fit the monies raised through the auction and will be ineligible to participate in the Calaveras County Fair Junior Livestock Show for two (2) years.
16. Parent/Guardian YQCA Requirement
Recommendation: Require a parent or legal guardian of each Junior Livestock Exhibitor to complete the applicable Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) parent/guardian education course.
Requiring parent or guardian participation reinforces the shared responsibility for animal care, medication management, withdrawal periods, food safety, and ethical livestock practices—particularly when adults are assisting youth with their livestock projects.
Proposed Rule: At least one parent or legal guardian of every Junior Livestock Exhibitor shall complete the designated YQCA parent/guardian course by the Fair's established deadline. Proof of completion must be submitted as required for the exhibitor to remain eligible to participate in the Junior Livestock Show.
