Livestock
Saturday, JUNE 27, 2026, 8:15 a.m.
We encourage all businesses to support the efforts of the local 4-H’ers. Any individual or business can be a buyer at the auction. Any person wanting to know more about buying at the Livestock Auction, including Friends of 4-H, contact the 4-H Fair office during the 4-H Fair week, phone 812-372-6133. Register the day of the sale or contact the Livestock Sale chairman, Becky Speaker at 812-350-1526, Lisa Coombs at 812-350-8738, Jen Dettmer at 812-343-6184 or Jason Harper at 812-603-0349. A Buyers Breakfast will be held in the Pavilion starting at 7:30 a.m. The Livestock Auction Committee will manage multiple buyers per animal up to three buyers. If more than three buyers purchase an animal, either a buyer or the family must coordinate the payment process. As in 2025, all species will sell as a “Premium Only”, with the appraisal only being charged to the buyer if the buyer wants to take the animal home or to be sent to the meat locker. (This includes donations to Love Chapel or other.)
All steers, barrows, fat lambs, goats, rabbits and poultry must be declared by 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 24. You need to fill out the Auction Declaration Form and place it in the locked box labeled “Auction” outside the Pavilion office. Animals that have not been declared by deadline will not be consigned to the 2026 Livestock Auction. This can be done at specie weigh-in or at the Fair Office at posted times. Exceptions will be made in case of a 4-H Grand Champion. A member may withdraw their sale entry before 8 a.m. on the sale day. For more details regarding the 4-H’er’s responsibilities, please review the 2026 4-H Family Handbook.
A base price will be established for each steer and for various weights of barrows and lambs. This price will become the first bid in the sale. Each steer, barrow, fat lamb and goat will be sold at entry weight. Minimum weight to be eligible for sale is 800 lbs for mini Herefords, 1000 lbs. for all other beef steers, 90 lbs. for fat lambs, 225 lbs. for barrows, 40 lbs. for market goat wethers and 3.5 lbs. for rabbits and poultry. For dairy steers, the minimum weight is dependent on the breed in order to meet market standards: Jersey – 1000 lbs., Guernsey, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss & Holstein – 1100 lbs.
No exceptions for minimum weight will be made. All animals will come to the scales clean when being weighed-in or will not be allowed to weigh-in until they are clean. Only underweight animals may be reweighed once during specie weigh-in. The only exception is for a question of the accuracy of the scales. Then the animal must be reweighed immediately. No sick animals or replacements for sick or dead animals will be allowed to be consigned to the 4-H auction. 4-H members may sell only one steer, or one barrow, or one fat lamb, goat, poultry or a meat pen unless a 4-H member has more than one species Grand Champion.
2026 SALE ORDER OF CHAMPIONS: Grand Dairy Product, Grand Dairy Steer, Grand Beef Steer, Grand Market Poultry Meat Pen, Grand Market Wether Goat, Grand Market Lamb, Grand Rabbit Meat Pen, Grand Barrow
2026 SALE ORDER: Dairy Beef, Beef, Poultry, Goats, Sheep, Rabbits, Swine
Terms & Conditions for Livestock
FOR ALL QUESTIONS RELATED TO 4-H, PLEASE REFER TO THE BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY 2025 4-H FAMILY HANDBOOK, WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENT FOR 4-H POLICY AND GUIDELINES. IN CASE OF CONFLICT BETWEEN THIS DOCUMENT AND THE HANDBOOK, THE 4-H FAMILY HANDBOOK IS THE FINAL AUTHORITY. ANIMAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR EXHIBITION OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN INDIANA 2025.
For Animal Health Requirements, please see the 4-H Family Handbook online (at www.extension.purdue.edu/Bartholomew ) or at www.bartholomewcountyfair.com.
Barn Terms & Conditions
- No motorized vehicles and/or trailers are allowed around the Livestock Barn after 5 p.m., except for handicapped or those approved by the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Board.
- The aisles shall be kept clean and open at all times, with each exhibitor being responsible for his or her section. Cattle and sheep trimming chutes need to be incorporated in tack area, not in aisle ways. All chairs, grooming stands/racks, and unnecessary equipment are to be removed from barn aisles by 5 p.m. each evening in order to keep aisles open.
- All manure must be stacked and taken to a dumpster and put in, not piled around. Anyone cleaning out pens or stalls in barns shall wheel the manure to the manure spreaders outside of barn on wheelbarrow furnished by the Fair Board. All pens and stalls must be kept clean at all times and should be cleaned daily before 2 p.m. Exhibitors are responsible for leaving their pens completely cleaned out after the animals leave the barn.
- Radio volume must be kept at an acceptable level at the discretion of the species superintendents.
- No TVs, no upholstered furniture, and no carpet allowed. No cooking food in the barn.
- Show boxes should be reasonable in size and have approval of respective species superintendent. Fan size in barn not to exceed 2 amperes per tie. Three-prong or double-insulated power cords only will be allowed on any electrical equipment.
- Overhead barn lights must be turned off by midnight. Livestock chairperson will schedule other superintendents to turn off barn lights.
- All tack pens/areas will be designated by the species superintendents. In no case will an exhibitor be allowed to mark his/her own stalls(s) or pens. Due to space constraints, tack pens/areas will be shared. Cooperation in this is appreciated.
- No water fights in the 4-H Livestock Barn.
- No youth will be able to stay overnight in the 4-H Fairgrounds buildings.
- If a member has any questions concerning their actions in the barn, check with the respective species superintendent.
General Livestock Conditions for 4-H and Open Class Exhibitors
- Bartholomew County 4-H Fair, Inc. is not responsible for any damage or loss of equipment or livestock or any other project on the 4-H Fairgrounds.
- All cattle must be broke to lead before arriving at the Fairgrounds. (This is a safety issue.)
- All exhibitors must furnish their own bedding except tan bark for cattle. 4-H Fair Board will not furnish bedding. No straw in pig pens.
- No animals can be tied out for the night until after 9 p.m.
- Any 4-H’er showing in Open Classes must follow Open Class Rules.
- Wash animals in designated areas only. Do not leave animals unattended in wash racks.
- No dogs are allowed in the barn or show pavilions.
- No animals may be unloaded without being checked by veterinarian on site. No animals may be unloaded before the first Friday of the fair.
- All animals must be fed and watered twice a day. There shall be no feeding in the aisle or show ring. Every 4-H’er is responsible for feeding and watering his or her own animal for the animal’s entire stay at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair. The 4-H Bunny Bunch and 4-H Feathered Friends will no longer be feeding and watering 4-H animals as a club activity.
- Livestock check-in times subject to change pending weather conditions.
- Anyone failing to honor the above rules and regulations shall forfeit all awards and potentially the privilege of exhibiting.
- Species committees and 4-H Educator may make changes in these rules so long as they feel it is for the improvement of the show or barn conditions.
FOR FURTHER DETAILS ON ANY 4-H PROJECTS, PLEASE REVIEW THE 2026 BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY 4-H FAMILY HANDBOOK, AVAILABLE ON THE BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE WEBSITE AS WELL AS ON WWW.BARTHOLOMEWCOUNTYFAIR.COM.
4-H and Open Class Livestock Shows
Release Times: ALL LIVESTOCK MUST REMAIN ON THE FAIRGROUNDS FROM CHECK-IN TIME THROUGH CHECK-OUT. 4-H exhibitors must leave their Livestock Sale animal for the duration of the fair. Duration is defined as from the respective specie check-in until after the completion of the Livestock Sale on Saturday morning. All other animals may be released after the completion of the respective specie show between 9 p.m. that night and 10 a.m. the following morning. The exhibitor always has the option to leave all animals on the grounds for the duration of the fair. Dairy cattle in milk may be released immediately following completion of the Dairy Show. (For questions, see the 2024 Bartholomew County 4-H Family Handbook.)
4-H AND OPEN CLASS LIVESTOCK SHOWS
Release Times: ALL LIVESTOCK MUST REMAIN ON THE FAIRGROUNDS FROM CHECK-IN TIME THROUGH CHECK-OUT. 4-H exhibitors must leave their Livestock Sale animal for the duration of the fair. Duration is defined as from the respective specie check-in until after the completion of the Livestock Sale on Saturday morning. All other animals may be released after the completion of the respective specie show between 9 p.m. that night and 10 a.m. the following morning. The exhibitor always has the option to leave all animals on the grounds for the duration of the fair. Dairy cattle in milk may be released immediately following completion of the Dairy Show. (For questions, see the 2026 Bartholomew County 4-H Family Handbook.)
4-H CATTLE SHOW – DAIRY, BEEF, DAIRY BEEF & STARTER CALF
Check-in & weigh-in: Monday, June 22, 7-9 a.m. (No cattle can arrive before Monday, June 22)
Thursday, June 25, 9 a.m. Lil’ Wrangler Beef Show, followed by 4-H Cattle Show (order of show – Heifer and Cow/Calf. Starter Calves, Dairy Beef, Market Beef)
4-H Heifer and Cow Calf Show Judging: Thursday, June 25, 1 p.m.
4-H Starter Calf Show: Thursday, June 25, following Heifer Show after a break
4-H Market Cattle Show, Dairy & Beef: Thursday, June 25, following the Starter Calf Show after a break
Due to increasing costs, a charge of $25 per animal on the pen request will be charged for use and clean-up of mulch bedding. All cattle will be weighed as they come off the truck. Steers, starter calves, commercial and market heifers must be weighed-in; purebred heifers need an entry ticket with registration papers to ensure entry into the correct class.
All starter calves, commercial heifers and market beef will show by weight. Weight breaks will be determined by the 4-H Beef or Starter Calf committee and 4-H educator. All dairy steers and starter calves must be the product of a dairy sire and dam. For the market beef show, dairy beef and beef animals will show in separate classes. Dairy steer classes will show first, with all breeds shown together by weight, followed by market beef. Purebred heifers will show by breed classes; commercial heifers must be weighed on Monday with steers, and classes will be determined by weight.
4-H DAIRY SHOW
Check-in: Monday, June 22, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m. (except dairy cattle in milk) (No dairy can arrive before Monday, June 22)
Wednesday, June 24, 9 a.m., Lil’ Wrangler Dairy Show, followed by 4-H Dairy Show
Dairy Arrival: Dairy cattle in milk should arrive at 9 p.m. on the night before the Dairy Show so that they don’t have to be milked at the fairgrounds. All animals must be vet checked before stalling. During judging, dairy purebred and grade animals will show together.
4-H Meat GOAT
Check-in & Weigh-in: Friday, June 19, 7–10 a.m.
Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m., Lil Wrangler Meat Goat show, followed by 4-H Meat Goat Show.
All goats will be weighed as they come off the trucks/trailers. All market goats must be weighed in, including wethers that will compete in the rate of gain contest or sold in the auction. Entry tickets must be submitted for all goats (market and breeding) by 10 a.m. Friday. No late weigh-ins accepted.
4-H Dairy GOAT
Check-in & Weigh-in: Monday, June 22, 7–9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 23, 9 a.m., Lil Wrangler Dairy Goat show, followed by 4-H Dairy Goat Show.
All market goats will be weighed as they come off the trucks/trailers.
Entry tickets must be submitted for all goats by 9 a.m.
Top Producer Contests: Milking Competition
Preliminary Milk-out – Monday, June 23, 8 p.m.
Milk and Record Weight – Wednesday, June 24, 8 a.m.
Milk and Record Weight – Wednesday, June 24, 8 p.m.
4-H POULTRY
Check-in and weigh-in: Thursday, June 18, 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Friday, June 19, 12 p.m., Lil’ Wrangler Show, followed by 4-H Poultry Show
Classes will be broken up by breed if there are three or more birds of one breed. If there are fewer than three birds per breed, birds will be grouped together for judging in classes.
4-H RABBIT
Mandatory Check-in: Wednesday, June 17, 3-6 p.m. in the Pavilion during Packet Pickup. Do not bring your rabbits to check-in, just your paperwork. Scratches & substitutes allowed on Wednesday before 1:30pm.
Wednesday, June 24, 12 p.m., Lil’ Wrangler Show, followed by 4-H Rabbit Show
Best Dressed Rabbit Competition & Rabbit Race: Wednesday, June 24, 5:30 p.m. next to the Rabbit Barn.
4-H SHEEP
Check-in and weigh-in: Friday, June 19, 7 a.m.–10 a.m., must be stalled by 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 21, 1 p.m. Lil Wrangler Sheep Show, followed by 4-H Sheep Show
Breeding Stock must be declared at weigh-in on Friday. All entries of a breed will show together.
4-H SWINE
Check-in: Saturday, June 20, 6:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. (No swine can arrive before Saturday, June 20)
Weigh-in: Sunday, June 21, 8 a.m.
Monday, June 22, 10 a.m. Lil’ Wrangler Swine Show followed by 4-H Swine Show
Order of 4-H Swine Show: Gilts, Barrows, Market Litters, Showmanship
All barrows and crossbred gilts must be weighed. Purebred gilts must be declared at weigh-in (by showing registration papers to barn staff.) All crossbreed animals will show by weight in the crossbreed classes and purebred animals by breed.
4-H DOG
Dog Show will be held Saturday, June 6, 8:30 a.m. in the Community Building
4-H CAT AND 4-H CAGED CRITTERS
Tuesday, June 9, Community Building, Registration at 6 p.m.
Cat Show starts at 6:30 p.m., with Caged Critter show following
LIL’ WRANGLER SHOWS
Sponsored by the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Board. Children who will enter or have completed kindergarten, first and second grade are invited to participate in Lil’ Wrangler Shows during 2026. They must borrow animals that are already on the fairgrounds (and have been vet checked) from 4-H exhibitors’ animals. No judging will occur, just participation. Registration approximately 30 minutes prior to the show will be required, including a signed parental/guardian consent and waiver of liability. A nominal fee of $3 will be charged. We will also have advanced registration in the Fair Office starting the first Friday of the fair.
Beef, Dairy Beef, & Starter Calf: Thursday, June 25, 9 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Dairy: Wednesday, June 24, 9 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Dairy Goats: Tuesday, June 23, 9 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Horses: Friday, June 26, 6:30 p.m. at the Horse & Pony Arena
Meat Goats: Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Poultry: Friday, June 19, 12 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Rabbits: Wednesday, June 24, 12 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Sheep: Sunday, June 21, at 1 p.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
Swine: Monday, June 22, at 10 a.m. in the Livestock Pavilion
For the Lil’ Wrangler Horse Show, we will have 4 classes: Showmanship at Halter, English or Western Pleasure at a Walk, Barrels at a Walk or Slow Jog and Costume at a Walk. The entry fee covers all classes. A certified helmet (ASTM or SEI standard F1163) MUST be worn by Lil’ Wranglers whenever in the arena, leading or mounted. The designated adult, parent or legal guardian is responsible to see that this specified headgear is properly fitted with the approved harness in place and fastened whenever a rider is mounted. An adult must have the horse on a lead line as well as be with the child at all times.
4-H PARADE OF CHAMPIONS
Livestock Pavilion, 5 p.m. Friday, June 26
The 4-H Parade of Champions is open to any 4-H’er who receives a Grand or Reserve Grand Champion, as well as a Champion or Reserve Champion in any 4-H project. Line-up begins 30 minutes before the start of the parade on the northeast side of the Livestock Pavilion.
