MONROE — An identification program for all market lambs and goats to be exhibited at the 2019 Green County Fair will be conducted on Saturday, April 27 at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe. Market lambs and goats will be weighed and identified between 9 to 11 a.m. in the south end of the show barn. Only market lambs and goats that are identified on this date will be eligible for exhibition in the market lamb and goat classes and to sell at the Green County Fair Meat Animal Auction.
All market lambs and goats that will be shown at the Green County Fair will be weighed and given RFID ear tags. Each exhibitor can identify a maximum of five animals of each species. Market lambs being identified for the Green County Fair can weigh no more than 105 pounds at the weigh-in on April 27. There is no minimum weight for lambs; however, it is suggested that lambs weigh at least 50 pounds or more in order to make the 110 pound minimum weight at fair time that is needed to sell in the auction. There are no minimum or maximum weights for market goats on the April 27, however, market goats do need to weigh a minimum of 45 pounds at fair to be eligible to sell in the auction. All performance lambs are required to weigh in and be identified for the performance competition at this weigh in also. Performance lambs will no longer be harvested and will be allowed to exhibit in both the performance class and the lamb market classes. There is no minimum weight for the weigh in, however, lambs must weigh at least 115 pounds to participate in the performance competition at the fair. Overall performance lamb placing will be based on 60% carcass and 40% rate of gain.
Since the market lambs and goats will be tagged with official USDA tags they will not need to have scrapie tags at the fair. However, exhibitors are reminded that all breeding sheep and goats will still be required to have a USDA Scrapie tag before the animals are allowed onto the fairgrounds this summer. The only exception to this is for breeding animals that have breed registration papers and a breed tattoo. If exhibitors plan to exhibit breeding stock they can order their own free scrapie tags by calling 1-866-873-2824.
Only Green County Fair market lambs and goats need to be pre-identified at this weigh-in on April 27. Animals that will be exhibited in the sheep or goat breeding show classes at the fair are not required to attend the weigh-in.
Auction record books and other show information will also be distributed to exhibitors at the identification day. Contact the Extension Green County office at 608-328-9440 for more information.
