Steer Weigh-In and Tattooing Scheduled for Fulton County Contests and Illinois State Fair Eligibility

By: Forgottonia Times™ Report

Steer exhibitors aiming to compete in the Fulton County Rate-of-Gain Contest or the Illinois State Fair Junior and Premiere Contests must have their animals weighed and tattooed at the University of Illinois Extension's designated session in Fairview.

The weigh-in will take place on Saturday, February 8, at the Fairview Sale Barn (1120 Carter St. Fairview), with arrival times scheduled between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed by emailing Rachel Van Cleve at RFV@illinois.edu and Krista Gray at kristakg@illinois.edu.

Steers must meet several requirements, including being castrated prior to tattooing. Electronic ear tags will also be applied during the session. Exhibitors themselves should attend the event if possible to be present with their animals.

Animals weighed solely for the County Rate-of-Gain Contest or the Avon Fat Steer Show are not required to have an electronic ear tag. However, those without a tag will be ineligible for the State Fair Junior Show, and tags cannot be added at a later date.

Each participant may nominate up to 10 steers for the State Fair Open and Junior Premiere Classes. Steers in the Junior Premiere Class are eligible for the Open Premiere Class if entered during the State Fair Open registration period. To qualify, carcasses must meet specific grading and weight standards, including a minimum grade of low select, a yield grade below 4.0, and a carcass weight of no more than 950 pounds.

Additionally, State Fair eligibility requires that calves be born on or after January 1, 2024, and owned and cared for by the exhibitor starting February 1, 2025.

In the event of severe weather, registrants will be notified of postponements at the phone numbers provided to Extension staff. Updates will also be posted on the Fulton County 4-H, Illinois Facebook page.

For further details, contact Krista Gray at the University of Illinois Extension Office at 309-547-3711.