Department A - Dairy Cattle

Department A – Dairy Cattle

1. General Rules & Regulations

1. All dairy cattle must be registered with the respective breed associations.  Registration papers are required.

2. Produce of Dam is to consist of two animals any age, either sex, or the produce of one cow.  They need not be owned by one exhibitor.

3. Dam and Daughter

4. Best Three Females Any Age bred and owned by exhibitor.  Only one entry to be shown by each exhibitor as appears on register.

5. Two or more persons operating one or more farms together and cattle are registered; some in one person’s name, some in another person’s name, or some jointly in two or more names will be limited to two premiums per class from the same farm/farms.

6. When a herd is registered in the names of the immediate members of a family, these persons may combine entries as a “Family or Herd Unit” and be considered as one exhibitor or one breeder.  In order to qualify as a “Family or Herd Unit”, all animals must be kept in the same herd.

7. The breeder of an animal will be identified as they are listed on the registration certificate.

8. Show ring attire – show-person must wear white on white to enter the show ring.  No hats and no logos.

9. The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association – Show Ring Code of Ethics – The showing of registered dairy cattle is an important part of the promotion, merchandising, and breeding program of many breeders.  Additionally, it is an important part of the program of the various dairy breed associations to stimulate and sustain interest in breeding registered dairy cattle.  This relates to both spectator and exhibitors.  In this connection, The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association believes that it is in the best interest of the breeders of registered dairy cattle to maintain a reputation of integrity and to present a wholesome and progressive image of their cattle in the show ring.  It recognizes that there are certain practices in the proper care and management of dairy cattle which are necessary in the course of moving dairy cattle to and between shows that are advisable to keep them in a sound, healthy condition.  Conversely, it recognizes certain practices in the cataloging, handling and presentation of cattle in the show ring which are unacceptable.

1. The following practices or procedures are considered unacceptable and defined as being fraudulent and/or unethical in showing of registered dairy cattle:

   1. Misrepresenting the age and/or milk status of the animal for the class in which it is shown.

   2. Treating the animal, particularly the udder, internally or externally, with an irritant or counter-irritant, or other substance to artificially improve the conformation.

   3. Surgery or insertion of foreign material under the skin, performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body, though not to preclude practices required or involved in normal management.

   4. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors while in the show ring, or other conduct detrimental to the breed or the show.

   5. Setting teats or manipulating a teat to alter its normal position such as to unnaturally hold it plumb or to alter its length.

2. The following practices and procedures are considered to detract from the image of the show ring when carried to excess and will be given slight to serious discrimination in placing animals within class:

1. Excessive manipulation of hair.

2. Use of artificial hair except for false switches.

3. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the show-person.

4. Improper fitting practices such as over filling and over bagging.

3. Practices which should be encouraged to enhance the image of the show:

   1. Establish uniform dress code for exhibitors in the show ring.

   2. Recognize good herdsman ship and exhibits in the barn.  In keeping with the basic philosophy of the PDCA, ethics are the individual responsibility of the owner of each animal shown.

4. Violations of these policies are subject to the disciplinary provisions of the appropriate dairy breed association and/or show management.