Animal Ownership
All livestock (beef, goat, dairy, poultry, rabbit, sheep, and swine) must be owned:
- Solely by the 4-H exhibitor, or
- The exhibitor in partnership with other member(s) of his or her immediate family. Immediate family is defined as members of a household, including parents, legal guardians, and siblings.
Leasing Animals
Livestock lease agreements are acceptable for all classes of livestock. The best experience in animal projects can be found in daily care and management of the project, but that is not available to all youth. Like many 4-H project areas, animal projects provide an opportunity for youth to work with a caring adult/mentor to gain experience working with livestock or animal projects. The South Dakota 4-H Animal Projects Lease Form must be uploaded to 4-H Online by June 1.
Mandatory Identification of Animals
All animals must be individually identified and uploaded to the 4-H Member's records on the 4-H Online enrollment system.
- Individual counties and other shows or contests may use different information deadlines and/or rules, but for South Dakota State 4-H, these deadlines and information minimums must be met.
- All Ownership Verification, including Rabbit and Poultry, must be entered into 4-H Online by the ownership deadline.
DNA Collection
All market animals in Market Beef, Market Goat, Market Sheep and Market Swine intended for 4-H competition at the South Dakota State Fair are required to submit DNA samples. A DNA sample must be self-identified and submitted to the County Extension Office by June 1st of the current year for State Fair eligibility. Market animals will only be allowed to participate at the State Fair if a DNA sample is on file by the deadline, regardless of the participating status in the County 4-H Achievement Days/County Fair. NO LATE NOMINATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR ENTRIES SHALL BE ACCEPTED.
