Rabbit registration for the 2020 Hardin County Fair is now open. These registrations are due June 5th and can be accessed here.
Category: Junior Fair
Swine Registration Open
Swine registration for the 2020 Hardin County Fair is now open. In addition to the animal photos that are required, exhibitors will be required to submit an affidavit from the breeder via online form certifying that the animals have never been fed Ractopamine during the entirety of its life. Another affidavit signature will be required from the exhibitor upon weigh in on Monday, September 7th.
Questions may be directed to Swine Superintendent Charlie McCullough at 419-674-6759 for more information regarding this decision.
Exhibitor Resources
Sheep, Goat Weigh In Cancelled
The Hardin County Fair Sheep Committee and Goat Committee have made the decision to cancel the sheep & goat weigh in and tagging event originally slated for June 13th. It was determined social distancing guidelines could not be followed. The event was cancelled to protect volunteers and exhibitors To supplement, exhibitors will need to submit two photographs of their animal. One will be of the premise ID on the scrapie tag and one of the individual animal ID from the scrapie tag in the ear of the animal. The numbers should be clear and legible in both photographs.
All lambs must make the minimum weight of 95 pounds by the weigh in at the fair. Light weight lambs will be sent home. All goats must make the minimum weight of 65 pounds by the weigh in at the fair. Light weight goats will be sent home.
If you have questions, please reach out to our office at 419-675-2396 or by email.
Goat horn length rule suspended
Due to the coronavirus pandemic creating limited access to veterinary services, the Hardin County Fair Goat Committee has suspended the rule that goat horns must be four inches or less to be eligible for exhibition at the Hardin County Fair. This rule suspension is only for the 2020 fair.
If exhibitors have questions, please reach out to our office at 419-675-2396 or by email.
Poultry Orders Being Facilitated Privately
With the changes were experiencing in the world, the Ohio State University Extension Office in Hardin county is not able to facilitate the Market Poultry Order as usual. So, I, Paul Ralston, Poultry Superintendent for the Hardin County Fair, have taken it on for this year. Chicks and ducklings will be coming from Ridgeway Hatcheries in LaRue. Orders need to be confirmed and paid by June 1. All orders are non-refundable and must be picked up. Ducklings are $3.25 per duckling. Minimum order is 6. Chicks will be STRAIGHT RUN for $1.60 per chick. Minimum order is 15. Distribution for the ducks will be on July 1 noon – 2pm and the Chicks will be on July 15th noon – 2pm. To break up the people in one place we will have pickup locations in Ada, Mt. Victory and Kenton for the chicks and just Kenton for the ducks. The Kenton pickup will be at the fairgrounds in the Small Animal Show Arena, unless the fairgrounds is still closed to the public then an alternative location will be communicated. Ada location will be at Curt Stover’s located at 1721 Township Rd. 30 Ada. Mt. Victory location is the Plaza Inn parking lot on the south side of town. Please fill out the form below and mail it with your payment to 7087 County Road 110 Alger, OH 45812. Payments are to be made to Paul Ralston. Ducks and chicks can be ordered on the same form. Email or text/phone orders can be facilitated and if someone would prefer to pay online through PayPal I can do that I just ask that you pay the fee. If you have any questions please call/text Paul Ralston at 567-674-5819 or reach out via email.
Hardin County Fair Swine Show goes Ractopamine-Free
The Hardin County Fair Swine Committee has unanimously made the decision to prohibit the use of Ractopamine (commonly known by trade names Paylean® and Optaflexx®) in Market Hogs being shown at the 2020 Hardin County Fair.
After multiple options were considered, the best option for our youth exhibitors was to ban the use entirely. This decision was based on recommendations made by the Ohio State Fair, Ohio State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Forshey, Ohio State University Extension Swine Specialist Dr. Steve Moeller, and potential market outlets.
An affidavit will be required from the breeder and turned in upon registration and a second affidavit signature will be required from the exhibitor upon weigh in on Monday, September 7th. Both forms must be submitted in order to remain on the grounds and show in either the Market or Born and Raised shows. These documents will state that the animal has never been fed Ractopamine during the entirety of its life.
Any and all hogs are subject to testing at any time during the Hardin County Fair. Grand and Reserve Champion animals will be tested as testing permits. Any violators will be subject to forfeiture of premiums, trophies, fair ban for individuals or families and/or financial restitution.
If for any reason a packer is unable to be contracted, exhibitors will be responsible to take their market animal home for harvest or breeding purposes. Grand and Reserve Champions will remain terminal per state mandate.
Questions may be directed to Swine Superintendent Charlie McCullough at 419-674-6759 for more information regarding this decision.
Exhibitor Resources
Hardin County Fair Considers Banning Ractopamine
Dr. Tony M. Forshey, DVM, Chief of the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health and state veterinarian is calling on county fairs to voluntarily control the use of Ractopamine in hogs. In response to that, the Hardin County Fair Swine Committee is considering banning the substance. The issue stems from foreign trade with China, which has banned the product.
“We are weighing all of the options,” said Charlie McCullough, chairman of the fair’s swine committee. “We want to make sure we provide the best opportunities for our youth. That includes ensuring youth have a place to market their product at the conclusion of the fair.”
Ractopamine is the active ingredient in commercial feed products such as Paylean and Optaflexx. Ractopamine is permitted for use in the US according to the Food and Drug Administration, and is safe for human consumption.
A final decision on the use of Ractopamine products will be made well in advance of the June 1 livestock ownership deadline. The decision will be announced on hardincountyfair.org, Hardin County Fair social media outlets, and local news media. Fair exhibitors will also be notified by their 4-H and FFA Advisors.
Poultry Show Split
The Hardin County Fair’s Poultry committee has chosen to break up the all-day poultry event for the 2020 Hardin County Fair. The poultry show will be split into two days. On Tuesday, September 8th, starting at 8am will be the Junior Fair Market Poultry Show. On Thursday, September 10th, starting at 9am will be the Junior Fair Poultry Showmanship and Breed Show. Peewee Poultry Showmanship will also be held Thursday.
Also noted at the committee meeting, the show will feature a pen of two market ducks. More information will be communicated from the committee at the poultry banquet, the poultry clinic on June 20th, and in future documents.
Livestock Sale Order Released
The Hardin County Fair Junior Fair Livestock Sale Committee has released the sale order for the 2019 Junior Fair Livestock Sale. It can be viewed here.
Hardin County Fair Junior Fair Horse Speed Show Classes Updated
The Hardin County Fair Junior Fair Horse Committee has updated the classes for today’s Junior Fair Horse Speed Show. They can be found here.
