2025 PA JR. DAIRY SHOW ENTRY INFORMATION
Saturday, September 13, at PA Farm Show Complex (Large Arena)
Entries can be made at http://2025pajrdairyshow.fairentry.com.
The 2025 Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show will be held on Saturday, September 13, at the PA Farm Show Complex. All Pennsylvania 4-H and FFA members in good standing are invited to participate. Entries must be owned or leased by the exhibitor by June 1, 2025, and partnership animals are not eligible unless the partnership is with a 4-H club or FFA chapter. Each exhibitor can enter a maximum of five (5) entries. When making entries, be sure to add an animal for each class. All entries can be made online at http://2025pajrdairyshow.fairentry.com.
Families who created a FairEntry account in 2025 or prior for their local fair or state dairy show may use this to sign up, and all other exhibitors will need to create a new FairEntry account. All animals and exhibitors must meet eligibility and animal health guidelines found in the rules. HEALTH RULES ARE LISTED BELOW AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS SCREEN. Animals must arrive at the Farm Show Complex by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 12, and cannot arrive before 1 p.m. on Thursday, September 11. Show orders and ring assignments will be announced once entries have closed. Entries are due online by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27. Please email dro105@psu.edu with questions about the show and pa4H@psu.edu for online entry questions.
Parents/guardians: Please read the liability release and photo release on FairEntry and sign off on these. Likewise, please provide a good emergency contact and phone number for each youth entering the show.
NOTE: Exhibitors planning to show in both the PA Junior Dairy Show and All-American Dairy Show (including the Premier National Junior Shows) must enter each show separately. Exhibitors planning to show at the Junior Dairy Show on Saturday and the All-American Showmanship Contest on Sunday must enter the showmanship contest at https://allamericandairyshow.com/youth-showmanship-contest. Registering for the PA Junior Dairy Show DOES NOT enter you in the showmanship contest or the Premier National Show. Please follow the All-American Dairy Show's deadlines for these contests--they are different than the deadline for the PA Junior Dairy Show.
REMINDER FOR 2025 - For sanitation reasons, if needing to use the All-American Dairy Show’s milking parlor, all exhibitors are encouraged to bring their own claw, inflations and hose. The AADS will provide a milking station located in Barn A, with stall, vacuum, and pipeline. Exhibitors are also encouraged to wash and remove their own equipment after each milking. Additional milking equipment specifics will be updated as announced (please watch All American Dairy Show social media sites for updates).
Note: Exhibitors are required to follow all animal health rules as outlined. At this time, in-state animals (housed in PA) do NOT have to be tested for HPIA before the show. This will change if a positive test occurs within the state before the show.
PARTIAL LISTING OF RULES FOR 2025 PA JR. DAIRY SHOW
ELIGIBILITY:
1.Any boy or girl who is a member in good standing of a recognized 4-H club or FFA chapter, is enrolled in a 4-H or FFA dairy project under the direct supervision of the vocational agriculture teacher or the county extension educator in Pennsylvania and is within the state age limits for FFA and/or 4-H is eligible to exhibit if the project qualifies under the following rules and regulations. County extension educators and vo-ag instructors will verify the eligibility status of members prior to the show.To be considered in good standing, a member must meet local (county or school) requirements for membership.
2. All animals must have registration certificates issued by one of the following breed associations:American Guernsey Association, American Jersey Cattle Club, American Milking Shorthorn Society, Ayrshire Breeders Association, Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association, Holstein Association of America, or Red and White Dairy Cattle Association.Animals can only be entered and exhibited in one breed show.
Jerseys:Animals must be registered in the herd register of the AJCA. Animals are eligible when recorded by the American Jersey Cattle Association with Herd Registry status or with Generation Count 4 or higher status.Former Original Animals (OA) and Provisional Registry (PR) animals were replaced by Generation Count 1 and 2 and are NOT eligible.Generation count 3 replaced former GR and J3 prefixes, and these are NOT eligible.Replacement certificates indicating Generation Count can be ordered upon request for previously registered animals through AJCA (614-861-3636 or records@usjersey.com) free of charge.The following site explains Generation Count and show eligibility:https://www.usjersey.com/Portals/0/AJCA/2_Docs/Animal-Applications/GC-Shows.pdf.
Ayrshires: Ayrshires must be 87% purebred Ayrshire on the registration certificate as verified by the Ayrshire Breeders Association.
Guernseys:Registered Guernsey females and females in Steps 3 and 4 of the Genetic Recovery program are eligible.Step four females have a “GR” prefix in their name, and step 3 females have a “PR” prefix in their name. No other prefixes are eligible.
Holsteins:Any animal identified with Holstein Association, USA, Inc., that is 87% or higher Registered Holstein Ancestry (RHA) is eligible.
Red and White Dairy Cattle Association:These animals must be true red in hair color. Registration papers and/or a certificate of identification (CID) from Holstein Association USA are acceptable. Other registration papers accepted will be from RWDCA, Holstein Association USA showing the suffix "RED."Red & White animals must carry 87% dairy bloodlines as designated by RWDCA guidelines. Dairy bloodlines include: Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein (Black & White and Red & White), Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Angler, Swedish Red, Aussie Red, Lineback and Rouge Flammande.
Brown Swiss:Animals with standard registry Brown Swiss certificate or Certified Identity Enrolled CIE) Females (white with green border) are eligible.Step II IE Identity Enrollment animals with a green certificate with black border are also eligible. Animals with other colored certificates are not eligible for show.
Milking Shorthorns: Cattle must have a white Milking Shorthorn Registry Certificate that does not contain the words “Not eligible to show.”This is a full herdbook, 6-digit certificate. Yellow certificates are not eligible to show. Animals with a prefix of GI, GI2, GR and GE are not eligible to be shown. Females with a 36000 or 37000 registration number are not eligible to be shown.Tattoo numbers and/or RFID tags must correspond with registry certificates. Animals must have a base hair color of red, white, or roan according to American Milking Shorthorn Society’s hair color regulations and cannot have black hair unless cleared by the AMSS Executive Secretary.
Canadian registry certificates will not be accepted except when they are reregistered with the appropriate U.S. breed association.
It is not required to attend a qualifying district show to enter the PA Jr. Dairy Show as long as the
4-H or FFA member is in good standing.Each animal can only be entered and exhibited in one breed show.
3.Ownership:
A. Animals bred and owned by the exhibitor must be registered in the exhibitor's name by the show date.
B. Animals (regardless of class) not bred by the exhibitor must be owned by the exhibitor on or before June 1, 2025.The date of sale shown on the registration certificate will be considered as the date of ownership.
C. For members of both 4-H and FFA, an animal must be designated as either a 4-H project or as an FFA project for the entire project year.
D.Leased animals may be exhibited at the Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show. The purpose of the leasing program is to provide opportunities to young people who lack facilities or resources necessary to own an animal. Existence of a lease must be verified by the home county or school; the county or school must have the lease and/or project plan (or knowledge of the lease) recorded by June 1, 2025. Leased animals must be housed in Pennsylvania.General guidelines (there may be exceptions): Cows may only be leased by the exhibitor only if they were previously leased as calves or yearlings.Parents, guardians and siblings are not permitted to lease animals to their children/siblings; likewise, an exhibitor who owns dairy cattle may not lease other project animals.At the time of check-in, exhibitors of leased animals must present a copy of a signed lease, signed project plan, or verification letter from an extension agent or teacher that the animal is a properly leased animal.
E. Partnership animals: Partnership animals are not eligible for the Penna. Junior Dairy Show unless the partnership is with an FFA chapter or 4-H club.
4. An exhibitor may exhibit up to five animals total at the state show.If two or more are in the same class, the second must be shown by a substitute showman of similar age as the exhibitor (no more than 2 years older) or younger.
5. Classes. Age of animals within classes will be as follows:
Class Born Between
Spring (junior) calf 3/1/25-5/31/25
Winter (intermediate) calf 12/1/24-2/29/25
Fall (senior) calf 9/1/24-11/30/24
Summer Yearling 6/1/24-8/31/24
Spring (Jr.) Yearling 3/1/24-5/31/24
Winter (Inter.) Yearling 12/1/23-2/29/24
Fall (Sr.) Yearling 9/1/23-11/30/23
Dry Cow Sr. 2 yrs. and over**Born before 3/1/23
Fall yearling in milk (must have calved)**9/1/23-11/30/23
Junior 2 yr. old 3/1/23-8/31/23
Senior 2 yr. old 9/1/22-2/29/23
Junior 3 yr. old 3/1/22-8/31/22
Senior 3 yr. old 9/1/21-2/29/22
Four year old 9/1/20-8/31/21
Five year old 9/1/19-8/31/20
Six years and over Before 9/1/19
**Dry cows must be dry or have had at least one natural calf, been milking at least 305 days,
and be milked out at the show.Fall Yearling in Milk class is open to any yearling that has calved.
6. SUBSTITUTE SHOWMAN:The purpose of the show is to enable youth to have a satisfactory experience in the show ring.Therefore, it is the responsibility of 4-H or FFA exhibitors to show their own animal. The only exceptions allowed are:
1. If sickness or physical injury after arriving at the show prevents the owner from showing his/her own animal.In the case of a previous injury or illness prohibiting an exhibitor from showing, a doctor's excuse will be required.
2.If the exhibitor has two or more animals in the same class or of different breeds that are to be shownat the same time.
3.If the exhibitor finds it impossible to attend due to other commitments. Verification of this activity must be confirmed in writing by the FFA chapter adviser or county extension agent. This written verification must be presented at check-in or else be emailed to dro105@psu.edu ahead of the show.
In the above instances the exhibitor may request a substitute showman.If approved, a written substitute showman permission slip will be given to the exhibitor.The substitute showman must notify the ring manager when entering the ring that he/she is not the owner. The substitute showman must be another 4-H or FFA member of similar age (no more than two years older) or younger. Show Management has the final determination of utilizing a substitute showman and reserves the right to appoint an older substitute showman in extreme cases. In championship rounds, the substitute showman can be of any age but must be another 4-H or FFA member. In the championship round, a substitute showman can only be used if an exhibitor has multiple animals being shown. The substitute showman will not be considered for a Master Showman award.
Any exhibitor receiving a substitute showman permission slip who attends the show and is physically capable of showing will be disqualified.
HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR 2025 PENNSYLVANIA JUNIOR DAIRY SHOW
(applies to PA Jr. Dairy Show cattle housed in PA; if animals are housed out of Pennsylvania, see
All-American Dairy Show rules for out of state animals.)
Health of Animals: No animal showing signs of infectious, contagious, or external parasitic disease will be allowed into the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center. However, exhibitors observing an animal that may present a health hazard to other animals are asked to report the stall location to the show committee. The official All-American Dairy Show veterinarian, in consultation with Show Management, shall be responsible for determining the health status of all animals. Animals showing evidence of infectious, contagious, or external parasitic diseases must be removed by their owner from the show grounds at the direction of Show Management.
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: No animal will be allowed into the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center unless they are accompanied by the required health certification documents. Additionally, the CVI must be available for inspection upon request at all times while the animal is on the premises.
PENNSYLVANIA CATTLE:
1. Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: Pennsylvania cattle must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) signed and dated by an accredited veterinarian with an inspection date within thirty (30) days prior to the date of arrival at the show. This Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection must be issued on or after August 14, 2025, so that it is issued within 30 days of the PA Junior Dairy Show check-in. All animals must be free of evidence of infectious and contagious diseases and a statement of this is required on the CVI. The CVI is required for all animals entering the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & ExpoCenter.
2. Cattle Identification Requirements: All cattle for exhibition must be identified by an ISO-compliant, 15-digit RFID 840 ear tag. All forms of identification relative to each animal shall be listed on the CVI.
Tuberculosis and brucellosis requirements:
1. No tuberculosis test is required. 2. No brucellosis test is required.
RABIES VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: All cattle over 3 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies within 12 months prior to the exhibition. All vaccine label directions must be followed, and the vaccination for each exhibited animal shall be listed on the CVI or on an accompanying Rabies Certificate. The vaccine product administered, serial number, date of vaccination and Veterinarian who performed the vaccination shall be correlated to the official ID of the animal and be listed with it on the CVI or Rabies Vaccination Certificate.
Vaccination Recommendation: It is highly recommended that all animals entering the show be immunized against IBR, PI3, BVD, and BRSV. It is strongly recommended that at least one vaccination against IBR, PI3, BVD, and BRSV be given after January 1 of this year.
Avian Influenza Testing Requirements: For cattle housed in Pennsylvania, no tests are currently required.This could change before the show if any cases of HPIA are detected in Pennsylvania.
Prohibition of Exhibition:
1. No entry for cattle from premises with clinical signs of influenza A (e.g.,
reduced feed intake, nasal discharge, drop in milk, abnormal feces, lethargy,
fever).
2. No entry for cattle from premises where influenza A has been confirmed in
dairy cattle until cleared by the State Animal Health Official.
3. No entry for cattle from premises where influenza A has been confirmed in
domestic birds until cleared.
4. No entry for cattle from premises within 3 km of a site with confirmed influenza
A in domestic birds until area is declared disease-free.
Currently there is no requirement for HPIA testing of in-state cattle (from Pennsylvania).If Influenza A is detected in PA dairy cattle, the following will be in effect.
HPIA Testing Requirements (Only applies to PA cattle if Influenza A is Detected in PA
Dairy Cattle. Testing is required for out of state cattle)
1. Animals must have been in a biosecure group for 30+ days before sample
collection.
2. Testing within 7 days of exhibition entry:
o Lactating animals: Milk sample collected.
o Non-lactating animals: Nasal swab collected. (Only for positive states)
3. Samples collected by or under the supervision of a Category II accredited
veterinarian with a valid VCPR.
4. Herds in the PA Lactating Dairy Cow Health Monitoring Program are exempt
from individual testing.
5. All samples tested via PCR approved by NVSL.
6. Testing must be done at a NAHLN laboratory; pooling allowed only at the lab.
7. Animals must have negative/not-detected results and carry test reports or
proof of program enrollment.
8. Exemption: Dairy cattle under 18 months do not need to be tested.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH PAPERS:
For PA Junior Dairy Show in Harrisburg:
EARTAGS: All cattle MUST be identified by an ISO-compliant 15-digit 840 ear tag.
BREED REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES: Not all breed associations may be incorporating this identification type into their program requirements. If the association does not use these tags, you will need to tag your animal with an 840 RFID/EID tag.
NOTE: Original breed association registration certificates must also be presented during show check-in to verify sire, dam and registration numbers.Although tattoos are not acceptable identification for health forms, they may be used for animal check-in at shows.
LIABILITY WAIVER: The handling and showing of livestock involve risk of personal bodily injury and damage to property. The Pennsylvania Junior Dairy Show, Pennsylvania Farm Show Commission, the Pennsylvania Dairy and Allied Industries Association, the All-American Dairy Show, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and any other entities related to this show, including their employees, agents, or volunteers, will in no case be responsible for any loss, damage, or injury done to or occasioned by or arising from, any animal or article exhibited at the show, or injury to person or persons representing the exhibitor in any way at the show, even if such injury or damage is the result of the negligence of the above parties.
If anyone feels they cannot accept this agreement not to sue or make claim against the above parties, they should not participate in the show. Participation in the show will be interpreted as a commitment and agreement by all participating persons to assume all risks of injury or damage and as a waiver of all rights to sue or make claims against the above parties. By participating in this show, all participants also commit themselves and agree to be bound to indemnify any entity or person whom they sue or make claim against; that is, they agree to fully pay such parties or person for any monetary or other damages that those parties suffer as a result of suit being instituted or claim being made against them, including but not limited to the payment of all expenses, attorney’s fees, court judgment, or other monetary damages arising from such suit or claim.
PLEASE NOTE:
For sanitation reasons, if needing to use the All-American Dairy Show’s milking parlor, all exhibitors are strongly encouraged to bring their own claw, inflations and hose. The AADS will provide a milking station located in Barn A, with stall, vacuum, and pipeline. As a sanitary effort, the exhibitor wishing to use this system will need to be prepared with a milking claw, hose, and inflations for their own use to attach into the system. Exhibitors are encouraged to bring, clean, and remove their own equipment each milking. Milking equipment specifics will be provided (please watch All American Dairy Show social media sites for updates).
Entries are due online by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.Here is the link to enter:
http://2025pajrdairyshow.fairentry.com/
NOTE:Exhibitors planning to show in both the PA Junior Dairy Show and All-American Dairy Show must enter separately for the Junior Dairy Show and for the All-American Dairy Show (including Premier National shows and the showmanship contest on Sunday).