Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy

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This ethics policy applies to any 4-H/FFA member planning to exhibit animals at all State Livestock Shows in Georgia. All classes of livestock offered at the livestock event are included: Cattle (Beef and Dairy), Goats, Sheep, Swine, and any other livestock classes offered. This “Georgia 4‐H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy” will be enhanced with additional rules and guidelines which individual fairs and livestock shows adhere to on the local, county, state, regional, and national levels.

4-H and FFA livestock project exhibitors are under the supervision of an Agricultural Education Teacher or County Extension Agent who serves as the advisor for that project. The Livestock Shows of Georgia support the educational content and leadership provided by the Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and the Georgia Agriculture Education Department. Also, the Georgia Livestock Shows fully support the administrative authority of Agricultural Education Teachers and County Extension Agents to certify the fulfillment of all validation protocols and appropriate paperwork between the exhibitor, Georgia 4-H / Georgia FFA, the livestock shows and the supervising educator. Exhibiting livestock is a privilege, and exhibitors must comply with this document and respect the authority granted to his/her supervisor.

The following practices or procedures are unacceptable and are defined as being deceptive, fraudulent, unethical, and inhumane in the care, fitting, preparation and showing of all classes of livestock. The use of any illegal drug is prohibited. Any practice used to alter the appearance of an animal entered in livestock events is prohibited. Proof of any animal being subjected to illegal and/or unethical practice(s) and/or procedure(s) described herein subjects the animal to immediate disqualification. If a violation is found of any of the following rules, this may result in immediate disqualification.

The following is a listing of rules all 4-H/FFA exhibitors must follow to enter livestock at organized competitive events.

1. Exhibitors must be bona fide members of a 4-H Club or FFA Chapter in the state of Georgia and care for their animals under the direct supervision of a County Extension Agent or Agricultural Education Teacher. Exhibitors must be enrolled in, and attending, public or private and/or home school elementary or secondary schools in Georgia. Exhibitors must meet the age requirements to be eligible to compete in Georgia 4-H/FFA State Livestock Shows.

2. All exhibitors must have viable proof of ownership available to prove the length of time animals have been owned. Market and Breeding Animals must be owned and under exhibitor’s daily care by the following deadline dates: August 1 – All State Show Market Lamb & Goat. November 1 – State Show Breeding Heifer, Market Steer, Market Heifer and Commercial Dairy Heifer. December 5 – State Market Hogs, Breeding Ewes and Breeding Does; to be eligible to participate at any State Livestock Shows within Georgia. For registered breeding animals, the official ownership date is the date reflected on the registration papers. This date is the specific date for each breed of record as recognized by the validation program. (Individual show rules may determine ownership requirements for non-market animals.) Registered breeding livestock must show the exhibitor as the sole owner of the animal on the breed association papers or certificates. Breeding animals with additional registration papers within the breed association of validation record or in another breed association may be evaluated for multiple ownership. If additional registration papers are found active within an association indicating ownership information conflicting with the exhibitor’s sole ownership designation, the breeding animal may be considered multiple owned and subject to disqualification.

3. To gain the life skills developed through the livestock projects, exhibitors must be closely engaged in the feeding, maintenance, training, grooming and overall welfare of his/her animals. Exhibitors are responsible for providing the primary and continuous daily care of livestock projects throughout the validation period. 4-H and FFA livestock project exhibitors are under the supervision of an Agricultural Education Teacher or County Extension Agent who serves as the advisor for that project. Third party involvement interfering with the County Extension Agent and Agricultural Education Teacher’s ability to properly supervise the livestock project may result in the disqualification of all state livestock projects. Livestock projects must be raised at the physical address of online entry. Prior approval must be granted by the respective State Organization designee of the appropriate organization that the 4-H or FFA member belongs to in the event the animal will be outside the direct care of the exhibitor. Failure to notify the supervising Agricultural Education Teacher/County Extension Agent and the appropriate State Organization designee of the previous may result in the disqualification of all state livestock. By signing this document, the exhibitor and parent/guardian, recognize his/her responsibilities for the primary and continuous care of livestock projects throughout the feeding period and hereby authorize the designated representatives and/or supervising Agriculture Education Teacher/County Extension Agent the right to inspect your livestock project(s) along with any other state livestock projects on premises at any time during the feeding period with or without prior notice. Any exhibitor in violation of the primary and continuous daily care rule is subject to disqualification.

4. Any method used to misrepresent the age of an animal for a class in which it is shown is deceptive and considered a violation of the rules and guidelines.

5. Showing an animal for another individual by claiming ownership in order to show in a specific livestock class or event is prohibited. False ownership is a violation of the rules and guidelines.

6. Surgery, injection, oral or insertion of foreign material under the skin and/or into the flesh of an animal to change the natural contour, conformation or appearance of an animal’s body is illegal. This includes but is not limited to injection of gas, air, oil, or other foreign substances; cutting/tearing of the hide/underneath the hide or removal of tissue in any attempt to alter the physical appearance of the animal; numbing or “deadening” an animal’s tail; cutting tendons of an animal; using foreign substances to build or cosmetically re-shape feet (this does not include medically necessary treatments for injured hooves or feet); as well as “twining” which includes the attachment of hair or hair substances (i.e. baling twine, cloth, fiber, etc.)

7. The use of unethical fitting, showing and/or handling practices or devices compromising animal welfare shall not be tolerated.

8. Livestock exhibitors must adhere to the Georgia Policy on Drug Use and Testing.

9. Livestock exhibitors will be held accountable for each species in which they exhibit as a livestock project. Livestock exhibitors will also be held accountable for the rules and guidelines for each livestock show in which they exhibit at the species State Livestock Show.

10. The Administration of the Georgia 4-H and/or FFA Programs reserve the final and absolute right to interpret these rules and to settle and determine all matters, questions, and differences in regard thereto, or otherwise arising out of or connected with or incident to “Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy”.

Any violation of the “Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy” and/or associated guidelines, as well as specific rules and regulations as designated by individual fairs and livestock shows may result in disqualification and/or probationary status and/or loss of eligibility for future participation in organized livestock competition. Possible civil penalties may be imposed by the proper authorities based on evidence provided by the livestock show of exhibitors in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act/or the animal mistreatment, neglect, and abandonment laws that apply on the local, state, and/or national levels. All rule violations will be dealt with on an individual basis by the respective State Organization and/or appropriate livestock show officials.

I, the parent/guardian, and exhibitor, by signing the entry form, am verifying that I have read the “Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy” and understand the consequences of and penalties involved for illegal, unethical, inhumane, and unfair practices in livestock competition. I am also verifying knowledge that my family and I may be prohibited from future participation in organized programs in the State of Georgia and could face possible criminal prosecution and/or civil penalties if implicated in any of the afore mentioned acts.

Any violation of the “Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy” and/or associated guidelines, as well as specific rules and regulations as designated by individual fairs and livestock shows may result in disqualification and/or probationary status and/or loss of eligibility for future participation in organized livestock competition. Possible civil penalties may be imposed by the proper authorities based on evidence provided by the livestock show of exhibitors in violation of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act/or the animal mistreatment, neglect, and abandonment laws that apply on the local, state, and/or national levels. All rule violations will be dealt with on an individual basis by the respective State Organization and/or appropriate livestock show officials.

I, the parent/guardian, and exhibitor, am verifying that I have read the “Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy” and understand the consequences of and penalties involved for illegal, unethical, inhumane, and unfair practices in livestock competition. I am also verifying knowledge that my family and I may be prohibited from future participation in organized programs in the State of Georgia and could face possible criminal prosecution and/or civil penalties if implicated in any of the afore mentioned acts.

The 2023-2024 Georgia 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy is used in addition to the 2023-2024 Georgia 4-H and FFA State Livestock Show Rules and Regulations.
Adapted from the Texas 4-H/FFA Livestock Program Ethics Policy.