Show Rules and Catalog

Health Requirements

1. All goats entering the show must have a valid Certificate of Inspection (CVI) or Animal Health Certificate (AHC). The CVI or AHC must be presented at registration. Certificates should indicate that the animal did not originate from a herd with foot rot, sore mouth or any infectious or contagious disease. This statement must be written on the CVI or AHC by a veterinarian. Inspection must take place on the farm where the animal lives. ALSO, ALL GOATS MUST BE VACCINATED FOR RABIES (this is a requirement that was put in place in 2018). Vaccination must be noted on health papers by a veterinarian.
   • Both forms are acceptable at the state show. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) can only be given to a member if the inspection is done on the farm – which is the most effective and recommended method. Any animal housed outside of New Jersey must have a CVI form. Otherwise, the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) will need to be used. AHC’s issued for an animal off of the animal’s home site must be signed by the owner of the animal under the section entitled “Owner Certification”. The AHC is included with the Animal Health Recommendations recently sent by the NJ Department of Agriculture; a CVI is only available through the veterinarian and is valid for a maximum of 30 days. The AHC may be validated for 30, 60 or 90 days. Only the vet can determine if the certification is valid for 30, 60, or 90 days based on the condition of the animal.
2. Goats shall be identified by USDA approved official identification.
   • The goat must be identified individually on the CVI/AHC by ear tag or tattoo number. Electronic ID is acceptable as long as the reader is provided.
3. All goats are subject to a visual health inspection by the designated livestock inspector prior to being unloaded. There are no exceptions.
4. Animals suspected of having a health problem must be removed from the show grounds immediately.

Show Rules and Regulations

Member Eligibility

5. This event is open to NJ 4-H members registered in the Goat Project. Youth must have been enrolled in grades 4 - 13 as of September 2024.
6. To be eligible to show at the NJ 4-H Goat Show, the exhibitor must be a 4-H member in “Good Standing” according to the State 4-H Standards. S/he must have:
   • Completed a 4-H project record book prior to attending the state show.
   • Given a State, County or Club 4-H Presentation following the State 4-H Presentation Guidelines during the current club year.
   • Attended at least 70% of regular club meetings.
   • Participated in a 4-H sponsored community service project during the current club year.
   • Members must also have been responsible for the physical care / training of the animal(s) to the fullest extent possible.
7. Members must be enrolled with a Goat project in some way (e.g. working with a project animal, lease/loaner project, etc.) and complete a project record book.

Animal Eligibility

8. The State Show is for all 4-H goat projects owned or leased as of May 1, 2025.
9. Dairy wethers and does older than 24 months who have never freshened will be judged as companion animals. Meat goats and fiber goats have their own classes.
10. In the meat goat classes, does may be shown as breeding or market animals.
11. Bucks are not permitted at the show.
12. The following breeds will be judged:
    • Dairy Goats
      • Standard Dairy Breeds Class (all standard dairy breeds will be shown together): Alpine, La Mancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, and Toggenburg.
      • Nigerian Dwarf
      • Recorded and Unrecorded Grades
    • Fiber Goats (does and wethers)
      • Angora
      • Cashmere
    • Meat Goats (market – wethers or does; breeding – does only)
      • Boer, Boer Cross, Myotonic, Savannah, Kiko, etc.
    • Companion Goats (does and wethers)
      • Miniature Silky Fainting Goats, Pygmy, dairy wethers and dairy does > 24 months never freshened, meat goat wethers over 12 months of age
13. Horned animals are only permitted in the Fiber/Meat/Companion animal classes.
14. 4-Her’s whose animals are “Loaner Goat” project animals may show in showmanship and in all breed classes. The “Loaner Goat” project animal cannot be shared with another 4-H member. “Loaner Goat” registration forms should be filed in the county 4-H office by May 1 of the current project year. A copy of the Loaner form needs to accompany the State Goat Show Entry form.

Entering the Show

15. All entries are through our online system and are due by 11:59 p.m., August 1. No late entries. Online entry is quick and easy, with no $ due until the day of show.
16. The entry fee is $20.00 per exhibitor (NOT per animal entered), cash or checks payable to Mercer County 4-H. Entry fees will be collected the day of the show.
17. Show substitutions for a sick animal of the same breed may be made at the discretion of the Show Secretary before the show as long as all other qualifications have been met.
18. The base date for computing animals’ age is August 23, 2025.
19. Any doe 24 months or younger, which has never freshened, will compete in the Junior Division.

Preparing for the Show

21. Exhibitors will need to provide their own feed buckets, watering pails, hay, straw and feed.
22. In order to enter the Show Ring, exhibitors should be neat, clean, and appropriately attired. White clothing is standard for dairy goat showing. Dark pants may be worn by those showing fiber, meat, and/or companion animals. Name of exhibitor, county, club, or farm on any clothing or banners is not allowed in any case at or in the ring.
23. All exhibitors are responsible for the care, control, and safety of their animals, as well as clean-up after them before, during, and after the show.

Showing in the State Goat Show

24. All animals will be checked in between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM.
25. In order to show, an exhibitor must participate in their showmanship class. The only exception to this showmanship requirement is if the member is attending school classes at the time of the show (this does not include conflicts due to other extra-curricular activities). If this exception occurs, one project animal may be exhibited during a breed class by an eligible 4-H Goat Project member.
26. Dam and daughter do not have to be owned by one person. They must be entered separately and ownership indicated.
27. There will be no pre-show milkout. Over distention of the udders will be discriminated against by the judge.
28. County herds may consist of any five goats from the same county. This class need not be entered on entry form. The herd may be made up on the date of the show and may include any breed and type of goats.
29. If an exhibitor has more than one animal in the same class, then another 4-H member(s) must show the other animal(s).
30. The Danish System of judging will be used with ribbons awarded Excellent, Very Good, Good and Fair.

Ethics/Code of Conduct - incorporates National Code of Show Ring Ethics

31. All 4-Hers, parents and leaders are expected to be polite, sportsmanlike and properly attired. Any act of discourtesy, disrespect or disobedience to the judges, show officials, committee member or any other competitors, or failure to follow the rules shall cause the 4-Her to forfeit participation and dismiss them from the grounds.
32. The NJ4-H Goat Advisory Council and the NJ 4-H Department Liaison will decide any infractions of ethics or Code of Conduct.
33. If requested by show official, be able to show proof of ownership, length of ownership, age of all animals entered, and other required records.
34. Exhibitors will care for and groom their own animals while at the fair or show.
35. Fitting by anyone other than the exhibitor of the animals is not allowed. Failure to abide will result in forfeiture of any awards earned by that exhibitor. If 4-H exhibitor is in need of assistance, he or she may request the help of another 4-H member.
36. Changing the animal’s performance, natural contour, conformation, or appearance through surgery, injection, or application of substances such as irritants, or counterirritants is prohibited. Substances may be used on hoofs or horns for appearance only.
37. Direct criticism or interference with the judge, show management, other exhibitors or breed representatives is prohibited at all times. Problems will be resolved through appropriate channels.
38. No one may conspire, contribute to, or cooperate with others to violate this code, either by their action or inaction.
39. Owners, exhibitors, fitters, trainers, and participants are absolutely responsible for an animal’s condition whether or not they did something in violation themselves or knew of treatment that violates the code.
40. Exhibitors consent to disciplinary action for violation of the Code of Conduct or the Code of Show Ring Ethics.
41. Exhibitors verify that they have read and understand the Code of Conduct and the Code of Show Ring Ethics, as well as the consequences and penalties for violations. Exhibitors understand that evidence of violation of any law will be released to appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Showmanship Classes

Goat Showmanship (10:00 AM)

1. Senior Showmanship- exhibitors in grades 9 to 13 as of September 2024
2. Junior Showmanship- exhibitors in grades 6 to 8 as of September 2024
3. Novice Showmanship- exhibitors in grades 4 to 5 and anyone in their first year of showing

Breed Classes

Dairy Breeds:

• Standard Dairy Breeds Class (all standard dairy breeds will be shown together): Alpine, La Mancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Saanen, and Toggenburg
• Nigerian Dwarf
• Grades (Recorded & Unrecorded).

Junior Classes

7. 0-4 months- born between April 23, 2025 and August 23, 2025
8. 4-8 months- born between December 23, 2024 and April 22, 2025
9. 8-12 months- born between August 23, 2024 and December 22, 2024
10. 12-24 months- Doelings not in Milk- born between August 23, 2023 and August 22, 2024
11. Miss New Jersey, registration papers required-dry doe under 24 months-born to and continuously owned by exhibitor. Unrecorded does are not eligible for this class.

Senior Classes

12. Under 2 years in milk
13. 2 years and under 3 years
14. 3 years and under 5 years
15. 5 years and over
16. Dam and Daughter (not necessarily owned by one person). If owned by different people, please note and state who owns the other doe. Dam and daughter must be shown in their individual classes.
17. Kohr’s Trophy, registration papers required-first freshener only-bred by and born to and continuously owned as a 4-H project. Unrecorded does not eligible.

MEAT, FIBER, AND COMPANION GOATS WILL BE JUDGED AFTER THE DAIRY CLASSES.

Fiber Breeds: Angora and Cashmere

Does and Wethers

18. 0-4 months- born between April 23, 2025 and August 23, 2025
19. 4-8 months- born between December 23, 2024 and April 22, 2025
20. Over 8 months
21. Best of Two Head (Fiber) Any two animals exhibited in classes 18-20. To be judged on quality and similarity. May be owned separately.

Meat Goats: (DOES MAY BE ENTERED AS BREEDING OR MARKET ANIMALS)

• Boer, Boer Cross, Myotonic, Savannah, Kiko, etc.
  
  

  Breeding – Does Only

  22. 0 up to 4 months
  23. 4 to 8 months
  24. Over 8 months

  Market – Wethers and Does; under 12 mos.

  25. (multiple classes based on weight)
  26. Best of Two Head (Boer, Boer Cross, Myotonic, Savannah, Kiko, etc.) Any two animals exhibited in classes 22-25. To be judged on quality and similarity. May be owned separately.

Companion Goats (see companion goat scorecard on State 4-H Goat Show website):

• Miniature Silky Fainting Goats, Pygmy, Dairy Wethers, Dairy Does Over 24 Months Never Freshened, Meat Goat Wethers over 12 months of age
  
  

  Does

  27. <year – born after August 23, 2024
  28. >1 year – born on or before August 23, 2024

  Wethers

  29. <1 year
  30. >1 year
  31. Best of Two Head - Any two animals exhibited in classes 27-30. To be judged on quality and similarity. May be owned separately.