Dairy Show

2026

DAIRY CATTLE – DEPARTMENT B

Jeremy Daubert and Rosemary Life, Department Superintendents

(Revised April 2026)

2026 DAIRY SHOW ORDER

Milking Shorthorn, Red & White Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Commercial, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey.

Only these breeds are to be exhibited and shown.

2026 SCHEDULE

All dairy animals must be at the fairgrounds by Noon on Monday of fair week.

DAIRY CATTLE RULES & REGULATIONS

1. Entries are due July 1^st online at FairEntry.com. Stall assignments will be based on pre-entries.

2. All entry fees must be paid via the Fair Entry Website.

3. $10.00 entry fee per animal.Tack space will be assigned 1 per exhibitor at no cost and any extra will be based on barn availability.

4. Open competition is only open to Rockingham County Residents. Youth competition is restricted to youth exhibitors who are bona fide Rockingham 4-H Club and/or FFA member.

5. All youth exhibitors must be bona fide Rockingham 4-H Club and/or FFA members meeting the following criteria:

• Youth entries may be exhibited by all bonafide Rockingham 4-H & FFA members who are 9 years old by September 30th of the current year. Anyone younger than 9 years old will have to show registered animals in the open show and are not eligible to show grade animals in the commercial classes.
• Final participation in the youth show is the show immediately following graduation from High School.
• 4-H & FFA exhibitors who participated in the previous year’s fair must turn in a project book for species they exhibited in order to be eligible to show this year.

6. The storage of excessive amounts of hay, feed and straw will not be permitted in the barns and only if space is available after stall assignments have been made. This shall be at the discretion of the barn chairman. Area storing hay/feed/straw cannot be more than three tie rings/stalls and not stacked above the wooden tie walls.

7. Milkout at the discretion of the Judge.

8. Removal of animals

• Milk cows may leave Friday of fair week from 7AM-12PM.
• Display areas and Heifers/calves and tack cannot be removed until Saturday at 9:00PM.

9. To obtain an armband, passes or parking pass, you must have a dairy animal that is entered in the Dairy Show which is held on Tuesday of fair week.

10. No head/clipping chutes allowed in the dairy barn – must be kept in the grassy area between beef/dairy barns.

11. All advertising/sponsor signs cannot be larger than 22" X 28" in size and must be displayed in tack area.

12. No watering troughs allowed inside of the dairy barn.They must remain on the wash rack.

13. All entries must abide by the Dairy Cattle PDCA Show Ring Code of Ethics, the dairy department rules, and the Rockingham County Fair general rules and regulations.

Health Regulations

1. All animals must conform to Virginia Animal Health Requirements as listed on Virginia.gov

2. Only Virginia housed animals are allowed.

3. Health papers are not required, but are subject to the following:

• All animals must have permanent identification (RFID or tattoo).
• All exhibitors are urged, for their own protection, to have a current complete immunization program for the respiratory disease complex (including but not limited to IBR and PI3).
• All animals that are unthrifty in nature, of unsuitable condition and/or exhibiting any signs of disease or illness before or after entry of the fair may be refused and required to return to farm of origin. This will be determined by the dairy superintendents with a vet consultation.

Registered Animals

1. All cattle must be the property of the individual exhibiting them.

2. All dairy animals and original registration papers must be at the fairgrounds by Noon on Monday of fair week.

3. Registration certificates will be required for all registered show classes.

4. Any cattle that are shown must be shown in the breed in which they are registered. In case an animal is dual registered, the animal must be shown in one breed or another, not in both. If the animal is not registered, it must show in the commercial dairy classes.

5. Youth exhibiting registered entries must also participate in Showmanship to receive youth premiums.

Commercial Animals (Non-Registered)

1. Only youth exhibitors are allowed to exhibit in commercial dairy classes, open entries are not allowed.

2. Anyone younger than 9 years old is not considered youth and will have to show registered animals in the open show, and they are not eligible to show non-registered animals.

3. All cattle must be the property of the individual exhibiting them.

4. Commercial dairy animals may be of mixed dairy breeds or any dairy breed that is not registered, but they must be dairy on dairy genetics. No beef genetics are allowed. DNA testing can be requested at the discretion of superintendents.

5. All dairy animals must be at the fairgrounds by Noon on Monday of fair week. Youth showing grade animals in the commercial classes are encouraged to have a DHIA paper or proof of age. Class placement of commercial animals can be at the discretion of the superintendents if questionable.

6. Commercial animals must have an RFID tag and be at least 4 months old.

7. A maximum of 2 non-registered animals may be shown by a youth exhibitor.

8. Commercial entries are not eligible for supreme champion awards.

9. Youth exhibiting commercial entries must also participate in Showmanship to receive youth premiums.

(ANY AND ALL RULES OF THE ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FAIR PUBLISHED IN THE “FAIR CATALOG” APPLY TO ALL EXHIBIORS ALSO). THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

DAIRY CATTLE PDCA SHOW RING CODE OF ETHICS (February 2025)

Grooming and Preparation

Dairy cattle exhibitions are conducted under standards for evaluating conformation established by the PDCA Unified Score Card (2025), with specific breed characteristics taken into consideration by the show judge. In this connection, animals will be groomed and prepared for the judge’s evaluation in order to display the animal’s natural contour, conformation, performance and mobility. Specifically:

1. Changing the natural color of the animal is prohibited (effective 6/1/2015). However, external applications of cosmetics that affect only appearance may be used, including by way of example hoof polishes and false switches.

2. The maximum allowable length of naturally growing hair anywhere on the topline is not to exceed 1 ½ inches. Exhibitors will be required to comply with this rule before the animal is allowed to enter the ring. 3. Addition of foreign objects, including but not limited to hair or hair substitutes, cloth or fiber, to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body is prohibited.

4. Externally sealing the teat end with a preparation that does not harm the animal’s skin is permissible.

5. Natural teat placement will be given preference over artificially positioned teats.

6. The practice of over bagging the udder, or allowing excessive fill of milk in the mammary system, is strongly discouraged due to the harmful impact on animal comfort and health. Any signs of this could result in competition disqualification.

Violations: False, Deceptive or Unacceptable Practices

These practices are violations of the Code of Ethics and will be reported to show management and may be reported to the respective national breed associations:

1. Misrepresenting the age, milking status and/or lactation number of the animal for the class in which it is shown.

2. Treating the animal, particularly the udder, internally or externally:

a. with an irritant or counterirritant,

b. using a device to artificially create or enhance the udder crease,

c. using other substances as detected by testing that causes changes in the udder to artificially improve the conformation.

d. no substance that is not approved by FDA or prescribed by veterinarian may be administered to the mammary system including the teat canal.

3. Surgical or unethical insertion of any matter under the skin or into body cavities, performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body (e.g., administration of fluid via a stomach tube or other similar apparatus to fill the rumen), though not to preclude practices required or involved in normal management.

4. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors while in the show ring or other conduct detrimental to the breed or the show.

5. Challenging, threatening or interfering with an ethics committee appointed by show management to monitor the animals on exhibit on the show grounds.

SECTION I – TYPE CLASSES & PREMIUMS

(Tuesday morning, following Showing & Fitting Classes that start at 8:00AM)

2026 Show Order:

Milking Shorthorn, Red and White, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Commercial, Guernsey, Holstein, and Jersey.

Open Classes and Premiums

• Listed as below.
• If any registered breed has 8 or less total in their respective registered breed show, champions will not be selected for their respective breed. Registered breeds with 8 or less will have all first-place class winners placed in an AOB (all other breeds) class to select a Grand and Reserve AOB champion for open and youth entries. The Grand and Reserve AOB champions are eligible for supreme champion awards.
  • Junior AOB Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
  • Reserve Junior AOB Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
  • Junior AOB Champion (Open Show) – Rosette
  • Reserve Junior AOB Champion (Open Show) – Rosette
  • Grand Champion AOB (Youth Show) - Banner
  • Reserve Grand Champion AOB (Youth Show) - Rosette
  • Grand Champion AOB (Open Show) - Banner
  • Reserve Grand Champion AOB (Open Show) - Rosette
• Commercial dairy animals are not eligible for AOB champions or supreme champion awards.

Junior Classes and Premiums

• Class listings are the same as listed below for the open show, except for commercial animals.
• Youth will receive premiums as follows for placing in youth competition, in addition to any premium won in the open placings:1st - $152nd - $123rd - $10
• All youth entries will receive a $10 participating premium for 3rd place and below in youth competition.
• Youth showmanship is mandatory if youth want to receive premiums. See Youth Showmanship Classes section for more information.
• Class listings are the same as listed above for the open show.
• Youth will receive premiums as follows for placing in youth competition, in addition to any premium won in the open placings:1st - $152nd - $123rd - $10
• All youth entries will receive a $10 participating premium for 3rd place and below in youth competition.

*AOB Champion Awards

Registered Heifer Classes

1st-$15, 2nd-$12, 3rd-$9, 4th-$6, 5th-$3 (open premiums)

(Rosette only receives a ribbon and no cash award, Banner has no cash award)

1. Spring Heifer Calf born March 1 through May 30, 2026

2. Winter Heifer Calf born Dec. 1, 2025 through Feb. 28, 2026

3. Fall Heifer Calf born Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, 2025

4. Summer Heifer Calf born June 1 through August 31, 2025

5. Spring Yearling Heifer born March 1 through May 31, 2025

6. Winter Yearling Heifer born Dec. 1, 2024 through Feb. 28, 2025

7. Fall Yearling Heifer (not in milk) born Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, 2024

8. Junior Best of 3 females to consist of three animals all shown in the junior age classes, bred by exhibitor regardless of ownership.

Junior Champion Awards:

• Junior Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
• Reserve Junior Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
• Junior Champion (Open Show) – Rosette
• Reserve Junior Champion (Open Show) – Rosette

Registered Cow Classes

1st-$25, 2nd-$20, 3rd-$15, 4th-$10, 5th-$5 (open premiums)

(Rosette only receives a ribbon and no cash award, Banner has no cash award)

9. Junior two year old cow (not necessarily in milk) born March 1. 2024 through August 31, 2024

10. Senior two year old cow born Sept. 1, 2023 through Feb. 28, 2024

11. Three year old cow born Sept. 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023

12. Four year old cow born Sept. 1, 2021 through August 31, 2022

13. Aged cow born before Sept. 1, 2021

14. Dry cow – any age freshened at least once

Senior Champion Awards:

• Senior Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
• Reserve Senior Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
• Senior Champion (Open Show)– Rosette
• Reserve Senior Champion (Open Show) – Rosette
• Grand Champion (Youth Show) – Banner
• Reserve Grand Champion (Youth Show) – Rosette
• Grand Champion(Open Show) – Banner
• Reserve Grand Champion (Open Show) - Rosette

Registered Other Classes

1st-$15, 2nd-$12, 3rd-$9, 4th-$6, 5th-$3 (open premiums)

15. Best Udder of Show (in milk)

16. Dam and Daughter – two females, one to be the offspring of the other, may be owned by two exhibitors

17. Produce of Dam to consist of two animals, any age, the produce of one cow. May be owned by two exhibitors

18. Best of three females to consist of three females, any age, all bred by one breeder, one animal may be owned by another exhibitor

Registered Supreme Champion Classes

(No cash award, banner only)

Commercial dairy are not eligible for supreme champion classes. The Junior Champion (registered heifers) and Senior Champion (registered cows) of the Youth and Open Shows for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Gurnsey, Holstein, Jersey, or AOB (all other breeds) will be pulled for the following supreme classes:

• Supreme Jr. Champion (Junior Show) - Banner
• Reserve Jr. Supreme Champion (Junior Show) - Banner
• Supreme Jr. Champion (Open Show) - Banner
• Reserve Jr. Supreme Champion (Open Show) - Banner
• Supreme Sr. Champion (Junior Show) - Banner
• Reserve Sr. Champion (Junior Show) - Banner
• Supreme Sr. Champion (Open Show) - Banner
• Reserve Sr. Champion (Open Show) - Banner

Commercial Dairy Classes

• Open to youth 4-H/FFA exhibitors only. Must be 9 as of September 30^th of current fair year and be a member in good standing.
• Commercial entries are not eligible for any supreme championships.
• All commercial entries must have an RFID tag and be at least 4 months old to be eligible to show.

SECTION II – YOUTH SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

(Tuesday of Fair starting at 8:00AM before Type Classes)

Youth showmanship is MANDATORY if youth want to receive youth premiums. Youth must be a bonafide 4-H or FFA member in good standing. Youth participating in these classes are NOT eligible for the Pee-Wee class.

• 4-H Cloverbud Showmanship ages 5-8 as of September 30^th
• Junior Dairy Showmanship ages 9-12 as of September 30^th
• Intermediate Showmanship ages 13-15 as of September 30^th
• Senior Showmanship ages 16-19 as of September 30^th

*No premiums, but an award of some type is given

1^st-$15, 2^nd-$12, 3^rd-$9, 4^th-$6, 5^th-$3

1^st-$15, 2^nd-$12, 3^rd-$9, 4^th-$6, 5^th-$3

1^st-$15, 2^nd-$12, 3^rd-$9, 4^th-$6, 5^th-$3

SECTION III – FUN CLASSES

(Thursday of Fair)

Dairy Pee-Wee Class

Sponsored by Farm Credit of the Virginias

1. Ages 8 and younger as of September 30^th of the current year.

2. Any dairy breed may be shown.

3. Any animal shown must have also been shown in the dairy show on Tuesday.

4. All participants will receive a ribbon – no premiums awarded.

5. Cloverbud’s that participated in the Cloverbud Showmanship class on Tuesday are not eligible.

6. Class starts at 7:00PM Thursday.

Dress a Calf Class

Sponsored by Greenmount Grain Roasting, LLC

1. Each team will need to supply their own clothing items to dress themselves and their animal.

2. Any animal used, must have also been shown in the dairy show on Tuesday.

3. All exhibits in the class are subject to the general rules of the Rockingham County Fair Association and Dairy Department. See General Rules and Regulations for Health Requirements and Barn Area rules.

4. Class will be judged strictly on the costume of the calf and participants ONLY. Fitting is not considered in the judging of this class. Participants do not need to own the animal.

5. No cash premiums will be awarded for this class. Prizes will be donated by class sponsors.

6. Any dairy breed may be shown.

7. Class will be on Thursday night of the fair, following the Pee Wee Class.

SECTION IV – YOUTH DAIRY SHOW

Junior Premiums

Junior Rules & Regulations

• All youth exhibitors must be bona fide Rockingham 4-H Club and/or FFA members meeting the following criteria:
• Youth entries may be exhibited by all bonafide Rockingham 4-H & FFA members who are 9 years old by September 30th of the current year.
• Final participation in the youth show is the show immediately following graduation from High School.
• 4-H & FFA exhibitors who participated in the previous year’s fair must turn in a project book for species they exhibited in order to be eligible to show this year.
• Pre-entry and health requirements are the same as those for the Open Dairy Show.
• Only Youth exhibitors may show non-registered (grade) animals in the commercial dairy classes.
• The Youth Dairy Show will be held simultaneously with the Open Show.After all animals have been placed, junior animals will be advanced and awarded Junior Show Premiums and Ribbons.
• All cattle must be owned by the exhibitor.Ownership defined:
• Animals must be registered in the name of the Youth member, or a partnership of Youth members, throughout the year exhibiting in order to qualify for Youth recognition.Adult-Youth and family or farm partnerships are NOT acceptable.
• For an animal (cow or heifer) being transferred to a Youth, or a partnership of Youth, the transfer application must received by July 15^th.
• The following actions will disqualify an animal from Youth recognition:
• Transferring an animal in or out of a Youth’s name after the deadline
• Adding or dropping any adult or Youth member as owner after the deadline
• There is also a 4-H/FFA Dairy Lease Agreement for youth that are interested in showing dairy animals without ownership.Contact the Dairy Barn Chairman or the Rockingham County Extension Office to receive a copy or explanation of the program.The Lease agreement is due to the Dairy Barn Chairman or the Rockingham County Extension office by July 1^st.
• Youth Showmanship is mandatory.If a youth does not participate in Youth Showmanship they cannot receive Youth Premiums from Tuesday’s show.The youth would only be eligible to collect open premiums from Tuesday’s open show.
• Permission for exception from Youth Showmanship can be requested in writing to the Dairy Department Chairman.Chairman must receive a written request 4 days prior to the Youth Showmanship Class.If there is a medical reason, a Doctor’s note must accompany a written request to be excused.The Chairman and Dairy Barn Committee will have the final decision and give a written response one day prior to the Youth Showmanship class.
• All animals shown in Youth Showmanship classes must be owned by the exhibitor.
• Classes will be formed for Youth Showmanship based on age as of September 30th
• Ages 5-8 (Cloverbud); Ages 9-12 (Junior Division); 13-15 (Intermediate Division); 16-19 (Senior Division).
• Youth Showmanship classes will be held Tuesday of fair week starting at 8:00AM.