Box Elder Junior Livestock Drug Use and Testing Policy

General Rule

The use of tranquilizers, sedatives, depressants, or any substances that alter the physical or physiological state of an animal is prohibited.

Exceptions may only be made by a licensed, certified veterinarian for:

  • 1. Treatment of a recognized disease or injury.
  • 2. Administration to breeding animals in heat to ensure safety of others.

All drugs must be approved by the FDA for use in meat-producing animals. Any use of unapproved substances, including drugs, feed additives, or chemicals, is strictly prohibited.

1. Reporting and Documentation

Exhibitors must report all drugs or medication used or administered (including antibiotics) to any animal, within forty-five (45) days of the county fair, and at any point of time during the county fair, to the appropriate species director. This will be disclosed in writing at the time of weigh-in, before showing, drug testing.

Information required at weigh-in and prior to showing, drug testing and sale:

  • Name of drug or medication
  • Purpose of administration
  • Person administering the drug
  • Date and time of administration

Failure to report this information to the appropriate species director will result in severe penalties and/or disqualification - as outlined in this policy

2. FDA Compliance and Feed Additives

  • All drugs must be FDA-approved for food animals.
  • Unapproved drugs or substances are strictly prohibited.
  • Feed containing Ractopamine (e.g., Paylean) is prohibited outside of labeled use.

3. Drug Certification Agreement

Exhibitors and parents/guardians must certify that the entry:

  • Has not received any unapproved substances as defined by the FDA or USDA.
  • Is free of all drug and chemical residues, including withdrawal and elimination periods.

4. Drug Testing Procedures

All animals entered in livestock competition are subject to testing for foreign substances within and/or above FDA, FSIS, USDA, or EPA limits.

At weigh-in, each species will be randomly selected for drug testing to take place after their respective market show. Selection will be determined through a randomized process generated by the Box Elder Junior Livestock software. Exhibitors will be notified of the random election as they exit the show ring.

Grand Champion and Reserve Champion animals in each species will be automatically drug tested after their respective market shows.

Testing protocol requires exhibitor and parent/guardian presence during collection unless a substitute exhibitor is approved.

Violation of testing procedures will result in disqualification - as outlined in this policy.

5. Approved Drug Use

If an animal has been treated with an FDA-approved drug, enough time (withdrawal time) must have passed so that no detectable residues remain in the animal upon arrival at the fair.

Animals must remain residue-free while on the show grounds.

Note: Elimination time is typically longer than the labeled withdrawal time.

6. Emergency Treatment

If an animal requires emergency treatment while on the show grounds:

  • Only a licensed veterinarian may administer any medication.
  • The species director must be notified immediately.
  • Exhibitors may use a veterinarian other than the Official Show Veterinarian, but the official must be notified and present.

Animals treated with any drug having a withdrawal or extended elimination period will be disqualified, except as qualified immediately below.

The Official Show Veterinarian, in consultation with Show Management, may treat any animal if necessary for its welfare; however, such animals may be ineligible to sale.

7. Violations, Penalties, and Probation Policy

1. FDA Unapproved Substances:

Detection of any FDA-unapproved substance in any amount will result in:

  • Forfeiture of all premiums, awards, scholarships, boosts, and sale proceeds for that year.
  • Placement on probationary status two (2) subsequent show years.
  • Mandatory annual drug testing, regardless of placing, at the exhibitor’s expense (automatically deducted from their check).

2. Second Offense:

  • A second positive test for any unapproved substance will result in permanent disqualification from Box Elder Junior Livestock participation.

3. Unreported Drug Use:

  • Failure to report any drug use may result in disqualification and loss of all premiums, awards, scholarships, boosts, and sale proceeds for that year.

8. Wholesome Meat Act Compliance

The USDA Wholesome Meat Act applies to all market livestock exhibited. Only animals eligible for immediate slaughter may be brought to the fairgrounds.

Requirements:

  • a. Animals must be healthy and free of residues.
  • b. Drug labels must be followed; elimination times may exceed withdrawal times.
  • c. Carcasses with drug or chemical residues may be condemned.

Box Elder Junior Livestock is not liable for carcass condition or sale price.

Exhibitors forfeit all premiums, awards, scholarships, boosts, and sale proceeds if residues are found.

Exhibitors are responsible for rejected animals and may be liable for any and all fines accrued, up to three times the purchase price, plus attorney’s fees and civil penalties.

Show Management may share violation information with FDA or USDA.

If any carcass portion is removed by inspectors, market price will be discounted.

Summary Rule of Thumb

Only FDA-approved drugs prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for legitimate health reasons may be used.

All use must be reported, withdrawal and elimination times met, and no residues present at show time.

Any unreported or unapproved drug use — at any detectable level — results in forfeiture, probation, and possible permanent disqualification.

Random testing after the species' respective market show and mandatory champions testing ensure fairness and integrity.

9. Drug Test Notification

If an animal’s drug test results indicate the presence of an FDA-unapproved substance or any prohibited residue, the exhibitor will be formally notified in writing via certified mail. Notification will be delivered by certified mail after the results have been received from the lab and finalized. The certified letter will serve as the official notice of the violation and will outline applicable penalties and next steps. Failure to accept or open certified mailing will not be a defense to notice of the violation and testing results.

10. Exhibitor Right to Appeal

Exhibitors have the right to appeal a failed drug test. An appeal must be submitted in writing to the Appeals Committee. The written appeal must be received no later than 30 days after the date the official notice was sent.

11. Appeals Committee & Review Process

Appeals will be reviewed by an Appeals Committee composed of knowledgeable, experienced, and non-biased individuals. The committee will review all evidence and documentation related to the case. If appropriate, the committee may request or allow a face-to-face meeting with the exhibitor and parent/guardian. After completing its review, the Appeals Committee will issue a final written decision to the exhibitor and parent/guardian no later than 30 days after the appeal has been received.

12. Final Decision

All decisions made by the Appeals Committee are final and binding. No further appeals will be accepted.