Department 3: Beef
| Event | Day and Date |
|---|---|
| Judging | Monday, August 17 at 9:00 am - Beef Show Thursday, August 20 at 1:00 pm - 4-H Beef Master Exhibitor Show |
| Deadline for all entries | August 1 |
| Drop Off | All animals enter fairgrounds Sunday, August 16 Market Steers, Dairy & Beef Feeder Steers enter between 7:00 am and 11:00 am. Weigh-in will be at 12:00 noon Breeding Animals enter between 8:00 am & 12:00 noon |
| Contact | Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Superintendent | Heidi Stephens-Pavelski | 570-280-5665 |
Department Rules
Exhibitors must adhere to the General Rules for the Harford Fair listed here.
Exhibitors must adhere to the IAFE Code of Ethics which can be found here.
- To enter: go to www.harfordfair.com and follow the link to enter online or use the Beef Entry Blank below. Please include the entry fee of $3.00 per animal.
- All purebred breeding class entries must include the registration name and number of the animal, the owner, breeder, sire, and dam. Unregistered females will show as “Crossbred” (breed) regardless of lineage. Market entries must include animal date of birth, ear tag, and breed. All entries, including Group Classes, must be on the Beef Entry Blank. If space becomes a problem, entries will be accepted in order they are received.
- Animals must be owned by the exhibitor. If buying an animal, ownership must be finalized by day of show (not pending).
- Registration papers and Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) must accompany the animal and be approved before the animal can be unloaded at the fairgrounds.
- Exhibitors must have all animals entered for competition on the fairgrounds on Sunday, August 16, 2026 between 7:00 AM & 11:00 AM for market animals and 8:00 AM & 12:00 Noon for breeding animals. Market Animals will be weighed at 12 Noon. Entries not part of the 4-H program may leave at the conclusion of the dairy show on Wednesday. All 4-H animals must remain until 8:00 AM Sunday, unless released by the superintendent through prior arrangement.
- Exhibitors will be expected to display or parade their animals as directed by the superintendent, accept their stall assignments without controversy, and to cooperate with the superintendent in every way to preserve the educational value of the show. Requests for stall preference must accompany entries. No stalls are promised.
- Exhibitors are responsible for knowing when their stock will be judged. Failure to present animals at the ring when called will result in disqualification.
- All animals shown in Group Classes must compete in the individual classes. All calves shown with cows in the cow/calf classes: 1) must show in the respective calf class; and 2) count as a separate individual for entry fees.
- Only original bedding will be furnished. All exhibitors must furnish their own feed and watering equipment. Straw will be available for sale on the fairgrounds. Approved bedding is straw, hay, or tan bark. Sawdust alone may not be used for bedding.
- ALL BEEF CATTLE MUST BE STALLED WITH A DOUBLE TIE. All bulls over eight months of age must have a permanent nose ring in place.
Department 3 - Beef Cattle - 2026 Health Rules
Requirements for Pennsylvania Beef Cattle Entering the Fairgrounds:
1) The Animal Exhibition Sanitation Law requires attestation that a VCPR exists for all animals to be exhibited. This attestation states that the owner or caretaker of the animal has assumed responsibility to consult a veterinarian and has agreed to follow the instructions of the veterinarian in relation to animal diseases and implementing best management practices intended to reduce and prevent disease. This requirement can be fulfilled by any of the following means:
a) A Veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) form with a veterinarian’s signature, signed and dated after January 1, 2026. The VCPR must be printed out and presented for inspection as a hard copy at the time of unloading of the exhibit animals.
b) A current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI or “health certificate”), issued within 30 days of the Harford Fair. The CVI must remain on the Fairgrounds with the exhibitor and be available at any time for inspection.
2) All animals will be inspected upon removal from the trailer by the Fair Veterinarian or Department Superintendent, and must be free of infectious or contagious diseases.
3) Official identification is required for all cattle. Official identification includes any of the following:
(a) A USDA issued National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) tag if applied prior to November 5, 2024. This tag type is no longer valid for interstate movement if applied after November 5, 2024.
(b) A 15-digit Animal Identification Number (AIN) starting with “840” (preferred method of identification)
(c) Tattoos and other identification methods acceptable to a breed association for registration purposes, accompanied by a breed registration certificate.
(d) Brands registered with a recognized brand inspection authority and accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate.
4) All animals over three (3) months of age (except market cattle) must have a current (within 180 days of show) rabies vaccination show proof of vaccination with: a) a valid rabies certificate (or copy of): or b) the rabies vaccination information may be attached to the VCPR or included on the above required paperwork.
5) A Tuberculosis test is not required.
6) A Brucellosis test is not required.
7) All animals must be immunized against IBR, P13, BRSV, and BVD. A statement of this may be attached to the VCPR or included on the above required paperwork.
***Special note – Animals that have never been vaccinated against BVD or have not been vaccinated against BVD during the previous 12 months must receive: a) one dose of modified live virus vaccine given at least 15 days and not more than 180 days before the Show; or b) two doses of killed virus vaccine, given two to four weeks apart, with the last dose at least 15 days, and not more than 180 days before the Show. The date of the last modified live virus vaccination, or the dates of the last two killed virus vaccinations must be recorded on the CVI. Hyper-immune serum may not be used as a substitute for the above vaccination requirement. Animals without proper vaccination will not be allowed on the Fairgrounds.
Requirements for Out of State Beef Cattle Entering the Fairgrounds (in addition to the above listed requirements):
1) All animals must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued within 30 days prior to the start of the Harford Fair. If an animal comes from a state in which Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has been identified, or a bordering state, the CVI shall include a statement verifying “All animals identified on this CVI have been examined and found to be free from Vesicular Stomatitis. During the past 90 days, these animals have neither been exposed to VS nor located within 10 miles of a site where VS has been diagnosed.”
2) All animals must be free of infectious, contagious, or parasitic diseases, and a statement of this is required on the CVI (is pre-printed on CVI).
3) Official identification is required for all cattle. Official identification includes any of the following:
(a) A USDA issued National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) tag if applied prior to November 5, 2024. This tag type is no longer valid for interstate movement if applied after November 5, 2024.
(b) A 15-digit Animal Identification Number (AIN) starting with “840” (preferred method of identification)
(c) Tattoos and other identification methods acceptable to a breed association for registration purposes, accompanied by a breed registration certificate.
(d) Brands registered with a recognized brand inspection authority and accompanied by an official brand inspection certificate.
4) All animals over three (3) months of age (except market cattle) must have a current (within 180 days of show) rabies vaccination show proof of vaccination with: a) a valid rabies certificate (or copy of): or b) the rabies vaccination information must be included on the CVI.
5) Tuberculosis: No test is required for animals originating from “Accredited Free” states. All animals originating from states designated “Modified Accredited Advanced” must test negative within 60 days prior to date of importation. The negative test results and the date of the test must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (or copy of). All animals originating from states designated “Modified Accredited” must originate from herds in which all animals 12 months of age or older be test negative within the 12 months prior to the date of importation; and the individual animals to be imported (all ages) are test negative within the 60 days prior to importation and at least 60 days after the negative whole herd test. The test results and the date of the test must be included on the CVI or the animal must be accompanied by a negative test report (or copy).
6) A Brucellosis test is not required.