August 22-25, 2024
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Livestock Rules
Please note that we have two sets of rules: Animal Health Rules and Pulling Rules.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
Bureau of Fairs, Division of Agricultural Development Department of Food and Agriculture
In addition to complying with all laws and regulations governing animal health issues (M.G.L. C. 129 14D, 14E, 44 and 330 CMR 4.03, 4.07, 16.03), all fairs receiving DFA prize money must adopt and enforce the following rules for governance of the fair:
NO animal will be admitted to the fairgrounds unless it meets the requirements below. NO animal is to be unloaded or enter a barn or tie-out stall until the animal and its paperwork have been inspected and approved for entry.
A. GENERAL RULES FOR ALL ANIMALS
1. All animals must be in proper physical condition, be properly identified and free of visual evidence of infectious, contagious or parasitic disease at time of arrival. Specific diseases and conditions which will disqualify an animal for entry are identified for each species in the following sections of the rules. Animals of any species with open or draining wounds will not be approved for entry.
2. Evidence of infectious, contagious or parasitic disease or failure to produce the necessary documents for health certification, vaccination or testing will result in the animals rejection for entry. THE INSPECTORS DECISION IS FINAL.
3. REMINDER: ALL sheep and goats of any age or sex brought to show or exhibition from either out of state or within state must possess a USDA approved individual identification tag or tattoo based on the federal scrapie eradication program which went into effect in November, 2001. Information on approved tags and tattoos is available from the USDA APHIS office in Sutton, MA at 508-865-1421.
4. All livestock must have proper ID. For animals identified by microchip, readers must be available to the inspectors.
5. SEE INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH SPECIES LISTED BELOW.
1. All animals entering a Massachusetts fairground from out of state must be accompanied by a valid health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals are clinically free of infectious or contagious disease and exposure from such disease. Documents of health certification must be written on relevant state or federal health forms only. These certificates must be available upon request to fair inspectors.
2. Health certificates must be dated January 1, 2013 or later. These documents will be acceptable for the entire fair season in Massachusetts. TB and Brucellosis testing is not required for animals from TB-accredited and Brucellosis-free States. Current brucellosis and TB status in the exhibitors state can be obtained from the state veterinarians office in each state. If the exhibitors state is not TB-accredited or Brucellosis-free, then the exhibitor must call the Massachusetts Bureau of
Animal Health for entry requirements (627-626-1795).
1. No poultry will be admitted to a fairground until it has been individually inspected.
2. All poultry must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases: infectious bronchitis, coryza, pullorum-typhoid, fowl-pox, external parasites and laryngotracheitis.
3. Each bird must be accompanied by written proof (ID card or test report) that the breeding flock was blood-tested negative for pullorum-typhoid within one year prior to entry date.
4. Birds from quarantined states will not be permitted entry.
5. All birds over 16 weeks of age as of January 1, 2013 shall be individually leg banded with a state leg band. This includes out of state exhibitors.
6. No bird vaccinated for laryngotracheitis within thirty days of the fair will be admitted.
D. CATTLE, GOATS and CAMELIDS (Llamas Alpacas, etc.)
1. All animals entering a Massachusetts fairground from out of State or within the state must be accompanied by a valid health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals are clinically free of infectious or contagious disease and exposure from such disease. Note that all goats and kids presented, regardless of age, must be individually listed and identified on the health certificate. These certificates must be available upon request to fair inspectors. Documents of health certification for out of state animals must be written on relevant state or federal health forms only. In-state animals may be accompanied by a certificate of examination on a veterinarians letterhead stationery which clearly identifies the contact information for the veterinarian signing the certification. Certificates written on plain paper are not acceptable. Health Certificates must be dated January 1, 2013 or later. These documents will be accepted for the entire fair season in Massachusetts.
2. All of the above animals must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases and conditions: foot rot, mange, pink-eye, ringworm, warts, cow-pox and open or draining wounds.
3. In addition all Goats must also be free of sore mouth and scrapie exposure. Based on the FEDERAL SCRAPIE ERADICATION PROGRAM (FSEP), goats of any age or sex brought to show or exhibition from either out of state or within state must possess a USDA approved individual identification tag, tattoo, or electronic implant consistent with the requirements of the FSEP and the Massachusetts Emergency Order 1-AHO-06. Information on approved tags, tattoos and electronic implants is available from the USDA APHIS office in Sutton, MA at 508-865-1421.
4. Blue Tongue testing is required for Camelids originating from outside the Commonwealth. Exception: Animals from a USDA declared “Low Incident State” are exempt. Note: New England and New York are Low Incident States.
5. While not required, it is strongly recommended that all cattle be currently vaccinated for rabies.
1. All swine entering a Massachusetts fairground must be accompanied by a valid health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals are clinically free of infectious or contagious disease and exposure to such disease. Documents of health certification for out of state animals must be written on relevant state or federal health forms only. In-state animals may be accompanied by a certificate of examination on a veterinarians letterhead stationery which clearly identifies the contact information for the veterinarian signing the certification. Certificates written on plain paper are not acceptable. These certificates must be available upon request to fair inspectors. Health certificates must be dated January 1, 2013 or later. These documents will be accepted for the entire fair season in Massachusetts. All swine must be identified by an official ear tag or registration.
2. Swine must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases and conditions: erysipelas, atrophic rhinitis, mange and open or draining wounds.
3. No person shall import into Massachusetts from outside the state any swine which have been pseudorabies vaccinated. M.G.L. c. 129 14E.
4. No person shall import into Massachusetts swine from Stage I or Stage II Pseudorabies States.
5. All swine shall originate from qualified pseudorabies-free herds, or monitored herds in qualified pseudorabies free States only. The pseudorabies status of the exhibitors state can be obtained from the state veterinarians office in each state.
1. Sheep entering a Massachusetts fairground must have a valid health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals are clinically free of infectious or contagious disease and exposure from such disease. Documents of health certification for out of state animals must be written on relevant state or federal health forms only. In-state animals may be accompanied by a certificate of examination on a veterinarians letterhead stationery which clearly identifies the contact information for the veterinarian signing the certification. Certificates written on plain paper are not acceptable. These certificates must be available upon request to fair inspectors. Health certificates must be dated January 1, 2013 or later. These documents will be acceptable for the entire fair season.
2. No sheep will be allowed entry from flocks in which Scrapie has been diagnosed or in which animals are under surveillance for Scrapie during the previous eighteen months. Based on the Federal Scrapie Eradication Program (FSEP) and the Massachusetts Emergency Order 1-AHO-06, sheep of any age or sex brought to show or exhibition from either out of state or within state must possess a USDA approved individual identification tag, tattoo or electronic implant consistent with requirements of the FSEP. Information on approved tags, tattoos, and electronic implants is available from the USDA APHIS office in Sutton, MA at 508-865-1421.
3. No sheep will be permitted entry from flocks in which Soremouth has existed or in which Soremouth Vaccine has been administered in the previous sixty days.
4. Sheep must be free from visual evidence of foot rot, sore mouth, pink eye, ringworm, and open and draining wounds.
5. While not required, it is strongly recommended that sheep be currently vaccinated against rabies.
1. All equines entering a Massachusetts fairground must have a valid health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian certifying that the animals are clinically free of infectious or contagious disease and exposure from such disease. Documents of health certification for out of state animals must be written on relevant state or federal health forms only. In-state animals may be accompanied by a certificate of examination on a veterinarians letterhead stationery which clearly identifies the contact information for the veterinarian signing the certification. Certificates written on plain paper are not acceptable. These certificates must be available upon request to fair inspectors. Health certificates must be dated January 1, 2013 or later. These documents will be acceptable for the entire fair season.
2. All equines must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases and conditions: mange, ringworm, soring, strangles, and open or draining wounds.
3. All equines originating from within and outside of the Commonwealth must have a negative USDA-approved EIA test (i.e., Coggins test or ELISA test) dated within twelve months of entry.
4. While not required, it is strongly recommended that all equines be vaccinated for rabies, tetanus and EEE within one year of the fair.
1. Rabbits must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases: snuffles, wet tail, skin and ear infections.
1. All dogs and cats must be free of visual evidence of the following diseases: kennel cough, distemper, hepatitis, parvo, ringworm and mange.
2. All Massachusetts dogs and cats and those originating from out of this State must have a valid and current vaccination certificate for rabies.
ATTENTION
CUMMINGTON FAIR HORSE/OXEN PULLING RULES
Friday Night:
Power Puff starting time 4pm-Age limit 15 years based on Honor System, unless there is a reason for a change
Limit of 1 entry per class per Driver/Owner/Family. We have a option to pull classes together or separately.
20′ No Touch- Limit 1 Team per Driver/Owner/Family per class. We have a option to pull classes together or separately.
Wristbands will be give out at the scales: for HORSES-the driver and his 2 Hitchers; for OXEN-Driver and Hitcher.
NO ONE ELSE WILL BE ALLOWED ISN’T HE PIT AREA THAT ISN’T WEARING A WRISTBAND. This will apply to all Draft Classes throughout the weekend.
These changes will continue to be in effect this year adn from now on, as they worked very well last year for the entire weekend. We want to continue to make these events an enjoyable and safe time for everyone and in the same shorter span of time as well.
Thank you all for your cooperation in helping to make this a successful and safe fair!
MASSACHUSETTS FAIRS ASSOCIATION
Rules Governing Pulling Contests
Approved by Mass. Department Agricultural Resources
Bureau of Fairs 2016
Rules prefixed O apply to oxen only.
Rules prefixed H applies to horses only.
Rules prefixed P applies to ponies only.
All other rules apply equally to horses, ponies & oxen
1. The fairs pulling events committee, shall be charged with promulgating and enforcing all rules and guidelines pertaining to pull events in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The committee shall consist of two members representing the Mass. Department of Food & Agriculture, the Mass. Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mass Pairs Association, Pull Superintendent, Pull judges, pony pull association, horse pull association and the oxen pull association.
2. There shall be a fair superintendent and up to three judges in charge at all drawing contest. They shall be vested with the authority to disqualify any team or driver for any cause that in their judgment might be detrimental to the best interest of the public, animals or the organization conducting the contest. An official will be designated to determine the proper use of the reins, whip or goad stick.The sole responsibilty of 1 judge is to just JUDGE THE CLASS and to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations.
3. The judges and superintendent shall be qualified in stone boat contests and shall have full jurisdiction to decide the weight of the load at any time and to decide anything relative to the actual drawing.
4. Any individual, firm or corporation found guilty of administering drugs, which may affect the conduct, actions, endurance, strength, speed or performance of any animal competing in any pulling competition within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, shall forfeit all prize monies won that day. First offense would consist of a $500.00 fine and a 30-day suspension to be served from May 15 through October 30. A Second Offense within a five (5) year period from the first offense will result in a $1,000 fine and a 1-year suspension; a third offense (within 3 years of the second or 8 years of the first) will result in the teamster being barred for a period of 10 years from the date of the thrid offense, to be served from May 15 through October 30. The teamster at the completion of the suspension, may at that time, petition to return into the pulling ring after a reiew and hearing before the Massachusetts Pulling Committee. Any Teamster who refuses to assist the Vet in testing any animal, or refuses to have an animal tested, will be guilty of a drug violation. Suspension to be served between May 15 and October 30. All fines are payable to the Mass. Fairs Drug Testing Fund and should be mailed to Rose M. Sherman 795 Old North Rd., Worthington, MA 01098.
5. Any owner and/or teamster who has been convicted or found in violation in any other states statute relating to the use of drugs or stimulants, or other animal protection statute shall be barred from participation in any contest, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, for the perior prescribed by that state. All testing will be done before the first load or after the last load for a team.
6. Any team disqualified by an agent of Humane Society appointed under Chapter 22C, Section 57, of The M.G.L. shall be taken out of the contest immediately. Before any team is taken out there should be consultation among the Humane Society, superintendent and judges, and may be announced to the public by the judges.
7. All participants will be properly dressed. Any driver, judge or superintendent, hitcher, family member, raker, pinner, measurer, tractor driver or spectator, who had been drinking alcoholic beverages will be disqualified from the contest and removed from pulling area. Breathalyzers may be used at pulling events to determine if an individual has been drinking. The reading will show a 0.04 tolerane.The drinking of alcoholic beverages in and around the ring is prohibited. Any foul or abusive language to the public or anyone connected with the draw, by the driver or his helper, will cause the driver and team to be disqualified immediately. First offense may result in fines up to $250.00; and 2 weeks suspension. Second offense within a 5 year period of the first offense, may result in a one-year suspension and fines up to $1,000; Third offense (within 3 years of the second or 8 years of the first) will result i the teamster being barred for a period of 10 years from the date of the third offense, to be served from May 15 through October 30. The teamster at the completion of the suspension, may at that time, petition to return into the pulling ring after a reiew and hearing before the Massachusetts Pulling Committee. Moneys collected to be sent to address listed under #4
8. Sores and abrasions caused or likely to be irritated by the beating surface of harnesses or yokes will deem the animal unfit for use in the contest, decision to be made by superintendent or judges. Any lame animal will not be allowed to pull. Lameness, mechanical in nature and doesnt cause pain or suffering as certified by a licensed veterinarian on a health certificate dated within the previous twelve months will be allowed to pull.
9. Teams deemed uncontrollable or teamsters losing control that goes beyond the defined pit area, will immediately be disqualified by the Superintendent or judges and removed from the contest. Each fair will mark a defined pit area and make it known at the Driver’s meeting prior to each class. In addition, any driver taht pulls the load beyond the defined pit area will be penalized-First offense will be loss of that hitch; Second offense is disqualification for the day and forfeit of teh entrie day’s premiums.
10. HP-All horses and ponies to compete in contest, other than Free- For- All teams, shall be weighed in no earlier than three hours before the first class. Horses will be marked by numbers when wighed. Check weighing will be permitted before the three-hour period prior to the first class. Horses must wear halters while on scale. All horses and ponies will be weighed in the presence of a delegate appointed by the fair, organization or person who is conducting the contest. The delegate shall present weigh- bill to the teamsters, a copy of which is to be kept by said delegate, certifying the horses or ponies name and description as certified by a negative coggins certified, the exact time of weighing. The scale shall be balanced with a person standing on it, this person will hold all horses or ponies. The person holding horses or ponies shall be appointed by the delegate if he/she is unable to do this himself/herself. The delegate must sign the weighing certificate. It is the judge’s discretin whether animal can be wighed with or without blanket coverage.
11. O-All oxen will be weighed in front of the sponsoring delegate; all weight classes shall be under 2400 lbs., 2401 lbs-2800 lbs, 2801-3200 lbs, over 3200 lbs and or Free For All.
12. O-All weigh classes will increase 100 pounds, for the Labor Day weekend events and remain until the end of the season.
H-All weight classes will increase by 1% for the Labor Day weekend events and remain until the end of the season.
13. P-All owners/ponies must be measuring by the N.E. Draft Pony Association to pull in a contest. All weigh classes shall be under l200 lbs., 1200-l400 lbs; 1400-1800 lbs. and over.
14. H-Horse weigh classes; 1 day event, less than 3000 lbs,- 3001 lbs.-3300lbs., -3301 bs-3600 lbs. Free-For-All. 2-day events weights will be at the discretion of the fair.
15. HPO-Once a team has been weighed in; there will be no switching of horses, ponies or oxen. Split owner teams will be allowed to compete for premiums. Any claimed owner must remain his horse, pony, or oxen for the duration of contest.
16. HPO-Starting load: maximum load of 4000 pounds for all weight classes and 5000 bs. Free-For-All classes. Added loads in each class at the discretion of the judges depending on type of pit. At no time after weight has been increased, may it be decreased.
17. Pulling positions to be determined by the drawing of numbers just before starting of each class.
18. All teamsters to compete in contest shall have their teams ready at the published time and MUST attend drivers meeting. All classes will close at the completion of the first heat in each class.
19. There shall be a time limit of five (5) minutes. Time will be taken out while the boat is positioned for the next hitch. The time will be kept by the announcer, or appointed timekeeper.
20. Method of pull: Three hitches with a 5-minute time limit. The boat to be pulled back to the starting pin after hitch. There will be no heading of horses. Teams to be driven by one teamster only. Starting point of the boat shall be properly marked to indicate same starting point for all loads. The distance of each pull will be measured from the center of the boat to the most recent pin. All teams will be allowed three hitches to qualify the load. The boat shall be returned to starting pin after each hitch.
OPTION: Oxen pullers may have the option to have 5 hitches from teh pin while staying hooked to the boat, with a 5 minute time limit. At no time hould the boat begin at 72″ o rmore from the pin. Teamsters may request that the boat be set back to the pin. 5 Hitch PULLS MUST BE PUBLICLY PRE-ADVERTISED PRIOR TO THAT DAY.
21. P-Use of reins is prohibited for any purpose other than to guide the team. Hats and hands on hindquarters only. Hands must be in sight at all times.
22. H-One inch or more constitutes a hitch. O-Two inches or more constitutes a hitch.
23. P-3 Inches or more constitutes a hitch.
24. Breakdown: An actual separation, breaking or bending of equipment shall constitute a breakdown. In the event teamster and/or owner wishes credit for the distance the boat moved before breakage, it would constitute a hitch.
25. Over the rail: If an animals foot strikes dirt outside the rail it constitutes a hitch with no credit for the distance pulled. Teams must remain within the rail while hitched to the boat. The team must be unhooked from the boat if they step over the rail.
26. Any team deliberately driven over the rail will be disqualified from the contest.
27. All teams shall remain in the ring, at all times, until class is completed, unless excused by the judge.
28. In case of a tie on longest distance, the second longest distance already pulled will take the top placing.
29. Changing teamsters: No teamster may be changed after pulling the first load in any class except in emergency, then only when permitted by the judges.
30. HP-Interference of Evener Men. No assistance other than hitching.Evener men WILL NOT go ahead of evener, and are to remain silent and do no waving of arms while a team is being set up or is hitched to the load.
31. O-Hitchers will not be allowed to twist tails or use the chain or any other device to stimulate the cattle. They cannot carry anything in their hands but the chain to hitch the cattle. They then shall stand back of boat at a distance prescribed by the judge.
32. Classes shall be as publicized in Premium Booklet or by the Fair/Pull.
33. O-A twisted whip with a braided lash or a goad stick may be used in the pit or on the fairgrounds. The goad stick must not be over 4ft. Long and must not exceed half inch diameter on the small end. The goad stick may be taped with black tape but not weighted. The goad shall have no brad in it. Plastic goad sticks may be used, but must be wrapped with black tape. Any driver causing a welt, swelling or drawing blood with the whip or goad stick will be fined $100.00 dollars per infraction. Second offenses may include suspensions.
34. O-The whip or goad stick shall only be used to guide the oxen outside of the pit area. The whip or goad stick may be used lightly to place the oxen, after being hitched to the boat. Then the oxen may be touched once only to start the boat and once only while the boat is in motion, 2 hits only.
35. O-The chain shall not be hitched to the boat while it is under, around or in front of the oxens legs. (Only when the chain is between the animals.)
36. O-No driver shall strike the ox in the face except to guide the animal with an open hand. The goad stick or whip may be used lightly in the area of the animals easr and horns for setting of the animal only. No use of ropes, halters, nose rings or hands used as a twitch on the nose or in the nostrils, will be allowed.
37. The only persons allowed in the pit area are Fair Officials, drivers, the person hitching the boat, agents of the Humane Society appointed under chapter 22C, Section 57, M.G.L. and the Bureau of Fairs Inspectors, only pertinent personnel allowed as the discretion of the Judges.
38. O-All calves over the age of twelve (12) months must be castrated to show or enter any classes.
39. O-Age of oxen and steers should be judged as of day of event.
40. H-The number of times a horse draws will be left up to the discretion of the fair.
41. OHP-No animals will be blind folded. Open bridles will be allowed, but blindes must be properly attached so as to not be free swinging or bent around so that it causes discomfort to the horse’s eyes.
42. H-In horse pulls the use of reins as a whip is prohibited. The light use of reins on entry to the pit and while team is making its draw, will be limited to that area from the root of the tail to the bottom of the round. IN A SIDE ARM MOTION ONLY. Hands must be in sight at all times. The use of reins after the boat has stopped or any place on the grounds is prohibited. Lines must be doubled. Reins may be taped together only if no wider than the width of you hand with a single wrapping of tape.
43. The pit will be covered the day before the draw, when it is possible.
44. Participation in pulling events within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has been determined to be a privilege and not a right. Participation in these events are discretionary. Individuals are only permitted to enter these contests if the judges, superintendents and fairs deem it advisable. Individuals who blatantly disregard these rules and regulations and place animals or the public at risk will not be allowed entry to these family events.
45. If an incident should arise and warrants a hearing, a majority of the Massachusetts Agricultural Fair Associations pulling events committee can make a decision pertaining to, but not limited to disciplinary action.Any infractions are to be made known to the offending party be certified mail within 30 days of the infraction. The offending party has the right to either pay the fine or appeal the decision within 30 days of receipt of notification. Failure to acknowlede notificaiton will result in suspensionfrom all puling events until the fine(s) have been paid, or the decision of the Committee has been revoked.
46. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP– the signature on said form verifies that the owner or reprsentative has read, understands and agrees to abide by the The Massachusetts Fair Assoc. Rules Govering Pulling Contests and that the Judge(s) decisions in these competitions are FINAL.
47. Any variation of these rules shall be in the spirit of aforesaid rules and at the discretion of the judges.
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