2026 Market Animal Sale Information

July 2026

To: Small and Large Market Animal Project Members and Dairy Sponsorship Participants

From: Waushara County Livestock Committee

Subject: Market Animal Sale Information

The Waushara County Fair is quickly approaching. This document serves as a reminder of important deadlines, sale requirements, and fair-related information for members enrolled in market animal projects. Please review all information carefully, complete all required paperwork, and contact the Extension Office if you have questions.

Important Dates and Times

August 1, 2026

  • YQCA Certificate and Market Animal Points due to the UW–Madison Division of Extension Office.
  • Optional auction slideshow photo due to emily.m.jensen@wisc.edu.
  • If your animal is Bred and Owned and you would like it identified in the auction catalog, notify the Extension Office.

August 7, 2026

  • One copy of your buyer letter and a list of invited buyers due to the UW–Madison Division of Extension Office.

August 19, 2026: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

  • Fair entry and weigh-in for beef, sheep, swine, rabbits, and poultry.

August 23, 2026: 3:30 p.m.

  • Mandatory Exhibitor Meeting in the Livestock Pavilion.

August 24, 2026: 11:59 p.m.

  • Buyer recognition plaque photo due to wclivestock@outlook.com (if needed).

August 28, 2026: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

  • Buyer recognition items available for pickup at the Extension Office.

September 15, 2026

  • Copy of thank-you letter to buyer due to the Extension Office.

Minimum Weight Requirements for Sale Eligibility

Beef

  • All Breeds of Beef- 1000 lbs. or more, select+ or better,
  • Mini Herefords – 650 lbs. or more (must show proof of registration)

Swine

  • Minimum weight 220 lbs.
  • Preferred market weight 230 – 250 lbs.
  • USDA Grade #1 and 2

Sheep

  • Minimum weight 90 lbs.
  • Grading at choice or better

Poultry

  • Two Roaster – 5 lbs. or more OR
  • Two Broilers – 2.5 lbs. to 5 lbs.
  • Young Duck – 5 lbs. or more
  • Turkey: At least 15 weeks old and 15 lbs. or more
  • Young Goose – 7 1bs. or more

Rabbit

  • Single Fryer
    • 3 lbs. to 5 lbs.
    • Not over 69 days
  • Roaster
    • over 5 lbs. to 9 lbs.
    • Between 70-180 days
  • Meat Pen
    • Three rabbits of the same breed/variety
    • 3-5 lbs. each
    • Not over 69 days

 

Fair Schedule

Thursday. August 20

  • 8:00 a.m. – Swine Show, Youth Pavillion Show Ring
  • 12:00 p.m. – Poultry Show, Rabbit and Poultry Building
  • 5:00 p.m. – Lamb Show, Youth Pavillion Show Ring

Friday, August 21

  • 12.00 p.m. – Rabbit Show, Rabbit and Poultry Building
  • 5:00 p.m. – Beef Show, Youth Pavilion Show Ring

Saturday August 22

  • 11:30 a.m. – Pre-Sale Luncheon Near Livestock Buildings
  • 1:00 p.m. – Livestock Auction in Youth Pavillion Show Ring

Dairy Sponsorships

The top two exhibitors in each showmanship age division (3-5, 6-8, and 9-13) are eligible to sell a dairy sponsorship.

If a selected exhibitor does not meet the project requirements or chooses not to particpate, the replacement will be designated by the dairy judge.

Educational Requirements

To be eligible for the market animal sale, all required YQCA certificates and educational requirement forms must be submitted to the Extension Office by August 1, 2026. 

Buyer Letter Requirements

Your buyer letter should:

  • Include the date, time, and location of the auction.
  • Include the date, time, and location of your species show.
  • Introduce yourself and your parent(s) or guardian(s).
  • Explain the animal you are selling and why the project is important to you.
  • Request support through bidding or purchasing.
  • Invite the recipient to attend the pre-sale luncheon.

Each seller must contact at least five different potential buyers.

For example, if three youth within one family are selling animals, the family must contact at least 15 different potential buyers.

Personal visits are strongly encouraged.

If you visit someone who purchased an animal in 2025, the Livestock Committee will provide two complimentary fair admission tickets.

One copy of your buyer letter and a list of invited buyers are due to the Extension Office by August 7, 2026.

Post Sale Responsibilities

All exhibitors who sell an animal must:

  • Send a thank-you letter to their buyer.
  • Submit a copy of the thank-you letter to the Extension Office by September 15, 2026.

Failure to complete this requirement will make the exhibitor ineligible to participate in the 2027 Market Animal Sale.

Buyer recognition plaques and photos may be picked up at the Extension Office on August 28, 2026.

Exhibitor Meeting

A mandatory exhibitor meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Livestock Pavilion.

Sportsmanship Award voting will take place during the meeting.

All exhibitors are expected to attend.

 

Sawdust

  • Exhibitors are responsible for supplying all bedding materials.
  • Shredded bark will not be provided.

Barn Rules

  • Fans are not permitted in the swine/sheep barn.
  • Fans are permitted in the beef and dairy barns.
  • Only folding or portable chairs are allowed.
  • Feed for one day may be stored in the barn.
  • Additional feed should be stored in a vehicle or trailer parked along the south fence.

Sale Information

  • Bob Ballinger will coordinate the auction slideshow.
  • Exhibitors wishing to participate should submit a photo of themselves with their animal no later than August 1, 2026. 

Pre-sale Luncheon

The Pre-Sale Luncheon will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. near the livestock buildings and shade trees.

Exhibitors and their families are encouraged to attend.

Use this opportunity to:

  • Visit with invited buyers.
  • Share information about your project and fair experience.
  • Begin building relationships with potential buyers.
  • Thank supporters for their continued involvement.

Please note that there may be a cost for family members who choose to eat at the luncheon.

Auction Sale Order

The auction begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 22 in the Youth Pavilion.

Sale order:

  1. Small Animal Lot
  2. Two Dairy Sponsorships
  3. Sheep
  4. Small Animal Lots
  5. Two Dairy Sponsorships
  6. Beef
  7. Small Animal Lot
  8. Two Dairy Sponsorships
  9. Swine

Bred and Owned Animals

If you plan to sell a Bred and Owned animal and would like that designation included in the auction catalog, notify the Extension Office by August 1, 2026.

Fitting and Grooming

  • Hogs may not be sheared within 18 days of the show.
  • Clipping and grooming may occur between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
  • Chutes used for fitting must be placed only in designated areas.

Beef

  • South side of the beef barn.
  • West fence area near the dairy barn.

Sheep

  • North side of the sheep/swine barn.
  • West end of the tent near the dairy barn.

Non-compliance with designated fitting areas may result in disqualification from exhibiting and loss of premiums and sale eligibility.

Paperwork Requirements

One animal inventory form is required per family, per species.

For example:

  • One inventory sheet for all family swine entries.
  • One inventory sheet for all family beef entries.

Inventory forms and health paperwork must be submitted before unloading animals

Ensure your CVI includes this statement from your veterinarian: “I, Mr. Veterinarian, DVM, and the herd veterinarian of this swine herd, and no apparent disease has been present in this herd for the previous 30 days. DVM Initials: MV”

For rabbits or poultry that do not have a leg band or tattoo identification number, list each animal separately and include:

  • Animal type
  • Breed
  • Sex

Poultry Requirements

  • Poultry that are 4 months of age or older are required to have pullorum testing and paperwork to show the negative test.
  • Poultry under 4 months old do not require pullorum testing.
  • Birds under 4 months of age require an NPIP from the hatchery.
  • Turkeys must have a negative test for mycoplasma gallisepticum.
  • All poultry paperwork must be reviewed by the superintendent before birds enter the barn.

Swine Requirements

Swine originating in Wisconsin must have a Wisconsin intrastate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) stating that:

  • The herd of origin was inspected within 30 days of the fair.
  • No signs of disease were observed.

For swine originating outside Wisconsin, refer to the current fair book regulations.

Market Animal Checks

Payments are due on sale day. However, some buyers may require additional time to submit payment.

The Livestock Committee will follow up with any unpaid buyers approximately 10 days after the fair.

Once all payments have been received and verified, the clerking company will process payments, and the Livestock Committee will distribute checks to exhibitors.

Please refer to project rules for any applicable deductions.

Animal Processing

Buyers may choose:

  • Beck’s Meats
  • Otto’s Meats
  • Equity

All hogs must be sent to one of these destinations because the hog show and sale are terminal.

If space becomes limited, fair superintendents will determine final processing assignments.

Junior Livestock Committee Youth Directors

Each year, four youth are selected to serve as Youth Directors on the Junior Livestock Committee Executive Board.

  • Two youth are selected from clubs in the east half of the county.
  • Two youth are selected from clubs in the west half of the county.

Nominations and elections occur during the September meeting.

Youth Directors are expected to:

  • Attend livestock committee meetings.
  • Help plan livestock-sponsored educational events.
  • Provide youth input on policies and programming.

To be eligible, youth must:

  • Be entering 7th grade or above.
  • Have participated in a market animal project during the previous two years.
  • Currently be enrolled in a market animal project.

Sportsmanship

We wish every exhibitor a successful and rewarding fair experience. While not every outcome may go as planned, the Livestock Committee will uphold all established market animal sale rules.

Judges’ decisions are final and will be honored.

If you have questions, please contact the UW Extension Office or a member of the Livestock Executive Committee.

Please triple-check all deadlines and requirements.

Thank you for participating in the Waushara County Market Animal Program. We appreciate your hard work and dedication and look forward to another great Waushara County Fair!

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