Livestock Shows

General Rules

  1. Bring this Premium Book with you to the fair. You will find it helpful as a complete program.
  2. The Fair will open at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, and will continue through Saturday, October 18, 2025.
  3. For all fair information address: Paul Winters, Union County Agricultural Fair, 120 Kirby Street, Union, SC, 864-424-8272.
  4. The Fair Association reserves the right to cancel any ticket or pass for cause.
  5. Directors, superintendents, and employees of the Fair are eligible to exhibit and receive premiums in all Departments with permission from Fair Director.
  6. Stalls and stables and city water are provided by the Fair Association for the use of exhibitors of livestock free of charge.
  7. Reports of awards will be made by the judges over their signatures and furnished to the office for official records.
  8. Where there is no competition, judges may award a ribbon according to merit; premiums will be paid in accordance with placing.
  9. No exhibitors will be permitted to make more than one entry in any class, except in the Agricultural, Beef, Dairy, Meat Goat, Lamb, Rabbit, and Poultry Departments.
  10. The exhibition of articles or animals not mentioned in the regular Premium List is solicited. These will be properly judged and reported on by the judges and ribbons attached, but no money will be awarded.
  11. No exhibits will be released before 8:00 am, Monday, October 21st, with the exceptions of poultry and rabbits which will be released Saturday, October 19th, from 8:00 am to 10 am. The Union County Agricultural Fair Association will not be responsible for animals left after 10:00 am Saturday.
  12. Premiums will be paid at the Main Office as follows: All premiums will be paid at the Main Office on Monday, October 21st, from 9:00 am until 12 Noon; except for Beef, Dairy, Meat Goat, and Lamb, which will be mailed. Poultry and Rabbit premiums will be paid at the main office on their release date, Saturday, October 19th, from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Please present your claim so there will be no delay in payment. Any exhibit removed prior to the designated release time, unless approved by the Livestock Superintendent, WILL FORFEIT ALL PREMIUMS.
  13. Due diligence will be exercised by all Fair officials and employees to ensure safety of animals or articles or any property not Fair owned.
  14. The Livestock Superintendent will use due diligence to see that all animals are entered only in the class provided for by their true age. Inaccurate age entry will forfeit all prize money won.
  15. The Livestock Superintendent reserves the right to adjust classes as needed.
  16. All exhibits will be placed under the orders and directions of the Superintendents or their agents.
  17. Promiscuous advertising is prohibited. Exhibitors may advertise and distribute advertising material from their places of exhibits only. No advertising material shall be distributed that will in any way conflict with a privilege sold by the management.
  18. The Board of Directors of the Union County Fair reserve the final and absolute right to interpret these rules and regulations and arbitrarily settle and determine all matters, questions, and differences in regard thereto, and otherwise arising out of, connected with, or incident to the Fair.
  19. If any disrespect is shown to an award or to the awarding judges by the exhibitor or their agent, they shall forfeit all awards made to them, and the director, or other official in charge, shall report the same promptly to the Executive Director.
  20. Registration papers for all animals will be strictly scrutinized. All papers must be in the name of the individual showing.
  21. Ages as shown on the certificates must conform strictly with Premium List Classification.

Judging

  • Home Economics Departments: Tuesday, October 14th
  • Agricultural Exhibits: Tuesday, October 14th
  • Poultry and Rabbit Caged Exhibits: Tuesday, October 14th
  • Beef Cattle Show: Tuesday, October 14th, at 6:00 pm
  • 4-H/FFA Rabbit Showmanship: Wednesday, October 15th, at 4:00 pm
  • 4-H Poultry Project Showmanship: Wednesday, October 15th, at 5:00 pm
  • Open Rabbit Show: Wednesday, October 15th, at 6:30 pm
  • Dairy Show: Thursday, October 16th, at 6:00 pm
  • Market Lamb Show: Friday, October 17th, at 5:00 pm
  • Meat Goat Show: Friday, October 17th, at 6:00 pm

Awards

No unworthy animal or article will be awarded a premium. Judges are especially instructed not to award premium to any animal or article solely because of its presence. It must be individually worthy. It is not the policy of the Association to encourage indifferent production of any kind or to distribute premiums equally among exhibitors and no premium will be awarded to any animal or article that does not possess intrinsic merit. When animals or articles are not deemed worthy, judges will refuse to award premiums, whether or not there will be competition in the classes.

BEEF CATTLE DEPARTMENT

    1. Exhibitors must furnish their own feed, water pails, and bedding.
    2. Cattle must be registered in exhibitor's name and registration papers must accompany all entries in the registered classes.
    3. All cattle must conform to State Health Requirements. Health certificate or testing is not required for South Carolina cattle.
    4. Beef cattle must be halter broken. (Cattle will remain tied during Fair time).
    5. The Competitive System of Judging will be used. Judging: Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00 pm. Beef Cattle must arrive at the fairgrounds by 4:00 pm and remain on exhibit until after the show. Note: Cattle come in and leave on the same day. Any cattle removed without permission before completion of the show will forfeit any premiums won.
    6. Entries should be received by October 1st, 2025. Entries received after October 1st must pay a late fee of $10 per animal. To register go here.
    7. All calves must be at least four months old to be shown for premiums.
    8. The Beef Show is open to the following breeds: British Breeds (Angus, Red Angus, Polled Hereford, Shorthorn), Continental Breeds (Simmental, Limousin, Charolais, Gelvieh, Salers, Maine Anjou, etc.), Bos Indicus (Guzerat, Gir, Brahman, Nellore, etc.), Heifers entered as a commercial Bos Indicus must exhibit Bos Indicus characteristics, (hump, large & pendulous ears, excess skin in dewlap & navel) as determined by show officials, Crossbreds, and Miniatures.
    9. No beef bulls will be shown or allowed on the fairgrounds.
    10. Miniature breeds only: Due to later maturing characteristics, intact miniature males of any age will be allowed to show.
  • Parking inside the fence at the Union County Fair is limited, only trucks with trailers will be provided a designated parking space on the fairgrounds. All other vehicles will be parked outside of gate. Please respect the fair management's decision regarding this matter.

CLASSES

(British Breeds, Continental Breeds, Bos Indicus Crossbreds, Feeder Steers)

SHOWMANSHIP

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th

Showmanship

Award

 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

Senior Showmanship

Open to 4-H club members and FFA members, 14 years of age or older as of January 1, 2025, and less than 19 years as of January 1, 2025.

Junior Showmanship

Open to 4-H club members and FFA members, less than 14 years of age as of January 1, 2025.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
40.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

BEEF SHOW

  1. Senior showmanship
  2. Junior Showmanship
  3. Junior Heifer Calf - born January 1, 2025, or after
  4. Late Senior Heifer Calf - born November and December 2024
  5. Early Senior Heifer Calf - born September and October 2024
  6. Calf Champion
  7. Late Summer Yearling Heifer - born July and August 2024
  8. Early Summer Yearling Heifer - born May and June 2024
  9. Late Junior Yearling Heifer - born March and April 2024
  10. Junior Champion
  11. Early Junior Yearling Heifer - born January and February 2024
  12. Senior Yearling Heifer - born September through December 2023
  13. Two-Year-Old Heifer- born January-August 2023
  14. Aged Cow - born prior to January 2023
  15. Senior Champion
  16. Grand Champion Female
  17. Reserve Grand Champion Female

FEEDER STEER SHOW REGULATIONS

  1. Steer calves must be weaned at least 30 days.
  2. Steer calves must meet the vaccination requirements of the SC Health Management Program. Calves must be vaccinated and a booster for the 7-way Blackleg group, IBR, PI3, BVD, BRSV, and treated for internal and external parasites. These treatments must be completed 30 days prior to the first show. It is optional, but highly recommended that the calf receives one-shot pasteurella haemolytica as well.
  3. All steers, regardless of breed or breed combinations, will show together by weight. The minimum acceptable weight shall be 450 lbs. and the maximum allowable weight shall be 950 lbs. No exceptions. There will be three weight classes. These classes will not have defined limits; rather, the number per class will be determined by the number of entries checked in.
  4. All steers will be weighed at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, October 14th.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
40.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
  1. Light weight*
  2. Medium weight*
  3. Heavy weight*
  4. Grand Champion
  5. Reserve Grand Champion

*Feeder steer classes divided according to weights. Weight ranges to be determined after all feeder steers are weighed in.

SPECIAL AWARDS

Showmanship awards will be presented to the first-place winners in each showmanship class, according to the following rules.

  1. All animals must be exhibited and shown by the owner.
  2. All animals shown in the Showmanship classes must be entered and shown in their respective breed classes.

MARKET STEER CLASSES RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. If a junior has more than one steer in a class, the other steer must be shown by a junior (must be a resident of South Carolina) approved by the show superintendent.
  2. Each exhibitor is limited to exhibit only two steers. Each steer must weigh 1,000 pounds or greater.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
40.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00
  1. Light weight*
  2. Medium weight*
  3. Heavy weight*
  4. Grand Champion
  5. Reserve Grand Champion

*Weight ranges to be determined after all feeder steers are weighed in.

DAIRY CATTLE DEPARTMENT

See special rules listed under Beef Cattle Department. Same rules apply to Dairy Cattle. Dairy Cattle must arrive at the fairgrounds by 4:00 p.m., Thursday, October 16th, and remain on exhibit until the end of the show.

Judging: Thursday, October 17th, at 6:00 pm. Entries should be received by October 1st, 2025. Entries received after October 1st must pay a late fee of $10 per animal. To register go here.

Note: Cattle are brought in the day of the show. If anyone wishes to come in the evening before, they are welcome.

CLASSES

(Holstein, Guernsey, Jersey, Brown Swiss)

SHOWMANSHIP

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
Showmanship 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

AWARDS

Senior Best Showmanship: Open to 4-H Club Members and FFA Members, 14 years of age or older as of January 1, 2024, and less than 19 years of age as of January 1, 2025.

Junior Best Showmanship: Open to 4-H club members and FFA members, less than 14 years of age as of January 1, 2025.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
40.00 30.00 25.00 20.00 15.00 10.00 10.00 10.00

DAIRY SHOW

  1. Senior Showmanship
  2. Junior Showmanship
  3. Spring Heifer Calf - born on or after March 1, 2025, and over 4 months of age
  4. Winter Heifer Calf - born December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025
  5. Fall Heifer Calf - born September 1, 2024, through November 30, 2024
  6. Summer Yearling Heifer - born June 1, 2024, through August 31, 2024

3007 Spring Yearling Heifer - born March 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024

3008 Winter Yearling Heifer - born December 1, 2023, through February 28, 2024

3009 Fall Yearling Heifer - born September 1, 2023, through November 30, 2023

3010 Junior Champion Female

3011 Junior Two-Year-Old cow - born March 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023

3012 Senior Two-Year-Old Cow - born September 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023

3013 Three-Year-Old Cow - born September 1, 2021, through August 31, 2022

3014 Four-Year-Old Cow - born September 1, 2020, through August 31, 2021 3015 Aged Cow - born prior to September 1, 2020

3016 Senior Champion Female

3017 Grand Champion Female

JUNIOR MARKET LAMB SHOW

  1. The Lamb Show is scheduled Friday, October 17, 2025, to begin at 5:00 pm. Entries should be received by October 1st, 2025. Entries received after October 1st must pay a late fee of $10 per animal. To register go here.
  2. The show is open to residents of South Carolina ONLY. Since this is a Junior Show, youth 18 years or younger are eligible to enter competition. Age as of January 1, 2025.
  3. Animals received between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm the day of the show. Release time is same day after the show.
  4. Exhibitors must furnish feed and bedding for animals. The youth must be able to maintain control of their animal(s) during this event.
  5. To be eligible to show, lambs must have lamb teeth. Lambs that have lost center pair of teeth are ineligible to show. Lambs will be mouthed when weighed.
  6. Only wethers and ewes will be shown. No rams allowed.
  7. Showman must have owned the lamb for 45 days prior to show.
  8. Exhibitor must show his or her own lamb in showmanship class.
  9. Ewes are to be shown as Breeding Ewe OR Market Lamb, NOT BOTH.
  10. A minimum of 4 entries will be needed to constitute a class/division in showmanship. In the event there are less than 4 entries, classes will be combined within the same age divisions.
  11. The Union County Fair reserves the right to make decisions concerning or changing rules, regulations, and/or health requirements. Any animal exhibiting any significant visible symptoms of disease or sickness will not be allowed to be unloaded from the vehicle or remain on the fairgrounds.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
25.00 20.00 17.00 14.00 11.00 8.00 5.00 5.00

SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

Toddler Showmanship -Ages 3-4 - Ribbon Only

4001 Showmanship 1 - Ages 5-9

4002 Showmanship 2 - Ages 10-13

4003 Showmanship 3 -Ages 14-18

MARKET LAMB CLASSES

4005 Light Weight*

4006 Medium Weight*

4007 Heavy Weight*

4008 Grand Champion Market Lamb 4009 Reserve Champion Market Lamb

*Market Lamb classes divided according to weights the day of the show.

EWE CLASSES

4013 Late Spring Ewe Lamb (Born after 4-1-2025)

4014 Early Spring Ewe Lamb (Born 3-1-2024 to 3-31-2025)

4015 Late Winter Ewe Lamb (Born 1-16-2025 to 2-28-2025) 4016 Early Winter Ewe Lamb (Born 12-1-2024 to l-15-2025)

4017 Ewe (1 year old and under 2 years old)

4018 Grand Champion Ewe Lamb

4019 Reserve Champion Ewe Lamb

4-H/FFA GOAT SHOW (Meat Goat Wethers, Does, and Breeding Does)

  1. The 4-H/FFA Goat Show is scheduled Friday, October 17, 2025, to begin at 6:00 pm. Entry forms should be received by October 1, 2025. Entries should be received by October 1st, 2025. Entries received after October 1st must pay a late fee of $10 per animal. To register go here.
  2. The show is open to all 4-H/FFA members, between the ages of 5 and 18 years. Age as of January 1, 2025.
  3. Animals received between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm the day of the show. Release time is same day after the show.
  4. Exhibitors must furnish feed and bedding for animals.
  5. The youth must be able to maintain control of their animal(s) during this event.
  6. The Union County Fair reserves the right to make decisions concerning or changing rules, regulations, and/or health requirements. Any animal exhibiting any significant visible symptoms of disease or sickness will not be allowed to be unloaded from the vehicle or remain on the fairgrounds.
  7. Doe Classes will be broken down into 3 weight classes; classes will be determined the day of the show. Participants will only be allowed to show their doe(s) in the market class OR the breeding class, not both.
  8. Highest placing project 4-H/FFA youth in showmanship will receive 1st place points. Next highest placing will receive 2nd place points, and so on.
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
25.00 20.00 17.00 14.00 11.00 8.00 5.00 5.00

SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

Toddler Showmanship – Ages 3-4 - Ribbon Only 4050 Showmanship 1 – Ages 5-9

4051 Showmanship 2 – Ages 10-13

4052 Showmanship 3 – Ages 14-18

WETHER GOAT CLASSES

4054 Market Goat Light Weight*

4055 Market Goat Medium Weight*

4056 Market Goat Heavy Weight*

4058 Grand Champion Market Goat

4059 Reserve Champion Market

*Market Goat classes divided according to weights the day of the show.

SOUTH CAROLINA BORN WETHER GOAT CLASSES

4060 Market Goat Light Weight **

4061 Market Goat Medium Weight**

4062 Market Goat Heavy Weight**

4064 Grand Champion Market Goat

4065 Reserve Champion Market Goat

**Classes divided according to weights the day of the show.

MARKET DOE CLASSES

Market Doe classes will be determined day of show. Three market doe classes will be held, and classes will be determined by weight.

4066 Light Weight

4067 Medium Weight

4068 Heavy Weight

4070 Grand Champion Meat Goat Doe 4071 Reserve Champion Meat Goat Doe

BREEDING DOE CLASSES

Breeding Doe classes are open to any South Carolina youth. Three breeding doe classes will be held, and classes will be determined by age. Project does that are shown in market doe classes will not be allowed to show in the breeding doe classes.

4072 Does 6 months and younger

4073 Does 7 months - 12 months

4074 Does over 1 year

4076 Grand Champion Breeding Doe

4077 Reserve Champion Breeding Doe

POULTRY DEPARTMENT

CAGE POULTRY CLASSES

(Open to Union County Poultry Raisers ONLY)
  1. Department opens at 9:00 am for check-in on Monday, October 13, 2025. All birds must be in coops no later than 4:00 pm, Monday, October 13, 2025.
  2. NO WATERFOWL
  3. For large breeds of poultry, premiums will be paid on the following breeds recognized by the Standard of Perfection where classes are filled, named: Rhode Island Red, Leghorn, White Rock, Sexlink, and Harco Red. Additional Classes will be added if entries warrant. See rule 5.
  4. Bantams - Premiums will be paid on breeds recognized by the Bantam Standard.
  5. In the single cockerel, cock, pullet, and hen classes, five or more entries will constitute a class. All classes not filled will be judged as one class. In the trio classes, three or more will constitute a class. No unworthy specimen will be awarded a premium. Birds entered in single classes cannot compete in trio classes.
  6. The Union County Agricultural Fair will not be responsible for any loss that may occur. Every precaution will be taken to prevent any loss. An attendant will be on duty day and night. All entries will be fed and watered twice daily, free of charge.
  7. No exhibitors will be allowed to handle an exhibit belonging to another, without his or her permission.
  8. The decision of the judges must be taken as final.
  9. During the exhibition, no specimens entered can be removed, except by order of the superintendent. Any exhibits removed without permission before the release date of Saturday, October 19th, will forfeit all premiums.
  10. Any specimen showing symptoms of disease will be removed.
  11. There is no entry fee in this department.
  12. All birds must be pullorum tested by an accredited NPIP tester. One will be on site during the day of entry if needed.
  13. Definition of terms used in this department.
    1. Cock - Male bird one year or older
    2. Hen - Female bird one year or older
    3. Cockerel - Male bird less than one year old
    4. Pullet - Female bird less than one year old
    5. Trio - One male bird and two female birds
  14. All poultry should be removed Saturday, October 18, 2025, between 8:00 am and 10:00 am The Union County Agricultural Fair Association will not be responsible for poultry left after 10:00 a.m. Poultry premiums can be picked up at the fair office from 8:00 until 10:00 am on Saturday October 18, 2025.
  15. The following premiums will be paid when classes are filled.
  16. Premiums not picked up within two weeks of pickup date will be forfeited.
  17. Any matter not covered by the above rules, or any complaints, will be submitted to the Executive Director who shall have sole and final jurisdiction.

          CAGE CLASSES

          1st 2nd 3rd
          5001 Cock 8.00 6.00 4.00
          5002 Hen 8.00 6.00 4.00
          5003 Trio (1 Cock, 2 Hens) 10.00 8.00 6.00
          5004 Bantam Trio (1 Cock, 2 Hens) 10.00 8.00 6.00
          5005 Pair 9.00 7.00 5.00
          5006 Bantam Pair 9.00 7.00 5.00

          5007 Best In Show – Small (pullet or hen) 12.00

          5008 Best In Show – Small (cockerel or cock) 12.00

          5009 Best In Show – Large (pullet or hen) 12.00

          5010 Best In Show – Large (cockerel or cock) 12.00

          4-H PULLET SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

          1. The 4-H Pullet Showmanship is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, beginning at 4:30 pm.
          2. Show is open to SC 4-H Pullet Chain Project participants only.
          3. No Entry Fee.
          4. The Union County Agricultural Fair reserves the right to make decisions concerning or changing rules, regulations, and/or health requirements. Any animal exhibiting any significant visible symptoms of disease or sickness will not be allowed to show or remain on the fairgrounds.
          5. 4-H youth may compete in cage classes and showmanship classes with the same pullet.

          SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

          Toddler Showmanship – Ages 3-4 - Ribbon Only

          4050 Showmanship 1 – Ages 5-9

          4051 Showmanship 2 – Ages 10-13

          4052 Showmanship 3 – Ages 14-18

           

          RABBIT DEPARTMENT

          SPECIAL RULES

          1. Department opens at 9:00 am for check-in on Monday, October 13, 2025. All rabbits must be in pens no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2025.
          2. The feed will be furnished by the fair.
          3. Rabbits will be divided in to Junior and Adult exhibitors. Junior exhibitor ages are 18 years and younger, as of January 1, 2025.
          4. Rabbits are to be picked up by Saturday, October 18, 2025, between 8:00 am and 10:00 am. The Union County Agricultural Fair will not be responsible for rabbits left after 10:00 am. Rabbit premiums can be picked up at the fair office from between 8:00 am and 10:00 am on October 18, 2025.
          5. Premiums not picked up within two weeks of pickup date will be forfeited.
          6. Any Rabbit exhibit removed without permission prior to Saturday, October 18, 2025, will forfeit all premiums.

          CLASSES CAGE CLASSES

                                                                                                  1st 2nd 3rd

          6001 Junior Buck - Less than one year old . . . …... 8.00 6.00 4.00

          6002 Senior Buck - Over one year old . . . . . . . . . .. 8.00 6.00 4.00

          6003 Junior Doe - Less than one year old . . . . . . ...8.00 6.00 4.00

          6004 Senior Doe - Over one year old. . . . . . . . . . . .8.00 6.00 4.00

          6005 Doe with Young - Largest litter . . . . . . . . . . . 8.00 6.00 4.00

          (Litter not to be over four weeks old)

          6006 Best of Show - Junior Buck $10.00/Rosette

          6007 Best of Show - Senior Buck $10.00/Rosette

          6008 Best of Show - Junior Doe $10.00/Rosette

          6009 Best of Show - Senior Doe $10.00/Rosette

          RABBIT SHOWMANSHIP CLASSES

          1. The Rabbit Showmanship is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, beginning at 6:30 pm. Check-in by 5:30 pm the day of the show.
          2. The show is open to residents of the state of South Carolina ONLY. This is a Junior Show for youth, 18 years or younger as of January 1, 2025.
          3. Exhibitor must show his or her own rabbit.
          4. The Union County Agricultural Fair reserves the right to make decisions concerning or changing rules, regulations, and/or health requirements. Any animal exhibiting any significant visible symptoms of disease or sickness will not be allowed to show or remain on the fairgrounds.
          5. Youth may compete in cage classes and showmanship classes with the same rabbit.
          1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
          16.00 14.00 12.00 10.00 8.00 6.00 4.00 2.00

          6010 Senior Showmanship (Age 14-18)

          6011 Junior Showmanship (Age 10-13)

          6012 Cloverbud (Age 5-9)

          1st 2nd 3rd
          10.00 8.00 6.00

          6014 Costume Class (All Ages)