The proposed rule modifies beef cattle market class to be able to enter up to three animals in an entry class and receive up to 2 premiums to create consistency with the other species market classes and junior beef cattle market class.
The proposed rule creates market classes for goats in both open and junior divisions. The entry classes can be based on breed, sex or weight. Goats are raised to be sold at market and shown by weight. The entry class can’t be limited by age. If there are 11 or more goats in an entry class, it can be subdivided. An exhibitor may enter up to 3 goats and receive up to 2 premiums in any entry class. The standards for these classes are similar to the market classes with other species.
In the poultry department in both open and junior divisions, there is an increase of weight for the roaster chickens and broiler chickens to reflect current standards. The weight of roaster chickens (2 birds of either sex) is increased from 5 to 8 pounds for each chicken to 7.5 to 8.5 pounds and the birds must be at least 56 days old. The weight of broiler chickens (2 young birds) each weighing 2.5 to 5.5 pounds is increased to 3.5 to 5.5 pounds and the birds must be at least 37 days old. A new entry class is created for heavier broiler chickens (2 birds), each weighing 5.5 to 6.5 pounds and at least 37 days old. The roaster chickens (2 birds with a combined weight of 8 pounds or more) class is eliminated.
In the rabbit department (both open and junior divisions), the reference to American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizing an intermediate age category is removed. Fairs may establish a separate entry class for rabbits 6 to 8 months if there are a sufficient number of entrants to justify the class.
In the llamas and alpacas department, there is a modification in order to more accurately reflect the class is based upon the exhibition of animal instead of the exhibitor’s showmanship in the open class division.
In the dairy products department, a new category is created for creamery flavored butter. The metrics for judging butter and cheese is repealed, as it is an unnecessary rule.
Three new departments are created in open class division: Dogs (Department 9), Meat Products (Department 21) and Beer and Wine (Department 24). The creation of these departments encourage wider participation and public interest. The senior citizen division adds the new Meat Products and Beer and Wine departments.
The general requirements for the senior citizens division and junior fair division are moved to the appropriate subchapter in order to create clearer organization.
Junior Fair Division
The proposed rule references ages in addition to grades to reflect those children who may not be in a school setting delineated by grades.
The proposed rule removes the references to specific youth organizations to allow for wider participation. Exhibitors in the junior division do need to be members of a youth organization (with adult leadership and an educational component) approved by the board.
Special educational exhibits proposals are currently presented to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs and approved by the Department. The proposed rule streamlines the process by having the proposal submitted directly to the Department.
The fair board may establish specific classes and age or grade level groupings within the classes for the non-animal departments.
The judging systems that may be utilized in the junior fair division are expanded to allow for conference judging or face-to-face judging in addition to regular or Danish. In all showmanship divisions, only the Danish judging system may be utilized.
The horses and ponies department is reorganized to create clarity and clearer organization. The requirements in this department have not been changed.
The age of a kitten is revised to an upper limit of 12 months.
The animal and veterinary science department increases the types of animals in the special interest animals in recognition of the variety of pets and allow wider participation.
The youth organizations early childhood categories department removes the references to specific early elementary youth organizational programs. A child may exhibit in this department if they are between the ages of 5 and 9. However, 9 year olds may exhibit in this department only if this is their first time exhibiting in a fair. A fair board has the option to pay every entry $1.50 or if the fair uses the Danish judging system in this department, pay first-place to fourth-place premiums.
Education and school exhibits department may allow for entries in the school booth, student group display and individual student instead of choosing only one option. A school booth exhibit represents the school and can include any subject taught during the school year. Premiums are paid to the school. Student group displays are a student group (other than representing the entire school). Premiums may be paid to the teacher or the school. Individual student entries are entered by an individual student and the premium is paid to the individual. In all three types of education exhibits, the display shall be comprised of work completed during the current school year.
Judging
The proposed rule outlines the process, in rule, for a judge to register with the department. In order to effect wider participation and interest by the public in exhibits and ensure the integrity of prize awards, a judge is required to have knowledge, training or experience in the specific classes being judged and to adhere to ethical standards. The registration is valid for 5 years, which provides fairs with judges who are current with specific class standards. A person applying to be a judge after July 1 is not eligible to judge that fair season, which is underway, unless a fair representative requests a waiver due to unanticipated emergencies.
When a judge uses the conference judging system, then the judge must award placements in the same manner as the Danish judging system.
Accounting Requirements
The accounting requirements are simplified and allow electronic technology to be utilized.
The requirements for all judging sheets to be submitted and separate judges’ affidavits for each department have been eliminated. In addition, the judges’ sheets no longer need to be in typewritten form with the winning entry column in ballpoint pen or indelible pencil.
The fair representative must submit, within 30 days after the fair, an affidavit which includes: a list by department of the premiums actually paid or to be paid; index of exhibitors and premium amounts paid; one premium book; summary of all judges; an affidavit from each judge indicating the departments and classes judged; and horse exhibitors’ registrations.
The fair representative must submit on or before January 31st the financial report including receipts and disbursements, and the fair attendance.
Format
The proposed rule updates formatting to reflect current rule promulgation standards and removes redundancies throughout the chapter.
Summary of, and Comparison with, Existing or Proposed Federal Statutes and Regulations
There are no existing or proposed federal statutes or regulations related to county and district fairs.
Summary of Public Comments Received on Statement of Scope and a Description of How and To What Extent Those Comments and Feedback Were Taken Into Account in Drafting the Proposed Rule
The Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules did not request a preliminary hearing on the scope. The Department did not hold a preliminary hearing on the scope.
Comparison with Rules in Adjacent States
Illinois Illinois appropriates state funds to pay premium aids for county fairs. On or before December 31 of the year preceding the fair, the fair is required to file a Declaration of Intention to participate in the Agricultural Premium Fund appropriation, including the dates of the fair, approximate amount of premiums to be offered and the maximum amount of premiums offered. Illinois does not establish a uniform premium list. Illinois also appropriates funds for premiums and judges’ fees paid at shows and exhibitions approved by the State 4-H Office. If the exhibition takes place at a county fair, the projects must be shown and judged separately from the junior and open show classes at the fair in order to receive funds.
Iowa Iowa allocates state funds to the Association of Iowa Fairs. The money paid as state aid must be used exclusively for capital expenditures relating to the acquisition of land for fairgrounds and improvements on the fairgrounds. In order to be eligible for state aid, a fair must file with the Association of Iowa Fairs a statement that provides information as required by the Association of Iowa Fairs, including financial status. The Association of Iowa Fairs distributes the money to eligible fairs. The Association of Iowa Fairs’ Board of Directors determines the amount of state aid allocated to each eligible fair.
Michigan Michigan does not provide state aid to fairs.
Minnesota Minnesota authorizes counties to appropriate funds to county agricultural societies for county fairs
Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies
This proposed rule was developed in consultation with the Wisconsin Association of Fairs and member fair representatives.
Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of Economic Impact Analysis
Small business participation in county and district fairs is voluntary. Individual small businesses may benefit from winning premiums at county or district fairs, but premium amounts are relatively small. This rule would not substantially affect the cost to businesses to participate in a fair or the likelihood of winning a premium.
The rule was posted on the Department’s website for economic comments for 14 days and none were received.
Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis
The Fiscal Estimate and Economic Impact Analysis is attached.
Effect on Small Business
