2026 U.P. State Fair Livestock Market Record Book Rules
DOWNLOADJanuary 21, 2026 - David Radloff
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Email2026 U.P. STATE FAIR JUNIOR MARKET LIVESTOCK RECORD KEEPING RULES
In order to participate in the Junior Market Livestock Sale, exhibitors are required to submit a completed market livestock record book and achieve a minimum score of 40 in the scoring rubric.
ALL MARKET RECORD LIVESTOCK BOOKS ARE DUE by 1:00 PM EDT: Monday, August 17, 2026
BONUS QUESTIONS- Each book has BONUS PROJECTS REFLECTION QUESTIONS which exhibitors mat choose to answer to increase their overall score.
INTERVIEWS - Exhibitors with high record book scores will be contacted Tuesday and Wednesday of fair week to schedule interviews. The objective of the interview is to identify the exhibitor’s knowledge of their records and project. All interviewees will receive a rosette. Top interview scorers in each class will receive champion banners.
Interviews will take place Thursday, August 20, 2026.
AWARDS-
Ribbons and premiums will be awarded in all classes based on the Danish System (A, B, or C).
Banners and rosettes will be awarded on Friday of the fair, 1:00 p.m. EDT at the beef show arena. If the records do not merit special distinction, these may not be awarded.
NO BINDERS or page protectors! All record books must be either in a two-sided folder or stapled.
Additional optional “bonus” narrative questions have been added to each record book as an opportunity to increase total points in the competition.
- Starting date for the market livestock record keeping project begins the date the animal is obtained.
- The final weight may be determined at home by tape measure or scale. This will allow the exhibitor to complete their record book prior to the fair.
- Record books are to be placed in the designated box located near the superintendent’s office.
The U.P. State Fair Junior Market Livestock Record Books will follow the Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Book 2026 U.P. State Fair Version. These books are available online at:
https://www.canr.msu.edu/delta/delta_county_4_h/u-p-state-fair-market-livestock-record-book
http://upstatefair.org/ (Ag & Animal Exhibits).
Exhibitors will have four record keeping classes based on exhibitor’s official fair age (fair age is the exhibitor’s age on January 1 of the year of the fair):
Beginning exhibitors (8-10 years of age) are required to complete the “2026 Michigan 4-H Market Animal Record Book U.P. State Fair version-Beginner Member”.
Junior exhibitors (11-13 years of age) are required to complete the ““2026 Michigan 4-H Market Animal Record Book U.P. State Fair version-Junior Member”.
Intermediate exhibitors (14-16 years of age) are required to complete the ““2026 Michigan 4-H Market Animal Record Book U.P. State Fair version-Intermediate Member”.
Senior exhibitors (17-20 years of age) are required to complete the ““2026 Michigan 4-H Market Animal Record Book U.P. State Fair version-Senior Member”.
Exceptions to the above rules may be granted by the Livestock Record Keeping Committee.
The records will be judged on the following criteria:
FOR BEGINNER CLASS
- 25 Points- Information, Goals, Potential Buyers, Photos
- 40 Points- Recorded Data
- 35 Points - Project Reflection Questions
FOR JUNIOR CLASS
- 25 Points- Information, Goals, Potential Buyers, Photos
- 15 Points- Herd Health Plan
- 45 Points- Recorded Data
- 15 Points - Project Reflection Questions
FOR INTERMEDIATE CLASS
- 18 Points- Information, Goals, Potential Buyers, Communication Strategies
- 8 Points- Marketing Materials
- 10 Points- Herd Health Plan
- 4 Points- Photo
- 45 Points- Recorded Data/ Calculations
- 15 Points - Project Reflection Questions
FOR SENIOR CLASS
- 12 Points –Information, Goals,
- 11 Points- Marketing Strategies/ Marketing Materials
- 19 Points- Herd Health Plan & Production Record
- 41 Points- Recorded Data/ Calculations
- 2 Points- Photos
- 15 Points - Project Reflection Questions
