Youth interested in showing market beef, sheep, swine, OR breeding stock commercial heifers/crossbred gilts/wether type ewes at the 2018 Wisconsin State Fair Junior Show will need to have their animal projects DNA and RFID identified by the State Fair eligibility deadlines listed below. This identification system allows animals which are DNA and RFID identified through the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium (WLIC) County and State Fair program to meet State Fair Identification requirements if the process is completed (all forms returned and samples on file) by the Wisconsin State Fair identification deadline postmarks listed.

Market Beef, Sheep, and Swine DNA and RFID identification deadlines (postmark):
Beef:  Tuesday – February 13, 2018
Sheep:  Tuesday – May 8, 2018
Swine:  Tuesday – May 8, 2018

*Breeding stock: commercial heifers/crossbred gilts/wether type ewes or any purebred animal being shown in the commercial, crossbred or wether type divisions DNA and RFID identification deadline (postmark):       
Wednesday – June 6, 2018 (postmark)

*Breeding stock being shown in the commercial, crossbred, or wether type divisions MUST HAVE DNA submitted even if they are registered with a National Breed Organization (i.e. a registered Hereford gilt with registration papers being shown in the Crossbred Gilt division).
*Please Note: Breeding stock with National Breed Organization Registration Papers being shown in the breed divisions DO NOT need to be DNA/RFID identified through WLIC. (ie. a registered Angus Heifer with registration papers being shown in the Angus Division does not need to be DNA/RFID identified.)

How do I get my animals identified?  DNA and RFID tag identification is only available by going to the WLIC website at www.wiid.org.   Click on the text “Learn More” under “DNA Program” (lower right-hand side). Print out, complete and mail the request form with payment to WLIC. Make sure DNA and required paperwork is returned to WLIC by the Wisconsin State Fair identification postmark deadlines listed above.

How much will DNA and RFID identification cost?  $15 per animal identified for required DNA and RFID tag identification. If your animal has an existing 840 RFID ear tag you can purchase and submit a DNA envelope separately for $10. Be sure to list the existing RFID ear tag number on the paperwork and DNA submission.

Will my County DNA and RFID tag qualify for Wisconsin State Fair? Wisconsin State Fair will accept all DNA and RFID samples submitted through WLIC by the Wisconsin State Fair identification deadline postmark. Samples received after the Wisconsin State Fair identification deadline postmark will be accepted; however, the animal associated with the samples will have limited State Fair eligibility.  Visit the WLIC website (www.wiid.org) to verify which counties are participating in the statewide DNA and RFID identification program.

Should I notify Wisconsin State Fair that my animal has been DNA and RFID identified? You DO NOT have to notify Wisconsin State Fair at time of identification. Wisconsin State Fair will receive all animal identification documentation from WLIC after the Wisconsin State Fair DNA and RFID identification postmark deadlines. Potential exhibitors are required to submit their Fair entries (online or paper) prior to the June entry deadlines by entering directly with Wisconsin State Fair. DNA and RFID identification is NOT your entry to the Fair.

What if my County is not participating in the statewide DNA and RFID program? No problem! Request Wisconsin State Fair DNA and RFID identification through WLIC. Make sure DNA and required paperwork is returned to WLIC by the Wisconsin State Fair identification deadline postmark listed above. If your county is not participating check with them for their requirement deadlines.