All youth planning to show Swine at the Dane County Fair must meet these species specific educational requirements:

• Attend at least one approved education event (listed below)
• Education Requirement Card – Complete this card after attending a species-specific education meeting/event to confirm attendance. The completed card should be uploaded by June 1 to the FairEntry portal that opens in April.
  • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload.
• Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate between 9/1/2025-6/1/2026.
• Submit your education card and YQCA certificate number by June 1 in FairEntry when submitting your entries. Failure to submit this card will make you ineligible to show your animal at the Dane County Fair.
• If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species separately.

• 1/12/2026 – Animal Health, Illness, and Common Treatments for Livestock from 6:00pm-7:00pm at St. Martin School (5959 St. Martin Circle, Cross Plains). No Cost. Open to All youth. The Ashton Go Getters 4-H Club is hosting an education opportunity focused on animal health, illnesses, symptoms of stress, and common treatments. Learn how to keep your animal healthy and happy, especially if they are going to travel to a fair this summer. Dr. Shane from Waunakee Veterinary Service will present the information. Animals covered will be beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, and rabbits. This meeting is designed for youth in Grades 3+ and all youth should have an adult present. NOTE: This session ONLY counts towards ONE species. Youth MUST have different education per species. RSVP with Mary – 608-212-4173 or m.hellenbrand@outlook.com

• 2/21/26 – "Youth Show Pig Symposium" presented by Wisconsin Pork Association & UW - Extension - 9:00am-2:00pm at Arlington Research Station Public Events Facility (N. 633 Hopkins Road, Arlington, WI). Registration required (FREE) by February 14 online or call 608-723-7551. New event format: education sessions, tradeshow, and networking. Topics include: nutrition, vet client patient relationships, breeder client relationships, and more! Questions? Contact Jeff Morris at 608-346-9561 or jeff.morris@wisc.edu. Make sure to bring a copy of the Education Card with you to have the presenter sign on-site.

• 2/22/26 - 4-H Swine Project for Beginners 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm, Dane County 4H Office, 5201 Fen Oak Dr, Madison - This educational event will help youth new to the swine project gain a better understanding of the project area and the resources available. Reach out to Dick Straub with any questions – Richard.straub@wisc.edu

• 2/23/26 - Swine Education Meeting 6:30 pm-7:30 pm, Middleton Farmers Coop, 1755 Pleasant View Rd, Middleton - This hands-on, interactive education program will share Basic Show Swine Nutrition and Management. This program is designed for youth in grades 3-13 and is approved for Dane County Fair education credit. Youth should be accompanied by an adult. REGISTER HERE – Complete one form for each youth attending

• Online Swine Education Videos - Approved options for those unable to attend an in-person session. Provider: Kansas State University Research and Extension. Each video is about 1.5-2 hours and only one video is required to meet the education requirement.
  • Ask Before You Buy
  • Feeding & Showmanship
  • Quality Matters
  • Judge's Choice

• FFA Curriculum
• FFA Livestock Evaluation Contest - have your advisor sign the education card

Squeaky Clean Biosecurity Plan Fact Sheet – pdf
Swine Health Rules

Dane County Fair Swine Tag Pick Up

Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM at the 4-H/UW Extension Office on Fen Oak Drive, Madison.

All paperwork will be provided. Contact Dick Straub at Richard.straub@wisc.edu with questions.

SWINE TAGGING PROCESS - REVIEW PREMIUM BOOK INFORMATION FOR MORE DETAILS

This year you will need to pick up tags and put in your own animals.

The picking up of tags will occur, on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 9:00-11:00am at the Extension/4-H Office, 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison. Stop in anytime.

You must know the breed, sex, and ear notches for the animal(s).

You must own the animal(s).

A parent or guardian must be present to sign.

Rope kits for PRRS testing will be provided as long as supply lasts

For gilts, you must designate either market or breeding

If pigs cannot go home Sunday evening of fair due to biosecurity concerns, this must be arranged at registration, not later.

If you cannot attend this registration, must make arrangements with Blayne Outhouse (farmerblayne@gmail.com) or Dick Straub (Richard.straub@wisc.edu) before April 18 for alternative (not day of or later)

Tags then should be attached to the animals by May 1, 2026 and paperwork returned to Dick Straub by May 3, 2026.

Dane County Fair Meat Animal Sale (MAS) Information

The Dane County Meat Animal Sale is managed by the Dane County Meat Animal Sale Association. This association is an organization of interested persons whose purpose is the organization and operation of the Dane County Meat (Large) Animal Sale. This is an independent association and is not connected to the Dane County Fair Board, Dane County 4-H Leaders Association, UW-Extension Office, or any other group. For questions, contact DaneCountyMeatAnimalSale@gmail.com or 2026 Sale Chair, Blayne Outhouse at (608) 669-0105.

The Meat Animal Sale will be held at the Dane County Fair on Friday, July 17, 2026 at 6:45 PM in Pavilion 2.

2025 MAS Scholarship Application (due by June 15) - COMING SOON