Those who want their steers to be eligible for the Fulton County Rate‑of‑Gain Contest, the Illinois State Fair Junior Show, or the Illinois State Fair Premiere Contest, must bring their steer(s) to be weighed and tattooed at the date scheduled by University of Illinois Extension in Fulton County.

This will be on Saturday, February 5, at the Fairview Sale Barn, with arrival times from 8‑10 a.m. 

No pre-registration is required.

In the event of extremely severe weather, call 231-8367 that morning, to see if the weigh-in has been postponed.  Any cancellation notice would also be given over 1560 AM or 94.1 FM BYS, and on the Fulton County 4-H Facebook group page.

Electronic ear tags will also be applied. Steers must be castrated prior to tattooing. If possible, exhibitors should be present during tattooing.

If you are only weighing in the steer(s) for County Rate-of-Gain purposes (or only for Avon Fat Steer Show), you don’t have to get the tag, but without the tag, your animal will NOT be eligible to go to State Fair Junior Show – and you CANNOT get the tag later.

Each person may nominate up to 10 steers for the State Fair Open and Junior Premiere Classes. Junior Premiere Steers are eligible for the Open Premiere Class, if they are properly entered at the time that State Fair Open entries are made. To qualify, carcasses must grade at least low select, have a yield grade lower than 4.0, and have a carcass weight of 950 pounds or less.  To qualify for State Fair, calves must have been born on or after January 1, 2021. They must be owned and personally cared for by the exhibitor since February 1, 2022. 

For more information, call the Extension office at 309-547-3711.