Unethical Fitting and Showing Practices in Junior Livestock Shows

Abstract

This study was done to determine tbe extent of fraudulent fitting and showing practices used by exhibitors in junior livestock shows in Texas. To obtain this information, a survey form was mailed to junior exhibitors at the 1990 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, to agricultural science teachers in Areas III, V and VI and to county extension agents in Districts 4 and 5. More students enter state livestock sbows through the county extension 4-H program than through high school FFA cbapters. Agricultural science teacbers visit their students and projects more frequently tban county extension agents. About 25% of those surveyed had knowingly used illegal drugs in preparing market animals for show ring competition while approximately 47% had either registered crossbred animals or knew someone that did, and 37.5% were aware of falsification of data other than parentage on registration certificates. Recommendations to help eliminate fraudulent practices in fitting and showing livestock include limiting the amount of auction money paid to winners, stricter enforcement of existing rules, closer supervision of animal projects, increasing the percentage of show animals tested for drugs, body clipping market steers and establishing a "Livestock Hotline" for anonymous reporting of offenders to livestock offices.