2022 HEALTH REGULATIONS

Health inspections will be conducted on all livestock being exhibited during the Hopkinton State Fair by the SHOW SUPERINTENDENT for each department. All animals prior to inspection must have blankets removed.  Any animals exhibiting signs of potentially contagious diseases to humans or livestock will not be allowed to stay on the grounds. Examples of contagious diseases include, but are not limited to, shipping fever, ringworm, conjunctivitis, sore mouth, foot rot and external parasites.

A VETERINARIAN contracted by Hopkinton State Fair will be on grounds to assist the SHOW SUPERINTENDENTS as needed. The attending VETERINARIAN’s judgement will be final.  Animals may be dismissed for health problems by any SHOW SUPERINTENDENT, FAIR MANAGEMENT, or VETERINARIAN and the animal must be removed from the grounds immediately.

HOPKINTON STATE FAIR VETERINARIAN
Pembroke Animal Hospital
13 Sheep Davis Road (Route 106)
Pembroke, NH 03275
Phone: (603) 228-0019
Fax: (603) 228-9378

  1. RABIES: All livestock (excluding poultry and rabbits) entered in the Hopkinton State Fair must be inoculated for rabies at least 30 days prior to and within 1 year of entry to the grounds. Proper documentation must be available upon request. It is REQUIRED that the rabies vaccine be administered by a Licensed Veterinarian to all equine, cattle and sheep for which there is an approved vaccine. Hopkinton State Fair does acknowledge the “Extra Label” use of the Rabies vaccines on goats, camelids and swine. Owners can administer the vaccine to these species as there is no Rabies Vaccine labeled for use in them. Exhibitors must provide the appropriate documentation upon inspection of their animals at the fairgrounds. Appropriate documentation of owner administered Rabies Vaccination includes the manufacturer, serial number, expiration date, and the date of administration and the animal identification number. Please note that this regulation ONLY applies to goats, camelids and swine because there is no legally labeled vaccine for these species although the manufacturers believe it to be protective.
  2. The youngest age a rabies vaccine can be given is 12 weeks of age and the vaccine is not considered valid for 30 days after administration. Therefore, the youngest animal on the fairgrounds not nursing on its dam must be 4 months of age or older.
  3. All livestock must be clearly identified by permanent identification, which includes tattoos, ear tags, microchips or specific breed registration photo ID.  Acceptable identification methods are listed by species in this section, and all forms of identification must be in place and legible prior to arriving at the fair.  Animals not clearly identified will not be allowed to stay on the fairgrounds. Cattle (Beef, Dairy and Working Steer/Oxen), Camelids and Pigs:
    Microchips, Breed Registration Tattoos/ or Photo ID, Metal State Ear  Farm Tag Sheep and Goats*
    Federal Scrapie Tags, Breed Registration Tattoos, Microchips* NO FARM TAGS ACCEPTED FOR SHEEP AND GOATS.  If you do not have a Federal ID Farm number, contact your veterinarian regarding getting appropriate scrapie tags.
  4. Paperwork (i.e.: rabies certificates or interstate health certificate) needs to be presented at time of inspection.
  5. No animal should be unloaded until authorized by department superintendent.
  6. Animals arriving at the Fair from NH farms do not have to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) but appropriate proofs of Rabies vaccinations are necessary. Livestock arriving from out of state must have a current year CVI accompanying them. New Hampshire will accept a Fair and Show Season CVI that has been issued between July 1 and October 31, corresponding to the NH Fair and Show Season. A list of the fairs and shows attended through the season, with USPS addresses and dates of attendance must be attached to the document at all times.
  7. Unfortunately, Hopkinton State Fair does not allow livestock “bottle babies” on the grounds secondary to their susceptibility to infections and not being old enough for vaccines. Please make arrangements to leave juvenile livestock at home that need to be bottle fed. They will not be allowed to stay on the grounds.

These regulations are to protect the health of your animals and the public and to be in conformity with the Federal Permanent Identification Programs. If you have any questions about the contagiousness of your show animals prior to the fair, please contact your veterinarian for a health exam so that potential illnesses can be addressed and hopefully resolved prior to the shows.

BIO-SECURITY:When exhibiting animals at the fairs or shows, bring your own shovels, forks, brooms and wheelbarrows for your personal use and do not allow them to be used by others. Disinfect all of the hand tools, including the wheelbarrows, feed tubs, and your boots and shoes before going back to the farm. Consider isolating all animals returning to your farm from the animals left at home for a period of time to minimize transmission of diseases that may have been picked up at the show. Do not allow the public to walk in the feed areas and do not allow manure contamination of the feed or feeding areas. There are many diseases such as Johnes, E. Coli, Salmonella, etc. that can be spread at fairs and brought back to the farm. Prevent the spread of organisms.