If total entry fees are more than $25.00 you are entitled to one (1) complimentary pass. If more than $100 two (2) passes, if more that $175 three (3) passes, if more than $250 four passes.
Anyone entering The Royal grounds, including the barns, requires a pass. Passes must be worn at all times and presented if requested by security or staff.
Passes are valid for the duration of The Royal.
Advanced Exhibitor Passes will be available for purchase on Assist Expo for $25.00 until Friday October 25, 2024. After this date, Exhibitor Passes can be purchased at the Show Office for $50.00.
OWNERSHIP: All entries must be the bonafide property of the exhibitor; owned by and registered in the name of the exhibitor at the time of entry closing. The breeder of the animal will be the person(s) recorded as such on the registration certificate. An animal owned jointly by more than one individual, firm or institution must be registered in the names of the joint owners. In the event that one of the joint owners is the breeder of the animal, he may include it in a group class having a bred and owned requirement.
CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS:
Entries and full payment are due on or before the posted closing date
Entries received after the posted closing date will be accepted at the discretion of the RAWF and late penalties may apply (See individual competition section)
Cancellations received due to extraordinary circumstances (eg. Natural disasters, storms, accidents or emergencies) will be addressed on a case by case basis by RAWF management
Cancellations or scratches received prior to the closing date will receive a refund of 100% of entry fee less the administration fee and related costs
Refunds for entries following the closing date will only be accepted if accompanied by a signed veterinary or medical certificate. In this event 25% of the entry fees and administration fee will be withheld. Refunds will be paid within 30 days of the close of the Fair. In the event that an animal’s entry is cancelled for health issues and a refund is awarded, no substitution will be allowed.
The competence of the handlers and show-people is considered essential. Untrained individuals, including show personnel and visitors, should not be permitted to handle animals or equipment. Exhibitors are expected to provide adequate training for anyone handling their livestock. Any exhibitor who cannot handle their animal will not be allowed in the show ring, at the discretion of RAWF management.
All livestock entered in purebred classes for show or sale at the RAWF must be recorded as Purebred as determined by the by-laws of an Association authorized to register animals of that breed. Each breed association shall:
Be solely responsible to assure that its breed registration rules, regulations and by-laws, including those relating to ownership and to those relating to criteria defining “purebred” for that specific breed are adhered to
Be solely responsible to verify and assure, prior to the competition, that each entry made in a breed association sanctioned show is eligible to compete in the class or classes declared by the exhibitor
Indemnify the RAWF against all legal or other proceedings related to the implementation of the breed association’s rules, regulations and by-laws
PRODUCTION OF CERTIFICATES: Exhibitors of animals entered in the purebred classes must have original certificates of registration available for inspection by the relevant Breed Association or RAWF officials. All livestock must arrive to the RAWF identified with approved indicators (as approved by Agri-Food Canada) and they are to be tagged before leaving the farm. Exhibitors with animals that arrive without tags are subject to a $1,300.00 personal fine, and a fine of $1,300.00 for the transporter and another $1,300.00 fine for the site of acceptance (RAWF). The exhibitor will be responsible for the total fine payment of $3,900.00. The RAWF is NOT a tagging station for livestock.
All livestock must arrive to the RAWF identified with approved indicators (as approved by Agri-Food Canada) and they are to be tagged before leaving the farm. Exhibitors with animals that arrive without tags are subject to a $1,300.00 personal fine, and a fine of $1,300.00 for the transporter and another $1,300.00 fine for the site of acceptance (RAWF). The exhibitor will be responsible for the total fine payment of $3,900.00. The RAWF is NOT a tagging station for livestock.
GROUPS: Animals comprising an exhibit in a group class must have been entered and shown in their respective sections for single animals, except in cases where it is permissible to include an animal for which no section for single animals is provided
BARREN ANIMALS: The RAWF debars and will, to the utmost of its power, discourage and prohibit the showing of barren animals in breeding classes/shows.
STALLS: Stalls and pens for livestock will be allotted by the Superintendent and Barn Bosses of the section. No exhibitor has the right of use to any stall at succeeding Fairs. Consequently, exhibitors installing fittings in a stall do so subject to the RAWF’s right to enter the stall and remove such fittings when, in the opinion of management, it is desirable to do so to cope with stabling requirements or to comply with fire safety regulations. No overhead storage will be permitted as per General Rules & Regulations Rule #17.
ACCOMMODATION FOR LIVESTOCK: It shall be the duty of the Barn Manager, Livestock Superintendents and Barn Bosses of the section to work with exhibitors to ensure neat and attractive exhibits. This will be enforced by preventing an exhibitor from utilizing too many stalls/pens or from unduly crowding their animals, and through regulating the use of stalls/pens for purposes other than accommodation of exhibits and to require the use of sufficient bedding by each exhibitor (at the expense of such exhibitor). NOTE: Stalls will be assigned at the complete discretion of the Superintendent and Barn Bosses. Entries do not dictate stall space. Stall space will be decided by the number of animals that an exhibitor brings to the RAWF. The Superintendent’s decision is final. Any exhibitors who do not tie their entries as assigned may be asked to leave the grounds and forfeit their entry fees. For Display and pop-up tent regulations, refer to General Rule #29.
FORAGE AND BEDDING: Hay, straw and grain may be purchased on site at reasonable prices from an authorized contractor. To prevent congestion in the aisles during the hours of peak attendance, no deliveries of feed will be made after 10:00 a.m. Exhibitors may bring in a maximum of 24 hours worth of feed and bedding for their own livestock during the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. only. NO SELLING OF HAY, STRAW OR GRAIN BY ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE RAWF’S AUTHORIZED CONTRACTOR WILL BE PERMITTED. Extra hay or straw may be placed in feed aisles only. All feed buckets, forks and other equipment used in connection with the exhibit must be stored in the feed aisles when not in use and nothing may be stored in such aisles to a height greater than that of the partitions.
MANURE: We ask for all exhibitors’ cooperation in keeping the barn as clean as possible. If your animal drops manure in the aisles or on the carpet, we ask that you clean it up immediately. Manure must be removed by the exhibitor and taken to the specified containers outside of the barn for the duration of the show. It must not be piled in the aisles or in the barn during the day. This rule will be in effect for the duration of The Fair. Wire, bottles or other solid objects must not be disposed of in the manure. Exhibitors must bring their own manure carts to move their manure to specified containers.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: To avoid accidents and subsequent claims for damages that could involve an exhibitor; no milking machine or other electrical appliance without a guard over its moving parts is to be placed in the public aisles or beside animals. No electrical appliance may be used unless it has a three pronged plug and a ground wire.
ARRIVAL OF EXHIBITS: See arrival times within each appropriate competition section. These times will be strictly adhered to. All articles and animals must be in place and all rubbish waste material cleared away before 8:00 a.m. each day of the Fair to present the best possible exhibit to Fair visitors.
RELEASE OF EXHIBITS: See departure times within appropriate competition sections. These times will be strictly adhered to. Any exhibitor who moves out before designated time will be subject to a $400 penalty and may not be permitted to exhibit at the RAWF in future years. Management reserves the right to allow for special circumstances.
All livestock entries are required to pay an environmental fee.
DISEASED ANIMALS: In the interest of maintaining a high standard of animal health, all livestock are subject to inspection upon arrival and throughout the show by inspectors appointed by the RAWF, officers of Agriculture Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and veterinarians. If evidence of an infectious or contagious disease is discovered, the owner of the infected animal shall be required to move it to a designated area within the building or, on order from the RAWF or breed association officer, immediately remove it from the premises.
TREATMENT OF ANIMALS: Abuse of animal(s) in any form will not be allowed. Any violation of this rule will result in immediate disciplinary action. In all aspects of the RAWF, the well-being of animals shall take priority over the demands of owners, sellers, buyers, organizers, sponsors and officials.
Recommended Codes of Practice are currently in place for poultry, hogs, dairy cattle, beef cattle, horses, sheep, goats, rabbits and livestock transportation. These Codes have been designed to guide farmers, handlers, transporters, and processors in their practices. The codes have been drafted through close consultation with producers, government researchers and industry and it is the responsibility of the exhibitor to familiarize themselves with their species codes of practice and put these recommendations in practice at the RAWF.
Animal health, stall/animal sanitation, and safety should be considered at all times. Adequate provisions must be made for ventilation, feeding, and watering throughout the show. All handling, housing and veterinary treatment must ensure the health and welfare of the animals.
TAMPERING WITH LIVESTOCK: The unethical fitting of livestock entered for competition is prohibited. For the purpose of the RAWF, unethical fitting is deemed to consist of any treatment or operation materially altering the structure or natural conformation of any part of an animal’s body such as: the introduction of air, liquids, or other substances subcutaneously in any part of the body, surgical operation to correct defects, or the performance of any act, operation to exaggerate the natural conformation of the animal.
Every exhibitor, in consideration of their entry being accepted, specifically undertakes that no animal entered by him/her has been or will be before entering the judging ring, unethically fitted. The exhibitor agrees to submit for inspection any animal entered by him/her, at any time required before any inspector(s) or appointed for this purpose by the RAWF/affiliated association. They further agree that the opinion of such inspector(s) be valid and their call to be final and conclusive and without recourse against the RAWF/affiliated association. The exhibitor, by entering the animal for exhibition, hereby releases the RAWF from all claims and demands whatsoever in connection with the disqualification of any animal under the provisions of this section.
If an animal which in the opinion of an inspector or inspectors appointed for the purpose has been unethically fitted, the incident will be reported and the RAWF/affiliated associations will adhere to the penalties outlined by the RAWF/affiliated association.
The RAWF reserves the right to collect urine or blood samples from any animal for laboratory analysis. An exhibitor of an animal producing a sample having a quantity of diuretic or unapproved medication of any kind will forfeit all rights and privileges to exhibit at any future RAWF and forfeit any prize money or awards earned by the present exhibition of the animal or animals in question.
No artificial colouring of hair or wool will be allowed
REFUSAL TO SHOW: Exhibitors refusing to lead out their animals for competition in the show ring, when called by the official in charge, will forfeit all prizes previously won and may be debarred from further participation in the RAWF and be required to remove their animals from the premises within six hours after such refusal.
TIME OF SHOWING: The livestock judging schedule will be published in the livestock prize list and repeated in the livestock catalogue. Exhibitors are required to act accordingly; any animal not presented in the ring at the time the class is scheduled will be barred from showing.
SPECTATORS BARRED FROM LIVESTOCK RING(S): No persons other than judges, officials and attendants holding animals being exhibited will be allowed in the show ring during the time of judging
Health of Livestock
The health regulations are subject to change without notice.
CANADIAN SHEEP and GOATS
Producers must ensure that an approved Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) eartag is applied to all sheep and lambs on thier premises before they leave their farm of origin.
All sheep and goats entries must be inspected by at the RAWF for freedom from infectious and contagious diseases.
CANADIAN CATTLE
There is no official (CFIA) testing or certification required. Individual classes may have specific requirements and certifications.
All cattle entering the RAWF premise must have a Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) Eartag.
AMERICAN CATTLE: see below for Import Permit requirements for Breeding Cattle Imported from the United States to Canada. Testing Requirements:
Tuberculosis
The results of the tuberculin test must be shown on the required health certificate for the animal to be imported
Breeding cattle may only be imported into Canada from the United States if the certificate presented at the time of import identifies one of the following conditions has been met for Tuberculosis:
The herd of origin must be a herd of negative status in a state that is an accredited free area for tuberculosis or a modified accredited advanced area for tuberculosis and recognized as such by the United States Department of Agriculture; or
The herd of origin is a herd of negative status in a modified tuberculosis accredited area for tuberculosis, and is recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture and the herd has been tested with negative results to a tuberculin test preformed within 12 months preceding date of importation.
Brucellosis
Approved CFIA tests for brucellosis include the fluorescence polarization assay (FPA) test or the buffered acidified plate antigen (BAPA) test or the competitive Elisa (cElisa) test. The brucellosis test and results must be shown on the health certificate for the animal to be imported:
The animal to be imported must not have been vaccinated for brucellosis under the whole herd vaccination program for the Department of Agriculture of the United States (or in the case of a bull, vaccinated for brucellosis)
The RB51 vaccine is not recognized in Canada and all animals require testing for brucellosis where identicated (except for steers or spayed heifers)
Brucellosis-Free Herd of Origin
: If the animal originated from a brucellosis-free herd proves negative to a CFIA-approved test for brucellosis within 30 days on import.
Herd of Origin is not Brucellosis-Free: In the case of an animals that does not originate from a Brucellosis-free herd, the following certification and/or testing applies:
Brucellosis-free states
Established Herd: No clinical or serological evidence of brucellosis has existed in herd 24 months prior to the date of import. No additional tests to the above requirements.
Assembled Herd: No clinical or serological evidence of brucellosis has existed in herd it was assembled. The animal for import must also rpove negative to 2 of the CFIA approved tests listed above, preferomed at least 30 days apart with the second test occuring within 30 days of import. Additional test 30 days prior to above requirement.
Class A or B States
Established Herd: No clinical or serological evidence of brucellosis existed in herd the pervious 24 months. No additions to herd except by natural increases which unless added animals tested negative to a serum agglutination test or FPA for brucellosis at least 60 days prior to which the test on the animal for import occurs (which must occur within 30 or more days preceding the date of importation of said animal).
Assembled Herd: All animals except those under 6 months of age, steers & spayed heifers tested negative to a serum agglutination test of FPA for brucellosis in the preceding 12 months. The animal for import was present and identified in the herd of origin in above test or was natural increase since the test. The animal for import must have proved negative to a serum agglutination test of FPA for brucellosis performed within 30 days preceeding the date of importation and the date of the test must have been at least 60 days post-assembled herd testing. This test was performed at least 60 days prior to the above test.
Bluetongue (State of Florida Only)
Breeding cattle imported form the state of Florida require a negative test for bluetongue using the c-ELISA test methodology within thirty (30) days prior to import; OR,
In the case of a positive result, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test must be performed with negative results for virus within 30 days of import.
It is suggested that animals being sampled have both a serum sample and blood sample drawn at teh same time and be sent to the lab with the request that, if c-ELISA test is positive, then a PCR test is to be conducted.
Requirements for Breeding Cattle Imported from the United States to Canada
The definition of "breeding cattle" includes animals imported for breeding purposes as well as for show, exhibition, or feeding but does not include animals imported for immediate slaughter, feeder cattle consigned to an approved feedlot under the Restricted Feeder Program or calves 8-14 days of age imported under the "Feeder Bob Calf Program".
General Requirements
All breeding cattle require an Import Permit ($100) issued by the CFIA office prior to the arrival of the animal at a port of entry.
Breeding Cattle imported in Canada must be born after January 1, 1999 and the animals must be identified with a permenant identification recognized by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and are not under restriction for movement, slaughter, or destruction control.
Breeding cattle are required to be identified with an official USDA metal eartag or a National Animal Identification System (NAIS) compliant "840" radio frequency "RF" eartag and tattoo. The tattoo must be in the right ear and show the letters "USA" at a minimum of 1 cm in height, or the cases of a female animal, it may be the official United States calfhood vaccination tattoo that includes the US registered shield and "V". Animals for temporary entry of a period of ninety (90) days or less bearing an NAIS compliant "840" RF eartag are not required to have a tattoo.
Breeding cattle imported into Canadamust have a tag applied before import or as soon as they arrive at initial destination under the national livestock identification program as per section 189 of the Health of Animals Regulations unless they have been identified with a NAIS compliant "840" radio frequency "RF" eartag. The importer must report the tag information to the administrator of the program as required and within the time period specified, and as well, to the CFIA location where the importation of the animal occurred if the tag is not already present on the animal at the time of import.
Breeding cattle must only be imported into Canada from the United States if the animal is transported directly to the Canada-United States border from the place of origin in the United States where the animals were tested in accordance to this document. Breeding cattle must be transported directly to the Canada-United States border from a consignment sale or a show in the United States if he animal was tested in accordance with the import conditions on the farm or origin and the animal was transported directly to the consignment sale or show from the place where it was tested. All breeding cattle and other ruminants at the consignmnet sale or show must have the equivalent herd status as the animals to be imported into Canada.
An animal that was born after its mother was tested is not required to meet the test requirements of this document if the animal is imported into Canada at the same time as its mother. An animal that was born after its mother was tested, unless it was born en route to Canada, must be identified with permenent identification and recorded on the health certificate of its mother.
Breeding cattle must be accompanied by a certificateof an official veterinarian of the United States or a certificate of a veterinarian licensed in the United States and endorsed by an official veterinarian of the United States. The certificate must contain the name and address of the consigner, the location where the animal is exported from, and the name and address of the consignee. The certificate must also clearly identify the animal and show that the animal was inspected by a veterinarian within 30 days preceeding the date of importation, that the animal was found to be free from any communicable disease and that the animal was to the best of the knowledge and belief of the veterinarian, not exposed to any communicable disease within 60 days preceeding the date of the inspection.
Detialed test requirements for the Import of Breeding Cattle can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection webiste: www.inspection.gc.ca
Information and instructions to obtain Import Permit:
Upon making entries on Assist Expo, please select "Import Permit" from the additional add ons. Once entry fees and permit have been paid, a member of the Agirculture Show Office Team will email you with the information required for the Import Permit. The Royal will apply for the permit and send the permit to you once it has been approved.
An import permit is required for every livestock trailer crossing the border. All cattle on trailer must be listed on the permit.
Please contact the Agriculture Show Office with any questions, entry@royalfair.org
If you have more questions about re-entry, please contact the US Veterinary Services at the following numbers:
Phone: 301-734-8364
Import: 301-734-4704
Export: 301-734-6402
For re-entry into the U.S., a copy of the United States Health Certificate including proof of the date of entry into Canada is required. If you have more questions about re-entry please contact the U.S. Veterinary Services at the following numbers:
All Market Livestock exhibited at The Royal Agricultrual Winter Fair must be sold through auction sales.
The selling weight of Market Lambs will be recorded on the day previous to the sale. The Ontario Junior Swine Show animals will be sold on the basis of live weight.
In the operation of these sales, the RAWF acts in the capacity of the agent, and as such undertakes to collect the proceeds of sale from the buyers and to remit same, less commission and any other charges, to the exhibitor.
The person signing the sale ticket or identified by the auctioneer as the buyer will be deemed to be the buyer and will be required to make settlements to the RAWF or the retained sales management group at the conclusion of the auction via approved cheque, debit, or credit. If groups are purchasing, the preson identified as the buyer on the sales ticket will be billed by the RAWF for 100% of the purchase. It is the responsibility of all members to manage thier own settlement within the group. Animals will not be released until payment is received.
Every animal shall be at the risk of the purchaser when the auctioneer declares it to be sold.
Purchasers of live animals will be the responsibe for pick up and delivery of thier pruchases to the slaughter plant of thier choice immediately following the sale.
Except in cases where management may order top prize winners to be retained on the premise until the conclusion of the RAWF, animals sold in these auctions must be removed from the premise by the buyers or thier agents within 12 hours of the conclusion of the sales in which they were sold, provided payment has been received by RAWF.
Exhibitors must:
Provide attendants the conduct thier animals to and from the weight scales and sale ring;
Presnent thier animal in the sale ring in the order indicated by the sales catalogue;
Animals sold by onw exhibitor may be offered for sale and sold as a group;
The committee reserves the right to combine into groups of 5 or less, any lambs or hogs exhibited in the same class. In the event that this right is exercised, the grouping will be done at the conclusion of the judging of the class and while the animals are still in the ring.
Exhibitors are not premitted to display ribbons or banners won at other shows when presenting thier animals in the auction ring.
A selling commission will be charged as outlined in Table: Market Livestock Commission Rates (below).
The buyer will be charged an adminstration fee equal to 1.5% of the purchase price.
Exhibitors of animals placed in the Championship Row are responsible for providing feed for thier animals until the close of the Show.
As per RAWF Livestock Rule #24, entries made in the market auction may be tested. It is the exhibitors responsibility to ensure that no unapproved medication is used on any animals. The RAWF recommends consulting with your veterinarian before any treatment is given to market livestock.
Market Livestock Sales & Commission Rates
Gross Sales
Live Rate
Up to $2,000
6%
$2,001 - $10,000
8%
$10,001 - $20,000
10%
$20,001 - $30,000
12%
Over $30,000
15%
Please note that the rates are only charged on vales over the threshold amount.e.g. Live animal Gross $12,500 would be charges: 6% on $2,000 plus %8 on $8,000 then 10% on $2,500.
