It’s time to identify your 4-H animals for the fair. This include beef breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, dog, horse, meat goats, llama-alpaca, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep, and swine.
All animals MUST be identified in 4-H Online by May 15. This is a statewide firm deadline with consequences if missed, including not placing higher than a blue in classes at the county fair, not eligible for the 4-H livestock auction and not eligible for any state trips.
Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Projects require that all animals have positive identification in 4-H Online or on file at the Extension Office by 4:30 p.m. on May 15 or if mailed, be postmarked NO LATER than May 15. ID’s received after 11:59 p.m., May 15 will be considered late. NO EXCEPTIONS.
By May 15, 2024, you must own your animal or have proper lease paperwork in place, apply the appropriate ID, and enter the animal information into 4-H Online.
Note: IDing your 4-H animals does NOT register your livestock or general projects into the county fair. Watch your email for more information on registering for the county fair.
Read the Dakota County Animal ID letter for more details and to order ear tags.
Refer to the MN 4-H Animal Science identification requirements table for ID requirements specific to each specie.
Fill out the animal ID worksheet for your species to help gather your information before self-entering it in 4-H Online. This will make entering ID information in 4-H Online much quicker.
Families are responsible for entering their own animal ID information in 4-H Online by 11:59 p.m. on May 15. Refer to the Animal ID’ing in 4-H Online user guide for step-by-step instructions. If you are unable to enter your information in 4-H Online, you can submit the completed animal ID worksheet to the Dakota County Extension office before 4:30 p.m. on May 15 and 4-H staff will enter your animal information into 4-H Online.
4-H Tag order:
Complete the Tag Request Form to order your official MN 4-H ear tags now to allow staff time to coordinate your tag and tagger pick up. Ear taggers are available for you to check out and use. See the MN 4-H Animal Science identification requirements table for information on which animals are required to have an official MN 4-H ear tag.
Identification steps
- Read through the appropriate information sheet for the animal(s) that you will be identifying and the Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Updates for 2024. These documents include information for identification, animal project rules, classes, state fair participation and more. You can find your species information sheet on the 4-H animal ID page. Note: Horse does not have an information sheet.
- If your animal is leased, you must upload a completed Minnesota 4-H Lease Information Form into 4-H Online by May 15, 2024, with 4-H Online ID information. Note: Market animals may not be leased.
- Locate the appropriate species ID worksheet on the 4-H animal ID page to assist you in collecting the required ID information for entering your animal information into 4-H Online.
- Enter your animal identification information into 4-H Online by May 15, 2024. Note: All market beef should have been identified by February 15, 2024. Need help? Utilize the Animal ID’ing in 4-H Online guide. If you are unable to enter your information into 4-H Online, please bring your completed ID worksheet to the Extension Office for assistance in entering your ID information into 4-H Online by the end of business day on May 15, 2024.
Dog ID information
Review the 4-H dog ID letter for details specific to identifying dogs.
Schedule your veterinary appointments now to ensure you have the proper paperwork in order to submit by the May 15 Animal ID deadline. Your veterinarian will complete the Dog ID Affidavit and Vaccination Information portion on the MN 4-H Dog Project ID Form. Each dog needs its own ID form, completed by your vet.
If your family would like to participate in the 4-H Dog Project Training sessions this summer please pay close attention to the Animal ID deadlines and requirements.
The first training session is scheduled Monday, May 6, if you wish to participate in that session, paperwork would need to be complete at that time. Even if you don't plan to take part in the County Dog Show the Affidavit and Vaccination Information must be completed to take part in the training sessions for health and safety reasons.
Horse ID information
Review the 4-H horse ID letter for details specific to identifying your 4-H horses.
Required horse ID information by May 15:
- Horse data - complete Horse ID worksheet for ease of entering information in 4-H Online
- Lease form (only required if horse is leased); needs to be uploaded in 4-H Online
- Horse photo - color photo of horse only; needs to be uploaded in 4-H Online
- Coggins test results - legible copy from veterinarian; needs to be uploaded in 4-H Online
Enter all horse ID information in 4-H Online by 11:59 p.m. on May 15 to properly ID your 4-H horses.
Contact Jessica Beissel at 651-210-0762 or reed0324@umn.edu or Cherie Frandrup at 651-480-7702 or frand004@umn.edu, if you have questions.