We will be tagging and identifying market lamb projects on Monday, May 6^th, 2024 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds- Barn C. Animals must have a halter on to smoothly go through the identification process 

Listed below are some simple checklist steps to be sure you are prepared and ready for the day. 

Be Prepared Before Tag In:

Sign up  for a time for tag day

Tag-In will proceed in the following order: 

1. Nomination Forms/Cards:

Fill out one nomination form (county OR state) for each animal. State fair cards also qualify for county fair. You will need to know your project animal’s breed, sex and birth date.
Pay a $4.00 nomination fee per animal. Fee covers the cost of tags, tag equipment, scale equipment retinal scanning equipment and helps supplement funds for fair awards. Remember to include fee in your record book.

• Tag-In Form for Sheep

2. Ear Tags:

Establish the ownership of each animal. Each project animal is required to be owned and nominated to one specific exhibitor. In other words, siblings must specify ownership of each animal and may not share or swap animals after Tag-In. For example, goat 101 cannot be listed as John’s goat and later trans-ferred to his sister, Mary.

Fill out Tag Number on Nomination Form. After animal has been tagged by a volunteer, check that the correct tag number is now listed on the nomination card for that animal.

3. Weigh:

Push your animal(s) through the shoot to the scale. It is highly recommended that your animal have a halter or collar on when going through the scale.

Hand your completed Nomination Form to the volunteer at the scale. Check that the tag # on the form matches the tag # on the animal that is on the scale.

Note: Male market animals must be castrated or banded and all ewes and does must have scrapie tags in place by the May tag-in. Market goats must be dehorned or have horns “tipped” before exhibiting.

4. Retinal Scan:

Bring each animal individually to the designated pen for retinal scanning. Retinal scanning is required to be eligible for market sheep and goat classes at the Boulder County Fair and Colorado State Fair. Retinal scanning works like a finger print to provide precise identification of an animal in case a tag is lost or questions arise. All Champion and Reserve Market Goats and Sheep will be scanned at the Boulder County Fair to verify identity.

5. Final Paperwork review

Bring each completed form to the end of the barn and turn in. Please check your paperwork to be sure animals are identified correctly. This is your final chance for any updates. Take a photo of your completed paperwork for reference. Turn in paperwork to 4-H Staff members.

• Download and print the “State Fair Nomination Form for Boulder County”- Coming Soon!  that we use for ALL BOULDER COUNTY Market sheep- complete this form. 
• Get a Colorado Premise Identification number (LID#) where your animal lives. Each member must have a Premise identification number or Colorado Location Identification Number to participate in the Boulder County Fair. This is the location where your animal is housed. Obtain a premise ID or call 303-869-9130. 
• Bring $4 cash per animal tag if needed. 
• Market Sheep Nomination Form 
• Market Sheep Tag-In Info 
• Map

• Market Sheep Nomination Form 
• Market Sheep Tag-In Info 
• Animal Care Form
• Market Animal Budget Planner
• Common Animal Disease Chart
• Lost ID Protocol
• Colorado Scrapies ID Information
• Scrapies Fact Sheet
• Scrapie Requirements for Going to “The Show”

Scrapies Tags:

How do I get scrapies tags for my sheep or goats?

Request your FREE tags and tagger, just call 866-USDA-TAG 866-873-2824.

If you are planning on exhibiting/selling any female sheep/goats; sexually intact male sheep/goats OR own any sheep/goats older than 18 months old in Colorado you will need tags. It is recommended to have tags in place by Market Nomination day so you know you are good for fair and required to be eligible to show/sell goats or sheep at the Boulder County Fair.