Here are the links to both the recorded zoom sessions with WSF’s General Manager (Courtny Conkle) and Assistant General Manager (Kris Mitchell).  They can be found in the State Fair channel in Microsoft Teams as we well.

May- 9^th – https://uwyo.zoom.us/rec/share/DOby_6uJhbxpK3pLmzCgtzehB9DcV6OLrKGco0LDXmOOullIZLnlwQpGTv5lheXu.ziHpd-suEns3MNVz      Passcode: c=0.0fu^

June 6^th– https://uwyo.zoom.us/rec/share/01JLkSp-eXMAAGo_tuJzzEVEpdtF9t4M_sOO-SgY3877ZW-Dfz-6OG4sRvpGOOHu.TPiUUYEaDYkcjDWS    Passcode: M#HK0q9C

Wyoming State Fair Youth Market Animal Drug Testing FAQs
6/15/2023 Version
1. Q: Why is the Wyoming State Fair drug testing?
A: The Wyoming State Fair Board and Management are focused on animal welfare,
education, food safety, and fostering fair competition. Drug testing helps us to ensure that all
animal exhibits at the Wyoming State Fair are being well taken care of.
2. Q: What shows will be tested in 2023?
A: In 2023 drug testing will take place in the youth market sheep, swine, goat, and beef
market shows.
3. Q: How will drug testing take place?
A: By 12 pm on opening day of the 2023 Wyoming State Fair, exhibitors MUST turn in their
drug declaration forms to the Exhibitor Office drop box ONE FORM IS REQUIRED PER
MARKET ANIMAL. Drug Declaration forms can be found at wystatefair.com or picked up at the
Exhibitor Office.
Grands & Reserves: Urine sample collection will take place immediately following the judge’s
selection. Fair Management and/or Jordy Drug Testing, along with a parent, guardian, or
witness over the age of eighteen for the exhibitor will remain with the animal until a sample has
been successfully collected. The animal will be escorted to the photo backdrop and then
placed in the secure area until a urine sample has been collected, sealed and signed off by the
exhibitor along with the parent/guardian, or witness over the age of eighteen. Chain of custody
best practices shall be followed. Buckles will be presented ringside and used for photos, then
held at the Wyoming State Fair office until the test results have come back negative. Exhibitors
will receive a letter informing them of the results of the test and, if negative or excusable, their
buckles and premiums.
Random Tests: Prior to animals entering the show ring, a class and placement will be
randomly selected that will be required to do a drug test. Immediately after judging, the animal
will be escorted by Jordy Drug Testing and/or a State Fair Representative, along with a
parent/guardian, or witness over the age of eighteen for the exhibitor to the secured area by
the photo backdrop and remain with the animal until a urine sample has been successfully
collected, sealed and signed off by the exhibitor along with the parent/guardian, or witness
over the age of eighteen. Chain of custody best practices shall be followed. Exhibitors will
receive a letter informing them of the results of the test and, if negative or excusable, their
premiums.
4. Q: What is a declaration form?
A: A declaration form is a quality assurance certificate that is a complete history of ALL
medication, drug, chemical substance, or medicated feed additives given to animal exhibits
after the ownership deadlines.
5. Q: What substances will the Wyoming State Fair be testing for?
A: Drug testing will focus on substances that have the potential to alter the appearance of or
enhance performance in an animal. Examples include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs), Beta-agonists, Steroids, Analgesics, Stimulants, Illicit Drugs, Sedatives/Tranquilizers,
Diuretics, and Antibiotics
6. Q: What is an approved animal drug?
A: An approved animal drug has gone through FDA’s drug approval process. During this
process, the agency reviews information submitted by the drug company about the animal
drug. If the information meets the requirements for approval, the agency approves the animal
drug. FDA’s approval means the drug is safe and effective when it’s used according to the
label. FDA’s approval also ensures that the drug’s strength, quality, and purity are consistent
from batch to batch, and that the drug’s label is truthful, complete, and not misleading.
7. Q: What is unapproved use of a medication?
A: An unapproved use is any substance given to a species for which it is not approved by the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This includes animal medications that are not approved
for a given species, medications used for humans that are not approved for animals, and
medications that are not approved for humans or animals. It is important to note that
veterinarians can prescribe many substances, therefore make sure to communicate with your
veterinarian that you will be showing at the Wyoming State Fair and that your animal could be
drug tested when they prescribe medications.
8. Q: What are the common types of drugs that I may be penalized for?
• Antibacterial Therapeutic Medications – Used to treat infection, these compounds don’t
create a competitive advantage but can create food safety concerns if not used according to
label directions. Many are only FDA-approved for particular species, meaning that extensive
research has been conducted regarding the proper dosage and type of administration to be
efficacious in that species as well as the withdrawal time that is necessary for meat products to
be safe for human consumption. Please note any exceptions for the use of these compounds
in breeding animals below.
• Non-Antibiotic Therapeutic Medications – Inclusive of anti-inflammatories, antipyretics,
diuretics and anesthetics, these medications can result in a competitive advantage by altering
the physical appearance of the animal and/or concerns with food safety. Some are available
over the counter and others can only be legally sourced and administered through prescription
by a licensed veterinarian. Many are only FDA-approved for a particular species and use in
any other species without a prescription by a veterinarian is illegal
• Beta-agonists – Originally developed as bronchodilators in humans, larger dosages have a
growth-promoting effect in animals and result in increased muscle and decreased fat. The only
beta-agonist that is currently FDA-approved and commercially available for use in livestock
production is ractopamine, which is labeled for use in market cattle and market swine with a
zero-day withdrawal (i.e. research indicates that meat products are safe for consumption at
any time during the feeding period). The use of beta-agonists in species for which they are not
FDA-approved or commercially available creates concerns with food safety and/or competitive
advantage. Exhibitors who choose to use these products are expected to follow all label
directions.
• Illegal/illicit substances – The use of any illegal/illicit substance is strictly prohibited.
Just because you can purchase a product does not mean it is allowed under law to be
administered to a food-producing animal.
• By law, every animal drug must be approved by the FDA for all uses before it is available
for producers to buy. Approved substances will have an “Approved by FDA” statement on
the label.
• Many “all-natural” products such as supplements and calming agents are not FDA approved and thus are illegal to use.
• You cannot use vitamin shots not approved for your species of animal.
• Products such as melatonin, and caffeine are illegal to use as they are not labeled for food
animals.
9. Q: What happens if my animal tests positive?
A: Upon receiving a positive test result from Texas A&M, a review panel will determine the
repercussion for the exhibitor. The determination made by the review panel is final and not
eligible for protest.
In the event that a positive test is deemed inexcusable by the review panel, the exhibitor will
forfeit premiums and awards for the exhibit that tested positive.
If a Grand or Reserve Champion animal is disqualified, places will not advance up, meaning
that there will not be a Grand or Reserve Champion awarded for that species, as applicable.
Based on the nature of the positive test, repercussions will vary from 1-3 year probation
periods to 1-3 year suspensions. During a probation period, the exhibitor’s market livestock
exhibits must be drug tested during the Wyoming State Fair. The exhibitor will be responsible
for drug testing fees during the probation period. During a suspension period, the exhibitor will
not be permitted to show during the Wyoming State Fair.
10.Q: Where can I find information about a drug my veterinarian prescribed for my animal?
A: Ask your veterinarian. Your veterinarian is your best resource for information about a
drug he or she has prescribed for your animal. Make sure to communicate with your
veterinarian that you will be showing at the Wyoming State Fair and that your animal could be
drug tested when they prescribe medications.
11.Q: What is Withdrawal time?
A: A withdrawal time is the amount of time after a specific medicine is given that it is
acceptable to market the animal. The medicine label or medicated feed label will provide this
information. If the withdrawal time has passed, the animal is generally considered safe to enter
the food chain.
12.Q: Since the WSF isn’t a terminal show, do withdrawal times matter?
A: Correct and proper animal husbandry is the top priority of the Wyoming State Fair. By
providing an accurate documentation log of any medications, drugs, chemical substances, or
medicated feed additives administered to your animal exhibit on the drug declaration form,
allows the test result review panel to make an informed determination regarding test results.
13.Q: Who has ownership title to a vast majority of the market animals that participate in the
Wyoming State Fair? If it is the new buyer, who has the liability for additional drug testing?
A: As a participant in the Wyoming State Fair exhibitors are expected to follow the policies and
procedures outlined in the State Fair Premium Book. These policies apply to the exhibitor. The
exhibitor is responsible for their exhibits while at the Wyoming State Fair.
14.Q: Whom should I contact if I have questions about drug testing at the Wyoming State Fair?
A: If you have any additional questions regarding Wyoming State Fair drug testing please call
the fair office at 307-358-2398 or email Kris.mitchell@wyo.gov or Courtny.conkle@wyo.gov
15.Q: Am I able to use Show Ready?
A. Yes. Show Ready does not contain ingredients that will result in a positive drug test.
16.Q: Will Melatonin be tested for?
A. Melatonin is not something we currently test for, given that it is produced naturally in the
animal.