Okay, I am stupid about this but......

our 4-h show is really, really small, last year we had 26 cattle including carcass and market.  There were only 4 in my daughters cross-bred class and 5 in her Jr. Fitting and Showmanship class.  We are a blow and go type of show.  We aren't allowed to use anything on our animals that isn't specifically listed as being able to be used on animals, and we are definately not allowed to use dyes or paint (white glove test they call it).  I have seen kids use things called adhesives, but our extension agent even frowns on this.  I see you talking about Pink oil and getting it at walmart, I assume since it comes from Walmart, unless its for dogs/cats I can't use it, so is this the case?  I have used Blue shampoo for dogs, on white areas and have even used woolite on my horses.  They are pretty strict about what we can and can't use.  We have to run on Pa State Farm Show rules, with our show.  So, what do you do when you have such strict rules, our agent keeps stressing no residue in the meat.  Our show is also a terminal show.  Any suggestions or help would be greatly considered. 

there should be no residue in the meat, ie no but.

but, if you are unhappy with who is running it, find out how to run it yourself, start your own show and make your own rules.

Fitting (i.e. dying, painting, adhesive, pink oil......) wont leave any residues in the meat. Thats the 1st time I have ever heard that one. Seems to me your extension agent needs to brush up on his understanding of animal husbandry if he thinks this type of stuff will affect carcass's via residues. You should be able to use Pink without any trouble.

I could fit an animal using human products out of the women's beauty section at Walmart, ie pink oil, foam, hair spray.  If you extension agent believes that this causes residue in the meat, then his wife and daughters are contaminated.  That is a very absurd assumption on your extensions part.  He is stuck in the 50's.  Time for some young blood at your county fair.

Thanks, I'm not complaining, its just really hard to figure out what to do when things are so strict.  Our agent handles all the animal shows at our fair (goats, dairy, sheep, rabbit, horse, beef, and hogs), she has a lot to remember and alot to do.  She tries her best and we all know it.  I just don't know what will and what won't leave residue in the meat, and that is what she preaches the most.  Thanks

Heres the rule concering grooming products from the State Farm Show that we have to abide by: 

IMPORTANT : GROOMING - 11. Use only grooming products that are approved for use on meat producing animals when fitting any animal for show. Unapproved products may contain ingredients that result in unacceptable residues in the meat. If it is not certain that a product is residue safe and approved for use on meat animals, don’t use it! **IMPORTANT**! If upon slaughter, treatment with drugs, biologics, or anychemical from fitting products, is the cause of the condemnation of a carcass, the loss of the carcass and any other damages will be borne by the exhibitor. UNETHICAL FITTING: Any animal showing any evidence of unethical fitting practices such as tampering with the natural fleshing and muscle development (including but NOT limited to drenching and pumping of fluids) will be barred from the show and no premiums awarded. Artificial fins on cattle are not permitted. No exhibitors shall be allowed to use any coloring agents on any animal exhibited. TheFarm Show may adopt and implement various tests designed to monitor this prohibition, including but not limited to a “white glove” or “white towel” test. No aerosol cans or other pressurized containers will be allowed in designated make up areas. Designated make-up areas will be the Spine and arena areas.

MARKET ANIMALS: 12. Animals consigned for slaughter during or immediately following the show shall not receive any treatment with drugs or biologics within the withdrawal time prior to slaughter. Withdrawal times for drugs and biologics are all stated on the directions for use. Label directions must be followed at all times. A Drug Certification and Disclosure Statement must be submitted at weigh-in. **Important**! If upon slaughter, treatment with drugs, biologics, or any chemical from fitting products, is the condemnation of a carcass, the loss of the carcass and any other damages will be borne by the exhibitor. Market goats and market lambs will be tested for the presence of Ractopamine-HCL (Paylean).

Sale Animals:13. All sale animals must be washed after showing. The use of any grooming products (including glitter) applied to livestock after the show and prior to the sale is prohibited.

I must be stuck in the 50's myself.

I believe it is possible for many of the items used in grooming to be absorbed through the skin.  The skin is just one of many ways chemicals can enter the system and muscle tissue.

I look forward to a show where you can spray them with some water and blow/comb them forward.
Personally I would welcome rules such as these to reduce the products used on cattle, just to win a show.

There are plenty of product options you can use on your cattle that would be within the rules.

Good luck to you!

You can use any of the things commonly talked about on here for hair.  We all have to comply with residue rules.  Pink oil is not going to cause a residue issue.  And you mix it with show sheen in a spray bottle, so no aerosol issues either.  When talking about anything to do with grooming products, anything labelled for use in/on humans certainly isn't going to cause a problem for humans via eating animals that those same products were used on the exterior of.

I dont see where most adhesives would be banned by this rule.  Most adhesives that I know of will leave no residue in the meat.  Dye would be the most common culprit for being absorbed and leaving residue in the meat and that is specifically banned by your show.  Aerosals are ok according to your rules, you just are not allowed to bring them to the make up area with you.  My opinion is always that cattle should be ready to show when they go to the make up area anyway, all I ever bring to the make up area is a brush, comb, and rag.
I think your show is pretty typical of what we call a blow and go around here.  All you do is wash them, blow them forward and head to the ring.  A lot of blow and go's actually will allow you to use a sheen on their hair.  But at the state show in Louisiana the commercial heifers are not allowed to have anything, no sheen, pink oil or anything.  They wipe every calf with a rag and if oil or anything leaves a residue on the rag they can not go in the ring.

Revive makes my cows taste better  ;D

I understand where your coming from on PA's fair rules. Here in Union county we cant even use show sheen or a hoof oil.
Here is our fair rules:
3. All animals must be fitted and be able to be shown by the exhibitor at the show and sale except in case of illness or accident.
4. All animals must be fitted using only soap and water for the show and the sale. Animals must be clean when arriving on the
fairgrounds. Animals not clean will not be allowed to stay on the fairgrounds.


My question is though isnt Orvis soap actually a powerful detergent to clean rugs? Almost everyone uses it at our fair