Biosecurity recommendations for sheep and goat show exhibitors

Before the Event

What to Know

Animal movement requirements for interstate movement if you will be showing outside the state your cattle are housed in.
State or event specific exhibition requirements

What to do

Discuss the risks with your herd veterinarian
Obtain a certificate of veterinary inspection if needed
Make sure they have received parasite control
Monitor feed and water intake, and fecal output
Monitor overall appearance
Clean and disinfect any equipment you will be bringing with you
Stay home if you or a family member is experiencing signs of the flu
Do not share a trailer with animals from different premises

Presenter showing his goat at a goat show.

During the Event

Do not share equipment, tools, or supplies with other exhibitors
Keep your animals at a safe distance from other animals when possible
Avoid nose to nose contact between animals from different premises

If an animal becomes sick at the event

Report sick animals to show organizers
Follow event protocols and biosecurity plan should an animal become sick
Follow biosecurity protocols should an animal become sick
- Interactions with animals should be limited to those caring for the animal
- Those caring for the animals should limit exposure to other animals
- Use proper personal protective equipment
- Wash hands frequently
- Do not share equipment and supplies between sick and healthy animals

After the Event

Isolate and observe animals after returning home for signs of illness

30-day quarantine period
Do not share equipment, tools, or water sources with animals that stayed home

Clean and disinfect all equipment you took to the show using approved disinfectants

Remove all organic matter such as hay, feed, and manure prior to disinfection
Clean and disinfect vehicles and trailers upon arriving home

About the Extension Foundation
Our mission is to help Cooperative Extension generate a more visible, measurable, local impact. We achieve this through our nationally funded programs made possible by member dollars and cooperative agreements with federal agencies, and through partnering on state, regional, and national initiatives with Cooperative Extension and the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy (ECOP). We serve all Land Grant Universities, regardless of membership status.

This website is supported in part by New Technologies for Ag Extension (funding opportunity no. USDA-NIFA-OP-010186), grant no. 2023-41595-41325 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Extension Foundation.