Please find enclosed the 2008 National Show Packet. This contains all the basic information you will need to make your entries and other arrangements to attend the show. If you have additional questions, please see the list of contacts enclosed. Please note all deadlines and rules carefully. The National Show Committee and Local Host group would like to invite you to join them July 12–19 in Louisville, Kentucky!

The National Show committee along with the Host group has been working hard to make this one of the best National Shows. We have made many changes to the show this year in an effort to make the show run smoother and to better showcase your beautiful animals. The biggest change is that we are now going to show dry stock in the evenings and milkers will start first thing the next morning. This was done to help eliminate over uddering along with trying to keep the show from running into the late night hours. This did require us to implement showing two breeds at one time for the first two and half days, and then we will switch to a single ring with the predominately larger breeds starting Tuesday afternoon. Great care was taken to find and avoid exhibitor conflicts with multiple breeds.

We are again this year having a milk out, which will be in the afternoon approximately one hour before the start of the dry stock of that breed.

We also will have two breeds on display this year; the Nigerians and the Sables. So please take time to stop by the display animal pens and welcome them to the show as this might be their first experience at our National Show.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to hold a Welcome Dinner this year. We will be having an Exhibitor’s meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13; details are pending as this is still in the planning stages, so please plan on attending.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2008

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME: Before you leave home, make sure all does are healthy and free of any contagious disease. Check tattoos to be sure they are legible and match the papers. Be sure you have the ORIGINAL REGISTRATION/RECORDATION CERTIFICATE FOR ALL DOES AND HEALTH PAPERS. REMEMBER YOU CANNOT SHOW DOES ON A SIGNED TRANSFER.

BEST UDDER MILKOUT: Make sure to bring necessary items to milk your doe out if you are selected first or second udder in your class.

ARRIVAL TIMES: Arrival times will be 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday, July 12. If you arrive earlier than 7:00 a.m. Saturday, you will not be permitted to unload on the fairgrounds. Exhibitors will be told about unloading as they enter the grounds (You must Vet check the animals before you unload). If any­one has more questions, please contact me. I will be leaving home on July 10. If you need to contact me after that time, please call my cell phone listed above. All animals must be on the grounds and checked in by 10:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12. If you have any problems and think you are going to be late, please call me; the earlier the better. Please note that all youth participants and their animals must be on site and checked in by 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 12.

ENTRY DEADLINE: Please note the early deadline for entries to be postmarked is June 9, 2008. Late entries will be accepted, postmarked by June 25, 2008 - entry fee is greater, see page 1 of rules. No entries will be accepted after that date.

ENTRY FORMS: Please take the time and effort to make copies of your completed entry forms before you mail them to the ADGA office. Bring the extra copies to the show with you, look them over on the way to the show, and bring them with you to check-in. This one little step helps all of us operate more accurately during the busy days leading up to the show. The ADGA office also asks that you send a photocopy of the Certificate of Registry for your animal along with your entry form. Remember to fill out a separate entry form for each member ID# and each breed.

FACILITIES: This year the facility is climate controlled. The pens are 8' x 8' vertical slat. If you are bringing small kids, please bring necessary items to keep them in.

DRESS CODE: The American Dairy Goat Association and the National Dairy Goat Show committee invite and encourage you to “Put your best foot forward” at the most prestigious, competitive dairy goat show in the United States. We want you to “Strut Your Stuff”!!!” by looking as clean and “professional” as the animal’s you are handling. Please see #11 under Rules.

QUARANTINE: You will be required to purchase a non show pen at $35.00 each for any animal who does not pass the health check and is put into quarantine. Please leave any questionable animals at home.

SUBSTITUTIONS: Please note that substitutes will be allowed within the entry fee category. The more accurate you are with your early entries, the more efficient the National Show Office and check-in will be.

CAMPING AND RV RENTALS: These are available just outside the barn to the west of the pavilion. See Rule #16 for more information.

VET CHECK PROCEDURE: You will be greeted by the Vet Check and Welcoming Committees. All animals must be vet checked before they are off-loaded into the barn area. All vehicles may enter at Gates 1-6, then proceed to the vet check area in lot L, and you will be directed from there.

YOUTH PACKET: Youth information is included in this packet. For any additional information, please contact Paul Plummer at 515-433-0252.

NEWCOMER’S HANDOUT: A handout is available for those first-timers who would like more information. Please send a self-addressed stamped envelope and request the National Show Newcomer’s Handout. This includes an article about traveling with dairy goats, what to bring, and what to expect.

FEES REQUIRED WITH ENTRY FORM: Per Board action at the 1996 Directors Meeting, fees must accompany the entry form unless there are adequate funds in the exhibitor’s ADGA account. VISA, MasterCard, Discover and PayPal are accepted.

NO NON-ESSENTIAL ELECTRIC PERMITTED IN THE BARNS: There will be no non-essential electrical items permitted in the facility. This includes microwaves, televisions, farm signs and electric decorations.

See you in Louisville!

Greg