Forget about old-fashioned ear tags; genetic testing has arrived at the Santa Barbara County Fair's Junior Livestock Auction.

Pigs, sheep, turkeys and other animals - 2,100 in all - began settling into their temporary digs Sunday at the Santa Maria Fairpark in preparation for the 117th annual Santa Barbara County Fair.

This year will mark the first time fair officials will conduct DNA testing on the animals to ensure that exhibitors are bringing the same animals they raised.

“It's really a way for proof of ownership,” said Candy Evanson, the fair's livestock superintendent who has been involved with the fair on and off since 1967. “We will randomly select eight people as well as the champions, and pull hair from the animal to be sure it's the same animal they registered.”

DNA testing is already employed by the California State Fair, held in Sacramento, and at other counties' fairs.

In the past, youth who raised junior livestock for the auction had to check into the fair with their animals in tow so that numbered ear tags could be attached.

This year, youth were required to submit samples of hair from each animal with their entry forms. Those entering sheep, goats, and pigs had to be signed up 60 days prior to the fair, while those raising steer had to enter within 120 days.

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This also marks the second year that competitors have entered the Junior Livestock Auction using online registration system. It's the first year that other entries such as home arts, floriculture, fine arts, sewing, food, place settings, quilts and paintings used the online entry system, too.

“Online registration is just as accurate because we are in the computer age and it's easier to collate (entries),” Evanson said. “The entries are entered in the right place and it cuts down on man hours, as well as getting the information in faster.”

However, even with online registration, competitors still had to either bring in or mail their receipt of registration and a method of payment. Some problems surrounded some late entries, which required a special ruling from the Santa Barbara County Fair Board of Directors.

“The board decided to let all late entries in for this year only,” said Dennis Pearson, chief executive officer of Santa Maria Fairpark.

Pearson said problems with late entries likely stemmed from contestants waiting until the night before deadline to mail in entries, or relying on other people to submit the paperwork.

More changes are set for 2009, when the fair will start testing animals for illegal substances. If a slaughterhouse finds a carcass contains drugs, it becomes an issue of health and safety and the buyer loses the carcass.

“With some drugs you give animals, there is a period of withdrawal, and if a human consumes the meat, it can be dangerous,” Evanson said.

Their arrival at the fairgrounds ends months of arduous work for youth who cared for the animals, many of which will be sold during the weekend's Junior Livestock Auction. The county fair, with the theme of “Rock Around The Clock,” starts Wednesday and ends Sunday.

Among the animal entries are 50 head of steer, 31 dairy cattle, 34 breeding beef, 76 replacement heifers, 56 market goats, 37 breeding Boer goats, 14 dairy goats, 563 market swine, 28 breeding swine, 250 market sheep, 55 breeding sheep, 273 rabbits, 35 rabbit meat pens (3 rabbits per pen), 62 cavies, 173 show chickens, 31 chicken meat pens (three chickens per pen), 49 breeding turkeys and 159 meat turkeys.

“This is a great way for the kids to learn responsibility that comes with having animals, and a fun way to teach them about business, as well,” Evanson said.

Today, animals will be weighed and will undergo health exams; judging will take place Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday will be the auction for small stock and replacement heifers. Saturday's Junior Livestock Auction includes swine, champions, beef, goats and sheep.

“The best thing about the fair is being able to see everyone from around the county and to show the competitiveness through the animals,” said Claire Vasquez, 16, of Santa Maria.

Vasquez has been showing mainly pigs for the last six fairs, and this year she entered a turkey. She was champion breeder two years ago, and took home Grand Champion Market Pig and Reserve Supreme Champion three years ago. Her brother Rayne is also showing pigs in the fair. He was Grand Champion 4-H market hog two years ago.

“The hardest thing about having animals is the responsibility, but it is worth it after working so hard, and showing pays off,” Vasquez said. “I have made my summer income in the past just from this fair.”

Carolann Werner, 15, of Nipomo will also be involved with the fair showing fancy chickens, rabbits, a replacement heifer, dairy goats and swine.

“This will be my third year, and I want to do this as long as I can. When I grow up I want to be a vet, so I want to work with animals my entire life,” Werner said.

Last year Werner took home first place in novice dairy goats and third in advanced dairy goats.

“I enjoy the process of going to the breeder's house and perfecting the animals to make them a winner. I love the hard work and spending time with my animals,” Werner said.

The five-day fair will take place at the Santa Maria Fairpark, at the corner of Stowell Road and Thornburg Street.

Besides the livestock, families can also enjoy carnival rides, a petting zoo, Wizard's Challenge and a full slate of entertainment and musical events.

Fairpark gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, but the carnival will be open until midnight.

For more information on the fair, call 925-8824.

July 7, 2008