Genetic codes inscribed on DNA have been used to acquit alleged criminals, research evolution and cure disease. The next breakthrough application will be to help decide which piglet gets the blue ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair.
This year’s Wisconsin State Fair will feature the most reliable method of animal identification developed to date, with Judges having access to DNA testing to help confirm the identity of animals entered in the 2003 fair.
In the past, swine, beef and sheep entries were required to wear an official State Fair ear tag and corresponding ear notch from the time of pre-registration until the actual judging. Now these animals must provide a genetic means of identification as well.
At the official pre-registration weigh-ins, owners can expect to register their animals much as they have in past years, with the exception of the judges’ new requirement of at least 30 hairs and attached follicles from the animal to be entered.
This new testing will be a relatively inexpensive addition to the registration process. The State Fair only charges $4 for a typical swine entry, and officials said that this small cost is a low price to pay for definite proof of animal identity.
This new form of irrefutable ID will also put an end to problems in past years with lost ear tags, incorrectly recorded tag numbers and other obstacles that have surfaced in the past.
State Fair Agriculture Director Brian Bolan is an advocate of the new program.
“This program will actually help out kids who, in the past, have had trouble entering their animals, whether it be due to the ear tags falling out over the summer, or with the animals’ tags being read incorrectly,” Bolan said.
“Basically, the main benefits are the elimination of human error and bad luck that have been problematic in the past.”
Bolan also said this process can help judges in preventing cheating.
“Although cheating was not a primary factor in our reasons for starting this program, it certainly can’t hurt to stay ahead of the game,” he said.
He also added that cheating has not been a particular problem in past years and that the program should be seen as more of a protective measure on the contestants’ behalf rather than as a means of catching them doing something illegal by State Fair guidelines.
Wisconsin is not the only state to implement such a system. Both the Kentucky and Iowa State fairs are using DNA identification in their pre-registration process.
Janet Williams, competitive-events director for the Iowa State Fair, has positive expectations for the success of the DNA process.
“We are looking for a better way to identify animals,” Williams said. “This will mostly be used by our 4H and FFA, and we have already taken our first samples this year.”
Williams said she did not think that DNA would prevent cheating and that the new techniques would only work to make it easier to judge the animals.
“It’s just a better way to identify and keep track of the animals.”