Dairy Cattle Association - Show Ring of Ethics

Adopted by PDCA in March 1969; Revised March 1971, February 1977, February 1982, February 1986, February 1988, February 1989, February 1992, February 1993, and November 1995.)

The showing of registered dairy cattle is an important part of the promotion, merchandising, and breeding program of many breeders.  Additionally, it is an important part of the program of the various dairy breed associations to stimulate and sustain interest in breeding registered dairy cattle.  This relates to both spectators and exhibitors.  In this connection, The Purebred Dairy Cattle Association believes that it is in the best interest of breeders of registered dairy cattle to maintain a reputation of integrity and to present a wholesome and progressive image of their cattle in the show ring. 

PDCA endorses this Code of Ethics in all breed shows and will give full cooperative support to the judges and the respective national breed associations to keep show procedures within these guidelines.  It is recognized that there are certain practices in the proper care and management of dairy cattle which are necessary in the course of moving dairy cattle to and between shows that are advisable to keep them in a sound, healthy state so they might be presented in the show ring in a natural, normal condition.  Conversely, the following practices or procedures are considered unacceptable in the showing of cattle.

The following major violations are considered fraudulent or unethical and will be reported to the respective breed associations and show management and can result in animals or exhibitors being barred from showing in their respective breed shows:

1. Misrepresenting the age and/or milk status of the animal for the class in which it is shown.
2. Treating the animal, particularly the udder, internally or externally, with an irritant or counter-irritant, or other substance to artificially improve the conformation.
3. Surgery or insertion of foreign material under the skin or into body cavities, performed to change the natural contour or appearance of the animal’s body, though not to preclude practices required or involved in normal management.
4. Criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors while in the show ring, or other conduct detrimental to the breed or the show.
5. Challenging, threatening, or interfering with an ethics committee appointed by show management to monitor the animals on exhibit on the show grounds.
6. Excessive manipulation of hair.

The following violation is defined as unethical practices that detract from the show ring and will be given slight to serious discrimination.  Exhibitors will be asked to undo or remove the manipulation before they enter the ring or the judge will give the animal discrimination in class by lowering the animal’s class rank:

1. Setting teats or manipulating a teat to alter its normal position such as to unnaturally hold it plumb or to alter its length is an unacceptable practice.

The following minor violations are considered to detract from the image of the show when carried to excess and will be given slight to moderate discrimination by the judge when placing animals:

1. Improper fitting practices such as overfilling and over bagging
2. Use of artificial hair except for false switches.
3. Mistreatment of an animal.
4. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of showmen.

Practices which should be encouraged to enhance the image of the show:

1. Establish uniform dress code for exhibitors in the show ring.
2. Recognize good herdsmanship and exhibits in the barn. In keeping with the basic philosophy of the PDCA, ethics are an individual responsibility of the owner of each animal shown.

Violations of these policies are subject to the disciplinary provisions of the appropriate dairy breed association and/or show management.