What Tag-In Is
Tag-in is the day Adams County 4-H members bring their market animals to the Adams County Fairgrounds for their species-specific tag-in. It is run by OSU Extension Adams County 4-H. The most recent tag-in was Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a separate time slot for each species.
Tag-In Times
| Animal | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Feeder calves | May 2 | 8 a.m. to noon |
| Market goats | May 2 | 8 to 10 a.m. |
| Market sheep | May 2 | 10 to 11 a.m. |
| Market beef | December 27 | 8:30 to 10 a.m. |
Market hogs do not tag in on May 2. Hog registration is online and due May 1 at 4 p.m. at the Extension Office, and an optional market hog weigh-in is held in May at 7 p.m. (May 6 in 2026, 7 to 8 p.m.).
Other Pick-Up and Tattoo Dates
- Turkey poult pickup: March 26, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Market duck pickup: May 14, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Market chick pickup: May 28, 4 to 5 p.m.
- Market rabbit (fryer) tattooing: June 18, 7 to 9 p.m., at the fairgrounds
What You Need to Do First
- Quality Assurance. Members showing breeding or market livestock must complete Quality Assurance or test out with a score of 70 percent or higher. County sessions in 2026 ran March 7 (10:30 a.m. to noon), April 7, April 15 and May 14 (6 p.m.), all at the fairgrounds. Online YQCA is an approved option for $12 per member, paid to YQCA and not to Extension. Late arrivals do not receive QA certification.
- Skillathon. Required for 4-H members, optional for FFA, held May 5 and 6 from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Deadlines. February 20 for market turkey, duck and chick orders. May 1 for breeding beef, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat doe, breeding sheep, breeding swine and market hog entry forms. June 1 for poultry entry forms and breeding rabbit entries.
Beef Rules
Exhibitors may identify up to three market beef animals: one in their own name and up to two "family" animals. Animals headed to the Ohio State Fair need an EID ear tag and a hair follicle DNA sample, and the completed packet had to be received by January 15, 2026. Postmarks were not accepted.
Drug Use Notification Form
Every market animal and lactating dairy animal needs a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF), filled out in triplicate. It cannot be downloaded. It is available at the Junior Fair Office from Sunday through Tuesday of fair week and must be signed by the exhibitor and a parent or guardian unless the exhibitor is 18 or older. An incomplete or unsigned form blocks showing.
Where
Adams County Fairgrounds, West Union, Ohio. The Extension Office is at 836 Boyd Ave., West Union, Ohio 45693.
Questions
Do market hogs tag in on May 2?
No. Hogs register online and have an optional weigh-in in May.
Who do I call?
OSU Extension Adams County, 937-544-2339, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 4 p.m. The calendar is tentative, so confirm dates before you go.
Official Links
- Adams County 4-H livestock projects: tag-in, QA, DUNF and deadlines
- 2026 Adams County 4-H calendar: dates and times
Ohio State University Extension: The Essentials
Ohio State University Extension keeps an office in all 88 Ohio counties, offering 4-H, agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, and community development help, per the Extension page. The same page reports more than 150,000 youth reached by 4-H programs.
Find your office
Use the Locate an Office tool or the personnel directory to find your county educator. Staffing differs by county, so call and ask who handles your topic.
Ask a question
The Ask an Expert page sends general questions to Extension faculty and staff, with replies by email. Master Gardener Volunteers handle yard and garden questions, and Ohioline carries fact sheets and bulletins. For county-specific questions, call your local office.
4-H and fair season
County offices enroll 4-H members and publish their own junior fair deadlines, so ask for your county's livestock requirement sheet before you buy an animal.
Next steps
Save your county office number, check deadlines early and use Ohioline for quick answers. For help with soil, drainage or water questions, your county soil and water conservation district is another local office worth knowing.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Adams County 4-H Hog, Sheep and Goat Clinics
Saturday clinics for 4-H livestock exhibitors: market hog clinic, quality assurance session, then a goat and sheep clinic. Most recent date was March 7, 2026.
West Union, OH | Organizer: OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Official event details - Adams County 4-H Rabbit Clinic and Tattooing
Evening rabbit clinic with quality assurance and breeding rabbit tattooing for Adams County 4-H members. Held each year; the most recent date was April 7, 2026.
West Union, OH | Organizer: OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Official event details - Adams County 4-H Kids College
Daylong Kids College run by Adams County 4-H at the Extension office on the fairgrounds. Held each year; the most recent date was April 25, 2026.
West Union, OH | Organizer: OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Official event details - Adams County 4-H Skillathon
Two-evening Skillathon for Adams County 4-H members, held at the fairgrounds from 3 to 7 p.m. Held each year; the most recent dates were May 5-6, 2026.
West Union, OH | Organizer: OSU Extension Adams County 4-H Official event details - Adams County 4-H Equine Fun Show
Afternoon fun show for 4-H horse project members, following morning equine registration day at the fairgrounds. Most recent date was May 9, 2026.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.