HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Kansas State Fair officials are going high-tech to keep ringers out of the fair’s livestock shows.
Starting with this year’s fair, livestock will undergo DNA testing. The goal is to verify that animals competing in the fair’s contests are the same livestock nominated by their owners.
Hair follicles taken from beef, cattle, sheep, meat goats and swine months before the competition will be used for testing. Currently, nose prints are taken from nominated animals.
Fair Manager Denny Stoecklein say cheating has not been a problem at the fair but the DNA testing will help ensure the right animals are being crowned champions.
The Hutchinson News reports that Stoecklein says the fair plans to check the identity of the top two species in each class.
