Livestock shows and county fairs are an important part of the summer season, bringing together producers, youth exhibitors, veterinarians, and the public to educate the public and celebrate animal agriculture. But behind the scenes of every show is an important animal health safeguard: the health certificate.

Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs), more commonly called health certificates, verify that the animals going to exhibitions have been examined by a licensed veterinarian and show no signs of contagious or infectious disease. These documents are required for nearly all interstate livestock movement and most intrastate movement as well. In the past the health certificates could be done on paper copies or electronically, whatever the veterinarian writing them preferred. As of January 1, 2026, all South Dakota health papers must be done electronically now, similar to other states’ requirements.

Electronic health certificates allow veterinarians to complete all documentation digitally on an online program and submit it directly to state animal health officials. State veterinarians receive the records instantly instead of waiting for mailed copies, and recordkeeping for the veterinarian and the state becomes more streamlined. Electronic health papers also improve traceability-if a disease investigation occurs, there can be rapid access to the records of animal movements, helping contain potential disease problems before they spread more widely. As the industry continues to modernize, electronic health papers are an important part of that process.

Livestock shows and fairs bring together animals from many different farms and counties and even states into one small area. Without health screenings beforehand, a single infected animal could potentially expose hundreds of others. During a veterinary inspection for a health certificate, the veterinarian will check each animal for general signs of illness like poor body condition, diarrhea, lethargy, or dehydration. They will also check for respiratory disease signs such as coughing, nasal discharge, and fever, that are common in livestock and may indicate a viral or bacterial infection that could spread easily in close quarters. Other common contagious problems that the veterinarian will look for include skin diseases like ringworm or external parasites like lice. If concerns are identifi ed, the animal is not eligible to be put on the health certifi cate and cannot travel for shows. For some species, additional disease testing or identifi cation requirements may also apply for the health certifi cate, especially if the animals are traveling out of state.

The health certificate process helps reduce the spread of diseases that can have serious economic and animal welfare impacts. Getting a health certificate is more than a regulatory step, it is a partnership between livestock producers and veterinarians. If you have a youth exhibitor you are helping with for show or fair season, have them involved in the animal health aspects of show season. Be sure animals are properly vaccinated and monitored for signs of illness. Have the proper identification needed on the show animals and be sure the veterinary inspection is scheduled well before show or fair travel dates. This helps teach the next generation of livestock producers a commitment to responsible animal care and the importance of protecting animal health.