Purdue News

August 25, 2000 State Fair animal champions test free of drugs WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Drug tests conducted on the 4-H champion and reserve champion animals exhibited at the 2000 Indiana State Fair turned up no foreign substances as reported by the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University. Top winning animals in the beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, goat and rabbit categories are annually tested for steroids and other substances that could alter the appearance of the animals. Promazine, which is a tranquilizing drug, is another substance tested for because it could make an untrained animal seem more sedate, according to Clink Rusk, 4-H livestock specialist with Purdue Extension. "Fortunately, these drugs have not shown up in animals at the Indiana State Fair," Rusk said. "That has not been the case in other states, though, and that is why we test to ensure the integrity of our champions." The tests are conducted on urine samples from the champion and reserve champion animals and on tissue samples collected at the time of slaughter for beef, sheep and swine winners. The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory tested a total of 512 samples from this year's fair. CONTACT: Rusk, (765) 494-8427. Compiled by Beth Forbes, (765) 494-2722, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page