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Important Livestock Weighing/Check-in Dates for 2026

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Get these weigh and check-in dates on your calendar.

Participation in market livestock projects remains strong in Fairfield County and the good news is plans continue for accommodating all the livestock project participation that will be experienced this year. That said, for the most part weigh-in/tagging dates, as well as harvest dates will remain similar in 2026 to what they have been in recent years.

The only significant change is that a fourth harvest date in early August for the Beef Performance & Carcass Quality (BPCQ) programs has been added. Youth participating in either of the August harvest dates will weigh/tag their BPCQ calves on January 31 at Fairfield Cattle Company. The two later September/October beef harvest dates will be maintained and calves being harvested then will be weighed/tagged along with the ‘live’ beef cattle on March 14. Youth had the opportunity to apply for BPCQ with an application deadline for the 2026 BPCQ contest of January 8, and on a first come, first served basis selected their preferred harvest date.

Again this year for Swine MQP, pigs will be weighed/tagged-in specifically for either the MQP or ‘live’ show. The pigs for each contest will be designated at weighing/tagging and may not cross over between the two contests. All Swine MQP pigs will be weighed on the same scales at the Fairgrounds.

Also again this year female market goats are allowed in the Goat MQP contest.

Specifically, the dates for 2026 that are Continue reading Important Livestock Weighing/Check-in Dates for 2026 →

Ohio 4-H Conference Registration is OPEN and due February 18th!

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The 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference Registration Booklet and Form are now available:

4-H volunteers and teens wishing to register for the 2026 Ohio 4-H Conference (held March 21, 2026) will need to register through their county office. Then, counties will register them through Qualtrics. All registrations are due to the Fairfield County Extension office by February 18th.

Please note that breakout sessions are first come, first serve and we encourage early registration to ensure you get placed into the session you are most interested in.

For 4-H Advisors, the 4-H Advisory Committee will be sponsoring the first EIGHT advisors who register. Checks will be returned after attending the event.

Or 4-H Teens, the 4-H Advisory Committee will be sponsoring ALL teens who register AND have submitted a 2026 Ohio 4-H Achievement or Junior Achievement Form. Checks will be returned after attending the event.

Registration must be turned in with payment (checks preferred) – checks made payable to the 4-H Advisory Committee.

Please contact Leslie Cooksey, Aubry Fowler, or Haley Black if questions!

2026 Ohio State Fair Market Steer/Heifer DNA Kits

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2026 Market Steer / Market Heifer Identification Process

IDENTIFICATION: In order for a Market Steer / Market Heifer to be eligible for entry to the 2026 Ohio Sate Fair, the appropriate DNA Sample and Identification Envelope must be submitted by no later than January 15, 2026.

OFFICIAL ENTRY: Submitting DNA sample materials by the stated deadline makes those animals eligible for official entry to the Ohio State Fair, entry forms must be submitted prior to June 20, 2026.

(www.ohiostatefair.com > Competitions > Jr. Livestock > Junior Beef)

DNA PACKETS:     DNA packets can be obtained at your local Extension Office. Please note that we have a limited supplies of these packets in our office.

The Ohio State Fair is no longer providing EID tags. Only DNA packets are provided for exhibitors. Exhibitors are expected to provide EID tag number when submitting DNA packet (by the stated deadline).

SIGNATURE: Please be aware that your county 4-H Youth Development Educator or FFA Instructor will need to sign each DNA envelope prior to submission as notification that you plan to enroll in the 4-H / FFA Market Beef project for 2026.

In order to be eligible for entry in to the Market Steer / Market Heifer classes during the Ohio State Fair, you must officially enroll in the Market Beef project through your 4-H or FFA program. Neglecting to do so will forfeit the ability to make entry to these classes. (Same rule applies to entry in county / independent fair market classes).

Feel free to contact Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu or 740-653-5419 with questions!

4-H Day Youth Volunteers – share your projects 4-Hers on March 7th!

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4-H Day is coming up on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the AAA Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. We could not host this “open house” and 4-H kickoff event without the help of our 4-H volunteers, youth, and families. Here is what we need and are looking for:

  • Kids of all ages who want to show off their projects. All projects welcome – bring animals, project books, awards, displays, etc. Setup will begin at 12:00 p.m. and those kids who would like to have a display should contact 4-H Day Chairs, Jessica Scott and Bethany Miller, at fairfield.4hday23@gmail.com to let them know what they plan to bring. Also, you may sign-up for your project at the following 2026 4-H Day Sign-Up Genius Link.
    • Pens and cages will be available IF we know that they are bring an animal. If they bring an animal, they are responsible for feed, water, bedding, and cleaning up after their animal.
    • We will be limiting project displays to ONE per project so please let Jessica and Bethany know what you’d like to bring by signing up on the Sign-Up Genius website (i.e. we will not have 3 different members bring 3 pet rabbits!)
  • Adults (advisors….and parents are also welcome) to help with registration, answering general 4-H questions and club placement/check-out. Clubs looking to add members are strongly encouraged to attend and recruit at 4-H Day.

This is a great way for kids to engage in public speaking and add something to their Junior Achievement or Ohio 4-H Achievement Forms (4-H promotion/awareness at its finest!)

WANTED: Clubs & 4-H Advisors to help recruit new members and families at 4-H Day!

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4-H Day is coming up on Saturday, March 7th from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the AAA Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. We could not host this “open house” and 4-H kickoff event without the help of our 4-H volunteers, youth, and families. Here is what we need and are looking for!

  1. Advisors who would like to put a club display/table together. We need to know how many tables/chairs you need. This is ideal for clubs who are able to add new members. Showcase what your club does over the course of the year. Cloverbud Clubs are welcome!
    • If your club would like to setup at 4-H Day this year, please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up found at this link.
    • This year will be a little different than in the past years. We will have club tables setup in the Ed Sands Barn during a Spaghetti Dinner that is being put on by the Advisory Committee. This will allow for clubs to spread out a little more and allow more room for projects that will be in the AAA Barn. Please include a good email address that communication can be emailed to as there will be further details to come as the event comes closer.
    • 4-H Day will be March 7th, 2026 from 1-3pm. However, the Spaghetti Dinner will be from 12pm-4pm. That said, clubs are asked to setup from 11am-4:30pm to not interfere with the Spaghetti Dinner. Any question can be directly emailed to fairfield.4hday23@gmail.com. Thank you!
  2. Advisors/Volunteers who can help with registration and serve as runners (on an as-needed basis) during 4-H Day in the AAA Building. We’ll let you know more specifics when you arrive that day!

We look forward to hearing from many of you! This is a huge event of the 4-H Advisory Committee where we expect over 100 youth and adult volunteers to make this happen. Additionally, we expect to see over 300 prospective guests who are interested in our county 4-H program! Let’s show them what we have to offer!

 

2026 Homegrown Market Lamb – Register your Ewe/Lambs within 2 weeks of lambing!

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The Junior Fair Sheep Committee is pleased to continue the Homegrown Class in the Junior Fair Market Lamb Show for 2026. Read on for further details:

Homegrown Market Lamb Division

  1. To be eligible, entries must be born from a ewe owned by the exhibitor prior to January 1st of the current year and raised at the 4-H/FFA member’s immediate family property or family property that adjoins the exhibitor’s residence (i.e. grandparents, aunt/uncle). Proof of ownership of the ewe will be in the form of registration papers, farm Scrapie tag, or Scrapie tag with an accompanying bill of sale.
  2. Entry must be one of the exhibitor’s junior fair market lamb projects. Lambs must be born after January 1st of the current year.
  3. The market lamb selected to be shown in the homegrown market lamb show will be included in the general market classes.
  4. Homegrown market lamb class will be held separately – before the general market lamb show, and only one lamb per exhibitor will be permitted to show in this class.
  5. The top five (5) places will be selected and receive an award. The Champion Homegrown Market Lamb and Reserve Champion Homegrown Market Lamb selected will sell 6th and 7th in the overall sale order (unless it places either Grand or Reserve Grand Champion in the general market lamb show or the exhibitor is selected as the Sheep Premier Exhibitor).
  6. Exhibitors must complete the Homegrown Market Lamb Intent Form (http://go.osu.edu/homegrownmktlamb) as soon as possible following the birth of their Homegrown Market Lamb(s). This will notify the Sheep Committee to make a farm visit within two weeks of lambing.
  7. All entries must agree to a market lamb committee member(s) entering their barn/housing unit for visual inspection of animals. Failure to do so will lead to immediate disqualification.

Homegrown Market Lamb(s) must take part in June weigh-in at the fairgrounds. No exceptions.

Dairy Judging Contest Opportunity: February 28th in Wooster

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4-H and FFA Members and Advisors – you are invited to participate in the annual Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest. This year’s contest will be held on Saturday, February 28th, 2026 at the OARDC Krauss Dairy located in Wooster.

Further details are listed at this link:

2026 Ohio State ATI Invitational Dairy Cattle Judging Contest Information

Ohio Beef Council and Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation to Host BEEF 509 Program in Columbus

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The Ohio Beef Council and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation, in partnership with The Ohio State University Animal Science Department, will host the BEEF 509 program on February 27–28, 2026, at the Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Rd, Columbus, OH 43210.

BEEF 509 is an intensive educational program designed to help cattle producers better understand the food side of their business and implement best management practices to improve beef quality, enhance profitability, and recognize value within the beef supply chain.

Participants will explore topics including Live Cattle Evaluation, Beef Carcass Grading, Grid Pricing, Beef Harvest Demonstration, Carcass Fabrication and Cutting, Understanding the Science of Beef, Beef Quality Assurance, and Live Carcass and Boxed Beef Evaluation.

During the program, participants will work in teams to:

  • Evaluate live animals and grid pricing systems
  • Select cattle through an “auction-like” setting
  • Follow those cattle through harvest, grading, and hands-on cutting sessions

This hands-on approach allows participants to experience firsthand differences in carcass composition and understand how those differences impact value and profitability. Teams’ results will be evaluated based on profit margins from their original live purchase prices.

The program is limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is $175 per person, with the Ohio Beef Council covering all additional program expenses. Participants are required to attend both days. The tentative schedule is Friday, 3:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

For registration and additional information, visit ohiocattle.org, call 614-873-6736, or email cattle@ohiocattle.org. Registration closes January 20, 2026, or once the program reaches capacity.

Source: Ohio Ag Net 12/30/2025

Volunteer Position Open: Junior Fair Dairy Goat Superintendent (Apply by January 5th)

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POSITION OPEN: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR DAIRY GOAT SUPERINTENDENT(s)

This is a VOLUNTEER POSITION.

If you are interested in an opportunity to develop leadership and organizational skills and be an active participant in planning the Fairfield County Junior Fair, we would encourage you to apply for the position of Junior Fair Dairy Goat Superintendent. We are looking for individual interested in working with the Senior & Junior Fair Board and staff to provide the following duties:

  • Operate the Junior Fair Dairy Goat Show during the Fairfield County Fair.
  • In December, review the rules for the Junior Fair Dairy Goat Show and assist in updating rules to meet current industry standards.
  • Provide input to the Skillathon event as needed.
  • Develop a communication instrument with exhibitors through email through out the year on upcoming events related to the dairy goat show. Database will be provided.
  • Assign and schedule pen assignments for goat exhibitors.
  • Plan and conduct with your committee the dairy goat show at the fair.
  • Coordinate dairy goat showmanship.
  • Complete all required documents regarding dairy goat show results and champions.
  • Work with sponsors and their commitment to award sponsorship.
  • Seek with assistance new award sponsors for new award areas.
  • Work closely with Junior Fair Director(s), Fair Manager, and 4-H & FFA leadership.
  • Follow up in early September non-sponsored awards and assist in finding sponsors.

Skills required:

  • Excellent communication and organization skills.
  • Timely follow up on calls, emails, or problems.
  • Ability to work alongside volunteers, Junior Fair Board Members, parents, and exhibitors of all ages.
  • Computer skills utilizing spreadsheets and word processing skills.
  • An outgoing personality that will be the spokesperson for the Junior Fair Dairy Goat Goat Program.
  • Work in a cooperatively with the Senior Fair Board, Junior Fair Superintendents, OSU Extension Staff, and 4-H & FFA leadership.

Applicants should send a resume with cover letter to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu by Monday, January 5th, 2026.

All applications will be reviewed by a committee and selected applicants will be interviewed.