Dairy Beef Feeders

Drug Use Notification Forms – due at NOON, Friday, October 3rd for Market Beef/BEEF FEEDERS/DAIRY MARKET STEERS/Dairy Beef Feeders/Lactating Dairy Cows & Dairy Goats/Market Hogs/Market Goats/Market Lambs

by

Animals must be drug free by weigh-in day of fair. Each member must complete a Drug Use Notification Form (DUNF) (http://go.osu.edu/fairfielddunf) form online for each animal they plan to exhibit prior to weigh-in at the fair. If the forms are not correctly completed, exhibitors will not be permitted to show. The link to the form will open on Monday, September 29th (as forms should not be completed more than 5 days before fair weigh-in).

  • Animals requiring a DUNF indicating the animal is free from any/all drugs in its system on fair weigh-in/move-in day are:
    • Market Beef
    • Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Market Steer
    • Dairy Beef Feeder
    • Dairy Cow (lactating)
    • MQP Hog
    • Market Barrow
    • Market Gilt
    • Market Goat
    • MQP Goat
    • Dairy Goat (lactating)
    • Market Chickens (1 form per pen of 3 chickens)
    • Market Turkey
    • Market Duck
    • MQP Lamb
    • Market Lamb
    • Market Rabbit (1 form per pen of 2 rabbits)
  • Forms should be completed no sooner than 5 days prior to animal weigh-in to be sure that their animal is drug free during fair.
  • Forms submitted prior to that timeframe will be deleted and exhibitors will be asked to resubmit the DUNF form closer to their animal’s weigh-in. All animals being brought to the fair requiring DUNF forms will need to submit their forms by 12:00 p.m., Friday, October 3rd, 2025.
  • The only EXCEPTION to the Friday deadline will be Market Poultry and Market Rabbits who will complete DUNF Forms AFTER they receive tags/leg bands so they have identification information to enter into the DUNF Form. One form per pen of animals should be completed for Poultry and Rabbits. Deadline for poultry and rabbit exhibitors is MIDNIGHT on Saturday, October 4th.
  • Animals tagged with an EID 840 (15 digit tag) should include the last 6 digits in the identification field of the form.
  • Scrapie Tag numbers DO NOT need to be entered for market goats and market sheep – please use the last 6 digits of your EID 840 tag.
  • There should be ONE form submitted for each animal. Exception: Each pen of rabbits and each pen of market chickens will need a form per pen.
  • Turkeys exhibitors will put N/A in the identification field.
  • Market Chicken exhibitors will put all 3 leg band numbers in the same identification field for their pen of chickens.
  • Market Rabbit exhibitors will put both tag numbers for their pair of rabbits in the identification field for their pen of rabbits.

An exhibitor must complete an in-person Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor

by

An exhibitor must complete an in-person Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon for that specie, they will be ineligible for Premier Exhibitor in that specie.

The objective of the Premier Exhibitor Contest is to encourage youth exhibitors to explore multiple aspects of the livestock specie project they are enrolled in, and to reward those youth that participate at the highest level. While some exhibitors may choose to only participate in a single aspect of an animal project, the reality is that all the various opportunities available for any given project are interrelated and participation can enhance the knowledge, skills, and enjoyment gained from the project.

  • Exhibitors will learn that market animals originate from breeding stock.
  • Performance is vital to the profitability of livestock production.
  • Efficient record keeping allows the owner to determine if the project was profitable.
  • Livestock evaluation is the foundation for selecting both breeding and market livestock.
  • Knowing breeds, body parts and muscle names and locations complements one’s ability to evaluate livestock.

It’s all interrelated and encouraging youth to expand their knowledge of their project by participating in a variety of opportunities while also in a competitive environment will enhance the learning experience.

Requirements

  • Exhibitors must be enrolled in a 4-H/FFA project in that species in their respective 4-H Club/FFA Chapter.
  • FairEntry is made in the respective species by August FairEntry deadline.
  • The exhibitor must complete the Fairfield County Skillathon for the species they plan to compete in Premier Exhibitor. Those exhibitors who participate in the alternative Skillathon options will not be eligible for Premier Exhibitor (i.e., Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon, Ohio State Fair IN-PERSON Skillathon, and/or Fairfield County Make-Up Skillathon). Project books will be reviewed as part of the county Skillathon event.
  • The exhibitor must complete and turn in their project record book at the species’ scheduled Fairfield County Skillathon to participate in Premier Exhibitor for each respective species. Books will not be accepted on any other date for Premier Exhibitor participants.
  • An exhibitor must complete a Skillathon for each specie they plan to compete for Premier Exhibitor. If an exhibitor does not participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon for that specie, they will be ineligible for Premier Exhibitor in that species.
  • Exhibitors must show their own animal(s).

Eligible Species

  • Dairy Cattle
  • Beef
  • Swine
  • Sheep
  • Dairy Goats
  • Meat/Market Goats
  • Pygmy Goats
  • Poultry
  • Rabbits
  • Dogs
  • Alpacas/Llamas
  • Horses

Scoring

The Premier Exhibitor for each species will be the exhibitor with the highest point total from the activities listed for each specie (dropping the scores as mentioned below).

The goal is to encourage exhibitors to explore various opportunities available to them within their species and allow for lowest scores to be dropped when sufficient experiences can be offered (for example, Beef Exhibitors have far more project opportunities available to them than Pygmy Goats). The objective would be to encourage exhibitors to earn points for exhibiting animals in at least two ways at the Fairfield County Fair in addition to participating in Skillathon, showmanship, rate of gain (if applicable), and judging contests (if applicable). If exhibiting more than one animal in an activity, the highest placing animal will be used for the Premier Exhibitor scoring.

  • Dairy Cattle: The Dairy Cattle Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 6 of the 7 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest, and Breeding Class, Market Class, Feeder Class, and Rate of Gain.
  • Beef: The Beef Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 5 of the 8 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Beef Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Beef Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Feeder Class, Market Class, Carcass Class, and Rate of Gain.
  • Swine: The Swine Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Swine Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Swine Judging Contest, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Sheep: The Sheep Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Sheep Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Sheep Judging Contest, Breeding Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Dairy Goats: The Dairy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Animal 1, and Breeding Animal 2.
  • Meat/Market Goats: The Meat/Market Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Meat/Market Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Meat Goat Judging Contest, Breeding (Meat Doe) Class, Market/MQP Class 1, and Market/MQP Class 2.
  • Pygmy Goats: The Pygmy Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Pygmy Goat Skillathon*, Showmanship, Wether Class, and Doe Class.
  • Poultry: The Poultry Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Poultry Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class, Layers Class, and Market Class.
  • Rabbits: The Rabbit Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from all 4 of the 6 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Rabbit Skillathon*, Showmanship, Breeding Class 1, Breeding Class 2, Market Class 1, Market Class 2.
  • Dogs: The Dog Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dog Skillathon*, You & Your Dog Interview, Showmanship, Obedience Class, and Agility.
  • Alpacas/Llamas: The Alpaca & Llama Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Alpaca/Llama Skillathon*, Showmanship, Public Relations Class, Trail Pack Class, and Obstacle/Agility Class
  • Horses: The Horse Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Horse Skillathon*, Showmanship, Pleasure Class, Pattern Class, and Contesting Class.

The *Fairfield County Skillathon will be a mandatory activity for participation in the respective species’ Premier Exhibitor Contest. A Skillathon is an activity to test knowledge of specific subject matter in a hands-on experiential learning model. Skillathons will take place on the assigned day and times in September, and this will be the only opportunity for participants to complete the Skillathon for their respective species and be eligible to participate in the respective Premier Exhibitor Contest. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Premier Exhibitor points based off of their raw score (out of 100 points). Skillathons will be comprised of four stations. A completed project book is required at Skillathon.

The Fairfield County Livestock Judging Contest will take place on Sunday of the Fairfield County Fair for swine, beef, sheep, and goats. Exhibitors will earn corresponding Livestock Judging Contest points based off of their raw score. Total points possible will be determined on the day of the contest. The Fairfield County Dairy Judging Contest will take place on Monday of the Fairfield County Fair for dairy cattle.

Rate of Gain will be available to all market beef, dairy steer, and dairy feeder exhibitors.

Breeding/Market/Showmanship/Rate of Gain class/heat points will be assigned according to class rankings (placing 1st through 5th, followed by participation points).

Livestock Sale: If the Premier Exhibitor has a market animal in that respective species, they will sell third in the market sale for that species following the Overall Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Market Animals. If an exhibitor chooses to take home and earns Premier Exhibitor, they will lose their sale slot. (In that case second place Premier Exhibitor will not move into that sale slot).

Ties: Exhibitors will complete a tiebreaker station at Skillathon for their respective species. Scoring from the tiebreaker station will only be used to help break ties for the overall rankings of each specie’s Premier Exhibitor.

Awards will be given for 1st place winners of each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18), from which, overall 1st through 3rd place winners will be chosen for the Premier Exhibitor Program for each specie.

  • 1st Place Awards for each age group (Age 8/9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18) will receive a rosette and coupon to be used at the fair for a free sandwich at the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Food Booth.
  • 1st Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $100 cash award.
  • 2nd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $75 cash award.
  • 3rd Place Award Overall for each specie will receive a vinyl banner and $50 cash award.

As printed in the 2025 Fairfield County Junior Fair Book.

Dairy Cattle Exhibitors – Read this to prepare for Skillathon!

by

It’s hard to believe, but the fair will be here before we know it- and that means Skillathon is right around the corner! If you haven’t done so already, please be sure to schedule an appointment for your Dairy Skillathon at this link: http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon.

This information was previously emailed to 4-H families enrolled in Dairy Cattle Projects. Here are some helpful study tips and directions to help you prepare.

A quick reminder:

All Junior Fair Exhibitors must complete both a Skillathon (county or state level) and a 4-H/FFA project record book in order to be eligible to show at the Fairfield County Fair. Project book rubrics are available on our county website for your reference.

117DF/117M – 4-H Dairy Beef and Market Beef (Dairy Steer) Exhibitors: You should be completing the 117 Beef Project Record Book. All dairy feeder and market beef records can be contained in the same book if you are taking both projects.

127 CA/127CO/127He – 4-H Dairy Calf/Cow/Heifer Exhibitors: With the revision of the 4-H 127 Dairy Cattle Project and Record book, there is now a required online component.  This component, or focus questions, is accessible at go.osu.edu/4hdairyresources.  Each year will have its own unique topics of interest, medication label, and treatment record scenario.  Attached please find 2025 Dairy Cattle Focus Questions.  Please use these when completing your Dairy Project and Record Book.

This year’s Dairy Skillathon will include four stations:

  1. Interview & Project Book Review- A brief conversation about your project and a check of your completed book.
  2. Breeds- Match breed names to their correct images (similar to previous years).
  3. Diseases- New this year! Exhibitors will identify diseases based on written or visual descriptions.
  4. Feeds- Identify various feedstuffs displayed in plastic containers, just like in the past two years.

Skillathon study materials can be found in your Dairy Resource Handbook (DRH) and are also outlined below:

If you don’t have your species Resource Handbook, a limited number are available for purchase at the Extension Office. Your 4-H/FFA advisor may also have one you can reference

If you have any questions or need help preparing for Skillathon, please don’t hesitate to reach out! And if you’ve decided to not take your livestock project this year, please let me know as soon as possible.

We are looking forward to seeing all of your hard work and studying pay off!

2025 Ohio State Fair Dairy Cattle Skillathon Results

by

Congratulations to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA members completing the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon for Dairy Cattle. For a complete list of Ohio State Fair Skillathon Results, visit: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-4-h-skillathons

2025 Ohio State Fair In-Person Dairy Cattle Skillathon Results:

Overall Dairy Skillathon Winner: Gracie Weber

  • 8/9 year olds:
    • Shiloh Kohler, 1st Place
    • Nehemiah Kohler, 3rd Place
    • Alden Epley, 5th Place
  • 11 year olds:
    • Carrington Kohler, 11th Place
  • 12 year olds:
    • Levi Rawn, 2nd Place
  • 13 year olds:
    • Gracie Weber, 1st Place
  • 16 year olds:
    • Silas Kohler, 3rd Place

Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Representative Online Applications Due September 5th

by

Continuing this year, all commodity ambassador/representative applications will be on ONE application. There will be one interview date to make selections for each commodity position. Please select and rank your interested commodity positions. Applications are due at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 5th. Click here to access the application. Commodity Ambassador/Representatives we be selected for Alpaca/Llama, Beef, Canine, Caprine, Dairy, Equine, Lamb & Wool, Poultry, Rabbit, and Swine.

The purpose of the Junior Fair Commodity Ambassador/Ambassador Program is:

  • To inform others and promote 4-H/FFA programs while strengthening the species’ image.
  • To encourage specie projects in the 4-H/FFA programs.
  • To improve knowledge and presentation skills.
  • To build a portfolio of excellence for future reference.

Process:

  • Applications must be submitted to the OSU Extension Office by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 5, 2025.
  • All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee(s), the top three individuals per specie will be selected for an interview by a panel of judges.
  • Applicants will be notified if they will have the opportunity to interview (or not) the week of September 15th. If selected to interview, the applicant will be able to select an available time on our schedule.
  • Interviews will be conducted in person on the evening of Monday, September 22nd from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Check-in at the Ed Sands Building.  
  • The representative(s) will be selected from individuals interviewed and notified via phone following the completion of all interviews and will be publicly introduced at the Junior Fair Panorama during fair week (exception – Lamb and Wool Queen will be announced at the Guy’s and Gals Lead on Wednesday of fair AND Equine will be announced on Sunday of fair).

Requirements:

  • Applicants must be an active 4-H/FFA member and at least 14 years old as of October 1st of the current year.
  • Applicants must have an active project in the relevant specie for the current year and exhibit this project at the 2025 Fairfield County Junior Fair.
  • Representative will be required to attend the Panorama and speak about the specie represented.
  • Representative will assist with award presentations during the Junior Fair shows related to their specie. Representative should present awards in between showing their own animal(s).
  • Representative will assist with Junior Fair Livestock Sales on Thursday and Friday of fair week.
  • Representative must be available to make guest appearances at community functions on behalf of the specie and fair (i.e. parades, festivals, other fairs, and commodity events).
  • Representatives are strongly encouraged to participate in 4-H Day to promote 4-H project work for their specie (1st Saturday of March).
  • Female applicants can also run for Junior Fair Queen (if they meet those requirements). If selected for both, applicant will serve in commodity role on the day of that specie’s show.

Scheduling for Skillathon is OPEN!

by

To exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair, all exhibitors must participate in at least one Skillathon.

Who Must Participate: Dairy Cattle, Beef Cattle, Swine, Sheep, Horse, Goat (Pygmy, Dairy, Meat/Market), Alpaca/Llama, Poultry, Rabbit (Market & Breeding) and Dog Exhibitors who are in 4-H or FFA, or both.

In Person Skillathon Dates:

  • Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.: Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Dairy Beef Feeders and Steers, Meat Goats, Sheep & Swine
  • Sunday, September 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Rabbits, Poultry, Horses, Alpacas/Llamas, Pygmy & Dairy Goats, Dogs

Additional Information:

  • See page 24 of the 2025 Junior Fair Book for Skillathon rules and alternate participation options if the in-person dates do not work.
  • Premier Exhibitor Participants
    • Must schedule a Skillathon for each species they wish to participate in the Premier Exhibitor Contest for. See page 25 of the Fair Book for details.
    • Additionally, the exhibitor must complete and turn in their project record book at the species’ scheduled Fairfield County Skillathon to participate in Premier Exhibitor for each respective species.
  • Complete the Ohio State Fair Skillathon or Virtual Skillathons? This satisfies the county Skillathon requirement for exhibition; however, if you wish to compete in Premier Exhibitor for any species, you must also take the Fairfield County in-person Skillathon for that species.
  • Even if your Skillathon requirement is complete, project record books must be turned in by September 19, 2025, to fulfill the project book requirement.
  • We still need adult volunteers to help run Skillathons. If available, please email Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Sign-Up Here:http://go.osu.edu/signup4skillathon

PLEASE SEE these CHANGES for Livestock Check-in on Saturday, June 28

by

If you’re checking in market animals June 28th, see this!

Due to unforeseen circumstances there are a few changes for the Saturday, June 28 check-in of Swine, Lamb, Goat and Dairy Feeders as indicated on the map linked here, and also in the text below.

Please read the following carefully:

  • EVERYONE is asked to enter the gate from Columbus Street on the west side of the grounds.
  • Dairy Feeders are being weighed in the Swine Barn (along with the MQP pigs) and should proceed there at their requested time and pull into the swine barn.
  • EVERYONE is asked to exit through either the Wilson Steet gate on the North side of the grounds, or through the east gate near Rising Park.
  • EVERYONE should avoid entering and exiting through the main gate at Fair Avenue and Broad Street.

To recap for all species being checked in on Saturday, June 28:

Enter the gate on Columbus Street from the west side of the grounds. Exit is to be made through either the Rising Park gate, or the Wilson Avenue gate on the north side of the grounds.

Swine MQP: MQP pigs will be weighed in on June 28 at the Fairgrounds between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. by entering at the Columbus Street gate and Continue reading PLEASE SEE these CHANGES for Livestock Check-in on Saturday, June 28 →

Livestock Exhibitors: Quality Assurance MUST be completed by June 30th to show at fair, no exceptions!

by

Quality Assurance is an annual requirement of the Ohio Department of Agriculture for youth taking livestock projects to county and state fair. In Fairfield County, Quality Assurance Training is required for all members who will be exhibiting a livestock project at the Fairfield County Fair or Junior Exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair. Beef (Breeding & Market); Dairy Breeding, Dairy Steers, & Dairy Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2025:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2025 (or 45 days prior to exhibition).
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 30, 2025.

Email reminders will be sent to advisors this last month for those who have yet to complete this requirement.

All Quality Assurance information has been shared with club/chapter advisors and has been posted on the blog since April 24th. Read all Quality Assurance options for 2025 here.

Swine, Lamb, Goat and Dairy Feeder Check-in Details are Released

by

UPDATE: there have been some changes to this procedure. Please see the new blog post.

All trailers should enter the main gate off Fair Avenue

Plans for the Fairfield County Jr. Fair ‘live’ market swine, swine MQP, ‘live’ lamb, lamb MQP, ‘live’ goat and dairy feeder check-in on June 28 at the Fairgrounds have been finalized.

Exhibitors are responsible for seeing their animals are tagged with an EID tag prior to arrival at the Fairgrounds on June 28. For those animals not presently with an 840 EID tag, tags and taggers are available from the OSU Extension office. Details for tagging and securing tags are linked here. https://u.osu.edu/fairfield4h/2025/05/07/protocol-for-tagging-market-lambs-market-hogs-market-goats-and-dairy-beef-feeders/

Prior to June 28 exhibitors with MQP pigs, market lambs (both live and MQP), market goats and dairy beef feeders must Continue reading Swine, Lamb, Goat and Dairy Feeder Check-in Details are Released →