Dairy Beef Feeders

Opportunities for Dairy Cattle Exhibitors: Judging Clinic, Judging Contest, and Dairy Palooza!

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Youth Dairy Judging Clinic, Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10:00 am -1:00 pm, OSU Animal Science Building, 2029 Fyffe Court, Columbus

  • Note: There will be no registration fee for this clinic but there will also be no lunch.  Please plan to eat before or after the clinic on your own this year.
  • There is a parking fee for the Animal Science parking lot, please be sure you find the parking meter at the northwest corner of the lot and enter through the back door of the Animal Sciences Building on the west side of the building.
  • For more additional information, please contact Sherry Smith at smith.10072@osu.edu, sbgs82@att.net, or 330.465.2376.

Ohio State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, Thursday, March 30, 2023, Ohio State Expositions Center, Columbus, Coliseum Arena, during Spring Dairy Expo

  • Preregistration for the contest will be online at https://springdairyexpo.com/judging-contests/ (available by February 1).
  • Registration will be from 8:00-9:00 am with the contest beginning at 9:00 am.
  • The cost is $7.00 for each contestant if pre-registered, but $10.00 on the day of the contest.
  • Lunch is not included in this fee.
  • This contest will be used to help in the selection of the State 4-H dairy judging team.
  • Individuals who would like to try out for the State team are expected to compete in this contest.
  • For more additional information, please contact Sherry Smith at smith.10072@osu.edu, sbgs82@att.net, or 330.465.2376

Dairy Palooza, Saturday, April 2023, Wooster, OH

  • For 10 different years, Dairy Palooza has offered a wonderful educational opportunity for dairy youth. It grew in success due to excellent financial support and dedicated volunteers. In an effort to update and work on some of the challenges, we will be offering the 2023 Dairy Palooza: Version II. This year, we will make an attempt to teach advisors and kids how to use what they learn.
  • It will be held on a Saturday during late April in the Wooster area.
  • Additional information will be available soon at https://ohio4h.org/statewide-programs/animal-sciences/dairy/events or you can contact Bonnie Ayars at ayars.5@osu.edu or bonnieayars@yahoo.com.

Source: Buckeye Dairy News – Volume 25: Issue 1

Market Livestock: Take Home Forms DUE at Weigh-In

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Take Home Forms MUST be completed and turned in before the animal leaves the scale at your respective weigh-in. No EXCEPTIONS.

Take Home Forms: Market Hogs, Market Beef, Market Lambs, Market Goats, Dairy Feeders, and Market Rabbits will have the option to take home animals. NEW NCR (carbon copy) forms will be available from your Superintendent on weigh-in day. Forms must be completed and submitted before the animal crosses the scale. There is no reversal on the decision to take home once the forms are turned in.

Please read the info below (also available at u.osu.edu/livestocksale) regarding Take Homes and the 2022 Livestock Sale:

The 2022 Fairfield County Fair Junior Fair will have a partial terminal sale/show for all species. The only exception to this is the 8 champions that must be slaughtered and inspected at a designated packer according to ODA (grand/reserve market beef, grand/reserve market hog, grand/reserve market lamb, grand/reserve market goat). Take homes will be allowed for all species with the exception of those 8 declared grand/reserve champions. Take homes must be declared before the animal leaves the scale during check-in (no exceptions). Take home animals will lose their sale slot and will not be eligible for a premium and packer bid. Exhibitors who do not take home must qualify for their sale slot (as individual or group) at the discretion of the species show committee.

As a result, points for exhibitors of market animals to consider include:

  1. Since there is no packer bid available, all market turkeys, market chickens and market ducks will go back home at the conclusion of the Fair as in past years. No Exhibitor Intent to Take Market Animal Home affidavit is required for those poultry animals. Buyers of the Grand and Reserve Champion turkeys, chickens and ducks have the privilege of ‘keeping’ their purchases. Similar to 2016 and prior, beyond the champions it will be the responsibility of the exhibitor to decide whether to process their birds and give them to their sale buyer or market them privately.
  2. Exhibitors of all other market animals that have an opportunity to earn a sale slot must declare before they leave the scales during weigh-in at the beginning of the Fair if they will choose to take home a market animal by submitting the Exhibitor Intent to Take Market Animal Home Form (available at weigh-in).
  3. Per Ohio Department of Agriculture rules, the ‘live’ Champion and Reserve Champion market beef, market hogs, market lambs and market goats must go to slaughter and may not go home with the exhibitor regardless their choice during weigh-in prior to fair.
  4. Unless named Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion market beef, market hog, market lamb, market goat, market duck, market turkey, market chicken or dairy feeder calf during their respective Junior market show, animals designated by their exhibitor to go home after the fair will forfeit the opportunity to accept buyer add-on dollars or earn a livestock sale slot with that animal.
  5. Animals not designated by the exhibitor during weigh-in to go home will compete for an individual or group livestock sale slot as they have in the past.
  6. Buyers will once again have the opportunity to ‘keep’ animals they purchase in 2022.

To further clarify the details of implementing a partial-terminal livestock sale in 2022, review the answers to the FAQs linked here.

DUNF: Drug Use Notification Forms – MUST be completed before NOON on Friday, October 7th

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DUNF Forms – These will be completed online this year. I would suggest that exhibitors should not fill them out until as close to weigh-in/move-in day as possible to ensure the information is correct and their market/lactating animal is drug free moving into fair. The link to the online DUNF Form is: http://go.osu.edu/fairfielddunf. If someone submits a form with errors, please have them contact Stacy Hicks at hicks.686@osu.edu we can delete that record and they will be asked to submit a new form.

Market Poultry exhibitors will not have identification until fair weigh-in for their birds. Please put TBD in the identification field and we will update your form after weigh-in.

As a reminder:

Valid and current Drug Use Notification Forms (DUNF) must be submitted on-line immediately prior to the Fairfield County Fair  for each market or lactating animal that is exhibited by a youth participating in Junior Fair. Animals requiring a DUNF indicating the animal is free from any/all drugs in it’s system on fair weigh-in/move-in day are:

  • Market Beef (Steer or Heifer)
  • Dairy Beef Feeder
  • Dairy Cow (Lactating)
  • MQP Barrow
  • Market Barrow
  • Market Gilt
  • Market Goat
  • Dairy Goat (Lactating)
  • Market Chicken
  • Market Turkey
  • Market Duck
  • MQP Lamb
  • Market Lamb

A separate form must be completed for each animal being brought to the Fair (market chickens should complete 1 form for their pen of chickens). If the information on the form regarding drug use changes or if a drug is subsequently administered at any time after the drug use notification form is filed, an updated drug use notification form shall immediately be filed with the records official.

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.

To submit your form for each animal, begin by going to this link.

2022 Fairfield County Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor Contest Information

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Objective: 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 compliment one’s ability to evaluate livestock.

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

Updates to the 2022 Premier Exhibitor Program:

  • Addition of Dog, Alpaca/Llama, and Horse Premier Exhibitor Programs.
  • Removal of Rate of Gain for Meat/Market Goat Premier Exhibitor scoring.

Requirements:

  • Exhibitor 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 specie 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 Test). Project books will be reviewed as part of the county Skillathon event.
  • 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 specie.
  • Exhibitors must show their own animal(s).

Eligible Species: Dairy Cattle, Dairy Beef Feeders, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Dairy Goats, Meat/Market Goats, Pygmy Goats, Poultry, Rabbits, Dogs, Alpacas/Llamas, and 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 are able to 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 3 of the 4 following Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Dairy Skillathon*, Showmanship, Ohio 4-H Dairy Judging Contest, and Breeding Class.

Dairy Beef Feeder: The Dairy Beef Feeder Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from up to 4 of the 5 Fairfield County Junior Fair activities: Beef Skillathon*, Showmanship, Fairfield County Beef Judging Contest, Market 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 (Kid/Yearling Class), and Breeding (Doe Class).

Meat/Market Goats: The Meat/Market Goat Premier Exhibitor will be the highest point total from 5 of the 6 Fairfield 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, Costume 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.

Rate of Gain will be available to all market beef that are exhibited in the live show, 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 specie. 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 winner 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 (vendor TBD).
  • 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.

Updated 8/2/2022 to reflect updates to Meat Goats and no longer having a Rate of Gain Contest.

Download and Pre-Fill Saturday’s Tagging Form for Dairy Feeders, Market Goats, Market/MQP Hogs

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Click here to download, print and complete your tagging form: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR FAMILY TAGGING FORM 2022. Market/MQP Lambs do not need to complete this form as you already submitted this information when scheduling your tagging appointment. As a reminder, tagging procedures for Saturday are as follows:

Junior Fair Tag in Procedures for July 16th for Swine/ Sheep/ Goats/ Dairy Feeders-2022

The Fairfield County Agriculture Society will be conducting the Junior Fair Livestock Tagging for the 2022 Junior Fair on Saturday July 16th, 2022, on the Fairgrounds. Exhibitors must tag in (and in some species also weigh in) on that day to be eligible to show at the 2022 Junior Fair in October. Exhibitors can bring their own animals, or they can be transported by anyone to the Fairgrounds that day as long as you provide the required information to the person bringing your animals. You do not have to be present that day. The registration sheets will be available that day and online at the Senior Fair and 4-H Websites. Click here to download, print and complete your tagging form: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR FAMILY TAGGING FORM 2022.

Tagging this year is by family tagging. All market animals will be group (family tagged) and any member of the family can show any animal tagged. “Family” means the immediate family of an exhibitor, including exhibitor’s parents, stepparent, foster parent, grandparent, step grandparent, foster grandparent, brother/sister, son daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or guardian. As defined in Ohio Administrative Code 901-19-01.

TAG IN TIMES:

  • Swine 7 a.m. till 12 Noon
  • Market Lambs – 7:30 a.m. till 11
  • Dairy Feeders 7:30 a.m. till 10:30
  • Market Goats 7:30 a.m. till 11
  • **If you need to haul multiply loads please let us know  you might need a reasonable amount of extra time so we can make sure everything at weighed in that day.**

Procedure for arriving at the Fairgrounds: Please enter through the main gate off Fair Avenue. Once you are on the grounds you can have your animals tagged at the following locations:

SWINE: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up between the horse barn and Ed’s Sands/Farm Bureau Building pass the AAA and make a right on the top road. Tagging and picture Id will be completed in your trailer animals will not leave your trailer. We will be running several teams of taggers and ID pictures. You will pull off near the shed row barns be tagged and then we ask you to exit through the high street gate. If you have other animals to weigh, we suggest you start with your swine first. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

DAIRY FEEDERS: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up and pass the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building on the right and pull in the West side of the Beef Barn. Once you are weighed and tagged, please exit to the east toward High Street. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

SHEEP: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up pass the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building pass the beef barn and then head towards the swine barn. If you are just tagging your project, then you can drive between the horse and swine barn, and they will tag your animals. If you are in MQP and need weighed pull through the swine barn. Please exit east to high street. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

Sheep Exhibitors: Please review this additional page for scheduling your appointment time(s) for tagging. Please note, sheep is the only species scheduling appointment times for tagging/weigh-in:

MARKET GOATS: You need to travel through the main gate and once you are in the grounds, please pull your trailer to the right along side of the 4-H and 50 Show Arena where your animals will be tagged. You may then move to another area if you have additional animals or exit to Columbus Street or through the High Street gate by traveling on through the fairgrounds and going south of the Show arena and out the high street gate.

Ohio State Fair Skillathons – Open to **ALL** 4-H and FFA Youth!

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Did you know any 4-H/FFA youth can participate in the State Fair Skillathon? Skillathons are events for youth to show what they know about a species and to be recognized for their knowledge and skills. All Skillathons are open to any Ohio 4-H member, age 8 and in the 3rd grade, or 9 years old and older regardless of grade level, to age 18 as of January 1, 2022, and FFA members. Youth do not have to be an exhibitor at the Ohio State Fair to participate or be enrolled in an animal project. Want more information? Click here!

Dates for Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathons are listed below. You do not need to register in advance…just show up!

  • Dog: Thursday, July 14, 9:00am – 2:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Horse: Wednesday, July 20, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Dairy Cattle: Wednesday, July 27, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Sheep: Wednesday, August 3, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Brown Sheep Building
  • Poultry: Wednesday, August 3, 4:00pm – 7:00 pm, Rabbit/Poultry Pavilion
  • Swine: Thursday, August 4, 8:00am – 1:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Beef: Thursday, August 4. 2:00 – 6:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Rabbit: Friday, August 5, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Rabbit/Poultry Pavilion
  • Goat: Friday, August 5, 1:00 – 4:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

By participating in an Ohio State Fair Skillathon, this will meet the Skillathon requirement for 4-H and FFA youth to exhibit at the 2022 Fairfield County Junior Fair. As a reminder, Skillathons will continue in 2022 as a required portion of project completion for livestock projects. Fairfield County Skillathons will be offered for all beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit (except Pet Rabbits), sheep, swine, dog, horse, alpaca/llama projects. Skillathons may include (but are not limited to) animal anatomy/body parts, breeding and reproduction, feeds and nutrition, current events, diseases and animal health, equipment ID, feed ID, Quality Assurance, breeds, marketing, meats, and recordkeeping. Skillathons are required for those who wish to exhibit at the 2022 Fairfield County Junior Fair. Youth must complete at least one Skillathon. Youth can participate in more than one species if they intend to participate in the Premier Exhibitor for that respective species. For more information: Refer to Junior Fair Book. Fairfield County Skillathons will be held on September 10th and 25th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

Tagging Day: July 16th for Market/MQP Hogs, Market/MQP Lambs, Market Goats, Dairy Feeders

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Junior Fair Tag in Procedures for July 16th for Swine/ Sheep/ Goats/ Dairy Feeders-2022

The Fairfield County Agriculture Society will be conducting the Junior Fair Livestock Tagging for the 2022 Junior Fair on Saturday July 16th, 2022, on the Fairgrounds. Exhibitors must tag in (and in some species also weigh in) on that day to be eligible to show at the 2022 Junior Fair in October. Exhibitors can bring their own animals, or they can be transported by anyone to the Fairgrounds that day as long as you provide the required information to the person bringing your animals. You do not have to be present that day. The registration sheets will be available that day and online at the Senior Fair and 4-H Websites. Click here to download, print and complete your tagging form: FAIRFIELD COUNTY JUNIOR FAIR FAMILY TAGGING FORM 2022.

Tagging this year is by family tagging. All market animals will be group (family tagged) and any member of the family can show any animal tagged. “Family” means the immediate family of an exhibitor, including exhibitor’s parents, stepparent, foster parent, grandparent, step grandparent, foster grandparent, brother/sister, son daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, or guardian. As defined in Ohio Administrative Code 901-19-01.

TAG IN TIMES:

  • Swine 7 a.m. till 12 Noon
  • Market Lambs – 7:30 a.m. till 11
  • Dairy Feeders 7:30 a.m. till 10:30
  • Market Goats 7:30 a.m. till 11
  • **If you need to haul multiply loads please let us know  you might need a reasonable amount of extra time so we can make sure everything at weighed in that day.**

Procedure for arriving at the Fairgrounds: Please enter through the main gate off Fair Avenue. Once you are on the grounds you can have your animals tagged at the following locations:

SWINE: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up between the horse barn and Ed’s Sands/Farm Bureau Building pass the AAA and make a right on the top road. Tagging and picture Id will be completed in your trailer animals will not leave your trailer. We will be running several teams of taggers and ID pictures. You will pull off near the shed row barns be tagged and then we ask you to exit through the high street gate. If you have other animals to weigh, we suggest you start with your swine first. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

DAIRY FEEDERS: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up and pass the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building on the right and pull in the West side of the Beef Barn. Once you are weighed and tagged, please exit to the east toward High Street. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

SHEEP: You need to travel through the main gate and drive up pass the Ed Sands/Farm Bureau Building pass the beef barn and then head towards the swine barn. If you are just tagging your project, then you can drive between the horse and swine barn, and they will tag your animals. If you are in MQP and need weighed pull through the swine barn. Please exit east to high street. You may travel back through the grounds to the front gate by making a right just before the High Street gate and go down by art hall and the main Office. Remember it might be congested will all coming in the main gate and high street might be a better option.

Sheep Exhibitors: Please review this additional page for scheduling your appointment time(s) for tagging. Please note, sheep is the only species scheduling appointment times for tagging/weigh-in:

MARKET GOATS: You need to travel through the main gate and once you are in the grounds, please pull your trailer to the right along side of the 4-H and 50 Show Arena where your animals will be tagged. You may then move to another area if you have additional animals or exit to Columbus Street or through the High Street gate by traveling on through the fairgrounds and going south of the Show arena and out the high street gate.

Skillathon Requirement Info for 4-H/FFA Junior Fair Exhibitors (Alpacas/Llamas, Beef, Dairy Cattle, Dogs, Goats, Horses, Poultry, Rabbits, Sheep, Swine)

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The Fairfield County Junior Fair will require the completion of at least one Skillathon per 4-H/FFA exhibitor in order to show at 2022 Fairfield County Junior Fair for all beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit (except Pet Rabbits), sheep, swine, dog, horse, alpaca/llama projects. This requirement is included on page 15 of the 2022 4-H Member Handbook. Fairfield County Skillathons may include (but are not limited to) animal anatomy/body parts, breeding and reproduction, feeds and nutrition, current events, diseases and animal health, equipment ID, feed ID, Quality Assurance, breeds, marketing, meats, and recordkeeping. 2022 Fairfield County Skillathons will include breeds, parts, feeds, and an interview. 

Here are options to meet this county requirement:

1. Participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon event to be held September 10th and 25th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. 
  • Fairfield County youth interested in competing for any Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Award must complete the COUNTY Skillathon in each respective specie they play to compete in.
    • Example: Exhibitor wishes to compete for Swine Premier Exhibitor Award and Poultry Premier Exhibitor Award must complete both the swine and poultry Fairfield County Skillathons on September 10th (swine) and 25th (poultry).
    • For more information about 2022 Premier Exhibitor Contests, click here.
  • Youth will be asked to complete a tiebreaker question at Skillathon – this will be used to break ties for Premier Exhibitor and/or Skillathon if needed.
  • Skillathon Species for Saturday, September 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. include: Beef, Dairy Beef, Swine, Sheep, Meat Goats, Dairy Cattle
  • Skillathon Species for Sunday, September 25th from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. include: Pygmy Goats, Dairy Goats, Horses, Alpacas/Llamas, Poultry Rabbits
  • Dog Exhibitors will complete the Skillathon at Dog Check-In Day on Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Fairfield County Skillathons will take place at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.
  • Scheduling for Skillathon is now open – click here to schedule for each Skillathon you wish to participate in: http://go.osu.edu/22skillathon.
  • New for 2022: Top Junior and Top Senior Skillathon Awards will be awarded.
2. Participate in the Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon.
3. Participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon.
  • Registration takes place on the day event at the OSF.
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors at the OSF to participate.
  • OSF Youth participating in the Outstanding Market Exhibitor Contest must attend the OSF In-Person Skillathon to be eligible for this award.
  • In-Person 2021 Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules
Details including dates for both virtual/in-person options on the two options from the Ohio State Fair can be found here: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-youth-skillathons
4. None of these options work? Exhibitors can schedule to take a written test by calling the OSU Extension Office at 740-653-5419. The makeup test will take place on Monday, September 26th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Rickett’s Hall/Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds.

Project Books are required for each project coming to fair.

    • Cakes/Pies/Candies – Bring complete/up-to-date book to judging at fair.
    • Companion Animals – Keep complete/up-to-date books for judging at fair.
    • Dogs – Bring complete/up-to-date books to Dog Check-In Day on Saturday, August 27th.
    • Crops/Hay – Completed project books need to be turned in to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd.
    • All livestock/horse completed/up-to-date project books should either be:
      • A. Brought to their respective Skillathon Day (if participating in that specie’s county Skillathon), or
      • B. Turned into the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23rd (if OSF Skillathon or no county Skillathon is being completed).
    • ALL LIVESTOCK/HORSE PROJECT BOOKS WILL BE REVIEWED ON SKILLATHON DATES BY OUR BOOK JUDGES. THEY MUST BE COMPLETE IN ORDER TO SHOW AT THE FAIR. INCOMPLETE BOOKS WILL HAVE FAIR ENTRIES DENIED. We will not collect books or give more time for books to be finished between the last Skillathon date and fair like last year.

Please let Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu) know if you have additional questions.