Dairy

Skillathons are Mandatory for Livestock/Horses/Dogs for the 2021 Fairfield County Junior Fair – Read more here!

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Continuing from what was begun in 2020, the Fairfield County Junior Fair will require the completion of at least one Skillathon per 4-H/FFA exhibitor in order to show at 2021 Fairfield County Junior Fair for all beef, dairy, goat, poultry, rabbit (except Pet Rabbits), sheep, swine, dog, horse, and alpaca/llama projects. This requirement is included on page 14 of the 2021 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 record keeping including your project book.

Project Books should be complete and up to date for the current year. Project Books for each project an exhibitor plans to bring to the fair should be brought to Skillathon.

  • If competing for Premier Exhibitor, exhibitors must complete a Skillathon for each species they plan to compete in this year.
  • If exhibitors completed the Ohio State Fair Virtual or In-Person Skillathons, or opt to take the written test, they must submit project books to the Extension Office by October 1st.

Here are options to meet this county requirement:

  1. Participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon event to be held September 11th and 12th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds in the Ed Sands/Fairfield County Farm Bureau Building.  Sign up by noon, Wednesday, September 8th using this link: go.osu.edu/21fcskillathon
  • Fairfield County youth interested in competing for any Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Award must complete the 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 either September 11th or 12th.
  1. Participate in the Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon.
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors in the OSF to participate.
  • Registration is due June 14th by visiting: www.go.osu.edu/skillathonregistration
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors at the OSF to participate.
  • OSF Youth participating in the Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor must register and complete the OSF Virtual Skillathon to be eligible for this award.
  • Exhibitors must have their own unique email address to create a log-in to access the online skillathon.
  1. Participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon.
  1. None of these options work? Exhibitors can take a written test in the Ed Sands Building on the Fairfield County Fairgrounds on either Sunday, September 26 at 1 p.m. or Monday, September 27 at 6 p.m. To participate in this testing option, youth must first register with the Fairfield County Senior Fair Office by contacting them at 740-653-3041.

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

The 2021 In-Person County skillathons will consist of 4 stations:

  1. Parts of the animal
  2. Breeds of the species
  3. Quality Assurance
  4. Project Book Review and Interview

Dogs will complete their skillathon during Dog Check-in on Saturday, August 28th.

The following species will have skillathons on Saturday, September 11th from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Appointments must be made noon, Wednesday, September 8th through this link: go.osu.edu/21fcskillathon.

  • Dairy
  • Beef (Including Dairy Beef Feeders)
  • Swine
  • Rabbits
  • Poultry

The following species will have skillathons on Sunday, September 12th, from noon to 6:00 pm.  Appointments must be made by noon, Wednesday, September 8th through this link: go.osu.edu/21fcskillathon.

  • Sheep
  • Horses
  • Dairy Goat
  • Market Goat
  • Pygmy Goat
  • Alpacas and Llamas

Study materials would include your project books, resource books, skillathon kits, and online resources (for poultry).

Return to the Junior Fair Rule Book index page

Premier Exhibitor Contests – Program Updates Coming Soon!

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A committee has been working the past few months to update the Premier Exhibitor Contests across all species. A few details are being finalized and the updates to the program will be shared BEFORE September 1st. Stay tuned!

Congrats to Ohio State Fair Skillathon Winners and Participants!

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Congrats to the following Fairfield County 4-H Members who participated in the 2021 Virtual and In-Person Ohio State Fair Skillathons! If individuals placed in the top 10 for their age group, those placings are listed below for each specie. Congrats again to all who participated!

Beef – Virtual

  • 2nd Place, Age 18 – Abigail Tooill
  • 2nd Place, Age 16 – Andrew Huffman
  • Participant: Age 13 – Ashton Huffman

Beef – In Person

  • 6th Place, Age 10 – Ellanor Tarbert
  • 9th Place, Age 14 – Maddox Cupp
  • 10th Place, Age 14 – Morgan Love
  • 3rd Place, Age 16 – Mason Love
Cavy – Virtual
  • 4th Place, Age 13 – Carter Bergados
  • 2nd Place, Age 14, 4th Place Intermediate, 7th OVERALL Cavy Skillathon – Alexandria Schmelzer 

Dairy – In Person

  • 7th Place, Age 12 – Silas Kohler
  • 10th Place, AGe 14 – Nathan Canale

Dog – Virtual

  • 8th Place, Age 13 – Nolan Shaffer
  • 3rd Place, Age 11, 7th Place Junior – Kirra Wiseman

Goat – Virtual

  • 7th Place, Age 12 – Delaney Amick
  • 4th Place, Age 15 – Taylor Amick
  • 1st Place, Age 18 – Ellyaris Bullock
  • 9th Place, Age 17 – Elizabeth Kitsmiller
  • 8th Place, Age 17 – Kendal Wilson
  • 8th Place, Age 14 – Skylar Wilson

Goat – In Person

  • 5th Place, Age 8/9 – Evan Walters
  • 7th Place, Age 11 – Austin Smith
  • 8th Place, Age 11 – Abigail Walters
  • 2nd Place, Age 12 – Julia Cowdrey
  • 4th Place, Age 15 – Morgan Cowdrey

Horse – Virtual

  • 7th Place, Age 17 – Sofia Gugliemotto
  • 8th Place, Age 11 – Ashlyn Carder
  • Participants: Cora Cain, Brianna Downey, Shay Ruff, Katelyn Wynkoop

Horse – In Person

  • 1st Place, Age 10 – Lydia Hertlein
  • 5th Place, Age 11 – Annesley Leith
  • 7th Place, Age 11 – Julia Hertlein
  • 7th Place, Age 12 – Riley Cain
  • 5th Place, Age 14 – Kayla Hedges
  • 7th Place, Age 15 – Cora Cain
  • 6th Place, Age 16 – Jadin Triplett
  • 3rd Place, Age 17 – Ashley Love

Alpaca/Llama – Virtual

  • 2nd Place, Age 13 – Nolan Shaffer

Poultry – Virtual

  • 8th Place, Age 12 – Troy Bullock
  • 4th Place, Age 18 – Jaymeson Sahr
  • 8th Place, Age 14 – Alexandria Schmelzer
  • Participant: Jed Sahr

Poultry – In Person

  • 2nd Place, Age 8/9 – Garrett Basnett
  • 1st Place, Age 10 – Hunter Basnett
  • 9th Place, Age 11 – Parker Reese
  • 5th Place, Age 13 – Campbell Reese
  • 7th Place, Age 13 – Logan Basnett

Sheep – Virtual

  • 9th Place, Age 13 – Luke Clark
  • 5th Place, Age 18 – Cort Kleinline
  • 6th Place, Age 8/9 – Chase Myers
  • Participant: Addie Dennis

Sheep – In Person

  • 6th Place, Age 11 – Peyton Courtright
  • Participant: Campbell Reese

Swine – Virtual

  • 9th Place, Age 11 – Hayden Barber
  • 6th Place, Age 13 – Maci Barber
  • 10th Place, Age 13 – Raegan Needs
  • 3rd Place, Age 13 – Emma Raver
  • Participants: Reagan Boucher, Christian Galloway, Karson Kistler, Zoey Moon Matz, Evan Raver

Swine – In Person

  • 6th Place, Age 11 – Brinleigh Hoisington
  • 2nd Place, Age 14 – Henry Hoisington
  • Participant: Reid Strickler

Rabbit – Virtual

  • 6th Place, Age 13 – Carter Bergados
  • 1st Place, Age 18, 6th Place Senior – Lillian Hyme
  • 5th Place, Age 8/9, 10th Place Junior – Julianna Phillips
  • 9th Place, Age 11 – Taylor Phillips
  • 1st Place, Age 8/9, 2nd Place Junior, 8th OVERALL – Eryn Raver
  • 2nd Place, Age 8/9, 3rd Place Junior, 7th OVERALL – Evan Raver
  • 9th Place, Age 12 – Jed Sahr
  • 10th Place – Age 14 – Alexandria Schmelzer
  • 3rd Place, Age 11 – Mollie Smithberger
  • 4th Place, Age 11 – Jason Stelzer
  • 5th Place, Age 13 – Kaylee Stelzer
  • 5th Place, Age 10 – Morgan Stelzer
  • 9th Place, Age 15 – Cece Woods
  • Participants: Dominic Woods, Kaitlyn Stonerock

Rabbit – In Person

  • 4th Place, Age 8/9 – Hannah Jones
  • 1st Place, Age 11 – Rachel Sponseller
  • 2nd Place, Age 11 – Lydia Jones
  • 8th Place, Age 11 – Brooke Hampton
  • 8th Place, Age 12 – Lauren Wilson
  • 2nd Place, Age 13 – Charlie Sponseller
  • 5th Place, Age 13 – Amber Hampton
  • 9th Place, Age 13 – Aubrey Duke-Ward
  • 3rd Place, Age 15 – Logan Hampton
  • 4th Place, Age 15 – Alison Sponseller
  • 5th Place, Age 15 – Katelynn Lykins
  • Participants: Jacob Duke-Ward

2021 Junior Fair Rule Book is now available!

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Please find a link to the 2021 Junior Fair Rule Book below. Since there will not be a print version this year, the on-line version you see is what we will be working from this year, and likely into the future. As you review it, please note the following:

  • Near the top of the index page that will open from the link below, you’ll find links to the NEW Junior Fair Entry Forms. Links to these forms are also included within each Department link you find in the index. Carefully read and follow the protocol for completing and submitting entry forms that you find on the Entry Forms page.
  • In addition to each specie, in the index also find links to the General Rules, DUNF, Premier Exhibitor, Skillathon and Project Book Review, Showmanship, the Livestock Judging Contest and the Livestock Auction. Carefully review these pages for further instruction.
  • Rules for ‘take home’ animals and the livestock auction have changed. Carefully review these changes found under the Exhibitor Info ’21 link on the 78th Fairfield County Fair 4-H & FFA Livestock Auction page.
  • We know there may still be some mistakes in this new on-line version of the Junior Fair Rule Book. Newly adopted rules plus over 60 pages from the old rule book have been converted from PDFs and Publisher into a web format. We know some things didn’t convert perfectly . . . if you find them, please share with us and they can be quickly fixed.
  • IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS please email them to us. We will be hosting a live ZOOM August 11th at 6:00 pm and will address all your questions then, and share additional information about how best to utilize this new on-line Rule Book and Entry forms. Register here for the zoom meeting.
  • Entries will be accepted at the Sr. Fair Office on the Fairgrounds from Advisors on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from August 16 thru August 27, 2021.

Use this link to access the 2021 Fairfield county Junior Fair Rule Book: https://go.osu.edu/jrfairbook

Please review the entire book before you start asking questions.  There are now pages with the Entry Forms, Showmanship Information in one place, DUNF information, Skillathon and Project Book Review, Livestock Judging Contest, and Super Showmanship.  We are still working with a committee to finalize Premier Exhibitor information and hope to have that posted by Sept. 1. Continue reading →

Ohio State Fair In-Person Dairy Skillathon: Monday, August 2nd, 2021

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All 4-H/FFA members are invited to participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Dairy Skillathon on Monday, August 2nd from 12:00-4:00 p.m. in the Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd Floor). Youth do not have to exhibit dairy projects at the Ohio State Fair to participate in this event.

Topics to be covered include Nutrition & Digestion, Health & Treatment, Mammary Function & Dairy Products, Environmental Stewardship. For more information about the OSF Dairy Skillathon, click here.

Fairfield County Youth who participate in any Ohio State Fair Virtual or In-Person Skillathon will meet the Fairfield County Junior Fair Skillathon Requirement. Please note that if members only compete in OSF Skillathons, they will be required to submit their 4-H/FFA Project Books for all “fair projects” to the Fairfield County Extension Office by October 1st to be reviewed. Also, if members with to participate in the Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Program, they must complete that respective specie’s Skillathon at the Fairfield County Skillathon Day (September 11th or 12th).

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 skillathons? 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, 2021, 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!

  • Horse: Wednesday, July 22, 10:00am – 3:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Rabbit: Friday, July 30, 10:00am – 2:00pm, Rabbit/Poultry Pavilion
  • Dairy Cattle: Monday, August 2, 12:00 – 4:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Poultry: Wednesday, August 4, 4:00pm – 8:00 pm, Rabbit/Poultry Pavilion
  • Swine: Thursday, August 5, 9:00am – 1:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Sheep: Thursday, August 5, 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Brown Arena Wool Room
  • Goat: Friday, August 6, 9:00am – 12:00pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)
  • Beef: Friday, August 6, 1:00 – 5:00 pm, 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 2021 Fairfield County Junior Fair. As a reminder, Skillathons will continue in 2021 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 2021 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 11th and 12th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds.

2021 Jr. Fair Sale Exhibitor Information

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UPDATE: The Sr. Fair Board has decided the 2021 Jr. Fair Sale will be “partial terminal.” Details of that decision are linked here.

Live animals will also return to the sale ring in 2021.

Thursday, October 14, 2021 – 5:00 p.m. – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
Sale Order: Market Beef, Dairy Products & Feeders, and Market Hogs

Friday, October 15, 2021 – 10:00 a.m. – Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena
Sale Order: Market Lambs, Poultry, Rabbits, Dairy Goat Products, and Market Goats

  1. All market animals except poultry will be packer bid and sold based on the Saturday/Sunday weigh-in weight except for MQP animals.
  2. The following minimum weights will be used to be eligible to sell individually: Market Steer/Heifer – 1100 pounds; Carcass Steers/Heifers – 1100 pounds; Market Hogs – 225 pounds; MQP Hogs – 225 pounds; Market Lambs – 100 pounds; MQP Lambs – 100 pounds; Market Goats – 50 pounds; Market Rabbits – 7.00 to 10.50 pounds total pen weight; Pen of Three Market Chickens – 12 pounds pen weight; Market Duck – 5 pounds.
  3. NOTE: in 2021 the Fairfield County Jr. Fair Sale will be partial terminal as indicated above.
    • With the exception of poultry which will go home as in the past, if you make the decision to take home your market animal in 2021, a ‘take home’ affidavit will be available soon that must be completed. Take Home affidavits are due at weigh-in at the Fair, no exceptions.
  4. The sales commissions that will be deducted from the Junior Fair Exhibitor’s checks are still being determined.
  5. 4-H and FFA Advisors can pick up their club/chapter buyer lists from the OSU Extension Office no earlier than Tuesday, October 19th, 2021.
  6. Exhibitors must submit a stamped thank you note to their advisor prior to November 1st. Advisors will be required to turn in their Buyer Checklist with verification of thank you notes sent in order to receive an exhibitor’s check.
  7. Checks will be available the first Saturday in December for the head Advisors of 4-H and FFA to pick-up. These advisors will be responsible for the distribution of checks in their club/chapter. If a check is not cashed within the specified 90 day period from the check date, there will be a Stop Payment Fee deduction imposed and a replacement check issued to the exhibitor. If checks are not picked up the first Saturday in December, they will be deposited back into the Sale Committee Fund.

Additional information:

  • Again this year every market turkey, duck or chicken will go through the sale either individually or in a group. Regardless there will not be a packer bid for poultry that exhibitors are required to accept. Similar to 2016 and prior, 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.

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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Continuing from 2020, the Fairfield County Junior Fair will require the completion of at least one Skillathon per 4-H/FFA exhibitor in order to show at 2021 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 14 of the 2021 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.

Here are options to meet this county requirement:

1. Participate in the Fairfield County Skillathon event to be held September 11th and 12th at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Details will be forthcoming…but save the dates now.
  • Fairfield County youth interested in competing for any Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Award must complete the 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 either September 11th or 12th.
2. Participate in the Ohio State Fair Virtual Skillathon.
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors in the OSF to participate.
  • Registration is due June 14th by visiting: www.go.osu.edu/skillathonregistration
  • Youth do not have to be exhibitors at the OSF to participate.
  • OSF Youth participating in the Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor must register and complete the OSF Virtual Skillathon to be eligible for this award.
  • Exhibitors must have their own unique email address to create a log-in to access the online skillathon.
3. Participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Skillathon.
4. None of these options work? Exhibitors can schedule to take a written test with the Fairfield County Senior Fair Office.
 
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
please let Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu) know if you have additional questions.

Ohio Youth Skillathons (Virtual and In-Person Sessions)

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Ohio Youth Skillathon information for VIRTUAL and IN-PERSON sessions is now online at: https://ohio4h.org/animalsciences/ohio-youth-skillathons

VIRTUAL Skillathon Registration is due by JUNE 14th, 2021!

A few important notes:

  • Those exhibiting at OSF and want to be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor (OME) awards MUST participate at the IN-PERSON skillathons at the state fair
  • Those exhibiting at OSF and want to be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor (OBE) awards MUST participate in the VIRTUAL skillathons online