The Livestock Judging Contest will be held on Sunday, October 6th with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena. We will be having youth sign-up online (go.osu.edu/fclivestockjudging) prior to the contest so that we can help prep judging cards in advance. For more information, please review Livestock Judging Contest Rules in the Junior Fair Book at go.osu.edu/fcjrbook.
Premier Exhibitor Contest
Premier Exhibitor Contest Info
The Premier Exhibitor Contest information is in the Junior Fair Book. Any youth wishing to compete for Premier Exhibitor must have completed that specie’s Skillathon on September 7th or 22nd to be eligible. Please direct questions to cooksey.25@osu.edu.
Fairfield Co. Junior Fair Livestock Judging Contest – Preregister NOW (through Oct. 4th)
The Livestock Judging Contest will be held on Sunday, October 6th with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. in Feeder Creek Vet Show Arena. We will be having youth sign-up online (go.osu.edu/fclivestockjudging) prior to the contest so that we can help prep judging cards in advance. For more information, please review Livestock Judging Contest Rules in the Junior Fair Book at go.osu.edu/fcjrbook.
2024 Fairfield County Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor Contest Information
This information is also posted in the 2024 Junior Fair Book under Optional Activities for Species: http://go.osu.edu/fcjrbook
Premier Exhibitor Contests
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 the 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 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).
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
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 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 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 (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. 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 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 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.
Alternative Skillathon Option: Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathons – OPEN NOW and complete by September 1st
A Skillathon is an event to test knowledge of specific subject matter using the experiential learning model of exploring, reflecting, and applying that knowledge. Skillathons are created from materials directly or modified from Learning Laboratory Kits, information provided in the Ohio 4-H Animal Resource Books, and other resources, along with input from industry experts. Each Skillathon is comprised of four educational and challenging stations.
The Ohio 4-H Program offers a virtual Skillathon opportunity for 4-H members to participate and practice their knowledge in any species. Fairfield County youth participating in any Ohio State Fair VIRTUAL Skillathon will not need to complete a county Skillathon as this will meet the Fairfield County Junior Fair Requirement. If youth choose to complete the alternative Skillathon at the Ohio State Fair (virtually or in-person), they will also need to submit their completed project record book to the Extension Office by Friday, September 20th at 4:00 p.m. However, if an exhibitor wishes to compete in the Fairfield County Premier Exhibitor Contest, they will need to complete the Fairfield County Skillathon for each specie they wish to compete in to be eligible. Project record books are to be COMPLETED for EACH 4-H/FFA project taken to the Fairfield County Junior Fair.
If participating in the VIRTUAL Skillathons, they must be completed by September 1st to meet the Fairfield County Skillathon requirement. No registration is required – just click on the direct links below to get started.
2024 Fairfield County Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor Contest Information
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 the 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 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). 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
- 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 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 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 (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 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, 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. 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 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 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 2024 Fairfield County Junior Fair Book.
Premier Exhibitor Contest Info
The Premier Exhibitor Contest information is in the Junior Fair Book. Any youth wishing to compete for Premier Exhibitor must have completed that specie’s Skillathon on September 9th or 24th to be eligible. Please direct questions to cooksey.25@osu.edu.
2023 Fairfield County Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor Contest Information
This information is also posted in the 2023 Junior Fair Book under Optional Activities for Species: http://go.osu.edu/fcjrbook
Premier Exhibitor Contests
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 the 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 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).
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
- 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 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.
2022 Premier Exhibitor Placings Posted
Congrats to all 2022 Premier Exhibitor Winners – results are posted here.
Specific questions regarding the Premier Exhibitor program and scoring can be directed to 4-H Educators, Aubry Fowler (fowler.443@osu.edu) or Leslie Cooksey (cooksey.25@osu.edu).
Click here for 2022 Premier Exhibitor Contest information.
Sign up now for the Livestock Judging Contest!
Livestock Judging Contest: Sunday, October 9, 2022, 9 a.m., East side of the Swine Barn
Contest to follow beginning at 9:30 a.m., at the Swine Barn
Superintendent: James Maynard
Assistant Superintendent: Hayley Maynard
Please sign up for the contest using this link
READ THE GENERAL RULES AND HEALTH REGULATIONS
The contest will be conducted in two divisions: Senior (ages 14-18), Junior (ages 8-13).
- All ages are as of January 1st of the current year.
- Rules and conditions apply to both divisions.
- When available, one class from each of the following will be used: Market Hogs, Breeding Gilts, Market Lambs, Breeding Ewes, Market Goats, Breeding Goats, and Market Beef Steers and Breeding Beef Heifers.
- Livestock entered in the Junior Fair and/or Open classes and housed at the fair are subject to be used for the Livestock Judging Contest.
- Committee members have the right to bring in outside livestock to fill classes, if not enough animals are made available from FFA and 4-H members on Sunday of the fair. Animals brought to the fairgrounds must be checked by a veterinarian before setting foot on the fairgrounds.
- For each species, there will be at least one placing class and one questions class.
- The scores will be computed by the committee in charge and displayed.
- For Junior Fair Premier Exhibitor purposes, all participants will be grouped into one group per species (regardless of age) and ranked.
- Tiebreakers for Livestock Judging Contest Awards shall be (in order):
a) The highest total score for all questions and answers.
b) Most consistency of class scores – narrowest spread from high to low score.
c) Highest score on one set of oral reasons given on a class of the participant’s choice, given to Contest Superintendent(s).