Rabbits

Ohio State Fair In-Person Rabbit Skillathon: Friday, July 30th, 2021

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All 4-H/FFA members are invited to participate in the Ohio State Fair In-Person Rabbit Skillathon on Friday, July 30th from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Please note the Location Change: Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor). Youth do not have to exhibit rabbit projects at the Ohio State Fair to participate in this event.

Note: Topics to be covered include Identification, Genetics, Care & Digestion, Products. For more information about the OSF Rabbit 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.

“Partial Terminal” Sale approved for Junior Fair Market Animals

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During their regular monthly meeting on March 16, 2021, the Fairfield County Sr. Fair Board passed a motion declaring the 2021 Jr. Fair Livestock Sale will be “partial terminal.” Specifically, that motion reads:

The 2021 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. 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.
  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.
  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 Champion or Reserve Champion market beef, market hog, market lamb or market goat during their respective Junior market show, animals designated by their exhibitor to go home after the fair will forfeit the opportunity to 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.

An affidavit will be developed and made available for youth to use when designating they choose to take home a market animal.

 

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.

Sale Information . . . planning a return to ‘normal’ in 2021!

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Make plans now to show your support for our young livestock producers by attending the 2021 Fairfield County Junior Fair Livestock Sales. Exhibitors, note the sale will be ‘partial terminal‘ in 2021.

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

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

When you purchase an animal at the Junior Fair Livestock Sale, you are buying livestock raised by Fairfield County 4-H and FFA youth. Your purchase helps support the important educational programs of these two youth organizations. The success of the auction is up to you. You can help these FFA and 4-H members by participating at the 2021 Fairfield County Fair Junior Livestock Auction!

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

Countywide Quality Assurance Opportunity: Thursday, June 10th (registration is required)

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Countywide Quality Assurance opportunity: Thursday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Sands Building at the Fairfield County Fairgrounds. Registration is required and will be limited to 50 participants. Register here: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0P19iWcND165rpQ

For more information about 2021 Quality Assurance options, click here.

Quality Assurance Options for 2021

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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 Feeders; Goats (Dairy, Meat, Market & Pygmy); Poultry (Breeding & Market); Sheep (Breeding & Market); Swine; Rabbits (Breeding & Market), and Alpacas/Llamas.

Deadlines for 2021:

  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Ohio State Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by June 1st, 2021.
  • Youth planning to exhibit at the Fairfield County Fair must have their Quality Assurance completed by August 15th, 2021.

At this time, Quality Assurance CANNOT be taught by club/chapter advisors to Fairfield County 4-H/FFA youth virtually (i.e. Zoom, Google Hangouts, Google Classrooms, Facebook Live, etc.).

Here are the acceptable options to complete Quality Assurance in 2021:

  • In-Person 4-H Club/FFA Chapter Clinic taught by a 4-H/FFA Advisor who has completed the Quality Assurance Assistant Instructor Training this year (which took place on April 7th and April 26th). Advisors who attended this training will notify their members of their club/chapter QA Clinic date and will be responsible for getting all QA paperwork submitted to the Extension Office by the appropriate deadlines.
  • In-Person Countywide Make-Up Clinics: To be held on Saturday, May 8th at 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and Sunday, May 23rd at 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m. at the Ed Sands Building at the Fairgrounds. A third date has been added: Thursday, June 10th at 7:00 p.m. Attendance is limited and an RSVP is required. Please register online at this link for either countywide in-person QA Clinic: https://osu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0P19iWcND165rpQ
  • In-Person Beef Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person BQA taught by a certified BQA instructor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.
  • In-Person Pork Quality Assurance: Members who complete an in-person PQA taught by a certified PQA advisor must submit documentation to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu. Youth MUST be age 14 or older (current age) to complete in-person PQA. Youth will receive a PQA certification number from the National Pork Board upon completion.
  • Online: Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This is the ONLY approved ONLINE Quality Assurance Program for youth in Ohio. For 2021, this web-based course has been approved by ODA for 8-18 year olds.
    • Go to: https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login
      • Fairfield County 4-H Members should select “sign in with 4-HOnline”. It will prompt you to select a state and then enter your 4-HOnline account information. After successfully logging in, you will be given a list of active family members. Select the family member and start the account creation process.
      • Fairfield County FFA Members (who are not in 4-H) should select FFA & Independent Sign-In.
    • You will need to select the web-based training ($12.00 per member, annually).
    • For a complete list of directions visit: Getting Your YQCA Online Certification
    • When you are finished, please send name(s) and certificate number(s) to Leslie Cooksey at cooksey.25@osu.edu.

Ohio State Fair – Junior Division Rabbits (info posted)

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Competition information has been posted on the Ohio State Fair website for the Junior Division of Rabbits. There will be no Open Division for 2021. Find it here: https://ohiostatefair.com/agriculture-livestock/livestock/

Exhibitors: Join the Ohio State Fair Livestock and Animal Exhibitors Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/osflivestock for ongoing updates about competitions, move-in dates, weigh-ins, and more.