2024 Quality Assurance Trainings

The first Hartford Fair Livestock Quality Assurance (QA) Training for 2024 will take place soon! Any junior fair exhibitor that plans to show livestock at either the Hartford Fair or Ohio State Fair MUST complete an approved QA training by June 1, 2024 in order to be eligible to show in 2024. We are excited to return to holding QA trainings IN PERSON this year. Please review the Junior Fair Livestock Quality Assurance Guidelines for all requirements and a list of approved trainings. Please ensure you have a plan to either attend an in-person training or complete the online YQCA module BEFORE June 1, 2024.

Our first county-wide program will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 6:30pm at Watkins Memorial High School.

SPECIAL NOTES:

  • Photos for fair IDs will NOT be taken at QA programs in 2024. We will have a process similar to last year where members will be able to upload a photo themselves instead of having photos taken by fair staff. More details on that to come at a later date!
  • There will NOT be a Horse Safety and Ethics training option during the QA trainings. ALL horse members will be required to complete the online EquiSTEP training module. More details can be found HERE.
  • Only Licking County 4-H/FFA Quality Assurance Programs will address program changes and updated for the Hartford Fair. If you choose to attend another QA program or complete the YQCA online module, please ensure that you are watching for updates through the Licking County Extension and Hartford Fair websites and that you check in with your advisor(s) for updates and changes as well.

2024 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Livestock Sales Brochure

The 2024 Hartford Fair Junior Fair Livestock Sales Brochure is available. If you have a youth who is planning to participate in one of the livestock sales at the fair this year, please review this brochure carefully. Please pay special attention to the earlier start time for the small animal sale.

General Livestock Judging Webinars

Want to learn more about General Livestock Judging? The Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Design Team has worked with OSU Livestock Judging Coaches to provide a series of monthly webinars throughout the year so both coaches and members can learn more about General Livestock Judging.

The March webinar is focused on Swine!

General Livestock Judging: Swine 101

March 18, 2024

7:00-8:00pm

Join the Zoom by visiting: http://go.osu.edu/LivestockEvaluation

In case you missed February’s webinar on Beef 101, it can be found at: https://ohio4h.org/node/3429

Ohio State Fair Updates

If you are planning to exhibit livestock or participate in the dog shows at the Ohio State Fair, please review the information below to ensure you are aware of changes and updates for the 2024 Ohio State Fair.

General:

  • Exhibitors MUST be enrolled in the project they want to exhibit at the state fair, even if the county doesn’t offer it at fair (i.e., swine breeding).
  • All Junior Exhibitors must enter their projects online, details available on the OSF website.
    • No late market or breeding (new 2024) entries

Ownership deadlines changed:

MARKET ANIMALS –

  • Market beef – January 1
  • Market swine – May 23
  • Market lambs – May 23
  • Market goats – May 1
  • Dairy feeders – June 1
  • Market rabbits – June 1
  • Market poultry – within 5 days of hatch

BREEDING ANIMALS –

  • Breeding Beef – May 22
  • Breeding Swine – May 22
  • Breeding Sheep – May 22
  • Breeding Goats – May 16
  • Breeding Poultry – May 31
  • Breeding rabbits – May 31
  • Dairy Cattle – May 22

BEEF Department

  • All cattle must arrive with 840 EID in place
    • 15-digit number starting with 840
    • Breeding can use tattoo as SECONDARY ID
  • BVD testing required for all cattle
    • exception of Commercial Cattle
    • One test good for lifetime
  • BEEF BREEDING
    • Crossbred breeding heifers will be required to submit a DNA packet with 840 EID tag information, reach out to Andi Hershey for packets (a.hershey@expo.ohio.gov )
    • Due Date: Postmarked by June 1st

DOG Department

  • Show starts, June 17th

SWINE Department:

  • The Jr Swine Show requires ALL hogs to have:
    • 840 tag
    • Premise ID
  • To exhibit breeding swine, must be enrolled in the project at the county level

2024 Livestock Requirements Summary

The 2024 Hartford Junior Fair Livestock Requirements Summary is now available. This document has all of the pertinent dates and information for all livestock projects. Please review it carefully to ensure you know all deadlines and requirements for your livestock project.

General Livestock Judging Webinars

Want to learn more about General Livestock Judging? The Ohio 4-H Animal Sciences Design Team has worked with OSU Livestock Judging Coaches to provide a series of monthly webinars throughout the year so both coaches and members can learn more about General Livestock Judging.

The January webinar is geared toward coaches and focuses on starting a team and knowing what resources are available to you.

General Livestock Judging: Let’s Start a Team

January 24, 2024

7:00-8:00pm

Join the Zoom by visiting: http://go.osu.edu/LivestockEvaluation

 

Additional topics are listed below. Dates and login information will be provided each month.

Livestock Judging Workout

Saturday September 16th at 10AM the Ohio State Small Ruminant Center and Ohio State ATI livestock Judging Team will be hosting an OPEN/FREE workout to ALL ages of 4-H or FFA teams/individuals who would like to get some practice in.

The workout will include:

  • 3-5 classes of black faced market lambs (Sheep will be racked and can be used to teach handling lambs)
  • 2-3 classes of loose breeding doe classes
  • 1 class of market goats (Class from the state 4-H contest)
  • 1-2 classes of breeding loose breeding ewes

Bring a packed lunch and take advantage of a great workout at ATI.

If you plan on attending, please let Seth Ebert know by texting/calling at 419-908-5828 or email at Ebert.100@osu.edu

Photos from the Fair

We were fortunate to have several photographers who worked throughout the fair to document the Junior Fair shows and events. Check out their links below to view and purchase pictures!

Equine:

Kylee Williams was our photographer for equine events during the Hartford Fair. You can find all photos posted online HERE. Just choose the Hartford Fair link at the top of the page and then select the event in which you are interested! MANY THANKS to Don and Marcie Williams for sponsoring one digital image per equine exhibitor – exhibitors are reminded to reach out to Kylee directly to select your chosen image.

Livestock:

Halee Ann Photography was our photographers for livestock events during the Hartford Fair. You can find all of the photos she and her colleagues took posted online HERE. The galleries are organized by species and then by show/event.

Royalty:

Karen Keller Photography took photos during the King and Queen Contest, including the introduction of our Commodity Royalty and our Prince and Princess of the Day participants. You can find all of her photos posted online HERE.

 

Livestock Skillathon Contests at the Hartford Fair

Junior fair exhibitors! Please remember that there are livestock skillathon contests throughout the week at the fair. All junior fair exhibitors are encouraged to participate. You do not need to show a specific species to participate in that species skillathon; they are open to all! The skillathon competitions are a great way to show your knowledge! See the full schedule of skillathon competitions below or click HERE.