The primary objective of 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest is to provide an opportunity for 4-H youth to demonstrate their knowledge of dairy related subject matter in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. It is also hoped that these contests will prove to be an educational experience for both participants and spectators. Sample Dairy Bowl questions
View the link to a video that instructs you how to participate in showmanship.
Dairy Cattle Showmanship Video
Training and Fitting Your Swine- Training During the Feeding Program A pig can not be controlled through fear – you must win his confidence. Kind treatment during the hand-feeding period provides an excellent opportunity to gain his trust. Gently scratch or brush him at each feeding period, but do not make a pet of him. A “pet pig” is difficult to show. There are at least three signals that you need to teach your pig:
Do not be disappointed if you are ignored at first. Results come with training. Drive the pig often. A pig should be driven at least once a day the last 15 to 20 days of the feeding period. Let someone serve as a judge while you practice moving the animal around as you would in the show ring. Study each pig from many angles to see how he should be shown to make his most favorable appearance. Usually, your pig looks best to a judge when he is 10 to 15 feet away moving at a slow walk. Good pigs are born; champions are made. Good Luck
The requirement for MARKET Animals project record books is ONE record book. If 4-H youth is raising more than 4 animals a second species page will need to be added. Please contact the 4-H office for questions.
Record books are due the day animals arrive on the Fairgrounds.
Raising animals? ONLINE COURSE for youth 13 -18 – counts as a clinic with an email of a printed completion certificate:
The Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine created an online course to teach youth about zoonotic diseases, "Excellence in Exhibition: Preventing Disease in Animals and People." Targeted at youth aged 13-18 years, the free online course is meant to encourage showmanship and animal involvement while keeping both animals and humans safe and healthy.
Raising and showing livestock help youth develop responsibility, learn good sportsmanship, and gain confidence. While raising and showing animals have an overall positive impact on youth and the community, there are many animal diseases that can be spread between people and animals, especially when people have close contact with animals. Several animal related disease outbreaks, such as variant influenza A virus of swine (H3N2v) and enteric disease outbreaks caused by pathogens such as E. coli, have been associated with fairs in recent years. In many instances, these events resulted in severe illness in youth. Youth livestock projects can also present disease transmission risks to animals due to the comingling of various animals and animal species from different locations.
Understanding disease risks and preventive measures is critical to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic diseases among youth associated with animal agriculture. Awareness of these risks can help youth to understand the importance of disease prevention for themselves, their animals, and the public. Additionally, teachers, volunteer leaders, and parents should understand the same disease risks to further reinforce measures needed to prevent zoonotic disease transmission.
The web-based course includes lessons, case studies, and supplemental materials. It is self-paced and accessible online at any time for participants.
To learn more and to take the course Educational link
Last updated December 6, 2019