Judging Events
These events test the youth's knowledge of animal conformation and way of going. Whether you carry a dairy cattle project or not, 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging is a great way to work with other 4-Hers to learn information about dairy cattle while having fun. The State 4-H contest includes judging and oral reasons.
- Judging: 4-H participants judge 10 classes of dairy cattle (normally 5 classes of heifers and 5 classes of cows from at least 5 different breeds).
- Oral Reasons: 4-H participants give 1-4 sets of reasons.
a. Juniors & Intermediates - 1 set of reasons
b. Intermediates - 2 sets of reasons
c. Seniors - 4 sets of reasons
Below is additional information including the study resources to prepare for the State Contest.
Resources:
UME 4-H Animal Science Judging Events Resources
Holstein Foundation Dairy Judging
Virginia Tech Dairy Judging YouTube Videos
Hoard's Dairyman Dairy Judging Corner
Dairy Cattle Judging Placings Card (sample)
UME 4-H Dairy Judging Video Heifers
UME 4-H Dairy Judging Video Cows
Dairy Judging Resources
Quiz Bowls
Dairy Quiz Bowl is similar to the game show jeopardy or “It’s Academic” except all of the questions relate to the dairy cattle and dairy goat project areas. Points are given or lost by quickness and accuracy of responses. Quiz Bowl is not meant to be a memorization process, in that youth only study questions and know the answers to those questions, but they are to take the knowledge that they have and figure out the answers to the questions asked.
The purpose is to offer a positive opportunity for youth to enhance and demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to 4-H projects that interest them where attitudes of friendliness, cooperation and fairness prevail. Quiz Bowl should provide an educational experience for both participants and spectators. 4-H Quiz Bowl helps to improve and expand the quality of educational experiences that emphasize learning and it uses technology to maximize teaching and learning with youth. Quiz Bowl can be done when the weather prohibits outdoor activities. The main goal is to have FUN while learning.
Below you will find the State Contest rules and additional information including the study resources.
Dairy Quiz Bowl Resources
UME 4-H Animal Science Quiz Bowl Events Resources
Skillathon Contests
The primary objective of the Maryland 4-H Dairy Skillathon Contest is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H to demonstrate the breadth of their knowledge and understanding of animal science and management in a competitive setting where attitudes of friendliness and fairness prevail. The practical application of the contestants’ knowledge and skills is emphasized. The contest’s coordinators strive to provide an educational experience for participants and spectators as well as an opportunity for the creation of new friendships.
Skillathon offers age-appropriate quizzes and stations that are designed to test youth knowledge of the dairy industry; youth move from station to station. Some stations may include visual diagrams or equipment, or hands on activities to demonstrate a dairy related technique.
Contest Phases:
1) The Quiz phase of the contest may include questions about the total dairy industry.
Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors – 20 questions (multiple choice and/or true/false)
2) The Stations phase of the contest consists of a series of stations or tables where contestants will respond to the requirements of the station.
- Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors – 40 questions (multiple choice and/or true/false)
- Examples of stations which may be used include, but are not limited to:
a. Breeds-Dairy Breed Identification
b. Dairy Equipment-General & Milking equipment identification
c. Feeding & Nutrition-Feed identification & Reading a feed tag
d. Genetics & Selection-Sire Selection & Reading a Pedigree-Genetic terms & values
e. Animal Care-Disease & Parasite identification, Reading a medication label, & Quality assurance
f. Dairy Products-Product identification (may include sampling)
g. Anatomy & Physiology-External parts identification, Skeletal system parts identification, Digestive system parts identification, Reproductive system parts identification and Mammary system parts identification.
Below you will find additional information including the study resources to prepare for the State Contest.
Dairy Skillathon Resources
UME 4-H Animal Science Skillathon Events Resources
