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Ohio Youth Skillathon Information

2026 Ohio Youth Skillathons

Welcome to the 2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathons. We want to support the continued learning needs of youth livestock and companion animal exhibitors throughout Ohio, so Ohio State University Extension and the Department of Animal Sciences are pleased to offer in-person, OBE virtually proctored, and online virtual Skillathons again this year.

Our 4-H Animal Sciences team will conduct online Ohio Virtual Youth Skillathons this year to provide a chance for youth to practice, as well as to provide another opportunity for county fair skillathon credit; no awards will be provided from our program. These Skillathons will include similar educational materials, by species, that are evaluated at the Ohio State Fair. In-person Skillathons and OBE Skillathons will be at the Ohio State Fair, and youth participating at the youth livestock shows will have an opportunity to compete.

Save the dates for the species you want to participate in and put your 4-H project knowledge to the test! Times, details about rules, and registration are provided on this page. If you have questions about the Ohio 4-H Skillathon, contact us at 4hanimalscience@osu.edu.

2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathon Sponsors

All Species In-Person Skillathon Awards Sponsor: Cooper Farms

Swine OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: DeLoye Showpigs

Beef OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: Ohio Cattlemen's Foundation

Sheep OBE Skillathon Awards Sponsor: Hartschuh Livestock

If you would like to help support future 4-H'ers studying and traveling to compete at NAILE for the National 4-H Skillathon Contest, consider making a tax-deductible contribution today: https://go.osu.edu/donatestate4hskillathons

2026 Ohio Youth Skillathon Calendar

For more information about dates and topics, please visit the individual species pages linked below:

Beef                Goat               Rabbit
Cavy Horse Sheep
Dairy Llama/Alpaca Swine
Dog   Poultry General Resources
Rules Virtual Skillathon Skillathon Team
Record Book Outstanding Exhibitor Other Program Offerings

 

 

 

 

 

 

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, 2026, and FFA members. 4-H and FFA members turning 19 on or before December 31, 2025, are too old to participate in skillathons.

RULES:

  • There is no pre-registration for any of the 2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathons.
  • 2026 In-Person & Market (OME) Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules (posted 2.03.2026)
  • 2026 Virtual Proctored Breeding (OBE) Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules (posted 2.03.2026)
  • Outstanding Exhibitor Rules (OME and OBE)
  • Record Book Rules 
  • 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, 2026, and FFA members.
  • You do not have to exhibit a particular species to participate in that species Skillathon.
  • Any specific rules for an individual species will be outlined on the testing site.
  • Virtual participation skillathons will be delivered through Qualtrics. You must have access to a computer with the ability to access the internet.
    • Even though virtual Skillathons are online, each Skillathon must be taken by the youth only without assistance from family or friends.
  • (OBE) Breeding Skillathons will be held during the youth livestock shows at the Ohio State Fair for Beef, Sheep, and Swine. 
    • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in their species OBE skillathon
  • In-person Skillathons will be held during the youth livestock shows at the Ohio State Fair
    • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in their species in-person skillathon
  • There will be 4 stations in each Skillathon that will make up 4 separate, timed modules.
  • Each station will have a time limit (typically 5 minutes per station).
  • If your child requires any testing accommodations, please contact us in advance at 4hanimalscience@osu.edu and we will work with you to make accommodation arrangements.
    • Youth will be required to show proof of Winning 4-H Plan, IEP, or other appropriate and current documentation to receive accommodations. 
  • Results will be posted for each age category, age division, and overall after the Skillathon is completed. 


How to Register for Virtual Skillathons:

  • Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online. 
  • There is no pre-registration for any of the 2026 Ohio State Fair Skillathons.
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 
    • If you are using this skillathon for credit at your county fair, check for specific completion requirements with your fair. 
  • Species Links Below: 
    • Beef
    • Cavy
    • Dairy
    • Dog
    • Goat
    • Horse
    • Llama / Alpaca
    • Poultry
    • Rabbit
    • Sheep
    • Swine
  • If you have any questions, please contact 4hanimalscience@osu.edu.

 

Interested in our Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team?

Click HERE

Beef Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Garth Ruff

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

(OBE) Breeding Beef Skillathon: Monday, July 27 & Friday, July 31, 2-4 p.m., Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
  • The Beef OBE skillathon is only open to beef-breeding exhibitors. 

In-Person: Thursday, August 6, Noon-3 p.m, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Beef Skillathon

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Meat Science, Animal Husbandry, Medication & Treatment, Nutrition
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Reproduction, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion
  • OBE: Reproduction, Medication & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion, Genetics & Breeding

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

Breeding Skillathon

In-Person Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

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Cavy Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Joseph Colucci

Virtual Only: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This may be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Cavy Characteristics, Reproduction, Nutrition & Digestion, and Medication & Health 

 

2025 Resources to Study (Virtual)

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Dairy Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Dr. Maurice Eastridge, Sherry Smith, and Lindsey Bowen

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Tuesday, July 28, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Breeds Characteristics, Reproduction, Anatomy, Medication & Treatment
  • In-Person: Nutrition & Digestion, Animal Health, Reproduction, Dairy Stewardship 

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

In-Person Skillathon

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Dog Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): 

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Tuesday, July 20, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2025 Skillathon Stations  

  • Virtual: Animal Handling, Nutrition & Animal Husbandry, Anatomy, Health & Treatment
  • In-Person: Anatomy, Health & Hazards, Dental, Animal Care & Behavior

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

In-Person Skillathon

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Goat Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Rob Riddle, Julie Lucas, Dr. Braden Campbell

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Friday, August 7, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Goat Skillathon

There will be no OBE program for goats in 2026

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Meat Science, Equipment & Record Keeping, Reproduction, Medication & Treatment
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion, Medication Handling 

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

In-Person Skillathon

Record Book

OME

Back To Species Menu

Horse Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s):

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Monday, July 20, 8 a.m.-Noon, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Conformation & Anatomy, Forages & Toxic Plants, Medication & Treatment, Genetics
  • In-Person: Vices, Genetics, Forages, Anatomy and Physiology 

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

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Llama/Alpaca Skillathon

2025

Species Superintendent(s): Deb Bergman

Virtual Only: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This may be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Characteristics, Parasites, Health & Treatment, Confirmation & Animal Husbandry

 

2025 Resources to Study (Virtual)

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Poultry Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Paige Kelly, Dr. Michael Cressman, and Adam Staley

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Wednesday, August 5, 4-7 p.m., Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Poultry Skillathon

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Reproduction, Meat Science & Anatomy, Breeds, Medication & Treatment
  • In-Person: Nutrition & Animal Handling, Meat Science, Animal Welfare, Current Events & Barn Audit

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

In-Person Skillathon

Record Book

OME

Back To Species Menu

Rabbit Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Travis West

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

In-Person: Friday, August 8, 8 a.m.- 11 a.m., Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Animal Handling, Reproductio & Genetics, Nutrition, Medication & Treatment
  • In-Person: Nutrition, Reproduction, Digestion, Breeds

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

In-Person Skillathon

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Sheep Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s): Jacci Smith and Dr. Braden Campbell

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

(OBE) Breeding Sheep Skillathon: Saturday, August 1 & Thursday, August 6, 8-11a.m., Brown Sheep Building Wool Room

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
  • The Sheep OBE skillathon is only open to sheep-breeding exhibitors. 

In-Person: Monday, July 27, 8 a.m.-11 a.m., Brown Sheep Building Wool Room

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Sheep Skillathon

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Breeds, Meat Science, Digestion, Breeding & Parturition
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Herd Management, Nutrition & Digestion, Animal Handling & Husbandry
  • OBE: Reproduction, Teeth, Parturition & Genetics, Nutrition

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

Breeding Skillathon

In-Person Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

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Swine Skillathon

2026

Species Superintendent(s):

Virtual: Open from May 25th - October 12th, Online.

  • Skillathon Link
  • This is intended to serve as practice for youth interested in the Ohio State Fair Skillathons. 
  • This may also be used to replace requirements for county fair skillathons (please check with your fair for requirements). 

(OBE) Breeding Swine Skillathon: Wednesday, July 29, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., O’Neill Swine Barn OYSC Room

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor, youth MUST compete in the OBE Skillathon
  • The Swine OBE skillathon is only open to swine-breeding exhibitors. 

In-Person: Wednesday, August 5, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., O’Neill Swine Barn Show Ring

  • Note: To be eligible for Outstanding Market Exhibitor, youth MUST compete at the in-person Swine Skillathon

 

2025 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Breeds & Reproduction, Meat Science, Health & Treatment, Infectious Diseases and Parasites
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Swine Stewardship, Reproduction, Nutrition 
  • OBE: Reproductive Anatomy, Estrus, Medication & Treatment, Genetics & Selection

 

2025 Resources to Study

 

Results 2025

Breeding Skillathon

In-Person Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

Back To Species Menu

 

General Resources

ANIMAL SCIENCE TEAM FACTSHEETS

NUTRITION
OTHER

Ruminants

BEEF
DAIRY
GOAT
SHEEP

Non-Ruminants

DOG
POULTRY
RABBIT
SWINE
Equine

Social Media

Facebook

 

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Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

2025 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

State Skillathon Team

2025 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

The Ohio 4-H State Skillathon Team traveled to NAILE to compete in the National Skillathon Contest. We are so proud of our team and the dedication they put into this contest. All of the hours spent studying and preparing for this contest paid off. These individuals completed a series of individual and team stations where their skills were put to the test.

Results:

  • 10th high team evaluation
  • 14th overall team

Marking Team Members:

  • Avery Poling
  • Avery Rice
  • Lydia Kaverman
  • Ephraim Fowler

We are also thankful that our alternates tagged along as apart of our traveling team this year to help prepare for our 2026 traveling team.

  • Emma Gerencser
  • Hannah Hurst

Coaches:

  • Dr. Hunter Frobose
  • Andrea Rees
  • MacKenzie Barker

If you are interested in becoming a part of future State Skillathon teams, plan to compete in at least 1 of the Ohio State Fair #Skillathons in beef, swine, sheep, or goats. You must be at least 14 years old by Jan 1 and need to place in the top 3 for your age group to qualify for the team in August.

If you would like to help support future 4-H'ers studying and traveling to compete at NAILE for the National 4-H Skillathon Contest, consider making a tax-deductible contribution today: https://go.osu.edu/donatestate4hskillathons

 

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Contact: MacKenzie Barker (Program Coordinator, dore.12@osu.edu)