CFAES Give Today
Ohio 4-H Youth Development

Ohio State University Extension

CFAES

Ohio Youth Skillathon Information

2023 Ohio Youth Skillathons

Welcome to the 2023 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 and virtual Skillathons again this year. NEW IN 2023: we are introducing a proctored virtual breeding Skillathon at the Ohio State Fair for the species with Outstanding Breeding Exhibitor Programs. 

Our 4-H Animal Sciences team will conduct online Ohio 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 involved. 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.

2023 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

 

 

 

 

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, 2023, and FFA members. 4-H and FFA members turning 19 on or before December 31, 2022, are too old to participate in skillathons.

 

RULES:

  • In-Person 2021 Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules (posted 5.3.2022)
  • Virtual 2021 Ohio Youth Skillathon Rules and Registration (posted 5.3.2022)
  • 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, 2023, 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 skillathons will be delivered through Qualtrics. You must have access to a mobile device or 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.
  • NEW: (OBE) Breeding Skillathons will be held during the youth livestock shows at the Ohio State Fair for Beef, Goat, 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.
  • Results will be posted for each age category, age division, and overall after the Skillathon is completed. 


How to Register for Virtual Skillathons:

  • No Pre-Registration Required
  • 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

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 24 & Friday, July 28, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 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 3, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Meat Science, Environmental Stewardship, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Animal Care, Health & Treatment, Nutrition & Digestion 

 

Resources to Study

 

Results 

VIRTUAL 7.8.2022

IN-PERSON 8.4.2022

Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

Back To Species Menu

Cavy Skillathon

2023 

Virtual Only: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online.

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Animal Nutrition, Anatomy, Breeds, and Nutrition & Digestion

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results  

All Participants (by county) 7.25.2022

Top 25 Overall 7.25.2022

Individual Results (by age) 7.25.2022

Back To Species Menu

Dairy Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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, August 1st, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Nutrition & Digestion, Health & Treatment, Mammary Function & Dairy Products, Environmental Stewardship & Farm Safety
  • In-Person: Nutrition & Digestion, Health & Treatment, Mammary Function & Dairy Products, Environmental Stewardship

 

Resources to Study   

 

Results   

VIRTUAL 7.8.2022  

IN-PERSON 7.27.2022

Back To Species Menu

Dog Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 18th, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2022 Skillathon Stations  

  • Virtual: Heath and Hazards, Grooming, Anatomy, Breeds and Selection
  • In-Person: Anatomy & Physiology, Health & Hazards, Breeds & Selection, Animal Care & Diseases

 

Resources to Study   

 

Results   

VIRTUAL 7.6.2022

IN-PERSON 7.14.2022

Back To Species Menu

Goat Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 Goat Skillathon: Tuesday, July 18, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn

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

In-Person: Friday, July 21, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Goat Products, Medication & Handling, Nutrition & Digestion, Anatomy & Breeds
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Animal Identification, Nutrition & Digestion, Animal Care

 

Resources to Study   

 

Results

VIRTUAL 7.7.2022

IN-PERSON 8.5.2022

Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

Back To Species Menu

Horse Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 17, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, Voinovich Livestock Center Mezzanine (2nd floor)

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Genetics, Health & Digestion, Blemishes & Conformation, Nutrition
  • In-Person: Medication & Treatment, Gaits, Pastures & Plants, Anatomy

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results  

VIRTUAL 7.7.2022

IN-PERSON 7.20.2022

Back To Species Menu

Llama/Alpaca Skillathon

2023

Virtual Only: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Fiber & Shearing, Pastures & Plants, Health & Treatment, Anatomy

 

Resources to Study   

 

Results

VIRTUAL 7.7.2022

Back To Species Menu

Poultry Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 2, 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Anatomy & Nutrition, Poultry Products, Animal Health, Medication & Treatment
  • In-Person: Anatomy & Nutrition, Poultry Products, Animal Handling, Medication & Treatment

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results  

VIRTUAL 7.6.2022

IN-PERSON 8.3.2022

Skillathon

Record Book

OME

Back To Species Menu

Rabbit Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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 4, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Rabbit & Poultry Pavilion

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Identification, Genetics, Animal Care, Products
  • In-Person: Biosecurity, Genetics, Care & Digestion, Products

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results  

VIRTUAL 7.6.2022

IN-PERSON 8.5.2022

Back To Species Menu

Sheep Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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: Monday, July 31 & Wednesday, August 2nd, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Brown Sheep Building

  • 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: Tuesday, July 25, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, Brown Sheep Building

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Breeds, Meat Science, Nutrition & Environment, Wool
  • In-Person: Breeds, Meat Science, Nutrition & Environment, Animal Care

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results  

VIRTUAL 7.7.2022

IN-PERSON 8.3.2022

Skillathon

Record Book

OME

OBE

Back To Species Menu

Swine Skillathon

2023

Virtual: Open from May 30th - October 20th, Online. 

  • Link: TBA
  • 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: Friday, July 28, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn

  • 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: Thursday, August 3, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, O’Neill Swine Barn

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

 

2022 Skillathon Stations

  • Virtual: Meat Science, Nutrition & Byproducts, Reproduction & Pedigrees, Health & Treatment
  • In-Person: Meat Science, Animal Care, Reproduction & Pedigrees, Health & Treatment

 

Resources to Study  

 

Results

VIRTUAL 7.8.2022

IN-PERSON 8.4.2022

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

 

Back To Species Menu

Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

2022 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

2022 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

2022 Ohio 4-H Skillathon Team

The Ohio 4-H State Skillathon Team recently traveled to #NAILE to compete in the National 4-H Skillathon Contest, where they earned 5th high in identification, 6th high in quality assurance, 10th high in evaluation, and 9th overall team. Team member Jael Michelson received the honors of being named 12thhigh individual. Congratulations to this team for representing #Ohio4H at the national contest!

Competing members this year included: 

-John Smock 

-Adrianna Meyer 

-Jael Michelson 

-Molly Broadman 

 

A special thank you to our coaches for their dedication to the team. 

-Benjamin Wenner

- Andrea Rees

-Hunter Frobose


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

Back To Species Menu

Contact: Dr. Benjamin Wenner (Dept. of Animal Sciences, wenner.20@osu.edu) or MacKenzie Dore (Program Assistant, dore.12@osu.edu).