Ohio 4-H Livestock Judging

2023 Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest

Study and Preparation Resources  

• Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Rules
• Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest Instructions
• Example oral reasons videos by The Ohio State University Livestock Judging Team
• Lesson on note-taking and oral reasons by Jenna Siegel
• Excerpts from The Ohio State University 2014 Livestock Selection and Evaluation Manual written by Kyle Culp:
  • Fundamental Concepts of Evaluating Livestock - Includes: Function of Livestock, Evaluating Livestock, and Note Taking (including a sample format on page 162 and examples)
  • Growth and Development of Livestock
  • Oral Reasons
• University of Idaho Livestock Judging and Oral Reasons Manuals (free to download):
  • Beef
  • Swine
  • Sheep
  • Goats
• Beef, Sheep, and Swine Selection and Evaluation Project Book ($11)
• Livestock Judging Guide Project Book ($6.95)
• Pennsylvania 4-H Livestock Judging Manual (free)
• Judging Pro

Ohio 4-H State Livestock Judging Team

Each year, our top 3 county 4-H judging programs at the Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest earn the opportunity to represent Ohio 4-H at a national judging contest of their choosing. Marion County represented Ohio this year at the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colorado. Team members were Sydney Stirm, Grace McCurdy, Bailee Amstutz, and Marinn McGuire coached by JoAnn Fogle and Katie Criswell.

At the livestock judging contest, the team placed 8th overall! 

They also received the following honors: 

• 5th overall team in reasons
• 5th overall team in sheep

Congratulations to Bailee Amstutz on winning Overall High Individual! 

She also earned:

• 4th in reasons 
• 4th in goats
• 2nd in swine
• 7th in cattle

Congratulations to these 4-H'ers on their outstanding achievements!

If you have an interest in supporting future trips for 4-H youth, please consider supporting them today through this fund: https://go.osu.edu/donate4hlivestockjudging

Pictured L to R: Coach JoAnn Fogle, Sydney Stirm, Grace McCurdy, Bailee Amstutz, Marinn McGuire, and Coach Katie Criswell. 

Each year, our top 3 county 4-H judging programs at the Ohio State Fair 4-H Livestock Judging Contest earn the opportunity to represent Ohio 4-H at a national judging contest of their choosing. Wood County represented Ohio this year at the Keystone International Livestock Judging Contest. Team members were Samantha VanVorhis, Lexi Perry, Riley Burtchin, and Brock Perry coached by Kirsten Kemner.

At the livestock judging contest, the team placed 2nd overall! They also received the following honors:

Swine:

• 1st overall individual Lexi
• 5th overall team

Beef:

• 6th overall individual Lexi
• 2nd overall individual Sam
• 1st overall team

Reasons:

• 5th overall individual Sam
• 5th (tied for 4th) overall team

Overall individual:

• 8th Lexi
• 5th Sam

Congratulations to these 4-H'ers on their outstanding achievements!

If you have an interest in supporting future trips for 4-H youth, please consider supporting them today through this fund: https://go.osu.edu/donate4hlivestockjudging