Dairy

A 4-H Dairy Project is a chance for youth to learn about the selection, production, management, health and showing of dairy animals but also a chance to expand and build on the knowledge they currently have.

Dairy Bowl:

The primary objective of Dairy Bowl is to provide an opportunity for youth enrolled in 4-H to demonstrate their knowledge of dairy industry in a friendly and fair competitive setting. The contest uses a quiz bowl format and allows the youth to test their knowledge in a fun and exciting game. 

Typically Oneida County Dairy Bowl practices begin in January and go to Mid March, meeting once a week for an Hour and Half to learn the many different aspects of the dairy industry. Topics to be covered but not limited to are: calf health, dairy judging, dairy breeds, linear dairy evaluation, milk quality, farm + food safety, dairy nutrition + feeds, dairy records, dairy health and diseases, beef quality assurance, dairy products and reproduction. 

Dairy Judging: 

Dairy Judging is an activity that allows you to have fun while building dairy knowledge and developing other important skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, decision making and self-confidence.In Oneida County many dairy judging opportunities are available as well as competitions on county, state and national levels.  

Dairy Challenge:

Dairy Challenge is an educational activity for 4-H youth to test their dairy management knowledge and skills, evaluate top quality animals, and receive experience in evaluation and decision making to further their success in the dairy industry.

Contest activities will consist of youth rotating through 9 different stations within their division. The youth will be broken up in to 3 divisions. (A-senior ,B- junior and C- novice) Youth will be tested on general knowledge in the following designated areas:

1. Dairy Judging- Participants will judge and place a class of 4 dairy animals
2. Linear Dairy Evaluation- Participants will observe dairy animals and answer a series of questions based on linear type evaluation
3. Farm and Food Safety- Hands-on activities and questions relating to safe practices involved with farm, livestock and machinery plus handling and production of food.
4. Dairy Nutrition and Feeds –Participants will identify feedstuffs and/or answer questions about the nutrition components and use in dairy cattle feeding programs.
5. Dairy Housing and Facilities- Activities will include questions and evaluation of housing facilities and management practices relate to cow and/or calf dairy facilities.
6. Meat Identification, Dairy Products and Quality Assurance of Dairy Beef- Activities will include identifying cuts of dairy beef and veal and a variety of dairy products through look, smell and taste. (May be cuts or photos/pictures)
7. Dairy Health and Diseases/ Mastitis and Biosecurity-Activities will include proper identification and use of equipment use for herd health along with testing participants understanding of herd health management.
8. Dairy Reproduction-Equipment and questions related to A.I. breeding and reproduction management for cows and heifers.
9. Farm Business Management- (For A and B division only) Participants will be tested on their understanding of basic farm business management concepts like debt, assets and budgeting along with analyzing and calculating financial statements.

Last updated January 4, 2024