Dairy Resources
A Youth Dairy Cattle Project Skillathon Study Series have been developed and can be found on our YouTube Channel
These PowerPoint can be used as a study resource for upcoming Skillathons.
Educational Contests
August 24, 2023
Wilson County Fairgrounds
945 E Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee 37087
Teams of three to four youth evaluate six classes of dairy cattle based on structure, mammary system, and other production traits. They also present three sets of oral reasons. Regional qualifying contests are held in early August. The state competition is in late August with the top three teams representing Tennessee at either the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at World Dairy Expo in September in Madison, Wisconsin, the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in November in Louisville, Kentucky, or the Invitational Youth Dairy Cattle Judging Contest in September in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
October 13 – 14, 2023
Wilson County Fairgrounds
945 E Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee 37087
Use these study resource for upcoming Skillathons.
The Skillathon contest takes place at the State Dairy Show in October. This event consists of different activities that will evaluate an exhibitor’s knowledge gained from participation in the dairy cattle project for a total of 100 points. Each exhibitor will participate in the Skillathon as an individual. The activities will increase in difficulty as the grade division increases. Examples of Skillathon activities include but are not limited to feed, breed and equipment identification, health and production practices and record-keeping.
June 8, 2023
Ed Jones Auditorium
Ellington Ag Center
440 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220
The State Dairy Quizbowl contest takes place each year at our June Dairy Month Kick-off. This event is for county-based teams of three to four youth who answer questions related to the dairy cattle industry. The state competition is held in June with the winning team representing Tennessee at the National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl in November in Louisville, Kentucky.
Register teams in SUPER 2.0 by May 25, 2023
Awards ceremony to follow in conjunction with June Dairy Month Kick-Off at Ellington Ag Center.
Shows
October 13 – 14, 2023
Wilson County Fairgrounds
945 E Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee 37087
The State Dairy Show is an opportunity for youth exhibitors to showcase their animal genetics, showmanship, and fitting ability. For more information, visit the Dairy Animal Exhibitions page and make sure you are on the Dairy tab.
To find out where and when your Tennessee regional shows are, contact your county office.
Eastern Region 4-H Livestock Shows
Other Opportunities
This $1,000 scholarship is in honor of Mr. Ray Spann’s lifetime of dedication to the dairy industry in TN. This scholarship is open to high school juniors or seniors or college freshman who show at the TN State Dairy Show. Mr. Spann wanted to encourage students who were engaged in showing to exhibit at the TN State Dairy Show. The scholarship is based on a culmination of a student’s experience as a junior dairy exhibitor including their sportsmanship as exhibitors, animal husbandry, animal welfare, and participation across local, county, region, state, and national 4-H dairy activities.
The purpose of the Premier Exhibitor award program is to provide 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned and gained by participating in the junior livestock projects. This recognition program will increase the emphasis on the knowledge and skills attained by the youth and will complement the wholesome competition, social development and fun learning traditionally associated with junior livestock shows.
A Premier Exhibitor for will be selected at the Tennessee State Junior Dairy Show in each of the following divisions:
- Junior – (4th, 5th & 6th grades)
- Junior High – (7th, 8th & 9th grades)
- Senior – (10th, 11th & 12th grades)
To be eligible for the Premier Exhibitor competition, youth must exhibit an animal in the dairy cattle show as well as participate in showmanship and in the skillathon contest. The Premier Exhibitor will be the individual who earns the most points by participating in these three educational events. A previous Premier Exhibitor winner in a particular division is not eligible to compete in the same division of the same show in future years (i.e. cannot win Senior Premier Exhibitor more than once). The Dairy Alliance has provided a $1,000 college scholarship for the first place Senior Level Premier Exhibitor and a $500 college scholarship for the second place Senior Level Premier Exhibitor
June 8, 2023
Ed Jones Auditorium
Ellington Ag Center
440 Hogan Road
Nashville, TN 37220
A celebration of all things dairy in partnership with The Dairy Alliance and TN Farm Bureau. During this event, we highlight previous winners of the June Dairy Month Chairperson contest, honor a member of the dairy industry, and hear from speakers about the impact of dairy on their lives. We also recognize the upcoming June Dairy Month Chairperson from across TN. The Kick-Off Letter will be available soon!
The 2023 Application Deadline is May 5, 2023
OR
One 4-H member from every county is eligible to be named as a County Dairy Promotion Chairperson. This Chairperson will be provided with promotional materials courtesy of The Dairy Alliance and is asked to document their promotional activities in the form of a virtual or physical Scrapbook. Scrapbooks are due by July 31, 2023. The theme for 2023 is “Around the Dairy in Seven Days”. Best Media, Best Theme, and Division First place award winners will each receive monetary gifts. A $200 gift will be added to the local county 4-H funds of the three overall Division Award winners.
The 2023 Submission Deadline is May 5, 2023
OR
Each county is encouraged to have a county level poster contest highlighting a yearly theme provided by The Dairy Alliance. The 2023 theme is “Around the Dairy in Seven Days.” The winning county poster is eligible to be entered in a state level poster contest. The first place poster creator will receive a $550 award and the county 4-H office will receive $150 for their 4-H funds. The second place poster creator will receive $300, and the third place poster creator will receive $200.