Program Areas
Livestock Program

The Utah 4-H Livestock Program is designed for those youth with interest in livestock and livestock events. Youth are given the opportunity to develop leadership, citizenship, self-esteem, social, and livestock skills. This program is for youth in grades 3-12, but not younger than 8. The Utah 4-H Livestock Program includes programs for those youth who own/have access to livestock and those who do not, but still want to learn about the science of livestock selection, care, and management. To find information about livestock clubs in your areas or to start your own club, contact your County Extension Office.

One of the most popular project areas is junior livestock. Utah 4-H has a strong relationship with the Utah Junior Livestock Association and supports several different state-sanctioned shows that welcome 4-H youth raising beef, goats, sheep, and hogs. Animals participating in these state shows must be tagged using state-tags by your local 4-H agent or FFA advisor.

For more information visit their website at: https://utahjuniorlivestock.com/

Other Junior Livestock Opportunities

Rocky Mountain Jackpot Show Series.

**Please note - the Kamas livestock show has been cancelled.

Livestock Classic Events

The traditional Livestock Classic Events that are offered at the State and National level for our youth. These contests test your livestock evaluation skills and general knowledge of all livestock species.

There are four different livestock related contests that youth can participate in:

The Livestock Skill-a-Thon
Meats Judging
Livestock Judging
Livestock Bowl

The Livestock Skill-a-thon

Livestock Skill-a-thon is an interactive and incredibly fun contest that introduces youth to the various different contests to promote mastery within a livestock project. At the 4-H Classics (link to this page: ) junior aged 4-H participants are invited to try their hand at this fun contest. Contact your local county office to see if the Livestock Skill-a-Thon is offered at the county level.
View Livestock Skill-a-thon Rules

Meats Judging

Meats Judging is one of the fastest growing contests in Utah. This contest involves carcass and processed product evaluation and all youth participants will find learning more about the end product of their livestock projects to be fascinating!
View Meats Judging Rules

Livestock Judging

View Livestock Judging Rules

Livestock Bowl

View Livestock Bowl Rules

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Intermountain Livestock Judges Training

The Intermountain Livestock Judges Training is an additional opportunity for our youth and we encourage parents, club leaders, FFA advisors, and the like to plan to attend with their kids! Visit the IMLJT website for more information.

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For questions or more information regarding any Livestock contests or events, email jessie.hadfield@usu.edu

Rank Advancement Guides

Junior Livestock Market Animal Book
Market Animal Breeding Project Book (coming soon!)

Educational Resources

Agriscience
- coming soon!
General Livestock
Goats
- Market Goat – First Step Fact Sheet
Rabbits
- Pet Rabbit Projects – Getting Started Fact Sheet
- Rabbit Nutrition Guide – Printable
- Understanding the Basics of Rabbit Care
Steers
- Market Steer Projects
- Market Steer Fact Sheet

SMALL LIVESTOCK

Poultry

The Utah 4-H Poultry Program provides project areas in vast ranges for 4-H Youth located in both urban and rural settings. This program is for youth in grades 3-12, but not younger than 8. Utah 4-H provides poultry opportunities with Turkey, Broiler, and Layer programs. These programs are for youth who own/have access to poultry and those who do not, but still want to learn about the science of poultry, how to care for them and poultry management. Poultry projects motivate youth to explore, learn responsibility and enjoy challenges.

Utah Jr. Turkey Show

The Turkey project is one of the best ways for youth to experience a junior livestock project if they've never been involved before. All the poults come from the same supplier, and youth raise them from August - November. They participate in the harvesting and processing, and then have the opporutnity to sell their turkey to local community members looking for a Thanksgiving bird!

Want more info? GO HERE and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Broilers

A Broiler project exposes youth to the realm of poultry science. This 10 week project is ideal for youth in both urban and rural settings.

Dunlap Hatchery Wholesale Information

Layers

Backyard chicken projects often involve Layers. These are multiple breeds of chickens that produce farm fresh eggs.

To take your Laying Hens to the next level here are some resources that can help:

Spring Small Animal Showdown

The Spring Small Animal Showdown is an opportunity for 4-H youth involved in Pet Advocate, Small Livestock, and other companion animal projects to come together for a day of learning, networking, and fun!

Join us for educational clinics on rabbit, poultry, and dog showmanship in the morning, and then try your hand at showing each species after lunch (provided with registration). We will have spare animals for showmanship, but we encourage you to bring your own.

Open to all registered 4-H members, including Cloverbuds (Grades K-12)!

Visit this page for more information and event details.

Meat Rabbits

The Utah 4-H Meat Rabbit Program is a great livestock project for both urban and rual settings. This program is for youth in grades 3-12, but not younger than 8. Youth who have access to or own their own rabbits, as well as those who do not, are invited to learn the science of rabbits, how to care for meat rabbits, and management. Meat rabbit projects motivate youth to explore, learn responsibility and enjoy challenges.To find information about various rabbit clubs in your area, or to start your own club, contact your County Extension Office.

Utah Market Rabbit Show at the Utah State Fair

September 8 - 9, 2023 | 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

$2 per entry
Register for the 2023 Rabbit Show at the links below:

Logged in to Zsuite? Register Here New to 4-H? Register here

*Register before midnight on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023

The market rabbit project is considered “small stock” and is for youth as young as 5 years old and in kindergarten.
Youth exhibitors shall have ownership of rabbit entries for a minimum of 30 days prior to the day of the show. County extension staff or FFA advisors will be responsible for verifying ownership.
All rabbits exhibited must be tattooed in the left ear prior to the fair. The tattoo needs to be permanent. Permanent marker will not be accepted.
Rabbits do not need to be pedigreed, but should be of commercial meat rabbit type.
All colors and meat rabbit breeds are accepted.
A 4-H member may enter and show a maximum of 6 entries with 2 entries per class.
Cages will be provided and assigned to exhibitors by the Rabbit Committee.
Exhibitors must furnish their own feeding and watering equipment that will remain with the rabbits for the duration of the show. Cages may not be used for storage of supplies- designated storage is provided.
Rabbits that are exhibited at fair are still the property of the owner and are not to be handled by anyone other than the owner at any time, with the provision that project committee members & superintendent may check, handle or move rabbits for the safety of the animals. Locks are permitted, please contact committee.
Youth exhibitors are responsible for bringing their rabbits to and from the judging table (no adults) when the class is called. Members will stay until dismissed, and return rabbit to cage. If rabbit is not on the judging table at the time class is judged, rabbit will not be judged. If needed, another youth rabbit exhibitor may assist in bringing rabbits to the table.

Meat Rabbit Classes & Divisions

Market Rabbit Fryers

Less than 6 months
4.5 – 6.5 pounds
Judging Criteria: judged on meat type, condition of flesh, and fur

Market Rabbit Breeding Show

12 weeks +
Classes divided by gender then age.
If there are 5 or more of the same breed, further classes will be made

Judging Criteria: judged on meat type, condition of flesh, fur, and reproductive soundness. Breeding rabbits should be in good condition, adequately sized, and represent characteristics and qualities of market type rabbits.

Youth Showmanship

Contest will be held by 4-H age division based on grade as of September 2022.

Cloverbuds - K - 2^ndgrade
Juniors – 3 – 5^th grade
Intermediates – 6^th – 8^th grade
Seniors – 9^th – 12^th grade

Judging Criteria: youth showmanship competitions are based on the youth’s knowledge and understanding of their project. They will be judged on their ability to handle their project animal and answer questions about their project. Purdue University has shared a rabbit showmanship video that is helpful in learning how to participate in rabbit showmanship competitions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-HXumu6rAQ&t=29s

A showmanship clinic will be held the morning of the show so even youth that have never competed before can learn all the tricks and be successful in the show!