Animal Science Academy - Dairy

See the power point below. This animal selection information can be applied to cattle, sheep, goat, and swine

• What do cows like to eat? - US dairy.com
• The World of Dairy Cattle Nutrition - K-State Univeristy
• Basic Nutrition - Cornell University
• National Library of Medicine - Link is here for more information
• US Dairy Council - Link is here for more information

• All About Livestock - University of MN Extension - Link to more information here
• What is the FARM program? US Dairy Council

• Animal ID - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Leasing an animal in 4-H - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Lease Form - Minnesota 4-H - Link to form

North Dakota State University - 4-H Showmanship Video - this is part of a series of training videos.

• Redwood County 4-H'ers showing in the dairy project are expected to show in showmanship
• Video series above will be helpful information.
• Showing and fitting guide for your information - Oregon State University - Dairy Cattle Showmanship Guide.
• Beginners in the showing preparation are expected to complete the basics of animal care. This includes cleaning your animal, brushing/combing as needed, and following guidelines if milking your animal is needed.

Discover Dairy - see below

MN 4-H Dairy Project Page - Link is here

MN Ag in the Classroom - Link is here

1. Premium Book

• General Projects / animal science, vet science, exploring animals, and more - link is here
• Animal Science / all species - link is here

2. Fair Entry - Project Registration to show at county fair.

• Redwood County 4-H Fair Entry
• This is the program used to register what projects members are planning to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.
• Use your 4honline.com account information to log in
• Fair entry link is here

3. Showmanship

• All youth are expected to participate in Showmanship Class for their age group.
• Register for showmanship in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.

4. Interviews

• All youth are expected to participate in interviews.
• Register for interviews in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair. Interview judging occurs during the Redwood County Fair.
• Sign up for your interview time with the Barn Superintendent. Typically, sign ups happen along with the barn meeting.
• The interview will happen prior to your show and age group winners are awarded during your animal species show.
• Dress code for interviews:
• Clean clothing, shirts should be without sponsorship,
• No hats, no holes
• Show clothes are not expected
• Sample Livestock interview questions - Montana State University - Montana Extension Services
• Practice questions - animals - beginner, intermediate, and advanced - Ohio State University
• MN 4-H State Fair Interview Process - Link and information are here

5. Pre and Post Fair Clean Up

• Pre-Fair - July 8, 2026 - youth exhibiting animals at the fair are expected to attend pre-fair clean up. Clean up begins at 6 pm.
• Post Fair - Load out can begin at 7 pm on Sunday of the county fair. All youth must fully clean their area and stalls and remain on the fair grounds until their species building is clean and/or the species superintendent releases 4-H members to go.
• Note: Sunday morning of the Redwood County Fair from 7 am - 9 am youth may remove tac and other items no longer needed. Trailers must be off grounds by 9 am.

6. What is a show box, equipment needed, and what to bring? The following items are general need items. Additional items specific to your species may be needed.

• Show box to keep equipment/tack in/grooming products
• Registration Papers
• Feed
• Water pail and hose and Feed pan

• Broom, fork, wheelbarrow

• Bedding - discuss what, if any, additional bedding is needed with your species superintendent. 4-H provides woodchips.

• Fans, extension cords, zip ties, pliers, scissors, and grooming chute (optional)

• Clean rags, livestock soap, allowable grooming products - adhesives/foams & adhesive remover (optional)

• Rice root brush, curry comb, scotch comb, blower (optional), electric clippers

• Show Stick

• Halters - Dairy: Cable halters may only be used as a show halter in the show ring. Cable halters may not be used to tie cattle in the barn or in the tie-outs.

Want to build your own show box? Here is a set of plans - University of Maine - make a great 4-H Shop Project as well!

7. Clothing Suggestion: Show Clothes

Bring proper show clothes to change into. Youth may use the changing station provided for use during the fair. The preferred show wear includes:

• White long pants/jeans without holes
• White button-down or polo shirt
• boots/closed-toed shoes - no exceptions
• No sponsorships may be included on the clothing, No hats, and no holes
• Harnesses, pins, or magnets may be used to display exhibitor numbers on the exhibitors back. Redwood County 4-H will provide the back tag number and safety pins. Members wanting to use harnesses or magnets should provide their own.
• It is preferred that animals have a leather or cable show halter.

Auction Note: Corn and Soybean Growers shirts are required to be worn during the Livestock Ribbon Auction. We recommend saving your county fair t-shirt for the Ribbon Auction held Saturday morning of the county fair. More information on the auction and participation requirements are typically mailed by May.

8. Animal Check in at the fair - Redwood County 4-H Process

• Animals must be checked by the county fair veterinarian prior to entering the fairgrounds per MN Board of Animal Health Rules.
• The vets are available the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning of county fair and located in the grass parking area across from the northern most fairgrounds gate.
• Details are available in the 4-H premium book
• Cloverbuds bringing their own animal must also comply with the vet check during our county fair animal science check in.

9. Truck/Trailers:

• Trailers may come onto the fairgrounds to off load your supplies and animals to their respective barns
• Trailers must be off the fairgrounds by 10 am Thursday of county fair
• Park trailers on the grass parking lot across from the northern most fairgrounds gate. Near the ball field.
• DO NOT set hitches onto the walking path
• DO set hitches on wood or similar barrier and place on the grass to prevent the hitch from digging into the ground.
• DO Lock your trailers.

10. Animal Exhibit Release during county fair:

• Cloverbuds may take their animal home following their species show.
• All other animal science exhibits and projects are required to remain on fairgrounds through the end of the fair.
• Exhibit dismissal is 7 pm Sunday of the county fair.

• State Fair - Youth must have completed 6th grade to participate in the MN State Fair 4-H competitions.
• We host a state fair orientation during the Redwood County Fair.
• We will host question and answers session during the Redwood County Fair and have staff and superintendents to help you get started in the process.
• General State Fair Information - https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-minnesota-state-fair/4-h-state-fair-exhibitor-resources
• MN State Fair Livestock Exhibitor Resources - MN 4-H - University of Minnesota

If you or a 4-H participant need disability-related or other accommodations to participate in this program or have questions about the physical accessibility of the event location, please contact Stacy J at 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu at registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event. Late notice may limit our ability to provide requested accommodations.