Judging

Test your analytical skills while learning about breed, market and performance standards of various animal species.

You be the judge!

Evaluating animals is a fundamental skill in animal ownership and breeding. These analytical skills and experiences aide the owner or breeder in making decisions about the usability and longevity of the animal in production, performance, or breeding situations.  Youth learn industry standards for the particular specie/contest and are then evaluated on their ability to evaluate animals based on those standards.  Contests have multiple classes, some incorporate performance data to provide a situation in which to place the animals.  Youth become comfortable giving oral or written reasons to defend their placing of the class.  In some industries people can subsist through a career of judging specific species of animals.  Contact your County Educator for more information.

Learn about:

  • Animal Care and Ownership
  • Honesty and Sportsmanship
  • Animal Health and Biosecurity
  • Quality Assurance and Food Safety
  • Animal Housing and Facilities
  • Animal and Environment Relationships
  • Ethics and Conduct

Dairy Judging

The Dairy Judging contest challenges 4-H’ers skills and knowledge of the dairy industry.  Youth will evaluate animals, learning to make and defend decisions while developing communication skills.  The team to represent Pennsylvania at the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest and the 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest at the Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show will be selected from the top individual placings in the senior division who have not previously competed in either contest.

Horse Judging

This event will challenge 4-H’ers skills and knowledge in horse judging.  Participants will learn to evaluate and make decisions while improving their knowledge of horses, horse management, horse training, and horsemanship.  The winning team in the Senior division will be eligible to represent Pennsylvania at the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup at the North American International Livestock Exposition at Louisville, Kentucky and at the Quarter Horse Congress Youth Horse Event at Columbus, Ohio (provided that all members meet the contest rules.)

Livestock Judging

Livestock judging is a process of evaluating, selecting, placing, and learning the various livestock species–beef cattle, sheep, and swine. The basic level of livestock judging consists of two primary components: placing the animals, and orally justifying your decision (reasons.)  This event provides youth the opportunity to be trained in accurate observation, decision making skills, and public speaking.  National contest opportunities will be determined by the contest chair.  Winning teams may also officially represent Pennsylvania at regional judging contests and workouts as opportunities are available.

Poultry Judging

In Poultry Judging, 4-H youth will learn how to tell the difference between good and poor layers and how to determine the USDA grades of dressed poultry and identification of parts. The contestant also will learn how to grade eggs according to USDA standards.  The top scoring Senior team at the state contest will represent Pennsylvania at the National Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, KY, in November.  However, all contestants must be 14 years of age or older as of January 1 of the current year to be eligible to move on to the National level competition.  The highest scoring individual (18 years of age or older and not a member of the top scoring Senior team) can represent Pennsylvania at the National Poultry and Egg Conference in Louisville, KY, in November.  The National 4-H Poultry and Egg Conference recognizes senior 4-H members who have excelled in their state 4-H poultry learning activities.  The overall objective is to offer national level activities and contests designed to introduce participants to poultry and the poultry industry. Life skills are also learned through preparation for the various contests. The conference also introduces the participants to careers in the poultry and allied industries.

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Pennsylvania State 4-H Office

Pennsylvania State 4-H Office