2025 State 4-H Avian Bowl Study Sections- July 26, 2025
The Avian Bowl is a knowledge based quiz bowl style competition that focuses on poultry and eggs and poultry industry topics. The 2025 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl will be Saturday July 26th at 1:00 pm in the Centre. All questions and answers will come from the following material in the 2023 version of the Avian Bowl Manual:
- Prologue to the Avian Bowl Manual
- Poultry judging (Examining hens for pigment loss through Comparing a good and bad layer) … pages 10d-10g
- Avian Systems (Respiratory and Digestive Systems plus The Feather) …. 41-43
- Breeds, varieties, and strains (English, Mediterranean and Continental only) … pages 73-77
- Eggcyclopedia (Nutrient-enhanced eggs through Zeaxanthin) … pages 136-151b
- Biosecurity …. 179-180
- Avian Influenza …. 185-186
- Poultry Genetics (Poultry Genetics through Toe Number Genetics) …. 203-208
- Contributions of individuals from industry, academia, and the government to the advancement of poultry science (1965 through 1968 only) … pages 217-218
Note: The above study material came from the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual revised in 2023/24.
If you wish to purchase a printed copy of the revised avian bowl manual, you may do so through Clemson University at $9 per copy plus shipping costs: 4-H Manual 161. To order the printed copy, the link is National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual
An ADA-complaint downloaded version (pdf) is available for $20. The link is Avian Bowl Manual PDF
For more information on the Avian Bowl, please consult the contest rules and guidelines which can be found on the State 4-H State Fair webpage or contact Kent County Agricultural Agent Drew Harris raharris@udel.edu
Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Due April 25
The annual Equine Art Contest provides 4-H Youth an outlet to express their creative talents each spring. Entries must include the image of a horse or horses, ponies, donkeys or mules and been created since September 1. There are 10 different categories of artwork in the contest. All entries are due to county offices by April 25th and will be judged and put on display. For more information and an entry form please visit: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/events/
Final Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Payment Due May 1
The third payment for futurity animals entered for the 2025 Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity is due May 1 to volunteer Charmayne Busker. Calves MUST be exhibited by a Delaware State Fair Junior Dairy Exhibitor. Leased animals are eligible and an exhibitor must be named on the last entry on May 1, 2025. For more information please consult the 2025 entry form posted on the State 4-H Contest and Events Page under Animal Science at https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/events/ or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices – Deadline May 1
2025 Delaware Youth Dairy Leasing Agreements must be turned in to county offices for county agent signatures or to Susan Garey by May 1. Copies of dairy leases will be forwarded on to the Delaware State Fair. The leasing agreement is posted on the state 4-H webpage under the “Dairy” heading. https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/4H-youth-development/project-information/animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows. You may also scan and email completed leases to Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu if you wish.
National 4-H Dairy Conference Application Due- May 1, 2025
The 2025 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 28-October 2, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. The conference is for 15 to 18 year-olds who have participated in the 4-H Dairy Program for at least three years, who are currently enrolled in 4-H and have an interest in the dairy industry. The Delaware 4-H Foundation provides funding for two delegates and one chaperone each year.
The conference will be held concurrently with the World Dairy Expo. National 4-H Dairy Conference delegates may not participate in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest or exhibit cattle at the World Dairy Expo due to time constraints. You may not have previously attended National 4-H Dairy Conference. For more information on National 4-H Dairy Conference please visit https://national4hdairyconference.org
The updated application is available on the State 4-H Contest and Events webpage under the Animal Science heading and is due to Susan Garey by May 1. https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/events/
Quality Assurance Certification Requirement for All Delaware State Fair Market Animal Exhibitors
All Delaware State Fair junior exhibitors showing a market animal (steer, market lamb, market goat or market hog) are required to have a current quality assurance certification in order to enter and exhibit in a market class at the Delaware State Fair. The YQCA program is a national certification that now covers all livestock species with a single certification for all youth ages 7-21 nationwide. Program ages are calculated as of January 1 of the current year. Please note that a YQCA/BQA/PQA or DEQA certificate must be good through the end of July 2025 in order to enter a market animal in the 2025 Delaware State Fair. A copy of that certificate must be uploaded in ShoWorks at the time of entry in order for an entry to be complete and accepted. Options for obtaining a qualifying quality assurance certification to be able to enter and show a market animal at the 2025 DSF are:
- Ages 5-6– A parent, guardian or responsible adult must have a current quality assurance certification. Options to fulfill this requirement include PQA(Pork Quality Assurance) or BQA (Beef Quality Assurance https://www.bqa.org/certification/online-certification) adult online trainings or parents can either attend a YQCA classroom training session(email Susan directly to register) with their 5-6 year old to obtain a valid QA certification to meet the DSF requirement. Please contact Susan Garey if you would like to be granted access to the online Adult PQA certification training to cover youth ages 5-6. An email address is required.
- Ages 7-18– The youth market exhibitor must have a current YQCA certification. YQCA for a 7-year-old is only available through a YQCA classroom training. Certification for ages 8-18 can be obtained either through an YQCA classroom training session or YQCA online.
- Ages 19-21– The youth market exhibitor must have a current YQCA certification that can only be obtained online as per the YQCA program rules.
Youth YQCA certification is valid for one year.
In order for youth ages 7-21 to participate in either an online or in person classroom YQCA training session, they must register and create a profile at http://yqcaprogram.org For youth age 7-12, parents are required to register their youth on the YQCA website. Once a child is registered, select the appropriate class you plan to attend. Fees will be charged at the time of registration and can be paid by credit card.
The YQCA classroom training costs $3.00 and the online training costs $12.00. These fees are paid online and go directly to YQCA even if you are attending an in person training. This should be completed prior to coming to the in person training. Youth completing the online YQCA training will take the online module that corresponds to their age as of January 1 of the current year.
The following YQCA in person class training date is the last to have been scheduled for this spring:
- Tuesday, May 6, 2025- Paradee Center- Kent County Extension Office, Dover 6:30-8:30 pm- registration required in advance- must register by May 2
If you plan on attending any of this session, you must register in advance so that we can ensure enough space and training materials. Please contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)242-1510 if you have any questions or concerns in regards to Quality Assurance/YQCA certification needs.
1st State Livestock Jackpot Show- May 17th
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting the 27th 1st State Livestock Jackpot Show on May 17th at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. This is an open show that any exhibitor form throughout the region can participate in. All rules, guidelines, health information and entries can be found on the Showman.app site. Entries at the regular $25/head entry fee must be made by May 9 or the late entry fee is double. Please visit the Showman site
https://showman.app/shows#/1st-state-livestock-jackpot-preview-show-be34 for more information or to enter.
Kent County 4-H Livestock Show- May 18th
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Show is open to any currently enrolled Delaware 4-H and FFA members. The show schedule, class list, rules and entry information is all available on the Showman site. https://showman.app/shows#/kent-county-4-h-livestock-show-be77 Entries are due no later than May 3rd and late entries are not accepted. Entering early will allow us to order the proper T-shirt size for exhibitors. Delaware State Fair market animal tagging will be available that morning for show participants only.
2025 Delaware State Fair Livestock Tagging Dates- REVISED
Tagging dates for market lambs, market hogs, market goats, market steers and feeder calves for the 2025 Delaware State Fair are:
- Saturday May 3, 8 am -11 am- Cook Family Farm- Newark, DE
- Saturday, May 10, 8 am-11 am – Delaware State Fairgrounds
- Tuesday, May 27, 5 pm- 8 pm – Delaware State Fairgrounds FINAL TAGGING DATE
DSF Market Animal Photo Upload Deadline for 2025-
New this year- Only one photo can be used to display on the auction website platform. When you make a market animal entry in ShoWorks, you will be prompted to submit a photo. Photos are due by July 1, 2025 to be included for DSF Junior Livestock Auction add ons.
DE Cow Camp 2025- Registration Due June 06, 2025-
Join us for Cow Camp at the Delaware State Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 28, 2025, for a one-day event this year! The day will begin with registration at 9:00 am. Participants should bring their own calf if they have one. If a child wishes to participate and does not have access to a calf, they will be paired with a camper who has one. The schedule will provide ample opportunities for great hands-on learning experiences. Activities are scheduled throughout the camp to give participants experiences with fitting and showmanship as well as an introduction to some dairy science-related topics.
Participants of all skill levels are welcome. Campers and their calves will be divided by age and work in small groups, each led by a junior dairy leader and/or adult. There will be time for fitting of individual animals and showmanship practice. These activities will be age and experience appropriate with some doing more clipping and others just giving it a try. During the day, campers will also have the opportunity to interact with Delaware Dairy Princess contestants.
Participants should bring a bag lunch for Saturday. Dinner Saturday is included in the registration fee. Saturday’s planned activities also include a small show starting at 5:00 pm and will conclude with a family picnic following the show and the crowning of the 2025 Delaware Dairy Princess. Please indicate in your registration how many family members will be attending the Saturday picnic so we can plan accordingly for food.
Health/Code of Conduct Form
A current 4-H Health/Code of Conduct Form is required for participation. If you are enrolled in 4-H through 4-H Online, there is no need to send an additional health form. If you are an FFA member or junior dairy exhibitor, you must fill out and submit a 4-H Health and Code of Conduct Form. Cloverbuds are welcome to participate; however, an adult must attend Cow Camp with them.
Registration with the $15 fee is due by June 6th. For more information, please contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)730-4000. Additional funding for this activity is being provided by a grant from the Chuck Busker Endowment with the Delaware 4-H Foundation and the Delaware Holstein Association. Once you have registered, additional information will be provided.
To register go to: https://2025cowcamp.4honline.com