Animal & Livestock Projects

Project Contact: No current project contact... Call JP to volunteer 260-358-4826

Objective: The 4-H Aquatic Science project is designed to help youth learn about raising and caring for aquarium fish. The project provides guidance with aquarium set-up, maintenance, and fish selection.

Exhibit Guidelines:

Complete the General Project Record Sheet for the current grade (one per person). Turn it in to your 4-H Club Leader by June 30 or earlier date announced by your club for grading.
Completed a project 3-ring binder that must be turned in at project entry time and judged with exhibit.
Care for a minimum of one (1) pair of fish or other aquatic animal with a simple, appropriate environment. If you raise guppies, you will need a minimum of three (3) fish. Do NOT overcrowd your tank. Do NOT pair fish species that are not tank compatible. Do NOT pair fish that need to be kept separate, (i.e. Beta Fish).
Tank size needs to be a maximum of five (5) gallons for exhibit at 4-H Fair complete with appropriate amount of water and an appropriately sized water filter. At least one side of the tank must be flat for proper viewing of the fish displayed.
Please have your tank displayed well "balanced" with 4-H appropriate and fish safe decor (i.e. gravel, rocks, plants, etc.). A "balanced" tank includes a reflection of a natural setting as closely related the species of fish being displayed.
Please mare sure ALL fish being brought and displayed at the 4-H Fair are healthy and free of disease, and damage (torn fins etc.) .
You are responsible for the daily care (feeding etc.) of your fish/aquatic animal during the fair when displaying your tank.

COUNTY & STATE PROJECT

Superintendent - Joe Thompson 260-433-7134

Objective: The 4-H Beef project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and Huntington County 4-H do not require Certificates of Veterinary Inspection. Indiana State Law requires a premise identification number from BOAH for showing, selling, or exhibiting cattle. No cattle will be exhibited that have warts or ringworm.

Entry: 5 - 9pm, Friday July 24th unless otherwise provided.
Release: 9 pm - 12 Midnight, Wednesday, July 29th and 5 - 8am, Thursday, July 30th for non-auction animals. Each livestock exhibitor is expected to clean own animal stall and remove manure from the barn after 4-H livestock leave the fairgrounds.

Guideline

Complete the Livestock Project Record Sheet for the appropriate grade level (one per person). Turn it in to your 4-H Club Leader by June 30th or earlier date announced by your club for grading.
All steers, market heifers, non-registered crossbred breeding heifers, and starters must be ear tagged and weighed on official weigh and identification date. All beef cattle including steers, market heifers, non-registered heifers and registered heifers, and starters must have an electronic (RFID) tag.
Steer breed designation on weigh and identification date cannot be changed unless the 4-H owner wishes to have the steer considered a crossbred. The change to a crossbred must be declared when the animal is being weighed at the fair - before leaving the scales.
All 4-H beef male calves must be steered by weigh in day.
Animal identification for all commercial beef animals must be completed online at v2.4honline.com by May 15th. Registered beef female identification is due prior to May 15th online.
Beef Starter Calves must be born on or after January 1st of current year and weigh no more than 350 pounds at the time of weigh in on the 3rd Saturday of April for ID Day, unless otherwise communicated.
Members must enroll for the classes they choose to participate in using the FairEntry program. Only animals enrolled in 4HOnlinewill be allowed to exhibit.
Animals will be weighed when checked in at the 4-H Fair.
Each 4-H member may show three (3) market animals. A member may also enroll three (3) starter beef calves but only exhibit two (2).
All beef animals must be dehorned.
Market animals will show according to weight and Indiana State Fair recognized breed classification.
Animal Ownership Rule, under General Rules.
Each 4-H Beef club member may show up to five (5) females in the beef breed classification.
All Indiana State Fair recognized breeds of registered heifers will have their own classes by age and commercial heifers by weight.
If a cow-calf pair is entered in the 4-H Beef Classes, the calf (from the pair) cannot be entered in to the 4-H Starter Beef classes.
All beef animals at the fair will use the provided mulch for bedding.
All beef animals at the fair will be stalled where assigned.
Corralling of cattle may be allowed only in designated areas and only from 8pm-8am. Corralling in undesignated areas is not allowed.
Calves may only be switched between siblings or 4-H members within the same household.
Each member is allowed one chance to re-weigh the beef calf if it fails to make weight the first time across the scales. Re-weighing must occur within 30 minutes of first weigh-in area.
4-H Members enrolled in the project whose project animal dies prior to May 15 have until May 15 to locate and purchase another calf that was properly entered during the Huntington County ID Day.
The calf must be in possession of the member at weigh in.
Each calf being exhibited at the fair must be completely healed from dehorning and steers healed from castration/banding/clamping. This process should be completed before May 15 of the current year.
Beef starter calves may be steers or heifers and will be shown divided by weight and sex.
Beef heifers entered in the 4-H Beef Starter project are ineligible for exhibit in the 4-H Beef Show during the current year.
Weaning of all starter beef calves must occur prior to fair weigh-in.
All starter beef calves at the fair will use the provided mulch for bedding.
All starter beef calves at the fair will be stalled where assigned.
Auction - See Auction Rules
Grooming Rules - Under General Rules
Protest Rules - Under General Rules
Any questions or interpretations regarding the rules will be determined by the following committee:
1. Beef Superintendent
2. One member of the Beef Superintendent Committee
3. One member of the Cattlemen's Executive Committee
4. One member of the 4-H Fair Board
5. Extension Educator
Beef Poster - will be judged at 4-H Pre-Fair Judging - NOT at the 4-H Beef Show. See Poster Rules for additional information.
Showmanship (you may choose to show a beef or starter for showmanship)
** 1st year project members (Youth in grades 3,4,5 only) then Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Master

BEEF CLASS
County Breed classes will be in the same as approved 4-H Beef Breeds stated in the current year's state fair 4-H Beef Rules.
1. Rate of gain
2. Steers - Divided into weight classes according to breed.
3. Steers - Slick will be divided into weight classes (The champion slick steer will be show in the steer grand drive).
4. Market Heifers will be divided into weight classes (The champion market heifer will show in the steer grand drive).
5. County Born & Raised Market Anima - Calf born and raised n Huntington County.
6. Junior Heifer Born - born January, February, or March, current year (cannot show Starter Beef in this class).
7. Senior Heifer calves born between September 1 - December 31, 2025.
8. Summer Yearling heifers born between May 1 - August 31, 2025.
9. Junior Yearling heifers born between January 1 - April 30, 2025.
10. Senior Yearling heifers born between September 1 - December 31, 2024.
11. Cow/Calf-all breeds - cow born on or before August 31, 2024.
12. Commercial breeding heifers will be divided into weight classes at the 4-H Fair.
13. County Born & Raised Breeding Heifer - Calf born and raised in Huntington County.

COUNTY & STATE PROJECT

Cat Superintendent: No current Project Leader... Call JP to volunteer 260-358-4826

Objective: The 4-H Cat project provides youth a fun and hands-on learning experience that develops life skills and teaches animal responsibility. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

Guidelines:

Complete the Cat Project Record Sheet. Turn it in to your 4-H Club Leader by June 30th or earlier date if announced. It is suggested that you do activities in the manual to increase your knowledge of the Cat Project. This is recommended for optimal participation in this project.
Members are to sign up for the classes they want to exhibit at the 4-H Fair through the FairEntry system by June 30th.
Cat may be purebred or domestic but must be in the care of the 4-H Member by May 15th. Only one cat per member may be exhibited.
Kittens must be at least four (4) months of age at the time of show.
Pregnant or lactating female cats will not be allowed to exhibit. However, proper credit for project work will be given when record sheet is turned into leader.
For exhibition - The 4-H Member's cat will be caged during the show and the 4-H'er will present the animal to the judge during the show. 4-H Members must remain in show area for results at conclusion of the judging. All cats must be taken home after the show.
Each cat will be judged on the following. (Judges decisions are final)
- health
- cleanliness
- grooming including trimmed nails
- personality
All 4-H Cats must have a valid current certification of vaccination (4H-777) signed by a licensed accredited veterinarian. Completed certificate of vaccination must be presented at check-in before the cat is benched.
4-H Cats must be free of fleas, fungus, ear mites, or other communicable diseases.
Any 4-H Cat is eligible to exhibit at the Indiana State Fair. See www.in.gov/statefair for entry information.
Showmanship Class:
- Champions will be determined by a panel of judges, based upon a written test, presentation of cat, interview with judges.
- Test questions will be taken from 4-H Project Manuals - Beginner (Grades 3, 4, & 5), Intermediate (Grades 6, 7, & 8), Advanced (Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12). Senior Level will be expected to answer questions from prior manuals.
- Registration and Testing will be during the 4-H Fair Cat Show.
- An overall Grand Champion Showman will be selected.
Exhibits - Members may choose one or more of the following:
- Live Animal: long hair or short hair
- Educational Poster on any topic relating to Cats. To be judged at the Pre-Fair Judging. Beginner (Grades 3, 4, & 5); Intermediate (Grades 6, 7, & 8); Advanced (Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12). See the Indiana State 4-H Website for poster suggestions for each division. One poster per level may be selected for the Indiana State Fair.
- Action Demo

COUNTY & STATE PROJECT

Dairy Superintendent: Laura Williams 260-760-6774

Objective: The 4-H Dairy project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The board of Animal Health (BOAH) and Huntington County 4-H do not require Certificates of Veterinary Inspection. Indiana State Law requires a premise identification number from BOAH for showing, selling, or exhibiting cattle. No cattle will be exhibited that have warts or ringworm.

Entry: 5 - 9 pm Friday July 24th for Dairy Heifers and 6 - 9 am Saturday July 25th for Milking Cows, unless otherwise provided for.

Release: Milking Cows are released immediately following the show. Heifers are released 9 pm - 12 Midnight, Wednesday or 5 - 8am, Thursday. Each livestock exhibitor is to clean animal stall and remove manure from the barn after 4-H livestock leaves the fairgrounds.

Guidelines:

Complete the Livestock Project Record Sheet for the appropriate grade level (one per person). Turn it in to your 4-H Club Leader by June 30th or earlier date announced by your 4-H Club for grading.
Animal Identification must be completed online at in.4honline.com by May 15th. For registered animals, the animal's registered name and registration number (or dam's registration number) must be entered into Indiana 4-H Online. Non-registered animals must have appropriate identification number (eat tag/tattoo) identified.
Members with leased animals must turn in completed Lease Agreements with Ownership forms to the Extension Office and have animals ID entered in 4honline no later than May 15th.
The Dairy lease program is only for 4-H Members who do not own their own dairy cows and/or heifers. 4-H Members may NOT enroll in both lease and owned animals.
Dairy heifers and cows may be leased and exhibited at the county fair.
Leased animals (if registered) must be registered in the name of the lessor. Registration papers do not need to be transferred to the 4-H Member; however, a completed lease agreement must be on file at the County Extension Office by May 15th. Registration papers must be produced at the time of entry.
To exhibit, owned animals (if registered) must be registered in the name of the 4-H Member of partnership name, and the member must produce registration papers at time of entry.
A 4-H Dairy Member may identify two (2) animals per class by May 15th enrollment but may show only one (1) animal per class at exhibit.
Members must register for the classes they plan to exhibit in by June 30th using the FairEntry program.
Corralling of cattle may be allowed only in designated areas and only from 8pm - 8am. Corralling in undesignated areas is not allowed.
No horns are allowed on any animal, except for Junior calves.
Grooming Rules - under General Rules
Show Order
- Holstein
- Guernsey
- Jersey
- Brown Swiss
- Ayrshire
- Milking Shorthorn
A Junior Champion and A Senior Champion will be selected in each breed, provided there are three (3) or more animals.
A Supreme Junior Champion and A Supreme Senior Champion will be selected from all breeds.
Each Showmanship winner (Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Master) will sell a dairy product in the 4-H Auction.
Grade and registered animals will be shown together (separated by breed) in each of the listed dairy classes.
4-H Dairy Posters will be judged at 4-H Pre-Fair Judging - NOT at the 4-H Dairy Show. See Poster Requirements.

DAIRY CLASSES
Spring Heifer calf born - March 1, 2026 to May 15, 2026
Winter Heifer calf born - December 12, 2025 to February 28, 2026
Fall Heifer calf born - September 1, 2025 to November 30, 2025
Summer Yearling Heifer born - June 1, 2025 to August 31, 2025
Spring Yearling Heifer born - March 1, 2025 to May 31, 2025
Winter Yearling Heifer born - December 1, 2024 to February 28, 2025
Fall Yearling Heifer born - September 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024
Junior two-year old cow born - March 1, 2024 to August 31, 2024
Senior two-year old cow born - September 1, 2023 to February 28, 2024
Junior three-year old cow born - March 1, 2023 to August 31, 2023
Senior three-year old cow born - September 1, 2022 to February 28, 2023
Four-year old and over cow - born prior to August 31, 2022

Showmanship - Junior, Intermediate, Senior, Master

4-H Members are encouraged to participate in a Showmanship Class of their animal project(s). Grade requirements are:
- 1st Year Showmanship - 4-H Members enrolled in the animal project for the first year and in grades 3, 4, & 5
- Junior Showmanship - Grades 3, 4, & 5
- Intermediate Showmanship - Grades 6, 7, & 8
- Senior Showmanship - Grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
- Master Showmanship - Current year showmanship winners plus previous Senior Showmanship class winners, and/or previous master showmanship winners are still eligible for 4-H Showmanship in species.
A Member cannot winmore than once in a showmanship class.
Past Showmanship winners may move on to the next level class.

The 4-H Dairy project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

COUNTY & STATThe 4-H Dog project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Subject areas also include obedience and agility. Youth also will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Goat project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Horse and Pony project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Poultry project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, animal husbandry, and proper care for poultry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Rabbit project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Sheep project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

COUNTY ONLY PROJECT
Project Contact: Machelle Suchcicki 260-413-9123

Objective: The 4-H Small Animal project provides youth a fun and hands-on experience that is directly related to animal care, feeding, housing, and managing various small animal species.Youth will gain life skills such as record keeping, time management, and decision making

Exhibit Guidelines -

Complete the General Project Record Sheet for the appropriate school grade (one per person). Turn it on your 4-H Club Leaders by June 30th or earlier date announced by your club for grading. It is suggested that you do activities in the manual to increase your knowledge of the project. This is recommended for optimal participation in this project.
Select and care for a small animal or household pet.See project manual for suggestions.
Exhibit a notebook showing what you have learned (photography of pet, length of time cared for your small animal, and cost of project), record sheet and project manual showing activities you have completed. The notebook will be continued and information added to it in following years.
4-H Members may exhibit two (2) species areas (ex. one small mammal and one bird). A notebook must be made for both species.
Your small animal may be presented for judging (travel size cage is required) Not having your small animal present will not count against your placing or judging.

Levels / Classes:
Level 1 - Beginner - Grades 3, 4, & 5
Level 2 - Intermediate - Grades 6, 7, & 8
Level 3 - Advanced - Grades 9, 10, 11 & 12

NOTE: Indiana residents over the age of 17 may not collect amphibians or reptiles from the wild in Indiana unless they have a valid hunting or fishing license, unless otherwise excepted from the law. For all collectors, there is a possession limit of 4 on all nongame species except endangered species and eastern box turtles. Collection of endangered species and eastern box turtles is prohibited.

State Health Rule for Ferrets: All ferrets more than 3 months old in Indiana are now required to be vaccinated annually against rabies and distemper. Please be able to provide proof.

More questions about this project? Please contact the Extension Office at: 260-358-4826 or email JP at jpietrow@purdue.edu

The 4-H Starter Calf project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, rate of gain, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

The 4-H Swine project provides youth with a fun and hands-on learning experience which develops skills in nutrition, health care, and animal husbandry. Youth will learn responsibility, goal setting, record keeping, problem solving, personal safety, disease prevention, and decision making. These are just some examples of what life skills gained in the 4-H animal project.

Animal & Livestock Projects (Grades 3-12)

Pet Record Sheet (Aquatic Science, Cat, Dog, Small Animals)

Livestock Record Sheet