Don’t just count sheep – learn everything about them! Get involved with the 4-H sheep project to learn all about animal health and nutrition, breeding, selection and marketing. You can participate in market projects, breeding projects and even non-competitive projects. Make it your own! This is a great way to gain valuable experiences while making lifelong friends.
You will experience the full process of selecting, feeding, breeding, and marketing sheep. You will also learn public speaking, leadership, and community service through caring for sheep.
Resources
- Project Information Sheet
- Explore Guide: Ag Product Identification
- Explore Guide: Sheep & Goat
- Explore Guide: Livestock Judging
- Judging Wool and Mohair
- Livestock Judging Contest Scoring Procedures
- Youth Livestock & Agriculture Project Resource Page
Events and Activities
Educational Presentation or Public Speaking
Public speaking is something that is very important no matter what industry or career that you choose to go into. Through public speaking, you are able to present a topic in the beef project through a speech or demonstration. The Public Speaking contest and Educational Presentation contest will help your student learn more about his or her project while getting the opportunity to compete on a state level. Held at 4-H Roundup each year, competitors must qualify through their district in order to compete at this event. Visit the State Roundup webpage to learn more.
Livestock Judging
Held at 4-H Roundup and all major livestock shows each year, Livestock Judging is a great way to learn decision making and public speaking. Texas 4-H Roundup hosts invitational and qualifying livestock judging contests. Judging guidelines for inspecting and handling sheep can be found on the Texas A&M Animal Science department website. Visit the State Roundup webpage to learn more.
Skillathon
This is a great way to showcase all your knowledge about sheep that you gained throughout the project. This contest covers an array of topics and encourages you to really stretch your hard-earned information. Content matter for this competition can be found on the Department of Animal Sciences website. Also, visit the State Roundup webpage to learn more.
Wool Judging Contest
The Wool Contest tests a 4-H members knowledge and ability to determine the grade, rank, and categorize wool. The contest provides an opportunity for youth to compete and develop skills that can be used on a sheep ranching operation, within the wool industry, or agricultural teaching field. The contest will be divided into two areas: fleece evaluation of grading rail and wool class placing and reasons. Visit the State Roundup webpage to learn more.