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Home > Youth Exhibitors > Education Requirements & Opportunities - Animals & Shooting Sports > Dairy Department

Dairy Department



All youth planning to show Dairy at the Dane County Fair must meet these species specific educational requirements:

  • Attend at least one approved education event (listed below)
  • Education Requirement Card – Complete this card after attending a species-specific education meeting/event to confirm attendance. You should upload the completed card by June 15.
    • To upload the education card, please save the document as a JPG, TIFF, or PDF. Youth can take a picture of the education card to upload. Save as LastName.FirstName.Species (e.g.,Smith.Chris.Dairy) before uploading to the online portal.
  • Complete Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certificate between 9/1/2023-6/15/2024.
  • Complete all training, and submit education card and YQCA certificate by June 15 via the ONLINE PORTAL - Opens in April. Failure to submit this card by June 15 at 11:59pm will make you ineligible to show your animal at the Dane County Fair.
  • If showing in more than one species, youth must complete and submit the requirements for each species separately.


2024 Approved Education Offerings - More to be added as approved.
  • 1/23/24 – "Large Animal Fair Education" presented by Waunakee Veterinary Services at Ashton Go-Getters Club Meeting - OPEN TO ALL - 6:00-7:00pm at St Peters School in the lunchroom/basement (7121 County Rd K, Middleton). No RSVP needed. Attendance will be taken. Make sure to bring a copy of the Education Card with you to have the presenter sign on-site.
  • 3/19/2024 4-H Dairy Judging Practice (Gr 3+) from 7:00-8:00pm at 4-H Office (5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison). 4-H Dairy Judging information meeting and first practice. Join us to learn more about Dairy Judging and how you can get involved in the 4-H statewide event. Judging dairy cattle is a comparative evaluation of cattle in which animals are ranked based on their closeness to “ideal” dairy conformation. No fee or need to pre-register for this meeting.
    • More dates will be added and are usually held at a variety of local farms. Participating in Dairy Judging provides an excellent opportunity for youth to not only increase their knowledge of evaluating dairy cattle but also develop and hone valuable communication skills that will be useful for a lifetime. Youth do not need to attend all practices to participate in competitions.
  • 6/1/24Cows on the Concourse Education Volunteer
  • 6/8/24 – Dane County Breakfast on the Farm Education Volunteer or Presenter
  • 4-H Team Dairy Judging Practices - variety of dates
  • Dairy Judging Team Member/Leadsperson
  • Dane County Dairy Bowl 4-H Team Member
  • Dane County Dairy Bowl – Attended Practices
  • District Show Exhibitor – Holstein and Color Breed equivalent
  • Mid-West National Holstein Show Exhibitor
  • PDPW Leadership Program
  • WI State/National Breed Show
  • FFA Dairy Education Qualifying Events:
    • FFA Dairy Cow Judging or Dairy Products Judging
    • FFA State Dairy Judging/Showmanship
    • FFA State Dairy Proficiency Application Completed
    • Central National FFA Dairy Events (Dairy Evaluation or Milk Quality)
    • SC WI FFA Regional CDE – Janesville (Dairy Evaluation or Milk Quality)
    • SW WI FFA Regional CDE – Platteville (Dairy Evaluation or Milk Quality)
    • State FFA CDE – Madison (Dairy Evaluation, Milk Quality, or Dairy Handling)
    • Completion of State FFA Dairy Proficiency Award or Diversified Livestock (that includes dairy)
    • Current school year completion of high school (must have dairy unit) or technical college (transcripted credit) Animal Science course

Past Offerings
  • 4/1/2023 Buzzworthy Topics In Dairy (Grades 3-13) from 11:00am-Noon at the Dane Co 4-H Office, 5201 Fen Oak Drive, Madison. Join us for a fun way to learn about topics related to the dairy industry and the dairy cow! Practice answering questions while using a buzzer. This meeting will introduce youth in grades 3-13 to the 4-H Dairy Bowl.
  • 4/2/2023 UW Vet Medicine - Veterinarian Event – 1:00pm, UW Vet Medicine Bldg
  • 5/6/2023 Lodi Vet Clinic Youth Livestock Day from 9:00-11:00am at Lodi Veterinary Care, 705 N. Main St, Lodi - This interactive day will include activities and presentations by Lodi Veterinary Care professionals related to livestock anatomy, vet trucks and equipment, and small ruminant care. Youth should plan on attending the entire time of the event. Please RSVP by April 22, 2023 to lodivetla@lodivet.com or 608-592-7755.
  • May 13-14, 2023Wisconsin Holstein Cow Camp – Wautoma

Contact the Fair Office at info@danecountyfair.com to receive approval for educational opportunities not listed.

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