Area Animal Science Days

2024 Registration is Now Open! See more information below for registration and contest details.

Regional animal science educational opportunities are available to Wisconsin 4-H members.  Specifically, Area Animal Science Days is a series of day-long events held around the state in June where youth in the beef, dairy, horse, sheep, and swine projects increase their decision-making skills and knowledge of animals through judging and grading experiences.  Events include dairy cattle evaluation; livestock (beef, sheep, swine, & meat goats) evaluation; oral reasons contests for senior members; and dairy showmanship contests .  In addition, each site may offer a variety of workshops like poster and photography contests or horse judging activities.

Philosophy & Purpose:

AASD Strives:

  • To increase availability of educational opportunities in the 4-H Animal Science Projects
  • To increase decision-making skills through judging and grading experiences
  • To increase the knowledge of animals through breeding and market evaluation and management information

General Procedures (please see registration guide for full rules, eligibility guidelines, contest information, and registration information:

  • Area Animal Science Days were started with the intention of giving as many young people as possible an opportunity to learn more about livestock and dairy evaluation. Area Animal Science Days evolved to broaden the scope of members enrolled in the 4-H Animal Science Projects.
  • These events are focused on the learning experience rather than the contest.
  • Area Animal Science Days contests are open to currently enrolled 4-H members
  • Activities and offerings may vary at each area site depending on the host county facilities and resources
  • Age Divisions: There are age divisions for this contest. Please see the current year registration guide for most up-to-date rules.
  • We value inclusion and access for all participants. We are happy to provide accommodations for full participation in this event. Please contact Jill Jorgensen at (920)391-4659 or jill.jorgensen@wisc.edu by the registration deadline if you need an accommodation due to disability or a health condition.

Note: We highly encourage and expect livestock leaders and professionals will arrange for judging meetings prior to Area Animal Science Days.  In those counties which eventually send teams to the State contests, there are many opportunities for judging workouts following Area Animal Science Days.  We urge counties to involve as many young people as possible in this activity both prior to and during Area Animal Science Days.

AASD 2024 Information

Registration

2024 AASD Registration and Information Booklet – Please read through this before you register for the events

To be eligible for Area Animal Science Days, team pre-registration must be submitted by online form at: https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ebWw2LTvB3yAmjk by June 3, 2024. In addition, all participants must be a member of a WI 4-H and must be within the division age limits listed in the AASD Registration and Information Booklet listed above.

Registration fees will be $12.00 per participant and will need to be paid by check on the day of the event.

The host counties will be providing lunch on the day of the event for a cost of $10 per person.  All participants, coaches, parents, etc. who plan to eat will need to pre-register for lunch on the registration form.

More information on where to send payments is located in the Registration Guide listed below.  No refunds will be given if the participant has paid and can’t make the event. All participants will need to pay the registration and lunch fee if they have registered to attend.  Contact the State 4-H office for needs-based scholarship options.

Contact the State 4-H Office with any questions: jill.jorgensen@wisc.edu or (920)391-4659

2023 Results

2022 Results

State Scholarships

Needs-based scholarships are available for youth who participate in Statewide Educational Experiences. Scholarships require an application that is submitted to the state office. For more information on these scholarships and to apply, please visit the Scholarship page on our website.

Practice & Coaching Resources

Dairy Showmanship Scorecard

Dairy Poster Scorecard

Online Judging Practice Resources

Hoards Dairy Judging 101

Wisconsin 4-H Dairy Judging Resources

Wisconsin 4-H Livestock Program Judging Resources

Sample Scantrons

Dairy Cattle Judging Scantron

Livestock Judging Scantron

Thank you to the sponsors who help make AASDs possible!

  • This program is supported by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.  For more information please go to www.Wis4HFoundation.org.
  • UW-Madison Division of Extension
  • UW-Madison Animal Science Department
  • UW-Madison Dairy Science Department
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