SKILLATHON SCHEDULE FOR 2025

All skillathons will be held in the Youth Building with the expection of July 15th (Swine Barn) and July 16th (Community Center)

Beef -

July 19- 9:00am-11:00am

July 29- 6:00pm-8:00pm

Dairy -

July 19

July 21- 9:00am-11:00am

Dog

July 16th

Junior- 5:30pm-6:15pm

Intermediate- 6:30pm-7:15pm

Senior- 7:30pm-8:15pm

Goat

June 7-9:00am-12:00pm

July 15th- 6:00-8:00pm

Horse

June 5th- 4:00pm-7:00pm

Poultry

July 19- 9:00am-11:00am

July 29- 6:00pm-7:00pm

Rabbit - Swine Barn

June 7- 9:00am-11:00am

July 29- 6:00pm-7:00pm

Sheep -

June 21- 9:00am-11:00am

July 15- 6:00pm-8:00pm 

Swine -

July 15- 4:00pm-7:00pm

July 19- 9:00am-11:00am

ESSAY TOPICS

If an exhibitor is unable to attend the skillathon dates above, they may submit an essay.  Essays are due to the Secretary’s Office under the grandstand on the fairgrounds by August 1.  No late entries will be accepted. Essays will NOT be accepted at the Darke County OSU Extension Office.

Unless specified differently, essays should be a minimum of 500 words based on the topic listed below.

Beef - “Ethical concerns in the cattle industry.”

Dairy -“How do advancements in technology affect the dairy industry?”

Dog - “Name one internal parasite and one external parasite. Describe its appearance, lifestyle, and how it is treated.”

Goat - Research three market goat and three dairy goat breeds.

Horse - Age 8 - 14: Choose an equine breed and write an informational essay discussing topics such as breeding, history discipline, etc. - must be 500 words minimum.

Age 15 - 18: choose a disease in equine and write an informational essay - must be 750 words minimum. Please submit essay to the secretaries office at the fairgrounds by the entry due date.

Poultry - “To explain the impact that Avian influenza has had on the poultry industry and other livestock species affected by the disease.”

Juniors, age 8-11, must write a 250 word essay and intermediate/seniors 

ages 12-18 must write a 500 word essay.

Rabbit -  Juniors (ages 8 - 11) is “Grooming and preparing your rabbit for fair” and needs to be 250 words.

Intermediates (ages 12 - 14) amd seniors (ages 15 - 18) have the topic “Explain the difference between Fryers, Roasters, and Stewers” and needs to be 500 words.

Sheep - “Discuss safe procedures for approaching animals and what strategies do you need to be aware of to work safely?”

Swine -  Juniors- “What is Biosecurity and why is it important?” Minimum of 250 words.

Intermediates and Seniors-“What is Biosecurity and why is it important? What are ways you can implement biosecurity in the Barn?” Minimum of 500 words.