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.