Animal Resources
LIVESTOCK RESOURCES
Nebraska's 4-H Livestock Program
Nebraska's State Fair, Livestock Resources
Seward County 4-H Partners Program
4-H Partners is a livestock mentoring program. It is for youth who would like to learn about animals but are not ready to own one. They are matched up with a mentor and learn how to care for that animal, how to raise it and how to show it. Mentors are volunteers who want to share their knowledge & skills with a young person. A mentor can be an older 4-H'er, a college student, a 4-H leader, a parent, or grandparent who has experience with 4-H and an animal project. You might have a mentor in mind, or you will be assigned one.
What will I do as a 4-H Partner?
- Fill out registration form and return with payment to the Extension Office by March 31st.
- Attend orientation on April 23 at 6:oo p.m.
- Make regular (minimum of 6) visits to your mentor's farm, do chores, and help take care of the animal and learn from your mentor.
- Attend a workshop or a field trip.
- Complete assignments and keep a journal about what you learn each time you go out to your mentor's farm.
- Enter and bring your animal to the county fair and participate in showmanship.
- Take care of your animal at the county fair with your mentor.
- Enter your journal as an exhibit at the county fair and participate in an interview.
Premises ID
Exhibitors of 4-H and FFA market animals (beef, sheep, swine, and goat) will be required to obtain a Premises ID number through Nebraska Department of Agriculture at no cost.
YQCA
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development.
YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:
- Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
- Dairy Cattle
- Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
- Poultry
- Rabbit
- Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
- Swine (breeding swine, market swine)
Animal ID's *** Due June 15th! ***
Beef
Goat
Bred and Fed Verification Form
Sheep
Swine
Dairy Cow
Dairy Goat
Livestock Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects, including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition, by recognizing youth striving to improve their livestock project knowledge and leadership. Go to the Livestock Achievement Program webpage.
Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge
The Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the cattle industry and is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska cattle industry. The goal of the Fed Steer Challenge is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H beef projects by providing an affordable option that rewards production merit and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and producer engagement by the 4-H member. Go to the 4-H Fed Steer Challenge webpage.
Premier Animal Science Event (PASE)
May 27th - May 29th, 2026
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event (PASE) features a variety of state-level animal science contests. The two-day event is held annually at the Nebraska Animal Science Complex in Lincoln. Youth explore issues related to the animal industry, discover college and career opportunities, and work with other youth from across the state. Youth have the opportunity to participate in livestock contests that do not require owning or exhibiting a live animal, including the Livestock Judging Contest, Meats Judging, Poultry Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl, Livestock Skill-a-Thon, Animal Welfare Judging, and Companion Animal Challenge.
Go the the Premier Animal Science Event webpage.
More Livestock Resources
4-H Bucket Calf Record Book 8 & 9 Year Old
4-H Bucket Calf Record Book 10, 11, & 12 Year Old
Show Stock Manager - Step by Step Instructions for Nominating Livestock
Ak-Sar-Ben - Instructions for Nominating Livestock
Go to the Nebraska State Fair 4-H Livestock Exhibitor Resource webpage
Nebraska Department of Agriculture Animal Diseases
HORSE RESOURCES
Animal ID's *** Due June 1st for State Horse Show; Due June 15th for County Fair! ***
2 & 3 Year Old Western Pleasure Affidavit
The Horsemanship Advancement Levels program is designed to serve as a guide for instruction and evaluation of each 4-H member's progress. Each level has particular emphases to assist in developing 4-H member's self-discipline, patience, self-reliance, responsibility, and pride of accomplishment. Go to the Horsemanship Advancement Levels webpage.
The 4‑H Horse Stampede, held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus, provides 4‑H members an opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their equine knowledge through a variety of 4‑H horse contests that do not require live horses, including public speaking, demonstrations, quiz bowl, art and photography contests. The 4-H Horse Stampede also host the State 4‑H Hippology Contest, and State 4‑H Horse Judging contest. Go to the 4-H Horse Stampede webpage.
The Fonner Park State 4‑H Horse Expo is an opportunity for 4‑H members to demonstrate their skills and knowledge of horses at state-level shows and contests. The Expo is held annually and hosts the State 4‑H Horse Show. Go to the Fonner Park State 4-H Horse Expo (4-H State Horse Show) webpage.
The Nebraska State 4‑H Rodeo offers youth an opportunity to showcase their skills in working with their equine partners through speed and agility contests. Classes include goat tying, barrel racing, pole bending, tie down roping, break-a-way roping, and dally team roping. Go to the Nebraska State 4-H Rodeo webpage.
SMALL ANIMAL RESOURCES/COMPANION ANIMAL PROGRAM
Cat & Ferret Health Form - to be signed by your Veterinarian
Dog Health Form - to be signed by your Veterinarian
Nebraska 4-H Dog Show Guidelines
Dog Achievement Program
The Nebraska 4-H Dog Achievement Program encourages youth to engage in a variety of companion animal opportunities, events, and contests. The program is designed to equip youth with a variety of skills and abilities and prepare them for success in the future. The Dog Achievement Program is open to enrolled 4-H members ages 8-18. Go to the Dog Achievement Program webpage.
Dog Showmanship Video Series
The Dog Showmanship Video Series includes maneuver descriptions, demonstrations, and general information for youth interested in learning more about dog showmanship. The short videos are intended to help youth while practicing with their dogs in preparation for 4-H showmanship. Go to the Youtube Dog Showmanship video series.