📢Join the 2026 Livestock Quiz Bowl Team! 

Do you love livestock, learning, and a little friendly competition? We are looking for motivated 4-H youth ages 14 to 18 to join our 2026 Livestock Quiz Bowl Team!

This is an exciting, buzzer-style contest where teams of four test their knowledge on beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry, and more. It is a fast-paced and fun way to deepen your livestock expertise, strengthen your communication skills, and connect with fellow 4-H members.

Practice and Competition Details

• Practices: Held once a week after school from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM in Longmont, with some evening online sessions as needed.

• The Goal: Build a strong, supportive team ready to represent Boulder County at the Colorado State 4-H Conference in Fort Collins, June 16 to 18.

• Study Material: Questions cover nutrition, health, reproduction, and industry standards using the official 4-H species handbooks.

Lauren Hart will be coaching the team this year, and we would love to have you join us for the fun!

Kickoff Meeting - April 16th - 4:30PM - Extension Office 

Required Livestock Training 

Animal Care & Meat Quality Assurance Training 

All first-year animal project and first-year senior market exhibitors must complete this training to show at the fair. You can find more information on the livestock page of our website. 

Who Should Attend?

This training is for any member who is showing Market, Breeding, Dairy, Poultry, or Rabbit projects and falls into one of these groups:

• New Members: This is your very first year in a livestock project.

• Senior Members: You are 14 years old or older and have not taken the senior-level training yet.

Note: This specific training is not required for dog, cat, cavy, or horse projects.

When: April 20, 2026, 4:00 - 7:00 pm (everyone should arrive before 6:00 pm to be done by 7:00 pm)

Where: Barn A, Boulder County Fairgrounds

Market Lamb & Market Goat Tagging - Required

Market Lamb & Market Goat Tagging – Monday- May 4th, 2026
Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Barn C
When: Monday, May 4, 2026 | 5:00 – 7:00 PM (Time spots reserved—see signup below)

We will be using a drive-through process in Barn C, with traffic flowing east to west. Please be prepared before arrival.

Requirements:

• Male market animals must be castrated or banded

• All animals must have scrapie tags (Sale Committee Rule)

• Market goats must be dehorned or have horns “tipped” before exhibition

• Premises ID must be provided

• Paperwork must be completed

• $5 per tag – cash or check only

Reminder: Take a photo of your paperwork before turning it in. It is your responsibility to ensure your animals are identified, tagged, and all forms are completed correctly.
Questions? Contact us. See you at tagging!

Important: Animal ID Deadline is April 30

It is time to identify your animals for your 4-H projects. The deadline to complete this in 4-H Online is Thursday, April 30. Please do not wait until the last minute to start this process.

Who Needs to Complete This?

All non-market animals must be identified by the member in 4-H Online. This includes:

• Dairy Cattle and Breeding Beef

• Dog and Horse

• Dairy, Breeding, and Utility Goats

• Breeding Sheep

• Cavy, Cats, and Rabbits

Note: Poultry is excluded from this process. Market animal information will be entered by 4-H office staff after you attend in-person ID events. Breeding swine IDs are due later on May 7.

What You Will Need

Check the specific directions for your species on our website.  Generally, you should have these items ready:

• Photos: Specific views are required to identify your animal.

• Forms: Breed registration, brand inspections for beef, or the County Use form for dairy.

• Health Records: Proof of vaccination or rabies certificates.

• IDs: Scrapie tags for sheep and goats or Premise ID numbers.

Required Identification Numbers

• Premise ID: Required for all livestock projects. If you do not have one, call 303-869-9130 to register for your Colorado LID and National Premise ID.

• Scrapie Tags: Required for sheep and goats. Call 866-873-2824 to request tags. You will need your National Premise ID to order these.

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Wallace as soon as possible. 

🐮Dairy Cattle 2026 Schedules

Whether you already have a heifer in the barn or are just curious about the project, we have a great lineup of events for you! This year, we are excited to highlight our Barnyard Buddies program, where you can partner with an experienced dairy member to learn the ropes and even exhibit at the fair.

Our workshops are a fun way to learn about judging, nutrition, and healthcare while getting your animal used to new places and group settings. Come check out the Dairy project, including the Market and Replacement Heifer programs!

Key Dates to Remember

• Workshops: Hands-on sessions start March 20 and April 17 at Pohlmann’s (6:30 PM).

• Dairy Shows: The season kicks off with the Little American Royal on May 1 and 2.

• Judging Practices: Live animal judging begins on June 18 at various dairies.

For a full list of workshop locations, show dates, and judging times, please click the button below to view the complete schedule.

🐾 Responsible Dog Ownership Workshop

Calling all 4-H Dog Project members! Whether you are a first-year member or have been in the project for a while, we would love for you to join us for an afternoon of learning all about your favorite four-legged friends.

This interactive workshop covers everything from dog anatomy and grooming to behavior, nutrition, and what it really means to be a responsible dog owner. All first and second-year members are especially encouraged to attend to get a great start on their projects.

• When: Saturday, April 18, 2026

• Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

• Where: Boulder County Fairgrounds, Barn A

• Important Note: Please leave your dogs at home for this event!

Service Project: Help the Longmont Humane Society

Admission is free, but we are hosting a 4-H Service Project during the workshop. If you can, please bring one of these items to donate to the Longmont Humane Society:

• Plain Milkbone biscuits (small or medium size)

• Kongs (XL or XXL, Red or Black)

• Creamy peanut butter for dog treats (must be xylitol free)

For additional information, contact the Extension Office

303-678-6238, or Anne Janicki at janicki.anne@gmail.com

Swine Tagging: Self Tagging

For the 2026 season, Market Swine identification will be completed by the exhibitor through a self-tagging process. Please note the following steps and deadlines to ensure your project is eligible for the fair.

Important Deadlines

• May 1: Deadline to upload your completed Market Swine ID sheet and photos to 4-H Online.

• May 4: In-person tagging assistance is available by appointment only for those who need help. IF NEEDED: Sign up for a time slot by May 1st via this link.

How to Complete Your Swine ID

1. Pick Up Supplies: Visit the Extension Office to to collect your official tags and paperwork. Available Available starting April 1. 

2. Tag Your Animal: Follow the provided instructions to safely tag your swine.

3. Take Photos: You must take clear photos of your animal as specified on the ID sheet.

4. Upload to 4-H Online: Submit all forms and photos through your 4-H Online profile by the May 1 deadline.

Need Assistance?

If you are uncomfortable tagging your own animal or have questions about the process, please contact the office to schedule an appointment for Monday, May 4.

🐰Rabbit Tattoo ID Day- April 18

Market Rabbit (Roaster & Stewer) – Required Tattoo & DNA ID Day

📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026⏰ 11:00 AM📍 Barn A – Boulder County Fairgrounds

All Market Roaster and Stewer rabbits must complete the tattoo and DNA identification process in order to be eligible for fair.

✅ Requirements for Market Roasters & Stewers

• Rabbits must be owned and entered in 4HOnline by the last Thursday in April.

• Rabbits must follow the tattoo nomination process.

• Members must attend the mandatory Rabbit Tattoo & DNA Day on April 18, 2026.

✏️ Tattoo Information

• $2 per animal for tattoos (cash only).

• If you already have breed‑registered rabbits with required tattoos, you may tattoo them ahead of time.

Please note:

• • We may need to add an additional number or letter to ensure no duplicate tattoos exist within the county program.

  • Even if pre‑tattooed, all rabbits must still attend ID Day for DNA collection.

🧬 DNA Collection

All market rabbits, including stewers and roasters, must be brought to ID Day for DNA to be pulled. This applies even if they have been tattooed before.

📝 Sign‑Up Required

Please sign up for the number of rabbits you will be bringing for the tattoo day. If we have extra time, we will be able to tattoo breeding rabbits, however there is no guarantee. Sign up so we know how many are coming by April 14th 

BIG NEWS: Statewide 4-H Equine Science Webinar Series!

The State 4-H Horse Work Team is offering a brand new series of free online webinars for our members! These sessions are designed to help you dive deeper into your horse projects from the comfort of home.

Whether you are in Horse, Miniature Horse, Horseless Horse, or any other horse related project, these sessions are for you. Parents and volunteers are welcome to join in too.

Mark Your Calendars The State team will host these sessions on Thursday evenings at 6 pm. The series runs from March 26 through May 7.

Topics to Look Forward To The State team has gathered a fantastic group of speakers to cover these topics:

• Exploring Opportunities in the 4-H Miniature Horse Program

• How to Manage and Run a 4-H Horse Show

• Bits & Bridles

• Horse Hauling/Trailering Safety

• Navigating Lease Horses

• Equine Careers

How to Join: You can access every session through this Zoom Link. For a full list of which topic is happening on which Thursday, keep an eye on our 4-H Calendar as we update it with the specific schedule!

Shooting Sports: 2026 Practice Schedule

It is time to get out on the range! Whether you are aiming for County or State competitions, practicing with your club is the best way to get ready. Take a look at the requirements and dates below to make sure you are all set to shoot.

What You Need to Know

• Safety Class: You must complete a 2026 Safety Class with a certified 4-H leader before you can join any practice.

• Hunter Safety: To compete at County or State shoots, please upload a copy of your CO Hunter Safety Card to 4-H Online and send a copy to Lisa Wallace.

• Fair Eligibility: You will need to complete and record at least 5 safe practices for each discipline to shoot at the County Fair.

• Enrollment: April 30 is the last day to add or drop projects. Please make sure you are officially enrolled so you can participate.

If you need more info on 2026 Safety Classes or the Hunter Education course, just reach out to Lisa Wallace.

Archery Fun Shoot

Join us for an afternoon of prizes, "Closest to the Pin" contests, and range time. If you have already attended your Safety Meeting, this counts as one of your 5 required practices!

• When: March 27

• Time: 4:00 PM (First-year Clinic) | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Fun Shoot)

• Where: BCF, Indoor Arena

• Who: All 4-H members (Age 8+). Interested in Archery? Come try it out!

Weld County Shooting Sports Invitationals 

Our neighbors in Weld County are inviting Boulder County 4-H members to join their upcoming invitationals! This is a great chance to get some extra practice and meet other shooting sports families from across the region.

When: Saturday, June 6 & Sunday, June 7 Where: Fort Lupton (Saturday) and Eaton (Sunday) Divisions: Junior and Senior (Intermediate and Seniors for .22 Pistol)

Check out the flyer for full details on classes, times, and costs. Be sure to register by June 3 to avoid late fees!

Archery Practice Dates and Times

Air Rifle and Air Pistol Practice Dates and Times

.22 Rifle and .22 Pistol Practice Dates and Times