The sheep project introduces you to a wide variety of fun and challenging activities including identifying parts of a sheep, selecting a project lamb, preparing for lambing season, identification of lamb meat products, feeding and showing sheep. Through hands-on activities, develop skills in presenting oral reasons, determining yield grades, management practices, budgeting, treating parasites, and judging. The realistic model lamb made from the Lamb Pattern can be docked, navel treated, castrated, treated for entropion, tubed and even have its temperature taken. This is a great project to learn many skills that will last a lifetime!

Resources for all levels

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SH161 Sheep 1

  • Selecting your project lamb
  • Learn about lamb products beyond wool and meat

Curriculum

SH162 Sheep 2

  • Care and nutritional needs of your animals
  • Creating a plan for the health of your project

Curriculum

SH163 Sheep 3

  • Starting your flock, breeding and genetics
  • Marketing your project

Curriculum

Make sure you own and manage our market lambs by June 1 and your breeding animals by July 1 to be eligible to exhibit at the Missouri Sate Fair. Check with your local University of Missouri Extension center for local requirements, dates, etc. To exhibit your livestock project at the Missouri State Fair, you must be a member of good standing in 4-H. To maintain your good standing, you must comply with the 4-H Food Quality Assurance Policy.

4-H Food Quality Assurance Policy

Show Me Quality Assurance (SMQA)

Objective: To increase the knowledge and awareness of Missouri youth about food quality issues related to animal production.

Who should take SMQA: All 4-H members enrolled in food animal projects (including beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, meats, meat and dairy goats, rabbits, and poultry) must complete the appropriate level of Missouri Show Me Quality Assurance (MSMQA) certification to be considered 4-H member in good standing in that project. Additionally, members must complete their MSMQA program by June 1 to participate in the Missouri State Fair. Other county good standing guidelines may also apply. Check with your local 4-H youth specialist for current local guidelines.

The SMQA Program: The Show Me Quality Assurance Program consists of two parts. The information presented is different in each part. Most counties alternate which part is presented each year; this is why it is required to take it two consecutive years in a row.

One part covers information on daily care and management; animal handling; farm/animal identification (Premise ID); reading feed labels; withdrawal times; and biosecurity (disease prevention).

The other part provides information on HACCP; animal health products; proper injection locations; carcass quality; and carcass value.

A refresher course is required when the 4-H member turns 14. After that is completed, the 4-H is certified through age 18.

Definitions of terms:

  • "Qualified to Show" means the member has participated in Missouri Show Me quality Assurance training within the current 4-H program year.
  • "SMQA Conditional Certified" for youth age 8 to 13 by January 1 of the program year certification is conditional. To obtain the conditional certification status a member age 8 to 13 by January 1 has participated in two consecutive years of training. Once they obtain a conditional status they do not have to take a refresher course until they are 14 by January 1 of the program year. Upon completion of the refresher course they would be SMQA Certified for the remainder of their youth exhibition career in 4-H.
  • "SMQA Certified" Youth in 4-H who attend one training after they have turned 14 by January 1 of the program year will be considered SMQA Certified and no further training will be required for the remainder of their 4-H exhibition career.

For more information contact your local county Extension office or Dr. Marcia Shannon.

Missouri State Fair showing guidelines.

State Fair

4-H exhibits and competitions are part of the fun of the Missouri State Fair. You won’t want to miss this special event; visit the 4-H building to see the projects of our 4-H youth or participate in the livestock shows. Whatever your niche, there is something for everyone. Bring the family!

Learn about 4-H at the State Fair

State Meats Judging Contest

The Meats Judging Contest has been developed to encourage 4-H members to develop the skills and abilities needed to enter and advance in careers in the meat industry. Youth also gain critical thinking, communication, and decision making skills to last a lifetime.

Learn about the State Meats Judging Contest

State Livestock Judging Contest

The goal of livestock judging is to compare your perception of an animal against the ideal and then to contrast your opinion with that of another individual or group of individuals. These activities expose you to more than just livestock judging, in addition to that you learn teamwork, effective communication skills, analytical thinking and aides you in gaining confidence to defend your decisions.

Learn about the State Livestock Judging Contest