4-H Animal & Biological Sciences Project

All 4-H Animal & Biological Sciences Project Content

Group of 4-H youth with clipboards at a livestock judging event.
Feb 13 - 14

Youth Livestock Skill-A-Thon @ Watertown Winter Farm Show

SDSU Extension 4-H will host a come-and-go Livestock Skill-A-Thon during the Watertown Winter Farm Show at the Codington County Extension Complex in Classroom A (1910 W. Kemp Ave., Watertown, SD 57201) February 13-14, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST.

male 4-H youth standing with a white meat goat

4-H Meat Goat Project

Join this fast paced growing sector of the agriculture industry—market goats! Learn about breeds, husbandry, showmanship, nutrition, reproduction and much more!

a young male 4-H youth showing a hamster to a judge

4-H Companion Animal Project

The 4-H companion animals project helps youth explore a wide variety of animals that can be used for companionship and do not require the same types of resources that livestock does.

three female 4-H youth showing wool sheep

4-H Sheep & Wool Project

Do you love sheep? Well, the 4-H Sheep Animal project area might be the perfect fit for you! 4-H members can learn the aspects of caring for sheep, such as management, production, marketing, showing, and evaluation.

Breeding goat in a show pen.

Summer Sheep and Goat Show Sale Requirements

Summer is on the way and with it many sheep and goat shows and sales. Do you have the right documentation to be transporting your animals?

Olivia Amundson, SDSU Extension Cow/ Calf Specialist, demonstrating an ultrasound machine to a group of 4-H youth.

SDSU Extension Hosts Cattle AI Day Camp at Cottonwood Field Station

December 03, 2021

Twenty 4-H youth involved in the beef project area traveled to the Cottonwood Field Station to participate in the South Dakota State University Extension Cattle AI Day Camp held Nov. 6.

male 4-H youth showing a black beef cow

Why Tattoo Your 4-H Livestock?

Proper identification of animals helps create an honest record keeping system. With current DNA blood typing procedures animals can be identified through parentage, but when it comes to everyday practices on the farm or ranch a good tattoo can be a huge time saver in the event of a lost ear tag.

a father and son inspecting a show goat in a competition.

Bringing Home Your 4-H Goat Project

Sales and transport is a stressful time for any animal. Reducing stress factors due to transitions start before the actual purchase of your new project. Managing proper nutrition and disease management are just a couple factors to help your project get off to a great start.

male youth running with a sandy-brown horse

4-H Horse Project

Saddle up for the Horse 4-H project area! Become experienced in horse nutrition, handling, safety, and care. Participate in the county horse program and show to learn riding techniques, patterns, and showmanship

granite rock formation surrounding a lake.

4-H Water & Water Conservation Project

Water is essential to support life on Earth. Conservation is an important practice that ensures we have enough water, and preserving water quality keeps our water supply clean and free of pollution. Why is water important to you?