AMES, Iowa – The Iowa 4-H Livestock Quiz Bowl and Skillathon contests were both held on Saturday, April 29, at the Iowa State University Department of Animal Science. This is the sixth year for the quiz bowl competition, where questions are asked to 4-H members about beef, sheep, meat goats, swine and current events. Teams compete in a double-elimination format by giving oral answers to questions posed by a moderator and answering by pushing the buzzer first. A judge then evaluates the answers. Each match contains individual and team questions. This contest provides an educational program for all project members, including those who may not own a project animal.
The senior winner represents Iowa at the National 4-H Quiz Bowl contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition held in Louisville, Kentucky, this November. The winning team was Benton County. Team members included Josh Wiley, Olivia Hanson, Steiger Manson and William Kroneman. The team was coached by 4-H volunteer leader Maureen Hanson.The mixed division teams are comprised of youth from all grades rather than just high school, such as the senior division. The champion team was from Benton County, and team members included Jillian Hansen, Alivia Sweeney, Haddie Kroneman and Hannah Siek. Maureen Hanson coached the team. The second-place team was the Adair-Plymouth County team, comprised of Brady Allen, Tucker Rohrig, Taylor Rohrig and Melanie Kilborn.
This was the second year of the Skillathon contest. Participants complete individual skill-a-thon stations where contestants participate in livestock breed identification, equipment identification, meat identification, and hay evaluation. The final portion is the team exercises, where each team works together to best solve five different scenarios involving live animals and animal management concepts. This phase helps youth learn problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.
The skillathon winner went to the Adair-Plymouth team of Brady Allen, Tucker Rohrig, Taylor Rohrig and Melanie Kilborn. Second-place honors were earned by Plymouth County team members Sophia Brennan, Jace Fisher, Mason Peters and Benjamin Yoder. Jodi Fisher coached the team.
Participants recalled new things they learned from the event, including disease prevention practices, increased knowledge of sheep and goats, scientific terminology in the livestock industry, pigs needing stimuli, wholesale cuts of meat, equipment used with animals, breed Identification, how to better take care of personal livestock, working better as a team and increased self-confidence.
“Competition in Quiz Bowl and Skillathon encourages members to develop a complete knowledge of animals and related subjects,” said Amy Powell, ISU Extension and Outreach animal science youth education specialist, who serves as contest coordinator. “These events allow participants to process information, analyze complex problems and make informed decisions regarding current agricultural, environmental, livestock and producer decisions and industry issues.”
Powell and staff and students from the Department of Animal Science organized and facilitated these events. Funding was provided through a grant from the Iowa 4-H Foundation.
For more information on livestock skillathons, please contact Amy Powell at ampowell@iastate.edu or visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/livestock-quiz-bowl.
Shareable Photos:
Photo 1: Champion Senior Quiz Bowl Team – Benton County (L to R: Steiger Manson, Olivia Hanson, William Kroneman, Josh Wiley)
Photo 2: Champion Mixed Division Quiz Bowl Team- Benton County (L to R: Haddie Kroneman, Hannah Siek, Jill Hanson, Alivia Sweeney)
Photo 3: Reserve champion mixed quiz bowl team and Champion Skillathon Team – Adair/Plymouth County (Brady Allan, Taylor Rohrig, Melanie Kilborn, Tucker Rohrig)
