4-H Superior Young Livestock Producer Contest Skillathon

4-H members, don't miss your chance to compete for one of nine $1,000 scholarships at the 4-H Superior Young Livestock Producer Contest Skillathon!

Head to the south show ring of the Junior Cattle Barn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds to register starting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, ahead of the event. All 4-H members who are between the ages of 14-18 as of January 1 may compete. Please bring your cell phone to participate in the contest. If you would prefer to not use a cell phone, please alert the event organizers.

Test your knowledge on:

• Breeds of cattle, swine, sheep & goats
• Multiple choice quiz
• Marketing
• Equipment Identification
• Quality Assurance

Illinois 4-H Superior Young Producer Contest Skillathon and Scholarship Program

Overview 

The Superior Young Producer (SYP) contest is an event held during the Illinois State Fair. The purpose of the contest is to create an educational activity that promotes youth and career development, and personal growth by increasing knowledge of the animal agriculture industry. This three-phase competition emphasizes the youth’s knowledge of the industry. Phases include livestock management, livestock marketing and hedging, and general livestock skillathon (equipment identification, breed identification, quality assurance, etc.). 

The contest will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in the South Showring of the Junior Cattle Barn. Members should bring a smartphone with access to the internet and have access to an individual email address to compete in the contest. Paper copies of the tests can be requested from contest coordinators. 

Contest Coordinators

Questions and reasonable accommodations can be directed to the contest coordinators. 

Shelby Carlson srcarls2@illinois.edu

Myla Munro mgmunro@illinois.edu

Eligibility 

Any Illinois 4-H member who is currently enrolled in an animal science project in their county 4-H program and 14 years or older, as of January 1, 2026 is eligible for the 2026 4-H Superior Young Producer Award (SYP) scholarship. Younger members are encouraged to explore alternative skillathon options during the Illinois State Fair.  

Registration 

Participants should be in the bleachers at the South Show Ring by 6:00 p.m. for directions and registration. Once testing starts, no members will be allowed to join the contest. If members must leave before the contest concludes, they will not be able to return. 

Awards 

Awards will be given for the top three in each phase. A member may receive this award as many times as they are eligible for the contest. The “top nine” overall participants are awarded a $1,000 scholarship. A member may only receive a “top nine” scholarship and recognition once in their 4-H career. 

Participants in this contest may also be invited to participate on the State 4-H Skillathon or State 4-H Quizbowl teams.