What PASE Is
The Nebraska 4-H Premier Animal Science Event, known as PASE, is the state 4-H animal science contest weekend. It is a three-day event held each year at the Nebraska Animal Science Complex on UNL East Campus in Lincoln. Youth take part in contests that do not require owning or showing a live animal: livestock, meats, poultry, companion animal and animal welfare judging, plus a livestock skill-a-thon and livestock quiz bowl. They also tour East Campus, meet faculty and college students, and compete for scholarships and national trips. The next PASE is June 2 to 4, 2027 in Lincoln; the most recent edition was May 26 to 28, 2026.
The Contests
| Contest | What youth do |
|---|---|
| Livestock Judging | Place 10 classes of beef, swine, sheep and goats; seniors give reasons on 4 classes and answer questions on 2 |
| Meats Judging | Evaluate carcasses, retail cuts and wholesale cuts |
| Poultry Judging | Judge a production hen class, grade eggs by candling and broken-out quality, identify ready-to-cook parts |
| Livestock Quiz Bowl | Teams of four answer buzzer questions on livestock health, nutrition and management |
| Livestock Skill-a-thon | Teams of 3 to 5 rotate through stations on feeds, equipment and meats |
| Animal Welfare Judging and Companion Animal Challenge | Additional contests with separate registration |
Who Can Enter
- 4-H members at least 8 years old before January 1 of the show year; no project enrollment is required.
- Judging divisions: junior (8-10), intermediate (11-13) and senior (14 and up) as of January 1. Livestock judging counties may enter up to 2 teams of 3 to 4 members per division, and any number of individuals.
- Pre-registration is required and is completed by your county Extension office. For 2026, registration opened April 13 and closed May 7 at 11:59 p.m.
- Members who have competed with a collegiate judging team or completed a college-level course in the contest subject are not eligible.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Tuesday: dorm check-in 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Massengale Residential Center.
- Wednesday: meats judging at 7:30 a.m., companion animal challenge at 9:00 a.m., quiz bowl matches from 1:00 p.m., and awards at 4:45 p.m.
- Thursday: poultry judging 8:30 a.m., animal welfare judging in four groups, and three rounds of skill-a-thon, with the Champions of Animal Science celebration with Nebraska Farm Bureau from 6:30 p.m.
- Friday: the livestock judging contest.
Optional activities have included an insect zoo, a campus scavenger hunt, a Lincoln Saltdogs game and bowling, with limited spots by registration.
Fees
Judging, quiz bowl and skill-a-thon each carry a non-refundable $10 entry fee per person. At the East Campus Dining Hall in 2026, meals were $12.00 for ages over 12, $8.20 for ages 6-12 and free for 5 and under. Friday lunch was $6.50 per contestant. Lodging is in Massengale Residential Center on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, with pre-registration through your county office.
Awards, Scholarships and National Trips
Individuals in each division receive medals, ribbons and certificates for the top places, and top teams earn medals. The top senior in livestock judging and in meats judging each receive a $500 CASNR scholarship plus a $500 Animal Science Department scholarship, and the top poultry individual earns a $500 CASNR scholarship. Each member of the top senior skill-a-thon team gets a $250 CASNR scholarship, and each member of the top senior quiz bowl team gets a $250 Animal Science scholarship. Top senior teams can earn trips to the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, the American Royal in Kansas City or the National Western Roundup. PASE is also the required finale of the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit.
Rules and Dress
- No hats or county or club identification in contests; PASE T-shirts are encouraged.
- Contestants may not communicate with others while a contest is in progress.
- Judging contestants bring their own notepads and pencils, and prepared aids are not allowed.
- Counties entering a quiz bowl team must bring one person to help in a quiz bowl room.
Questions
Do I have to own an animal?
No. These contests are open regardless of project enrollment.
Who do I call?
Cal Schultz, Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 402-472-8834, or your county Extension office for registration.
Official Links
Nebraska 4-H Events and Contests: The Essentials
Nebraska 4-H runs far more than county fair: State Fair contests and exhibits, the State 4-H Horse Show, communication events, the Premier Animal Science Event and shooting sports championships. Enroll in 4-H Online by June 15 to take part in county and state fair.
State Fair
The Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island held its 4-H events the first weekend of the 2026 fair, with animal and contest entries due online by August 10 at 8 p.m. Members must be 8 to 18 as of January 1. Static exhibits and the Fashion Show must be selected at a county fair; contests such as Culinary Challenge, Dairy Judging and Insect Identification need no county qualifier.
Other events
Horse entries are due earlier, June 1 in 2026. NAYI is for high school juniors and seniors, with applications due April 15. Check your county Extension office for current dates.
Livestock and learning
The Premier Animal Science Event in Lincoln, the Great Plains Livestock Judging Circuit and the Livestock Achievement Program serve livestock youth. Shooting sports, Robotics Showcase and communication contests give members who do not show animals plenty to enter as well.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Nebraska Wheat Board Meeting
Wheat checkoff board meeting on the Nebraska Wheat calendar, held in Lincoln on Nov. 18, 2026, from 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.
- Nebraska Farm Bureau YF&R Conference
Young Farmers and Ranchers conference of Nebraska Farm Bureau at the Graduate Hotel in Lincoln, scheduled for Jan. 29 to 30, 2027.
- Nebraska FFA Career Development Events State Finals
State finals for 25 FFA career development events, run alongside the state convention at UNL East Campus and Southeast Community College in Lincoln. The next dates posted are March 31 to April 2, 2027.
- Lancaster County 4-H BB Gun, Air Rifle and Air Pistol Contest
Morning shooting sports contest for BB gun, air rifle and air pistol at the Nebraska Outdoor Education Center in Lincoln. Held each year; the most recent contest was February 7, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details - Lancaster County 4-H Rabbits R Us Fun Show and Showmanship Clinic
Beginner-friendly fun show and showmanship clinic for young rabbit exhibitors held in the South Hall of the Sandhills Global Event Center. Held each year; the most recent show was February 8, 2026.
Lincoln, NE | Organizer: Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.