What the Livestock Quizbowl Is
The Oklahoma 4-H Livestock Quizbowl is a team contest at State 4-H Roundup where youth with livestock projects show what they know about beef, sheep and swine. It is a buzzer-style, head-to-head competition and a National 4-H qualifying contest: the highest-placing team that meets the age and participation requirements may advance to the National Quiz Bowl at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky.
The 2026 contest was held Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. in room 124 of the Animal Science building on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater, during State 4-H Roundup (July 21-24, 2026). The next date has not been announced.
Who Can Enter
- Teams must be made up of 4-H Roundup delegates representing their county.
- A team has four members, or five if one is named as the alternate.
- Each county may enter as many teams as it considers appropriate.
- For national qualification, each member must be at least 14 and not yet 19 on January 1 of the contest year.
- Intermediate teams, senior teams and mixed intermediate and senior teams all compete in the same category.
Roundup itself requires delegates to have completed 7th grade and be at least 12 by June 15 of the year, with an active status in ZSuites. Livestock Quiz Bowl is one of the Thursday competitive events, and each delegate chooses one Thursday event. Pre-registration is required for all competitive events and workshops, and the team and its members are listed on the Roundup registration form, which goes through the county Extension office.
How a Match Works
Team order is drawn at random, a bye is used if the number of teams is odd, and play is double elimination when time and space allow. Each match has three phases.
| Phase | Questions | Scoring |
|---|---|---|
| One | 8 one-on-one questions; each pair of contestants (one per team) gets two, rotating through positions 1 to 4 | 10 points for a correct answer; buzzing in without answering costs 5 points; responding without being recognized costs 10; wrong answers cost nothing |
| Two | 6 team questions, three per team in alternation; only the captain answers | 10 points; wrong answers cost nothing; the other team gets a chance on a miss |
| Three | Up to 8 questions; every third is a toss-up with a bonus | 15 points; a wrong answer costs 10; bonus questions pay 15 if all parts are right, with no penalty |
A tie is broken with three more toss-up questions, then sudden death with questions chosen by the judges. Only a team member or the coach may protest, and only when the question is read or the answer is given. If equipment fails, a timeout is called and the match is not replayed. A moderator may replace a team member who cannot continue with the alternate.
What to Study
The main reference is the Oklahoma 4-H Quiz Bowl Guide #599, available from county Extension offices and online. Other recognized sources are accepted, including breed periodicals and websites, college textbooks, leaders' manuals and species association publications such as the Oklahoma Cowman and OPC Pork Pages. Topics range across nutrition, reproduction, breeds and tools. Questions may be multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, true/false or open-ended. Teams may submit 10 to 20 questions at least 14 days before the competition.
Awards
The top two placing teams are recognized at Roundup. The national contest spot goes to the highest-placing team that meets the age and participation requirements above.
Where
Oklahoma State University campus, Stillwater. In 2026 the contest met in 124 Animal Science. Roundup registration was in the University Commons West Lobby.
Questions
Can one county send more than one team?
Yes. Each county may enter as many teams as it considers appropriate.
Do wrong answers cost points?
Mostly no. In Phases One and Two a wrong answer costs nothing, but in Phase Three a wrong regular question costs 10 points, and buzzing in without answering or responding without being recognized in Phase One costs points.
Which animals are covered?
Beef, sheep and swine.
Who do I ask about registration?
Your county 4-H educator at the county Extension office, which receives the Roundup materials each year.
Official Links
- Livestock Quizbowl: eligibility, teams and national advancement
- Rules and procedures: scoring, phases and protests
- Livestock Quiz Bowl guidelines: study references and classification
- Tentative Roundup agenda: 2026 time and room
- 2026 Roundup youth registration: Roundup eligibility and event choices
Oklahoma 4-H Roundup and County 4-H Events: The Essentials
Oklahoma 4-H events run from local clubs and county fairs up to district and state levels. Traditional membership is open to youth ages 5 to 19 as of January 1, and Cloverbuds ages 5 to 8 are noncompetitive.
State 4-H Roundup
Roundup is held on the Oklahoma State University campus in Stillwater. The 2026 schedule runs July 21-24 and includes contests such as Tractor, Food Showdown, Cloverbowl, Fashion Review, Livestock Quizbowl and 4-H Has Talent, plus workshops and an Honor Night. For 2025 the page said youth must have completed the 7th grade by July 1.
County events
Counties set their own calendars. Ottawa County, for example, lists a county fair in August, day camps in June and July, and March contests in public speaking, photography, design and food. Ask your county Extension office for dates, costs and deadlines.
Learn more
See the State 4-H Roundup agenda or call the State 4-H Office at (405) 744-5394.
Read the full guide: Oklahoma 4-H Roundup and County 4-H Events: A Guide for Families
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- OCA Steer Carcass Challenge
Feedout and carcass contest from the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation and Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen's Association: steers delivered Nov. 13, 2026 in Stillwater are fed out, harvested April-June 2027 and scored on feedyard performance and carcass merit.
- OSU Winter Crop School
Three-day Oklahoma State University winter crop school for producers, held in Stillwater.
Stillwater, OK | Organizer: Oklahoma State University Official event details - Payne County Junior Livestock Show
2026 show days Feb 21-25 with the Premium Sale on Feb 26 at the Payne County Expo Center. The 2025 show ran Feb 22-27, so it recurs annually.
4518 Expo Circle E, Stillwater, OK 74075 | Organizer: Payne County OSU Extension Official event details - Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen Summer Preview Show
OJCA junior beef cattle show held at the Payne County Expo Center, hosted by the Oklahoma Junior Cattlemen Association board of directors.
- Oklahoma State 4-H Horse Show
Statewide 4-H horse show using the Green Arena and White Arena, held July 9-11, 2026;.
Stillwater, OK Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.