4-H Stock Talks 2021

The potential topics for your stock talk are endless! No matter what topic you choose, remember that the most impactful presentations are both accurate and engaging. Be creative, be funny, be serious, just be you! Think about something you learned in your animal science project or something that you enjoy doing and prepare to share it with your peers. The best presentations are focused, timely, to the point and leave a lasting impression. Here are some topic ideas:

• How to build and design enrichment activities
• Designing a llama costume
• How to train a service dog
• Showcasing dairy products and how they are made
• Giving a barn tour
• How to cull a flock laying hens
• Building playground equipment for a goat
• How to catch your heifer for the first time
• Checking your horse’s hooves for soundness

When planning your presentation, keep your video to a reasonable length. Research has shown that audiences tend to drop off significantly when videos exceed 4-5 minutes in length. Keeping your video focused and moving will greatly help to keep your audience engaged.

Submissions will be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Passion/energy about topic
• Content
• Creativity
• Communication

How to submit your stock talk

Please follow these guidelines when preparing your stock talk:

• Videos must be 5 minutes or less.
• Presentations can be filmed as one continuous shot or can be edited to include slides, music, titles, etc.
• 4-H members may team up in a presentation. The presentation should be entered under the oldest member's age division. 
• 4-H members should introduce themselves only by first name and county in the video.
• Videos should use only original material and obey copyright laws.
• Cloverbud live animal entries must follow Cloverbud rules and have an adult or responsible youth leader in control of the animal

For help creating, filming and submitting your stock talk, consult this 4-H Stock Talks 2021 resource.

Submit your 4-H Stock Talks presentation.

Submissions received by June 30 will be reviewed in July. The first 100 submissions will receive a 4-H Stock Talks 2021 t-shirt, sponsored by AgCounty. The top 10% of entries in each division will receive a special award and may be featured on Minnesota 4-H social media. You can get inspired from last year’s top 10% on Minnesota 4-H’s YouTube Channel. 

4-H Stock Talks 2021 are open to all Minnesota 4-H members. Entries are limited to one submission per youth. Submitted entries will be divided into the following judging categories:

Judging categories

Virtual presentations including a live animal

• Cloverbud (K-2)
• Junior (3-5)
• Intermediate (6-8)
• Senior (9+)

Virtual presentations without a live animal

• Cloverbud (K-2)
• Junior (3-5)
• Intermediate (6-8)
• Senior (9+)