1. Each state may enter one junior age and one senior age team.

1. Junior age team members must not have reached their 16th birthday by January 1 in the year competing. Senior age team members must not have reached their 21st birthday by January 1 in the year competing.
2. Juniors 16 and under may be on the senior team, but may not compete in two divisions.
3. Contestants competing in the National Holstein Dairy Bowl Contest are not eligible for participation in the Holstein Foundation Dairy Jeopardy Contest in the same year. 
4. All entrants are eligible for three years' participation on a junior team as well as three years' participation on a senior team.  The exception would be any member who is on a winning team in the junior or senior division.  Individuals on a winning junior team are not eligible for further competition in the junior division. Winning senior team members are not eligible for further competition.
5. Once an entrant has participated on a senior team, he or she is ineligible for participation on a junior team.

2. A team shall be comprised of four members.  However, teams of three members will be allowed to participate.  A 3-person team must understand they will be competing at a disadvantage.  A 3-person team entering competition automatically will start with a 30 point disadvantage from Phase I questions.   One or more alternates may be listed on the entry form.  Final team selection must be made prior to the written exam.  After the exam, alternates may compete on the team only in extreme cases where approved by the Dairy Bowl Coordinator.
    
3. Youth entered as an alternate in a current or previous year who did not take a seat on their team during the competition do not lose a year of eligibility.
    
4. All teams must designate a team captain and a coach. A coach should be appointed by the state association.
    
5. The information used in this contest is based on data from various sources.  While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of contest information, the Holstein Foundation and the Holstein Association USA, Inc. can not guarantee that errors or omissions will not occur.  Therefore, neither the Foundation or the Association can be held responsible for Dairy Bowl competition outcomes in the unlikely event inaccuracies occur.
    
6. Entry forms must be postmarked by April 1.
    
7. Teams will compete in a series of one-on-one double-elimination contests until the top team is chosen.  The first competition will be between two teams that have not previously competed against each other, unless there are an odd number of teams.  The team having the most points on the written exam will receive a bye.  The second round will be against either a winning team or a losing team, depending on the first contest.  A second loss eliminates a team from continuing competition.  Teams will be seeded for the one-on-one competition using the following procedure:

1. Each team member will answer a 25 question written exam at the orientation meeting prior to the contest.
     
2. Team totals from the written exam will be used to determine the seating of the teams.  The scores will not carry over to the team competition.
     
3. Alternates will be allowed to take the written exam as practice.  However, their exam will not be scored or counted toward the team total.
        

8. Competition between teams will be in two phases.

Phase I: A total of 12 questions will be asked.
Each team member will be asked three general dairy questions in rotation.  Each are worth 10 points with no deductions for incorrect answers.  No teammate assistance may be offered or received.  Questions will not be repeated.  Contestants have 5 seconds to begin their answers.  Each team will be asked the same set of questions.  Other teams will remain in isolation until the team in action completes the questions. 

Phase II: A total of 16 questions will be asked.

1. A contestant wishing to answer any toss-up question must activate the signaling device.  Since more than one contestant may think they have signaled the device, contestants may not answer until acknowledged by the moderator.  After being acknowledged by the moderator, the contestant must begin an answer within ten seconds.  The team receives 15 points for a correct answer.  A team will lose 10 points if an incorrect answer is given.
     
2. If an incorrect answer is given, the question will then be reread to the opposing team.  Any member of the opposing team must signal to answer the question.  If the answer is correct, the opposing team will receive 15 points.  If the answer is incorrect, the team will lose 10 points.  If the opposing team chooses not to answer, no points are awarded or deducted.  
    
3. If a contestant answers a toss-up question without signaling, or waiting to be recognized by the moderator, the answer will be declared invalid and 10 points will be deducted.  The toss-up will then be offered to the opposing team.
   
   If a contestant signals for an answer, is recognized, but fails to start an answer within 10 seconds, the team will lose 10 points and the toss-up will be offered to the opposing team.  
    
4. If neither team can offer an answer to the question within 10 seconds, the moderator will give the answer, the question will be dropped and neither team will forfeit points.
     
5. When a signal is pushed before the question is completely read, the moderator shall stop reading the question when the light goes on...that person may answer the question.  If correct, the team will receive credit.  If the answer is incorrect or incomplete, the question shall then be completely reread and the other team will have an opportunity to answer it.  The judge may not ask the contestant to explain his or her answer.
     
6. The only discussion allowed between team members will be on bonus questions in Phase II.  The answers must come from the team captain.  Only the number of answers required by the bonus question will be accepted.  The bonus answers must be started within 15 seconds.
    
7. Bonus questions may be earned in the toss-up round.  In order to receive a bonus question, 3 different team members must correctly answer a toss-up question.  Bonus questions are not passed to the other team if not answered correctly or completely.  Bonus questions will be asked whenever three team members have answered toss-up questions correctly with the count kept individually for members of both teams within a match.  Individual counts of correct answers do not start at zero following the awarding of a bonus question.  Eligibility for bonus questions does not carry over to another match.
    
8. All questions correctly answered, both toss-up and bonus, will be worth 15 points in 

Phase II.  Credit will be given to the portion of the bonus question answered correctly.

1. The value of each bonus answer will be worth 15 points.  However, answers may consist of several parts:

1. 2 parts...

   1 correct	-	5 points
   2 correct	-	15 points

2. 3 parts... 

   1 correct	-	5 points
   2 correct	-	10 points
   All correct	-	15 points

3. 4 parts...

   1 correct	-	4 points
   2 correct	-	8 points
   3 correct	-	12 points
   All correct	-	15 points

4. 5 parts...

   1 correct	-	3 points
   2 correct	-	6 points
   3 correct	-	9 points
   4 correct	-	12 points
   All correct	-	15 points

2. Consultation among the team members is permitted on bonus questions.
     
3. Bonus questions must be answered in a reasonable time.  A team must start to answer within 15 seconds.

9. Clarification of acceptable answers:

1. Full names of animals - a contestant must use the full registration name of an animal with the exclusion of suffix. If the suffix is used, it must be correct, i.e., ET versus ETS or *TD versus *TM.
   
   Examples:

   Arlinda Melwood	Correct
   Arlinda Melwood-ET	Correct
   Melwood	Incorrect
   Arlinda Melwood-Twin	Incorrect
   Arlinda Melwood-ETS	Incorrect

2. Names of people - when giving a specific person's name, the last name only will be acceptable.  The first name is not necessary but, if given, it must be correct.
   
   Examples:

   Meyer	Correct
   John Meyer	Correct
   Meyers	Incorrect
   Gene Meyer	Incorrect

3. Pronunciation - judges must recognize the answer given as mispronunciation.  The error in pronunciation can affect the correctness of an answer.
   
   Example: For a question with antibody as an answer, antibiotic is incorrect.
   
4. Volunteering information - if a contestant first gives a correct answer and goes on to add incorrect information, the entire question will be incorrect.
    
5. Correcting answers - if a contestant gives a complete answer, he or she cannot make a correction.  If a partial incorrect answer is given and the contestant makes the correction mid-answer or word, the corrected answer will not be accepted.

10. The decision of judges is final.  Any spectator or coach who questions or argues with a judge or moderator, or interferes with the running of the contest will be asked to leave. A contestant, however, may ask for verification of an answer to a question, but only a contestant.
      
11. The call of the coordinator rule would be in place for contestants to use when a question is ruled incorrectly by the judges, but the team member or members in question feel very strongly that the judge's ruling is incorrect.  In order for a team member or members to use this rule, they must institute their right for the call of the coordinator before the next question is read, or the current question is repeated for the opposing team.  The team will have three minutes to compile their materials in order to refute the answer to the question.
    
    Noting that this rule should only be instituted in very specific circumstances and that each team is limited to a maximum of two "calls to the coordinator" per the entire contest.  Once the "call to the coordinator" has been instituted, the coordinator may make a ruling, or call upon additional judges.  The coordinator's ruling will be final.  Any questioning of the coordinator's ruling will result in the immediate elimination of the team in question.
      
12. Questions will cover feeds and feeding, milk quality, herd health, udder health, breeding and genetics, marketing, dairy foods, calf raising and the Holstein breed. Although questions may come from a variety of sources, most questions will be selected from:
    • Holstein World, Hoard's Dairyman, Dairy Herd Management, Progress of the Breed,  Red Book, Holstein Foundation Workbooks (nine), Dairy Today, www.holsteinfoundation.org, www.holsteinusa.com, www.dairyinfo.com, www.world-dairy-expo.com, and National Dairy Shrine’s First 50 Years. 
       
13. All team members must stay in the staging room during the contest unless competing. Once a team has been eliminated, members can leave.  Alternates may stay with the team.  Coaches also have the option to decide whether they would like to stay in the staging room with their team except when the team is competing, or to stay out of the staging room and be allowed to move in and out of the various contests.  Once a coach or alternate has made the decision to stay in or out of the staging room, it must be adhered to during the team's entire competition.
     
14. Only one coach per team is allowed to stay with the team in the holding room.  The coach must stay with the team the entire day, unless the team is eliminated.  Coaches with a team competing in each division must choose which team they will be accompanying.  There will be no alternating of coaches within a team or between divisions.
      
15. Coaches staying with teams and contestants are not allowed to write down or record questions and bring them back to the holding room.  Failure to comply with this rule will result in the elimination of the team from the contest.  Video taping will not be allowed.  Anybody writing down questions, or recording will not be allowed to communicate with the teams competing at all.
      
16. The use of cell phones or other electronic devices will not be allowed
    in the Dairy Bowl holding areas. Audience members in the contest rooms
    will also be required to turn off all electronic devices.
     
17. Video taping will only be allowed during the Dairy Bowl Finals.
     
18. If space permits, there will be a separate holding room for each
    division, Junior and Senior.
     
19. Use of the rest rooms will be one person per state at a time. Each
    team is requested to maintain a respectable demeanor throughout the
    contest. Any disruptions in either the contest room(s) or the
    holding room will result in the immediate elimination of the team in
    question from the contest.
     
20. The winning team will be determined by the highest score from Phases I
    and II. In the event of a tie, the two teams will be asked an
    additional five Phase II questions. There will be no bonus questions
    during the tie breaker questions.

1. Moderator
   The moderator assumes complete direction of all contests, asks all questions, designates contestants to answer questions, accepts or rejects all answers unless overruled by both judges.  He/she may seek interpretation of questions and answers from judges.  The moderator designates the winner of each contest and shall at all times be in charge; having the final voice in all decisions, except for answers to questions which are ruled on unanimously by judges.  
    
2. Judges
   Two judges are to be used who are knowledgeable in the subject matter.  The judges may rule individually or jointly on the acceptability of any answer.  Either both judges, or one judge and the moderator, must agree on the acceptability or rejection of a question and/or answer if either is challenged by a contestant.
    
3. Timekeepers
   One individual will be used to record time and to indicate to the moderator the expiration of the time allowed in which to answer questions.
    
4. Scorekeepers
   Two individuals will keep scores on each contest.  One scorekeeper will write in such a manner that all points awarded may be checked while the other remains visible to the moderator, the contestants, and insofar as possible, the viewing audience.
    
5. Doorguards
   One individual will be used to control the flow of the room by operating a walkie talkie.  Once the contest has begun no one will be allowed to enter the contest room.
    
6. Holding Room Guards
   Two individuals will be in charge of keeping the holding room in order.  They are responsible for noise control, corresponding on the walkie talkies and getting the proper team to the correct competition room in a timely manner.  They are also in charge of making sure once teams have completed a round they return to the holding room, if they have not been eliminated from the competition.