Animal Science Updates

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Delaware 4-H Members Attend 64th National 4-H Dairy Conference

Delaware 4-H’ers Joshua Menard of the Peach Blossom 4-H Club in Kent County and Parker Hickey of the Summit Bridge 4-H Club in New Castle County are currently attending the 64th National 4-H Dairy Conference on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin and enjoying several days of fun and learning. The educational program has attracted approximately 200 youth and adult delegates from across the U.S.A. and Canada. They were selected from a field of applicants to attend the conference based on past experience, knowledge and interest in the dairy industry. The four-day experience exposes 4-H members to new dairy science technology and dairy- related careers. Through a combination of workshops, speakers, educational field trips and networking with other dairy oriented youth, 4-H members gain information they can use to strengthen their futures in the dairy industry. Hands-on learning workshop topics included biotechnology, genetics, foods evaluation, animal nutrition and marketing.  Joshua and Parker also have the opportunity to spend a day at World Dairy Expo.  They are being chaperoned by 4-H Dairy volunteer John Hickey.  Special thanks to the Delaware 4-H Foundation for funding this leadership and dairy science experience for our 4-H members!

National 4-H Dairy Conference is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Cooperating Friends of 4-H and the Dairy Industry, World Dairy Expo, and the National 4-H Dairy Conference Planning Committee. Supplemental monetary support is provided by numerous corporate sponsors including: ABS Global; Accelerated Genetics, AgStar Financial Services; Agropur; American Dairy Science Association; AMPI; Cargill, Inc.; Crave Brothers Farm, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC; Culvers; Dairy Farmers of America; Datamars; DeLaval; Farm First Co-op; Foremost Farms; Hoard’s Dairyman; IBA; John Deere Co.; Milk Specialties; Mycogen Seeds; Nasco International, Inc.; National Dairy Shrine; PDCA; Select Sires, Inc.; SEMEX; SMS; Stan Erwine, DMI; Star Blends; SunOpta; Udder Tech, Inc.; Vita Plus; WinField United; Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; and World Dairy Expo.

If you are interested in attending National 4-H Dairy Conference next year and have three years of dairy project experience, and are 15 years of age by January 1, applications will be due May 1, 2019 and can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science page http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/  For more information about National 4-H Dairy Conference please visit https://national4hdairyconference.org/

 

Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity- 1st Entry Deadline November 12

The first entry deadline for the 2019 Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity is November 12.  The futurity is open to all breed summer calves born between June 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018.  Calves MUST be exhibited by a Delaware State Fair Junior Dairy Exhibitor. Leased animals are eligible and an exhibitor must be named on the last entry on May 1, 2019. The entry form and official rules can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/26102406/2019-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf

 

Saddle up with 4-H!

The annual State 4-H Trail Ride, sponsored by the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, will be held at Redden State Forest Headquarters Tract this year on November 4, 2018 with ride off occurring at 10 am.  This is a fun family event with riders of all ages and levels of experiences.  Non 4-H member horsey friends are welcome!  There will be some volunteer walkers as well to assist our less experienced riders if needed.  Following the trail ride there will be a picnic in the pavilion beginning at 11:30 am.  ASTM/SEI hard hats are required for all riders.  For more information please see the flyer posted on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/19111222/2018-4-H-Fall-Trail-Ride.pdf To RSVP, please contact Susan Garey at (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu no later than October 31st.

 

Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year- Deadline November 12, 2018

Have you ever wished that you could have a model of your own favorite horse or pony to cherish forever? Here’s your chance!

Peter Stone of Stone Model Horses (www.stonehorses.com) has volunteered to create a model horse to honor the great horse or pony selected as Delaware’s “4-H Horse of the Year”. The winning 4-H member will be announced at the Horse Bowl contest and awarded their horse/pony model horse at the winning member’s county achievement banquet in fall of 2019.

Any currently enrolled traditional Delaware 4-H member (Cloverbuds are not eligible), can nominate their beloved horse/pony by completing these steps:

  1. Complete the Nomination Form 2019.
  2. Provide Four (4) 4×6” full color photos of your horse/pony in natural light (not in the barn): front, back, left side and right side. Attach to the provided page. These photos will not be returned so make sure you have copies.
  3. Add an essay of 500 to 1000 words written by the 4-H’er (age of 4-H’er will be considered in writing quality). The award will be chosen based on how well the 4-H member can answer the following topic:

“My horse represents the 4 H’s by…”

 

    1. Should be a horse or pony you have owned or worked with in some way.
    1. Do NOT include your name or the horse/pony’s registered name in the essay.
    1. Use the horse’s unregistered nick name or pet name in the essay.
    1. Not required to own the horse or pony being nominated.
  2. The nomination with the essay must be postmarked by November 12, 2018.

Nomination forms, the scoring rubric used by judges, and more details are available on the state 4-H animal science webpage

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/19110827/2019-Horse-of-the-Year-Application.pdf

 

State 4-H Hippology Contest for Horse Project Members- Contest December 1

The State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee will be holding a Hippology Contest for statewide 4-H Horse Project Members at Sultana Stables in Greenwood on December 1 from 9:00 am -12:30 pm. What is Hippology?  Hippology is an activity that can enhance learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting. The term “Hippology” comes from the Greek “hippo”, meaning horse, and “ology”, meaning “the study of”. Participants will be able to demonstrate their experience and knowledge gained in their horse projects, horse judging, horse bowl, demonstrations, and practical horse management.  Contests are typically set up in a station format where participants are asked to complete tasks such as identifying feeds, judging hay, matching body parts with the correct names, putting together a bridle, bandaging a leg, etc.  The contest guide and entry form can be found at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27075634/2018-Delaware-4-H-Hippology-Contest-Final.pdf Entries are due November 12th. We are always looking for adult volunteers to help facilitate the contest as station monitors, timers, and scoring.  Please contact Susan Garey for more information.