2020 Spring 4-H/FFA Dairy Show
The Spring 4-H and FFA Dairy Show will be held on April 4, 2020 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. Entries are due to 4-H volunteer Charmayne Busker by March 13, 2020. The show is open to all Delmarva Residents who are owners or lessors of Holstein, Jersey, Ayrshire, Guernsey and Brown Swiss cattle. The show will include both a Junior Division (age 21 & under as of January 1, 2020) and an Open Division which will run concurrently. For show information and an entry form please visit the state 4-H website https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/canr/pdfs/extension/4H/animal-science/2020-Spring-Dairy-Show—Susan-Garey.pdf The entry form can be found here https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/canr/pdfs/extension/4H/animal-science/2020-Spring-Dairy-Show-Entry-Form—Susan-Garey.pdf
We are always looking for additional show sponsors. If you are interested in sponsoring the 2020 show, please contact Charmayne by March 13 to be featured on the Spring Show t-shirt.
Delaware Livestock Exposition Benefit Oyster Dinner March 14th– Felton Fire Hall
Mark your calendar for the 2020 Delaware Livestock Exposition, October 10-11 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. The show is a junior breeding show for beef cattle, sheep, swine, and Boer goats and is open to exhibitors from across the country. Entry and registration information is available via our new website at www.delawarelivestockexpo.com Premiums are paid to the top placing animals in each class. Sponsors and donors support the Expo financially however we still need your help too! This show has returned over $250,000 in premiums to our young livestock exhibitors.
The show committee is hosting a benefit Fried Oyster and Chicken Salad dinner and auction at the Felton Fire Hall on March 14th. Tickets are $30 each and are available for purchase at the Kent County Extension office beginning in February. Doors open at 5:30 pm with dinner bring served at 6:30 and the live auction begins at 7:30 pm. Please contact Kristin Cook kristin@udel.edu or 730-4000 to reserve your tickets by March 2. All proceeds are used towards Livestock Exposition premiums and expenses. We are also actively looking for donations of unique items for our silent and live auctions that evening. Please join us for a fun filled evening to support our livestock youth!
Quality Assurance Certification Requirement for All Delaware State Fair Market Animal Exhibitors!
All Delaware State Fair junior livestock exhibitors showing a market animal (steer, market lamb, market goat or market hog) are required to have a current quality assurance certification in order to exhibit in a market class at the Delaware State Fair. The Swine Department will accept either an existing Youth PQA certification that is still valid through July of 2020 or a current Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification. The Youth PQA program no longer exists to train new youth or recertify. The YQCA program is a national certification that now covers all livestock species with a single certification for all youth ages 8-21 nationwide. Program ages are calculated as of January 1 of the current year. Options for obtaining a qualifying quality assurance certification in order to be able to show a market animal at the 2020 DSF are:
- Ages 5-6– A parent, guardian or responsible adult must have a current quality assurance certification. Options to fulfill this requirement include PQA(Pork Quality Assurance) or BQA (Beef Quality Assurance https://www.bqa.org/certification/online-certification) adult online trainings or parents can either attend a YQCA classroom training session with their 5-7 year old to obtain a valid QA certification to meet the DSF requirement. Please contact Susan Garey if you would like to be granted access to the online Adult PQA certification training to cover youth ages 5-7. An email address is required.
- Ages 7-18– The youth exhibitor must have a current YQCA certification obtained either through an YQCA classroom training session or YQCA online.
- Ages 19-21– The youth market exhibitor must have a current YQCA certification that can only be obtained online as per the YQCA program rules.
Youth YQCA certification is valid for one year.
In order for youth ages 7-21 to participate in either an online or in person classroom YQCA training session, they must register and create a profile at http://yqca.org For youth age 8-12, parents are required to register their youth on the YQCA website. The YQCA classroom training costs $3.00 and the online training costs $12.00. These fees are paid online and go directly to YQCA even if you are attending an in person training. This should be completed prior to coming to the in person training. Youth completing the online YQCA training will take the online module that corresponds to their age as of January 1 of the current year.
The following YQCA in person class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:
May 21, 2020- NCC YQCA Classroom Training- New Castle County Extension Office 6:30-8:00 pm
May 27, 2020– Sussex County YQCA Classroom Training- Carvel Center 6:30-8:00 pm
June 2, 2020 – FINAL YQCA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office- 6:30-8:00 pm
If you choose a classroom training option, you may attend class in any of the locations. If you plan on attending any of these sessions, please RSVP to Susan Garey (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu at least three days prior so that there will be adequate materials. If there are no registrations in advance, the class will be canceled. Please contact Susan Garey if you have any questions or concerns in regards to PQA/YQCA certification needs.
2020 Youth Livestock Conservationist Program
Sponsored by the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
Youth interested in applying for the 2020 Youth Conservationist Program-
- Must be between 9 and 18 years old.
- Submit an application postmarked by April 1, 2020 that includes:
- An essay which introduces you, your experience with animals, if for any reason, the animal is not being kept at your own home, explain, in detail where it will resideand what exactly your responsibilities will be, your essay should explain your interest in sheep, and answer the question: “Why I would like to help preserve a heritage breed of sheep.”
- Each applicant must include a letter of recommendation from their 4-H Advisor, FFA Advisor, veterinarian, teacher or clergy.
- The total application/essay should be no more than 2 pages in length.
- The applicant should indicate if they wish to be considered for a specific breed or for any of the breeds available.
- The application must include address, phone and if available, email address.
Interested young people should contact Elaine for an updated list of breeds available, then submit their letter of application/essay to:
Elaine Ashcraft, 46118 CR 58 Coshocton, OH 43812
740.622.1573 tankewe_cr58@yahoo.com *please note the underscore between tankewe and cr58!
ALL ESSAYS MUST BE MAILED, WILL NOT ACCEPT EMAILED ESSAYS!
Requirements if selected:
- Must be present to receive the ewe at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday
May 3, 2020.
- Must exhibit the ewe at least twice in 2020 at: 1) a county fair or local sheep show and 2) the State Fair in the state where the recipient lives.
- Must breed the ewe to a registered ram (of her breed) in the fall of 2020, should consult the donor breeder for their recommendations.
- Must either use the ewe’s fleece to personally make a wool item or sell the fleece to a spinner, felter or weaver.
- Must submit an article the following Feb/Mar (2021) to their local newspaper covering their year and including information concerning the next year’s YCP program.
- Must submit a one to two-page report, with pictures, to the Donor Breeder by April 30, 2021 and provide a scrapbook to be used at the Maryland Festival which is then given back to the youth.
Any questions please contact Elaine Ashcraft 46118 CR 58 Coshocton, Ohio 43812
1-740-622-1573 tankewe_cr58@yahoo.com *please note the underscore between tankewe and cr58!
Donors choose the recipients from the essays submitted by the youth.
Tufts University Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Camp
Do you know an aspiring veterinarian? Discover if this exciting career is for you! Adventures in Veterinary Medicine (AVM) is a fun and engaging career exploration program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career. AVM attendees will explore the wide variety of opportunities available within veterinary medicine and see first-hand what attending veterinary school is really like. Sessions include lectures by Tufts faculty and vet students, interesting laboratories, demonstrations, and hands-on activities with animals. AVM is held on the beautiful campus of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, located about 40 minutes west of Boston in North Grafton, MA.
Applications for summer 2020 are now available! For more information on the program, including dates, eligibility, and tuition please visit the AVM website or contact us at AVM@tufts.edu.
DPI Offers College Scholarships
DPI is accepting applications for its 2020 College Scholarship Program. Applications are being accepted for undergraduate and graduate scholarships that are available in the amount of $1,500 or more.
Undergraduate applicants must be a Delmarva resident and a student in good standing at any accredited, degree-granting institution in the United States or in the case of graduating high school seniors, accepted to an accredited, degree-granting institution within the United States. Individuals must have an academic major in a subject matter relevant to Delmarva’s chicken industry and be planning a career in a segment of this industry. An academic transcript must accompany each application.
Graduate student applications must meet the above criteria, with the exception of Delmarva residency. In addition, the individual must be engaged in research that positively could benefit Delmarva’s chicken industry.
Applications must be completed and received at the following address on or before 4:30 pm on April 3, 2020: DPI College Scholarship Program, 16686 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. Applications and additional scholarship information are available from the DPI website at http://www.dpichicken.org/scholarship/ Late, incomplete, or handwritten applications will not be considered. DPI membership on the part of the applicant or his/her family is not required and has no effect on the selection process.
2020 State 4-H Avian Bowl Study Sections
The Avian Bowl is a knowledge based quiz bowl style competition that focuses on poultry and eggs and poultry industry topics. The 2020 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl will be Saturday August 1st at 1:00 pm in the Centre. All questions and answers will come from the following material in the 2016 version of the Avian Bowl Manual:
- Raising waterfowl (Sources through General Breeding Management) – pages 26-30
- Avian systems (The Feather) – page 43
- Growing Blue Ribbon Pullets (All) – pages 57-65
- Breeds, Varieties, and Strains (Introduction, Bantams, Americans, and Asiatics) – pages 69-73
- Eggcyclopedia (Curdling through It’s All in an Egg) – pages 118-136
- Ratites (All) – Pages 171-173
- Commercial Poultry Industry (All) – Pages 175-176
- Embryology (Parts of the Egg through Candling) – Pages 186-192
Note: The above study material came from the National 4-H Avian Bowl Manual revised in 2016.
For more information on the Avian Bowl please consult the contest rules and guidelines which can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage: https://www.udel.edu/content/dam/udelImages/canr/pdfs/extension/4H/animal-science/Delaware-4-H-Avian-Bowl-Rules-and-Guidelines-2020—Susan-Garey.pdf
Equine Art Contest
Calling all young artists! With categories encompassing painting, pastels, charcoals, photography, pencil, pen and ink and even crayons and markers for younger youth there is something for everyone in the Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest. Entries are due to county offices on or before April , 2019. Entries will be put on display the second week in May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware. Contest guidelines and entry information is attached and available from county offices.
2020 Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest info and registration form
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1
2020 Delaware Youth Dairy Leasing Agreements must be turned in to county offices for county agent signatures or to Susan Garey by May 1. Copies of dairy leases will be forwarded on to the Delaware State Fair. The leasing agreement is posted on the state 4-H webpage under the “Dairy” heading. https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/4H-youth-development/project-information/animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.
National 4-H Dairy Conference Application Due May 1
The 2020 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 27-30, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin. The conference is for 15 to 18 year-olds who have participated in the 4-H Dairy Program for at least three years, who are currently enrolled in 4-H and have an interest in the dairy industry. The Delaware 4-H Foundation provides funding for two delegates and one chaperone each year.
The conference will be held concurrently with the World Dairy Expo. National 4-H Dairy Conference delegates may not participate in the National 4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Contest or exhibit cattle at the World Dairy Expo due to time constraints. You may not have previously attended National 4-H Dairy Conference. For more information on National 4-H Dairy Conference please visit https://national4hdairyconference.org
The updated application is available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage under the “Dairy” heading https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/4H-youth-development/project-information/animal-science/ and is due to Susan Garey by May 1.
Harness Horse Youth Foundation Camp- June 30- July 2
Harness Horse Youth Foundation camp returns to Harrington Raceway June 30- July 2. This overnight camping experience is for youth ages 11-17 and offers significant hands on learning opportunities to work with Trottingbred ponies. Campers learn skills such as harnessing, jogging, hoof and leg care and general horse care. Professionals involved in the local harness racing industry participate in camp by helping with jogging and serving as guest speakers during camp. Overnight accommodations are provided in the State Police barracks located on the grounds of the training center. For more information and to complete a camp application, please visit https://hhyf.org/schedule-applications/
New Gate Pass Policy for DSF Livestock Exhibitors
The Delaware State Fair will be implementing a new gate pass policy for livestock exhibitors. The policy change being implemented is designed to provide a fair and equitable means of distributing exhibitor passes and to be more convenient for exhibitors by eliminating the issuing of temporary gate passes to move livestock on the grounds. Livestock exhibitors will instead be receiving their regular parking and gate admission passes in the mail in advance of the 2020 State Fair. The new pass distribution policy being implemented is as follows:
- GATE ADMISSIONS
- Each livestock exhibitor will receive a 10-Day gate admission badge.
- If the livestock exhibitor needs assistance of another non-
credentialed family member to assist in the care and maintenance of
his or her animal(s) at the fairgrounds, certain criteria were adopted to
allow the exhibitor the opportunity to self-certify that they meet all three
criteria at the time of entry (in the ShoWorks platform) and upon doing
so, they will receive an additional 10-day gate admission pass. The
criteria are the following:
- The exhibitor is 21 or younger; AND
- The exhibitor’s parent or guardian rendering assistance to the
exhibitor is not camping on the grounds; AND
iii. No adult member of the exhibitor’s immediate household has
access to any free forms of gate admission (i.e. shareholders’ or
Director gate passes or gate passes issued by any other Fair
departments (i.e. another livestock department, 4-H, FFA, etc.)
- Beyond the exhibitor badge and additional gate pass identified in Par. 1
(a) and (b) above, if unique circumstances exist, which in the opinion
of the credential-issuing superintendent (as determined by the Fair
administered departmental hierarchy for pass issuance) justifies the
need to issue another 1 or 10-day admission pass for a household
member to be in a position to assist in the care and maintenance of the
exhibitor’s animals, the superintendent may issue a voucher to the
exhibitor which may be exchanged for an admission pass at the
credentials trailer. This pass shall permit the essential additional
household member to access the grounds during paid gate operating
hours to assist in the care and maintenance of the exhibitor’s livestock.
- An Exhibitor or their family may purchase additional 5-Day gate pass
for $30 through the Fair’s website.
- Credential badges and gate passes shall be mailed out by the Entries
and Credentials Departments prior to the Fair.
- PARKING HANGTAGS
- Farms or households with up to 2 exhibitors will receive one (1)
Combination Exhibitors’ Gate 2/Exhibitors’ Parking Lot Hangtag.
- Farms or households with 3 or more exhibitors will receive two (2)
Combination Exhibitors’ Gate 2/Exhibitors’ Parking Lot Hangtags.
- Beyond the hangtags distributed under Par. 2 (a) and (b) above, if unique
circumstances exist, which in the opinion of the credential-issuing
superintendent (as determined by the Fair administered departmental
hierarchy for pass issuance) justifies the need to issue another hangtag
for a household member to be in a position to assist in the care and
maintenance of the exhibitor’s animals, the superintendent may issue a
voucher to the exhibitor which may be exchanged for a hangtag at the
credentials trailer. The hangtag shall permit the essential additional
household member to access the grounds during authorized hours and to
park on a space available basis in the exhibitor parking lot to assist in the
care and maintenance of the exhibitor’s livestock.
- Exhibitor parking is designated for daily in and out use by exhibitors. It is
not intended to be used for long-term parking during the 10 days of Fair.
Access to the Exhibitors Parking Lot shall be monitored and
hangtags will be scanned upon entry during certain hours. Parking is
not guaranteed to any hangtag holder. Parking will only be permitted
when space is available.
- Gate 2 hangtags admit the vehicle and driver to the grounds. All
passengers on board must display for scanning either a credential badge
or gate pass in order to be admitted.
- f. Hangtags will be mailed out by the Entries Department prior to Fair.
Temporary hangtags will no longer be issued.
For question regarding the implementation of the new livestock exhibitor pass policy for the 2020 Delaware State Fair, please contact Mr. Bob Moore, Delaware State Fair Livestock Exhibits Committee Chairman at Robert.Moore@delaware.gov or (302)698-4500.