Category Archives: Livestock

Animal Science, Delaware State Fair, Livestock

DSF Tagging and YQCA Certification Dates

 

Tagging Dates for 2021 Delaware State Fair Market Animals and Feeder Calves-

Saturday, May 8th- Cook Family Farm Newark, Delaware 9-11 am

Saturday, May 22nd- Delaware State Fairgrounds- 9-11 am

Tuesday, May 25th- Delaware State Fairgrounds- 5-8 pm

We will again be using the COVID tagging protocol used in 2020- tagging will occur on trailers and no weighing of livestock will be performed at the time of tagging. Mask wearing will be required of any and all participants at tagging events. Participants should do their best to respect social distancing. There is no tagging date for Georgetown this year. The 4-H and FFA Rate of Gain Contest sponsored by the Delaware Farm Bureau will be suspended for 2021.

 

2021 YQCA Certification Information

All Delaware State Fair junior 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 2021 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 2021 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(email Susan directly to register) with their 5-6 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 5-6. An email address is required.

· Ages 7-18- The youth market 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 7-12, parents are required to register their youth on the YQCA website. Once registered select the appropriate class you plan to attend. Fees will be charged at the time of registration and can be paid by credit card.

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.

In order to be able to comply with COVID health protocols and allow sufficient space, in person training classes will be held at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in 2021. Mask wearing and social distancing between family groups will be enforced during training classes. The following YQCA in person class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:

· Thursday, May 27- Delaware State Fairgrounds 6:30-8:00 pm- registration required in advance- must register by May 25

· Wednesday, June 9- Delaware State Fairgrounds 6:30-8:00 pm- registration required in advance- must register by June 7

Additional date(s) may be added as interest warrants. If you plan on attending any of these sessions, you must register in advance so that we can ensure enough space and training materials. Please contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)242-1510 if you have any questions or concerns in regards to Quality Assurance/YQCA certification

Animal Science, Livestock

NCC Livestock Show

18th Annual New Castle County 4-H and FFA
Summer Livestock Classic

Saturday, June 8, 2019
Delaware State Fair Grounds
Harrington, DE

Weigh-Ins: 7:00- 8:00 a.m. Show begins at 9:00 a.m.

Entries Must be Postmarked by May 10, 2019
Entry Fee $8.00/Head (must accompany entry form)
Late and Added Entries $16.00/head – No entries after May 31 & day of show.

Livestock Classic Entry Form 2019

2019 Current Class List

Health Regulations for Delaware Livestock Exposition

Fall Events, Livestock, National 4-H News, Opportunities, Shooting Sports, State 4-H Events

Upcoming events

2019 4-H Youth Artwork Calendar

Do you know a #4H artist? Encourage them to submit their artwork for a chance to be selected for the 2019 4-H Youth Artwork Calendar! Entries due on August 10!

Visit the link for more info: http://bit.ly/2AtDzyE

Record Book Reminder

County Record Books are a great opportunity for 4-H members to detail their activities and experiences during the past 4-H Year. Take time now to start completing your record book. The forms can be found on the county and state 4-H webpages. We strongly encourage all 4-H members to submit records books for 4-H projects. Record books will be due in the New Castle County Office on September 28th. 4-Hers that complete record books will be honored at the New Castle County 4-H Achievement Event on Nov. 4th! Please let us know if you have questions or need help!

 

Delaware Farm Bureau Livestock Rate of Gain Contest

All 4-H and FFA Rate of Gain Contest forms are due to Susan Garey in the Kent County Extension office postmarked by August 17, 2018. Complete rules and entry forms are available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage.

 

Archery Certification Class– Level 1 offered in September at the Kent County Extension Office. Registration and payment are due by Monday, August 27 to the Kent County Office. Info and registration form can be found at:

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/10111054/ARCHERY-TRAINING-FALL-2018.pdf

Animal Science, Announcements & Breaking News, County Events & Contests, Livestock, Summer Events

New Castle County 4-H & FFA 17th Annual Summer Livestock Classic

New Castle County 4-H and FFA livestock volunteers are hosting the 17th annual 4-H and FFA Summer Livestock Classic on June 9, 2018. This livestock show will be held  at the Delaware State Fair.

Entries must be postmarked by May 7. Entry fee doubles after this deadline.

2018 Current Class List and Rules

2018 Entry Form

Please contact Kaitlin Klair at the 4-H office with any questions or concerns.

Announcements & Breaking News, Awards & Recognition, Livestock

Horse Bowl Results

The Delaware 4-H program recently held their annual State 4-H Horse Bowl.  28 teams comprised of youth ages 8-19 participated in the equine knowledge-based quiz bowl competition held at Lake Forest North Elementary in Felton, Delaware.  The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, a group composed of 4-H volunteers from all three Delaware counties that are dedicated to providing quality 4-H horse programs to members, sponsors the annual event.

4-H members competed on teams of up to four individuals and teams are divided into competition brackets based on age for the double elimination event.  4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the months leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials.  45 Delaware 4-H volunteers assisted with the Horse Bowl event.  University of Delaware Animal Science Extension Agent Susan Garey said, “It’s exciting to see so many young people who are interested in learning more about equine science.  We are appreciative the many parents and coaches who volunteered their time over the past few months to help our youth learn in a positive, supportive environment.”

Official judges for the competition included Ms. Sara Deason, Ms. Jamie Timson and Ms. Susan Garey.

The top three teams in each age division were:

 

Beginner (8-10 year olds)

1st Place– Camo & Cowgirls- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

Team Members: Miranda Garey, Savannah Messick, Carley Rebuck, Ethan Stafford,

Coach: Kacie Messick

2nd Place– Golden Gallopers- East Coast 4-H Club, Sussex County

Team Members:  Ryleigh Archer, Claire Lopez, Chloe Wilkerson

Coach:  Jodie Gravenor

3rd Place- Happy Farm Munchkins- Country Clovers 4-H Club, Sussex County

Team Members: Emily Davis, Angelo Retzos

Coaches: Suzanne Davis, Ann Hobbs

 

Junior (11-13 year olds)

1st Place- Magnificent Mares- East Coast 4-H Club, Sussex County

Team Members: Anna Lopez, Zoe Probert, Tori Smith, Abby Sparpaglione

Coach: Heather Smith, Beth Sparpaglione

2nd Place– Camo & Cowgirls- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

Team Members: Sydni Brown, Aidan Garey, Sydney Messick

Coach: Kacie Messick

3rd Place– Happy Appys- Hearts 4 Horses 4-H Club, Kent County

Team Members: Zoe Poore, Stephanie Strachar

Coach: Michelle Poore, Carrie Strachar

 

Senior (14-19 year olds)

1st Place– Heavenly Hooves 4-H Club, New Castle County

Team Members: Sarah Brown, Jessica Knowles, Daisy Timney

Coach: Ann Blackmore, Angie Brown

2nd Place– Bucking Bays- Hearts 4 Horses 4-H Club, Kent County

Team Members: Ashley Bullock, Rylee Ridgely, Courtney Spader

Coach: Jen Ridgely, Dawn Spader

3rd Place– Bays + Grays- Hearts 4 Horses 4-H Club, Kent County

Team Members: Sierra Kane, Madison Poore, Alexis Skodzinski

Coaches: Tina Kane

Congrats to all the participants for all your hard work!

Animal Science, Livestock

Animal Science Updates

 

Delaware State Fair Online Entries Open April 2 

It’s that time already!  Delaware State Fair online entries for all classes, including livestock open on April 2.  Entries close on June 1.

Delaware State Fair Livestock Handbook Department Highlights for 2018
2018 DSF Swine Show Changes: ***SPLIT SHOW FORMAT AGAIN THIS YEAR***

First half of week- Market, Showmanship and Barrow Show

  • Saturday July 21st
    • Weigh in and barn meeting will remain on Saturday
    • Showmanship will start at 4 PM Saturday (if you are using a breed gilt for showmanship you are allowed to bring that in with the market pigs before Saturday at 8 am- otherwise no gilts or boars are permitted in the barn and will be sent home
    • Educational pen displays must be up by noon on Saturday in order to be judged
  • Sunday July 22nd
    • Market Show will start at 8 am (about 2 hours long) after the market show they will take a break and start the barrow show
    • After barrow show they will notify the animals going to auction
    • Start preparing for remaining hogs to exit and breed pigs to enter
  • Monday July 23rd
    • The pigs going to auction will stay until the end of the fair. Exhibitors whose pigs are not going to auction will need to make arrangements for the pigs to be shipped out between 12 am- 9 am.
    • It is imperative that you have a plan for where your market animal is headed if it does not make the Junior Livestock Auction before you ever arrive at the fair!!

Second Half of the week- Jr & Open Breed Show

  • Monday July, 23rd
    • 12 am-9am breed pigs may enter while the market is leaving
    • Crossbred gilts will be weighed in at 9 am
    • Jr and Open Breed Show will start at 4 pm
  • Wednesday July 25th
    • Exhibitors of breed animals may remove up to 12/3 of their breed animals from 12 am- 6 pm.

Exhibitors of all market animals should send buyer letters to potential buyers prior to the start of the 2018 DSF.  It is not the Fair’s nor the Junior Livestock Auction’s responsibility to provide buyers for you.  Follow up thank you notes are critically important as well.

 

2018 DSF Beef Cattle Show Changes:
  • Again this year feeder calves must be tagged at one of the May livestock tagging dates
  • Upper weight limit for steers has been raised to 1500 lbs.

 

Upcoming eXtension Small Flock Poultry Webinars- FREE!
Feeds and Feeding for Small and Backyard Flocks– April 19- 3:00 pm EDT

Location: https://extension.zoom.us/j/285425928

Whether you have a small, commercial poultry operation or a few chickens in the backyard, proper nutrition is essential to the health and productivity of your birds. This webinar will review some of the basics of poultry nutrition as well as selecting the right feed for your flock or mixing your own feed. The webinar will also look at different feed additives including probiotics and prebiotics. Justin Fowler is an Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia with a specialty in the area of poultry nutrition.

 

Getting Started with Your Backyard Flock- April 25- 12:00 pm EDT

Location: Online Webinar- Must register for link

Small flock production on the rise in the United States. It is so important to explore the many aspects to raising a backyard flock before you purchase your first chick. This webinar will teach the essential of housing, feeding, water, zoning, regulations, animal husbandry, biosecurity and much more.

Registration: https://2018wednesdaywebinars.eventbrite.com

 

Delaware State Fair Livestock Tagging Dates for Market Animals

All market animals must be identified with a Delaware State Fair ear tag in order to be eligible.  This applies to market steers, feeder calves, market lambs, market goats and market hogs.  Again this year feeder calves must be tagged!  Breed animals do not need to be tagged.

May 5- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Sussex County- REC (no cattle)- minimum pig weight 75 lbs

May 5- 9:00 am- 11:00 am- NCC- Newark- Cook Farm- minimum pig weight is 75 lbs

May 12- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Kent County- DSF- minimum pig weight 80 lbs

May 18- 6:00 pm-9:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- Livestock Show- minimum pig weight is 85 lbs (no Saturday tagging)

May 22- 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- FINAL TAGGING minimum pig weight is 85 lbs

**Sussex County does not have the ability to weigh steers or feeder calves so if you want your steer to be weighed at the time of tagging, it must be brought to one of the Delaware State Fair tagging dates.  To be eligible for the Delaware Farm Bureau Rate of Gain Contest, you must weigh and tag at the location for your county.

 

PQA/YQCA Certification

All Junior Market Hog Exhibitors are required to have a current PQA/YQCA certification in order to exhibit a market hog at the Delaware State Fair.  The national Youth Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) training is a program that was put together by the National Pork Producers Association.  Commercial hog producers across the county have been required to have this certification since 1999 in order to market their hogs.  This program is currently in transition to a new Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) program which will cover all livestock species for all youth ages 8-21 nationwide. After June 1, the old Youth PQA program will cease to exist and the YQCA program will be the only option for certification. The adult PQA certification program will continue.

For 2018, the Delaware State Fair Swine Department will accept either the PQA or YQCA certification.  There are currently two options for obtaining YQCA certification. The in person class certification option is open to any age but youth under the age of 8 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) must have a parent attend the class with them.  Youth YQCA certification received through the classroom option is valid for one year.  Youth ages 8-21 as of January must register through the YQCA website http://yqca.org and pay a $3.00 fee online that goes directly to YQCA even if you are attending an in person training.  This must be completed prior to coming to the training.

In addition, there is an online YQCA training and certification option for youth ages 8-21. You must pay a $12.00 fee online that goes directly to the YQCA program in order to complete the online training.  For youth age 12 and under, parents are required to register their youth on the YQCA website. Youth should take the online module that corresponds to their age as of January 1 of the current year. Online Adult PQA certification is now an option for parents of youth 5-7 as of January 1 if it is a parent’s first time receiving a PQA certification.  There is no charge for this certification.  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.

The following local YQCA class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:

April 16, 2018- NCC YQCA Classroom Training- New Castle County Extension Office 6:30-8:00 pm

May 10, 2018 – Sussex County YQCA Classroom Training- Carvel Center 6:30-8:00 pm

June 4, 2018- FINAL YQCA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office- 6:30-8:00 pm

You may attend class or testing 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 as we transition to this one uniform national program.

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Entries Due April 16th- NEW CATAGORIES THIS YEAR!

 

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 16, 2018. New for this year are cartoon strip and mixed media classes! Entries will be put on display by May 11th at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware.  Contest guidelines and entry information is posted on the State 4-H website.

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/12103710/2018-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf

 

Delaware Pork Producers Annual Dinner- April 21st

 

The Delaware Pork Producers Association will be holding their annual dinner and banquet on Saturday, April 21st at the Felton Fire Hall.  Dinner will be served family style beginning at 6:30pm.  The menu will consist of Felton’s famous fried oysters, delicious pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, dumplings, green beans, dessert and beverages.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Please call Karen Tigner at (302)632-4250 for more information or to purchase dinner tickets.  The Delaware Pork Producers Association has graciously provided support to Delaware 4-H Livestock programs for many years.

 

Jackpot Show Entries Due May 1

 

The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 21st Jackpot Show on May 19, 2018 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  This is a market preview show for steers, market goats, market lambs, and market hogs.  Entry information is posted on the State 4-H animal science page https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/15083812/Jackpot-show-entry-form-2018.pdf and entries must be postmarked by May 1 or entry fees double.

 

NCC Hosts 4-H/FFA Livestock Classic- ENTRY DEADLINE MAY 7- Late entry fees are double!

 

New Castle County 4-H and FFA Livestock Volunteers are hosting the 4-H and FFA Summer Livestock Classic on June 9, 2018 at the Delaware State Fair.  This event is open to any 4-H or FFA member in Delaware and the eastern shore counties of Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties. Classes offered include showmanship and market classes.  Entry information and a class list are posted on the state 4-H animal Science website http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/

 

Please note entries must be postmarked by May 7 to avoid late fees.

 

Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1

 

2018 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. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.

 

National 4-H Dairy Conference Applications Due May 1

 

The 2018 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 30- October 3, 2018 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 at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and is due to Susan Garey by May 1.

 

Final Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Payment Due May 1

 

The third payment for futurity animals entered for the 2018 Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity is due May 1 to volunteer Charmayne Busker.  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, 2018.  For more information please consult the 2018 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/22080910/2018-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf

or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com

 

2018 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year Winner Announced

 

Congratulations to Kent County 4-H’er Stephanie Strachar who is the winner of the 2018 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year essay contest sponsored by the Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and Peter Stone horses.  Sarah is a member of the Hearts 4-Horses 4-H Club and nominated her Appaloosa gelding Confidential aka “Nelson”.  In her essay Stephanie shared her story of her “bestest” friend Nelson who always listens and never judges her, waits for her afterschool and makes her feel special every day.  In the fall, Stephanie will receive a custom painted model of Nelson generously created and donated by Peter Stone horses.  For more information on Peter Stone horses please visit their website https://www.stonehorses.com/

 

Harness Horse Youth Foundation Announces Summer Camp Programs

Spring is just around the corner. That can mean only one thing, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation summer camp schedule and applications are now available. Complete details are at http://hhyf.org/schedule-applications.

The HHYF Trottingbreds and staff will kick off the season with a bang on July 4-7 in Goshen, N.Y. with the Leadership Program and then spend another week with the introductory level July 10-14 also based at Goshen Historic Track. The next stop will be The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono July 17-21 and then on to Gaitway Farm on July 24-28. The introductory level finals will again take place at The Meadowlands on Hambletonian weekend Aug. 3-4.  There will not be a Harrington camp this year.

Camp registration fee is $150, which includes meals, materials and lodging where applicable.

All introductory level events are open to any interested young person (no horse experience necessary) between the ages of 12 and 14. The Leadership Program is designed for former participants of HHYF events or those age 15 and up with at least some harness racing experience.

Camp applications are due May 15.

Additional dates will be announced as they are added. For questions or to find more details visit www.hhyf.org or e-mail Executive Director Ellen Taylor, ellen@hhyf.org.

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with harness horses, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials. For more information on opportunities through HHYF, or to support its mission, go to www.hhyf.org.

Tufts University Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Camp

 

Adventures in Veterinary Medicine is a fun and engaging career exploration program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career. They invite 4-H youth to apply to AVM and discover if this exciting career is right for you!

 

AVM attendees will explore the wide variety of opportunities available within veterinary medicine and see first-hand what attending veterinary school is really like. Programs are available for middle school, high school, college and adult age groups.  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 2018 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.

 

2018 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl Rules, Entry Information and Study Sections

 

The rules and guidelines along with the study sections and entry information for the 2018 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl held during the Delaware State Fair has been posted to the State 4-H Animal Science web page.  Entries are due via the Delaware State Fair website by June 1.  Visit https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/28103102/Delaware-4-H-Avian-Bowl-Rules-and-Guidelines-2018.pdf for the complete rules and study sections.

 

Animal Science, Announcements & Breaking News, Livestock, Opportunities, Summer Events

Cecil County Breeders’ Fair

The Cecil County Breeders’ Fair Livestock, Rabbit, Cavy & Dog Shows will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2018, and the Horse Shows will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at the Cecil County Fairgrounds in Fair Hill.

Entries are DUE postmarked by Tuesday, May 1st.

The Breeders Fair Show booklet and entry forms can be found online at http://extension.umd.edu/cecil-county/4-h-youth/cecil-county-b-fair or printed copies are available from the University of Maryland Cecil County Extension Office.

 

Animal Science, Livestock, Opportunities, Scholarships, Winter Events

Animal Science Updates

Delaware 4-H Member Attends 63rd National 4-H Dairy Conference

Delaware 4-H’er Lake Vasey of the Pure Country 4-H Club in Kent County is recently attended the 63rd National 4-H Dairy Conference on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin and enjoyed several days of fun and learning. The educational program 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 exposed 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 gained information they could use to strengthen their futures in the dairy industry. Hands-on learning workshop topics included biotechnology, genetics, foods evaluation, animal nutrition and marketing.  Lake also had the opportunity to spend a day at World Dairy Expo.  Lake was chaperoned by New Castle County 4-H Agent Betsy Morris.  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, 2018 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 13 

The first entry deadline for the 2018 Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity is November 13.  The futurity is open to all breed summer calves born between June 1, 2017 and August 31, 2017.  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, 2018. 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/2012/02/22080910/2018-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 5, 2017 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/2012/02/22080659/2017-4-H-Fall-Trail-Ride.pdf To RSVP, please contact Susan Garey at (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu no later than November 1st.

 

Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year- Deadline November 13, 2017

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 2018.

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 2018.

 

  1. 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.

 

  1. 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:

 

“I am thankful for a horse in my life because…”

 

 

    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.

 

 

  1. The nomination with the essay must be postmarked by November 13, 2017.

 

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/2012/02/24075240/2018-Horse-of-the-Year-Application.pdf

 

State 4-H Hippology Contest for Horse Project Members- Contest December 2 

The State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee will be holding a Hippology Contest for statewide 4-H Horse Project Members at Rowan Farm in Middletown, Delaware on December 2 from 9:00am -12:00 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/2012/02/28121913/2017-Delaware-4-H-Hippology-Contest-Final.pdf

Entries are due November 13th

 

ALL WORMS ALL DAY – Delmarva Small Ruminant Conference – Youth and Adult Tracks

 When: Saturday, December 9, 2017 from 8:00am to 3:30pm

 Where: Delaware State University, Bank of America Building

1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, Delaware

 Cost: Adults $40, Youth $30

This all-day conference will focus entirely on gastro-intestinal parasites (worms) that are the most problematic to small ruminant production, and seek to educate stakeholders on the most up-to-date methods and recommendations for controlling these parasites. The program will include general and concurrent sessions and a separate program for youth.

All speakers in the adult program are members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC). They include Dr. Kwame Matthews, Delaware State University; Dr. Nelson Escobar, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Susan Schoenian, University of

Maryland; Dr. Dahlia O’Brien, Virginia State University; and Dr. Niki Whitley, Fort Valley State University. Youth instructors are Susan Garey and Dan Severson from the University of Delaware and Ashley Travis from the University of Maryland. The youth program is intended to be hands-on and interactive

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED BY NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Mail check to Delaware State University or register online:

https://www.desu.edu/events/2017/12/09/all-worms- all-day-delmarva-small-ruminant-conference

Contact: Dr. Kwame Matthews, 302.857.6540 or kmatthews@desu.edu.

 

Delaware Equine Council Scholarship- $1000

Eligibillity:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen and a Delaware resident or Delaware Equine Council member. ($10.00 to become an individual member)
  • Must be enrolled and in good standing in an agriculture, equine, veterinary or vet tech program in the United States.
  • Must submit a typewritten 250-word essay :

“How I plan to use this course of study to further the equine or agriculture industry.”

  • Must complete a typed application and include a transcript of a minimum of one full semester’s grades from an accredited college or university.

All awards are given without discrimination as to race, sex, or creed.

Application postmark deadline is January 31, 2017. Winners will be awarded in March 4, 2017.  To download the application or for more details please visit:

http://www.delawareequinecouncil.org/ScholarshipPAGE.html

Animal Science, Awards & Recognition, Camps and Overnight Events, Delaware State Fair, Livestock, Opportunities, Trainings

Animal Science Updates

 

Delaware State Fair Online Entries Open April 1

It’s that time already!  Delaware State Fair online entries for all classes, including livestock open on April 1.  Entries close on June 1.

 

Delaware State Fair Livestock Handbook Department Highlights for 2017

 Starting in 2017, $10.00 livestock entry fee per class (excluding showmanship/fitting and group/pairs classes).

 

2017 DSF Swine Show Changes: ***NEW SPLIT SHOW FORMAT***

First half of week- Market, Showmanship and Barrow Show

  • Saturday July 22nd
    • Weigh in and barn meeting will remain on Saturday
    • Showmanship will start at 4 PM Saturday (if you are using a breed pig for showmanship you are allowed to bring that in with the market pigs before Saturday at 8 am
    • Educational pen displays must be up by noon on Saturday in order to be judged
  • Sunday July 23rd
    • Market Show will start at 8 am (about 2 hours long) after the market show they will take a break and start the barrow show
    • After barrow show they will notify the animals going to auction
    • Start preparing for remaining hogs to exit and breed pigs to enter
  • Monday July 24th
    • The ones going to auction will stay until the end of the fair. Exhibitors whose pigs are not going to auction will need to make arrangements for the pigs to be shipped out between 12 am- 9 am.
    • It is imperative that you have a plan for where your market animal is headed if it does not make the Junior Livestock Auction before you ever arrive at the fair!!

Second Half of the week- Jr & Open Breed Show

  • Monday July, 24th
    • 12 am-9am breed pigs may enter while the market is leaving
    • Crossbred gilts will be weighed in at 9 am
    • Jr and Open Breed Show will start at 4 pm
  • Wednesday July 26th
    • Exhibitors of breed animals may remove up to 12/3 of their breed animals from 12 am- 6 pm.

Exhibitors of all market animals should send buyer letters to potential buyers prior to the start of the 2017 DSF.  It is not the Fair’s nor the Junior Livestock Auction’s responsibility to provide buyers for you.  Follow up thank you notes are critically important as well.

FYI for 2017-  Maryland State Fair will require RFID tags for cattle and hog exhibitors- it is expected that they will also require RFID for Maryland County Fairs

 

Delaware State Fair Livestock Tagging Dates for Market Animals

 All market animals must be identified with a Delaware State Fair ear tag in order to be eligible.  This applies to market steers, feeder calves, market lambs, market goats and market hogs.  New for this year feeder calves must be tagged!  Breed animals do not need to be tagged.

May 6- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Sussex County- REC (no cattle)- minimum pig weight 75 lbs

May 6- 9:00 am- 11:00 am- NCC- Newark- Cook Farm- minimum pig weight is 75 lbs

May 13- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Kent County- DSF- minimum pig weight 80 lbs

May 19- 6:00 pm-9:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- Livestock Show- minimum pig weight is 85 lbs (no Saturday tagging)

May 23- 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- FINAL TAGGING minimum pig weight is 85 lbs

**Sussex County does not have the ability to weigh steers or feeder calves so if you want your steer to be weighed at the time of tagging, it must be brought to one of the Delaware State Fair tagging dates.  To be eligible for the Delaware Farm Bureau Rate of Gain Contest, you must weigh and tag at the location for your county.

 

Jackpot Show Entries Due May 1

The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 20th Jackpot Show on May 20, 2017 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  This is a market preview show for steers, market goats, market lambs, and market hogs.  Entry information is posted on the State 4-H animal science page https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/23110312/Jackpot-show-entry-form-2017.pdf and entries must be postmarked by May 1 or entry fees double.

 

PQA Certification

All Junior Market Hog Exhibitors are required to have a current PQA certification in order to exhibit a market hog at the Delaware State Fair.  There are currently three options for obtaining PQA certification. The class certification option is open to any age but youth under the age of 8 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) must have a parent attend the class with them as national program guidelines do not permit a child under 8 to hold their own certification.  Certification received through the classroom option is valid for one year.

Youth over the age of 12 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) have the option of taking a multiple choice test in lieu of attending classroom training. The benefit of the testing option is that certification may last for longer than one year, depending on the age of the youth at test time.  Youth must score 70% or better to pass the test and can take versions of the test up to three times in one sitting to pass.

There is an online training, testing, and certification option for youth ages 8-19. Delivered in the form of an engaging, interactive online module, the new online option allows participants to learn, test, and become certified in Youth PQA Plus. For youth age 12 and under, a parent log-in for security is required. Youth only need to complete one of these three options for obtaining certification. Online certification is not an option for parents if it is their first time receiving a PQA certification.

In 2017, for all youth who receive their PQA certification this year, certification will only last through 2017 as the new national Youth for the Quality Care of Animals program will become the single, national certification program for all livestock species beginning in 2018. For more information and to complete your certification online, please visit

http://www.pork.org/youth-pqa-plus/

The following local PQA class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:

May 2, 2017- NCC PQA Classroom Training- New Castle County Extension Office 6:30-8:30 pm

May 4, 2017 – Sussex County PQA Classroom Training- Carvel Center 6:30-8:30 pm

June 6, 2017- FINAL PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office- 6:30-8:30 pm

The following PQA testing dates have been scheduled for this spring (walk in any time):

May 22, 2017- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00-6:00 pm

May 25, 2017- Sussex PQA Open Testing- Carvel Center- 4:00-6:00 pm

June 27, 2017- Kent PQA Open Testing- Kent County Extension Office- 4:00-6:00 pm

You may attend class or testing 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 certification needs.

 

 Delaware 4-H 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 17, 2017 and will be put on display for the month of May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware.  Contest guidelines and entry information is posted on the State 4-H website.

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27073040/2017-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf

 

Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1

 2016 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. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.

 

National 4-H Dairy Conference Applications Due May 1

 The 2017 National 4-H Dairy Conference is October 1-5, 2017 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 at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and is due to Susan Garey by May 1.

 

Final Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Payment Due May 1

The third payment for futurity animals entered for the 2017 Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity is due May 1 to volunteer Charmayne Busker.  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, 2017.  For more information please consult the 2017 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/28080154/2017-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com

 

Harness Racing Camp Coming June 17-21, 2017- Applications Due May 15th!

 The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harrington Raceway and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are pleased to be partnering once again to hold a 5 day-4 night harness racing camp for youth ages 12-14.  The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. Harness racing camp gives youth an opportunity to experience working with, caring for and driving harness racing ponies while interacting with industry professionals and learning to work together. Camp will begin on Saturday morning, June 17 and end on Wednesday evening, June 21.  That evening, Harrington Raceway will feature campers participating in televised races on Harrington’s track with well-known drivers as their racing partners. 

 Campers will reside in the state police barracks on the Delaware State Fairgrounds for the duration of the camp.  The camp fee is $150 per participant which includes all meals and camp expenses.  Camp attendance is limited in order to provide proper supervision for this intensive and fun learning experience!  Camp applications can be found at: https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/23111531/2017-Harness-Racing-Camp-Application.pdf  For more information please visit www.hhyf.org

 

2017 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year Winner Announced

Congratulations to New Castle County 4-H’er Sarah Brown who is the winner of the 2017 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year essay contest sponsored by the Delaware 4-h Horse Advisory Committee and Peter Stone horses.  Sarah is a member of the Heavenly Hooves 4-H Club and nominated Bree a 21 year old Quarter Horse mare.  In her essay Sarah shared her story of building a relationship with Bree, a previously unloved horse, and how the most important thing Bree taught her was how to find the silver lining of an experience and just enjoy being together.  In the fall, Sarah will receive a custom painted model of Bree generously created and donated by Peter Stone horses.  For more information on Peter Stone horses please visit their website https://www.stonehorses.com/

 

2017 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl Rules, Entry Information and Coaches Training

 The rules and guidelines along with the study sections and entry information for the 2017 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl held during the Delaware State Fair has been posted to the State 4-H Animal Science web page.  Entries are due via the Delaware State Fair website by June 1.  A training for Avian Bowl coaches will be held at the Kent County Extension Office on Tuesday May 9, 2017 beginning at 6:30 pm to assist coaches in understanding the contest and how best to prepare their teams. Please RSVP to Susan Garey by May 5th if you plan on attending.  Visit https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/23111221/Delaware-4-H-Avian-Bowl-Rules-and-Guidelines-2017.pdf for the complete rules and guidelines.

Animal Science, Announcements & Breaking News, Livestock, Opportunities, Scholarships, Spring Events

Animal Science Updates

2017 DSF Market Project Livestock Tagging Dates:

May 6- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Sussex County- REC (no cattle)

May 6- 9:00 am- 11:00 am- NCC- Cook Farm

May 13- 9:00 am-11:00 am- Kent County- DSF

May 19- 6:00 pm-9:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- Livestock Show

May 23- 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm- Kent County- DSF- FINAL TAGGING

 NEW THIS YEAR- FEEDER CALVES WILL HAVE TO BE TAGGED TO EXHIBIT AT 2017 DSF!!!

 

2017 DSF Swine Show Changes: ***NEW SPLIT SHOW FORMAT***

 

First half of week- Market, Showmanship and Barrow Show

  • Saturday July 22nd
    • Weigh in and barn meeting will remain on Saturday
    • Showmanship will start at 4 PM Saturday (if you are using a breed pig for showmanship you are allowed to bring that in with the market pigs before Saturday at 8 am
  • Sunday July 23rd
    • Market Show will start at 8 am (about 2 hours long) after the market show they will take a break and start the barrow show
    • After barrow show they will notify the animals going to auction
    • Start preparing for remaining hogs to exit and breed pigs to enter
  • Monday July 24th
    • The ones going to auction will stay until the end of the fair. Exhibitors whose pigs are not going to auction will need to make arrangements for the pigs to be shipped out between 12 am- 9 am.
    • It is imperative that you have a plan for where your market animal is headed if it does not make the Junior Livestock Auction before you ever arrive at the fair!!

Second Half of the week- Jr & Open Breed Show

  • Monday July, 24th
    • 12 am-9am breed pigs may enter while the market is leaving
    • Crossbred gilts will be weighed in at 9 am
    • Jr and Open Breed Show will start at 4 pm
  • Wednesday July 26th
    • Exhibitors of breed animals may remove up to 12/3 of their breed animals from 12 am- 6 pm.

 

Exhibitors of all market animals should send buyer letters to potential buyers prior to the start of the 2017 DSF.  It is not the Fair’s nor the Junior Livestock Auction’s responsibility to provide buyers for you.  Follow up thank you notes are critically important as well.

 

FYI for 2017-  Maryland State Fair will require RFID tags for cattle and hog exhibitors- it is not clear yet if they will require RFID for Maryland County Fairs

 

DPI Offers College Scholarships

DPI is accepting applications for its 2017 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 official 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.

Although an applicant is not required to have a family member of a family business that is a member of DPI, membership in DPI would be a deciding factor when applicants are otherwise evenly matched.  Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply.

Applications must be completed and received at the following address on or before 4:30 pm on April 3, 2017:  DPI College Scholarship Program, 16686 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Applications and additional scholarship information are available from the DPI website at www.dpichicken.org or by sending inquiries to morrow@dpichicken.com.

 

2017 Spring 4-H/FFA Dairy Show

The Spring 4-H and FFA Dairy Show will be held on April 1, 2017 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  Entries are due to 4-H volunteer Charmayne Busker by March 3, 2017.  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, 2017) and an Open Division which will run concurrently.  For show information and an entry form please visit the state 4-H website http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/

We are always looking for additional show sponsors.  If you are interested in sponsoring the 2017 show, please contact Charmayne by March 3 to be featured on the Spring Show T-shirt.

 

Delaware Livestock Exposition Benefit Dinner Catered by Mission BBQ

March 11th

Mark your calendar for the 2017 Delaware Livestock Exposition, October 14-15 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 $225,000 in premiums to our young livestock exhibitors.

The show committee is hosting a benefit dinner and auction catered by Mission BBQ on Saturday, March 11th in the Dover building on the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  Tickets are $30 each and are available for purchase at the Kent County Extension office beginning in February.   Please email Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or Kristin Cook kristin@udel.edu  to reserve yours now.  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!

 

Delaware Pork Producers Annual Dinner- March 18th

The Delaware Pork Producers Association will be holding their annual dinner and banquet on Saturday, March 18th at the Felton Fire Hall.  Dinner will be served family style beginning at 6:30pm.  The menu will consist of Felton’s famous fried oysters, delicious pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, dumplings, green beans, dessert and beverages.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Please call Karen Tigner at (302)632-4250 for more information or to purchase dinner tickets.  The Delaware Pork Producers Association has graciously provided support to Delaware 4-H Livestock programs for many years.

 

Genetic Edge Showpig Sale

The Genetic Edge Sale will be held on Saturday March 25 at the Eugene Dill Riding Arena at 2408 Still Rd. in Wyoming, DE. Preview will begin at 9:00 a.m., there will be a short seminar at 11:00 a.m. and the auction will begin at 12 noon.   Lunch will be available on site.  If you have any questions, please contact John Tigner at 242-4315, Karen Tigner 632-4250 or tignerfarms@yahoo.com

 

Champion Drive Auction

The Champion Drive Auction is being held at the Queen Anne’s County Fairgrounds (Dulin Clark Rd. Centreville, MD) on April 1, 2017.  Preview will be 11:00 am-1:00 pm with the auction beginning at 1:00 pm.  Club goats consigned by Erica Willing, lambs consigned by the Warren Family and purebred and crossbred show pigs consigned by Double K Showpigs, Burnite Mill Farm Showpigs, P and K Acres and Hayfield Acres will be sold.  For more information please contact Amanda Fabi 302-382-5443 or Kayla Kemp 302-531-6973.

 

 

Dairy Project Groups- Delaware Holstein Association Annual Tour and Meeting March 25th

The Delaware Holstein Association will be holding their annual meeting on Saturday, March 25th and welcome youth dairy project participants. It will be hosted by the Knutsen Family at G&S Dairy on Prospect Church Road beginning at 10:00 am.  The luncheon and business meeting will follow at the Harrington Fire House beginning at 12:30 pm.  The Holstein Association is also pleased to announce that the 2017 Delaware Dairy Princess Contest will be held in conjunction with the meeting this year!  For more information on the annual meeting please contact Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com. If you would like to be a contestant in the Dairy Princess Contest please contact:
Laura Emerson Greer, email: lauraleegreer@gmail.com or phone (302)-893-7258.

 

2017 YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST PROGRAM- Win a Heritage Breed Ewe

Sponsored by the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

Youth interested in applying for the 2017 Youth Conservationist Program

* Must be between 9 and 18 years old.

*Submit an application postmarked by April 1, 2017 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 reside and 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 particular 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, EMAILED ESSAYS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

Requirements if selected:

  • Must be present to receive the ewe at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday

May 7, 2017.

  • Must exhibit the ewe at least twice in 2017 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 2017, 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 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, 2017 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.

 

Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Entries Due April 17th

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 17, 2017 and will be put on display for the month of May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware.  Contest guidelines and entry information is posted on the State 4-H website.

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27073040/2017-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf

  

Harness Racing Camp Coming June 17-21, 2017!

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harrington Raceway and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are pleased to be partnering once again to hold a 5 day-4 night harness racing camp for youth ages 12-14.  The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. Harness racing camp gives youth an opportunity to experience working with, caring for and driving harness racing ponies while interacting with industry professionals and learning to work together. Camp will begin on Saturday morning, June 17 and end on Wednesday evening, June 21.  That evening, Harrington Raceway will feature campers participating in televised races on Harrington’s track with well-known drivers as their racing partners. 

Campers will reside in the state police barracks on the Delaware State Fairgrounds for the duration of the camp.  The camp fee is $150 per participant which includes all meals and camp expenses.  Camp attendance is limited in order to provide proper supervision for this intensive and fun learning experience!  Registration information and applications can be found on the HHYF website http://www.hhyf.org/schedule-applications

Animal Science, Livestock, Spring Events

Cecil County Breeders’ Fair

The Cecil County Breeders’ Fair Livestock, Rabbit, Cavy & Dog Shows will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017, and the Horse Shows will be held on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Cecil County Fairgrounds in Fair Hill.

 

Entries are DUE postmarked by Monday, May 1st.

 

The Breeders Fair Show booklet and entry forms are attached and can be found online at http://extension.umd.edu/cecil-county/4-h-youth/cecil-county-breeders-fair or printed copies are available from the University of Maryland Cecil County Extension Office.

Please contact April Hall Barczewski at adhall@umd.edu or 410-996-5280, if you have any questions.

Breeder’s Fair Entry Forms 2017

Breeder’s Fair PREMIUM BOOK 2017

Animal Science, Announcements & Breaking News, Camps and Overnight Events, County 4-H News, Livestock, Spring Events

Animal Science Updates

We’re gearing up for spring events! Please make sure you are aware of important changes to the Veterinary Feed Directive that will impact you if you are participating in an animal project. 

Upcoming events and news follow the information on the VFD below:

New FDA VFD (Veterinary Feed Directive) Rules to Impact Youth Livestock Producers Starting Jan 1, 2017!

  • What is a VFD?

A VFD is a written (nonverbal) statement issued by a licensed veterinarian that authorizes the use of an approved VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on an animal feed. This written statement authorizes the client (owner of the animal) to obtain and use animal feed bearing or containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug to treat the client’s animals only in accordance with the conditions for use approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). (1) The client (youth producer) must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to be able to get a VFD. This is true whether the 4-H member has one food-producing animal or several.

  • When must the VFD be implemented?

January 1, 2017. Starting January 1, 2017, you can no longer stop by a feed store and buy a bag of medicated feed containing certain types of antibiotics that were previously classified as over-the counter (OTC) drugs. As of January 1, 2017, the FDA requires that clients have a VFD to be able to purchase animal feeds containing these antibiotics.

  • What is a VFD drug?

Antibiotic drugs required to have a VFD order to be added on or in the feed are those deemed by the FDA to be medically important for human medicine. The FDA is concerned that improper or overuse of these antibiotics may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria making it harder to treat human illnesses. Examples include Aureomycin®, Lincomix®, Neo-Terramycin®, penicillin, and tylosin.  These antibiotics are no longer allowed to be used for production uses to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency. They are still allowed for therapeutic uses under veterinary supervision to (1) treat animals diagnosed with an illness; (2) control the spread of illness in a herd; and (3) prevent illness in healthy animals when exposure is likely. Drugs that do not require a VFD are those that are not deemed medically important to humans. Examples include Rumensin®, Bovatec®, Medacox®, monensin, amprolium, and dewormers. These types of medications can still be used over-the-counter (OTC) for production uses to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency, as well as for therapeutic uses (treatment, control and prevention).

  • What species of animals require a VFD?

Cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, honey bees and fish, as well as other food-producing species, even if they are not intended for food production. For example, backyard chickens kept as pets still require a VFD for certain antibiotics to be legally added to their feed, and a prescription for certain antibiotics to be added to water.

For more information on the new FDA VFD requirements please visit:

https://u.osu.edu/portage4h/files/2016/12/VFD-Fact-Sheet_4H_-FINAL_5Dec16-1gokega.pdf

Tufts University Adventures in Veterinary Medicine Camp

Adventures in Veterinary Medicine is a fun and engaging career exploration program for middle and high school students who are interested in pursuing a veterinary career. We invite 4-H youth to apply to AVM and discover if this exciting career is right for them!

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 2017 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 2017 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 official 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.

Although an applicant is not required to have a family member of a family business that is a member of DPI, membership in DPI would be a deciding factor when applicants are otherwise evenly matched.  Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply.

Applications must be completed and received at the following address on or before 4:30 pm on April 3, 2017:  DPI College Scholarship Program, 16686 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Applications and additional scholarship information are available from the DPI website at www.dpichicken.org or by sending inquiries to morrow@dpichicken.com.

Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Second Entry Deadline

The second entry deadline for the 2017 Delaware Junior Dairy futurity is February 1, 2017.  The entry form can be found here https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/28080154/2017-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf

To participate in the 2017 Futurity for Summer Calves, a calf must be nominated by May 1, 2017.  All calves, born June 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 inclusive, of any dairy breed are eligible to enter the Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity. 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 2, 2016.

1st payment of $5.00 due on or before November 14, 2016

2nd payment of $10.00 due on or before February 1, 2017

3rd payment of $15.00 due on or before May 1, 2017

Late entries are permitted but if you do not enter the animal on the first due date, the payment will be doubled.  If your first entry is made on February 1, your entry fee will be $30.00.  If you do not enter until May 1, your entry fee is $70.00 on May 1.

Entry questions can be directed to volunteer Dairy Futurity co-chairs John Hickey or Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com

Summer Employment Opportunity With the Harness Horse Youth Foundation

Do you love working with horses? Do you love teaching children about horses and horsemanship? Can you drive a truck and horse trailer? Then the Harness Horse Youth Foundation is looking for you! The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is looking for a Summer Programs Supervisor for June 1-August 15.  We are seeking a Summer Programs Supervisor to coordinate our horsemanship camps and outreach events, while supervising care of the Foundation’s stable of Trottingbred horses.  Desired qualifications for the Summer Programs Supervisor 1) Must practice safe horsemanship and have knowledge of racing industry; 2) Must enjoy being with and sharing love of harness racing with young people; 3) must have experience in transporting horses.

HHYF is also looking for a Summer Programs Intern/Assistant -Seeking dedicated individual to serve as assistant in camp program. Must have love of horses (experience with Standardbreds preferred) as well as love of kids. Should be willing to work hard and be team player.  Application deadline is March 1. For more information please visit:

http://www.hhyf.org/employment-opportunities

2017 Spring 4-H/FFA Dairy Show

The Spring 4-H and FFA Dairy Show will be held on April 1, 2017 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  Entries are due to 4-H volunteer Charmayne Busker by March 3, 2017.  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, 2014) and an Open Division which will run concurrently.  For show information and an entry form please visit the state 4-H website http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/

We are always looking for additional show sponsors.  If you are interested in sponsoring the 2017 show, please contact Charmayne by March 3 to be featured on the Spring Show t-shirt.

Delaware Livestock Exposition Benefit Dinner Catered by Mission BBQ – March 11th

Mark your calendar for the 2017 Delaware Livestock Exposition, October 14-15 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 $225,000 in premiums to our young livestock exhibitors.

The show committee is hosting a benefit dinner and auction catered by Mission BBQ on Saturday, March 11th in the Dover building on the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  Tickets are $30 each and are available for purchase at the Kent County Extension office beginning in February.   Please email Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or Kristin Cook kristin@udel.edu  to reserve yours now.  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!

Delaware 4-H Horse Bowl- Entry Deadline February 10, 2017

The Delaware 4-H Horse Bowl will be held on March 11, 2017 at Lake Forest North Elementary.  Divisions are available for Ages 9-10, 11-13, and 14-19 as of January 1 of the 2017 4-H year. This year we are switching to using the newly updated 2015 4-H Horse Manuals as resource material.  These new versions have the same titles but are the manuals with the blue covers.  We are discontinuing use of the old tan cover versions of the 4-H Horse Manuals. 

Complete rules and the entry form can be found here:

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/13081043/2017-HORSE-BOWL-CONTEST.pdf

Horse Bowl entries are due to the State 4-H Office by February 10, 2017.

Questions may come from:

  • 4-H Horse Manuals(blue cover 2015 version):

“Giddy Up and Go”, “Head, Heart and Hooves”, “Stable Relationships”,

“Riding the Range,” “Jumping to New Heights,” “Horse Project Helper’s Guide.,”

and 4-H Horse curriculum corrections found on-line at www.n4hccs.org.

  • In addition to the 4-H Horse Project manuals:

Age 8-10: Your Pony, Your Horse, by Cherry Hill

Age 11-13: Your Horse, a step-by-step guide to horse ownership, by Judy Chapple (and age 8-10 material).

Horses and Horsemanship – by Ray Antoniewicz, National 4-H Council- NEW!!

Age 14 and older: Storey’s Horse-Lover’s Encyclopedia, edited by Deborah Burns (and age 8-10 and 11-13 material).

Horse Science- by Ray Antoniewicz, National 4-H Council- NEW!!

2017 State 4-H Avian Bowl Interest???

The Avian Bowl is a knowledge based quiz bowl style competition that focuses on poultry and eggs and poultry industry topics.  The State 4-H Office is trying to gauge the level of interest in holding a 2017 State 4-H Avian Bowl during the 2017 Delaware State Fair.  If you think that your club will have interest in submitting a team for a 2017 contest, please call or email Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)730-4000 by February 1, 2017.

Delaware Pork Producers Annual Dinner- March 18th

The Delaware Pork Producers Association will be holding their annual dinner and banquet on Saturday, March 18th at the Felton Fire Hall.  Dinner will be served family style beginning at 6:30pm.  The menu will consist of Felton’s famous fried oysters, delicious pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, dumplings, green beans, dessert and beverages.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Please call Karen Tigner at (302)632-4250 for more information or to purchase dinner tickets.  The Delaware Pork Producers Association has graciously provided support to Delaware 4-H Livestock programs for many years.

2017 YOUTH CONSERVATIONIST PROGRAM- Win a Heritage Breed Ewe

Sponsored by the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

Youth interested in applying for the 2017 Youth Conservationist Program

* Must be between 9 and 18 years old.

*Submit an application postmarked by April 1, 2017 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 reside and 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 particular 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, EMAILED ESSAYS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

Requirements if selected:

  • Must be present to receive the ewe at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday

May 7, 2017.

  • Must exhibit the ewe at least twice in 2017 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 2017, 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 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, 2017 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.

Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Entries Due April 17th

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 17, 2017 and will be put on display for the month of May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware.  Contest guidelines and entry information is posted on the State 4-H website.

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27073040/2017-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf

Harness Racing Camp Coming June 17-21, 2017!

The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harrington Raceway and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are pleased to be partnering once again to hold a 5 day-4 night harness racing camp for youth ages 12-14.  The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. Harness racing camp gives youth an opportunity to experience working with, caring for and driving harness racing ponies while interacting with industry professionals and learning to work together. Camp will begin on Saturday morning, June 21 and end on Wednesday evening, June 25.  That evening, Harrington Raceway will feature campers participating in televised races on Harrington’s track with well-known drivers as their racing partners. 

Campers will reside in the state police barracks on the Delaware State Fairgrounds for the duration of the camp.  The camp fee is $150 per participant which includes all meals and camp expenses.  Camp attendance is limited in order to provide proper supervision for this intensive and fun learning experience!  Registration information and applications can be found on the HHYF website http://www.hhyf.org/schedule-applications

 

Adult Volunteer Leaders, Animal Science, Announcements & Breaking News, County 4-H News, County Events & Contests, Delaware State Fair, Livestock, Opportunities, State 4-H Events

Animal Science Updates

New FDA VFD (Veterinary Feed Directive) Rules to Impact Youth Livestock Producers Starting Jan 1, 2017! 

  • What is a VFD?

A VFD is a written (nonverbal) statement issued by a licensed veterinarian that authorizes the use of an approved VFD drug or combination VFD drug in or on an animal feed. This written statement authorizes the client (owner of the animal) to obtain and use animal feed bearing or containing a VFD drug or combination VFD drug to treat the client’s animals only in accordance with the conditions for use approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). (1) The client (youth producer) must establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) to be able to get a VFD. This is true whether the 4-H member has one food-producing animal or several.

  • When must the VFD be implemented?

January 1, 2017. Starting January 1, 2017, you can no longer stop by a feed store and buy a bag of medicated feed containing certain types of antibiotics that were previously classified as over-the counter (OTC) drugs. As of January 1, 2017, the FDA requires that clients have a VFD to be able to purchase animal feeds containing these antibiotics.

  • What is a VFD drug?

Antibiotic drugs required to have a VFD order to be added on or in the feed are those deemed by the FDA to be medically important for human medicine. The FDA is concerned that improper or overuse of these antibiotics may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria making it harder to treat human illnesses. Examples include Aureomycin®, Lincomix®, Neo-Terramycin®, penicillin, and tylosin.  These antibiotics are no longer allowed to be used for production uses to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency. They are still allowed for therapeutic uses under veterinary supervision to (1) treat animals diagnosed with an illness; (2) control the spread of illness in a herd; and (3) prevent illness in healthy animals when exposure is likely. Drugs that do not require a VFD are those that are not deemed medically important to humans. Examples include Rumensin®, Bovatec®, Medacox®, monensin, amprolium, and dewormers. These types of medications can still be used over-the-counter (OTC) for production uses to enhance growth or improve feed efficiency, as well as for therapeutic uses (treatment, control and prevention).

  • What species of animals require a VFD?

Cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, honey bees and fish, as well as other food-producing species, even if they are not intended for food production. For example, backyard chickens kept as pets still require a VFD for certain antibiotics to be legally added to their feed, and a prescription for certain antibiotics to be added to water.

For more information on the new FDA VFD requirements please visit:

https://u.osu.edu/portage4h/files/2016/12/VFD-Fact-Sheet_4H_-FINAL_5Dec16-1gokega.pdf

 

Delaware 4-H’ers Compete at First Hippology Contest

The Delaware 4-H program held their first statewide 4-H Hippology contest on Saturday, December 3 at the Little Family’s Golden Locket Farm in Harrington, Delaware.  Hippology meaning “study of the horse” is an activity that enhances learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting.  36 youth ages 7-19 from across the state participated in the inaugural offering.  The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, a group composed of 4-H volunteers from all three Delaware counties that are dedicated to providing quality 4-H horse programs to members, sponsored the event.

4-H members competed in both individual and team categories.  The individual portion of the contest had competitors complete five different station based activities focused on equine anatomy, tack, grooming equipment, horse coat color and marking identification and horse breed identification.  In the team portion of the contest youth competed on teams of up to four individuals to complete more difficult and comprehensive team problem solving activities.  The two team problem solving activities involved feeds and feeding; requiring youth to identify feed samples and perform calculations related to feeding horses, and identification of horses; requiring youth to measure and identify horses in different ways and answer some further process questions about the subject.

4-H volunteer adult leaders coached young people in the month leading up to the competition to prepare them using specified resource materials.  Special thanks to the Little Family for providing the location for the event.

The High Individuals in each age division were:

  • Beginner (8-10 year olds)

Clara Gulick- Tails and Trails 4-H Club New Castle County

  • Intermediate (11-13 year olds)

Sydney Messick- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

  • Senior (14-19 year olds)

Nicole Cannavo- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club, Kent County

The High Teams in each age division were:

  • Beginner (8-10 year olds)

Camo and Cowgirls- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

Members; Miranda Garey, Savannah Messick, Carley Rebuck, Ethan Stafford

  • Intermediate (11-13 year olds)

Yellow Snowflakes- Peach Blossom 4-H Club, Kent County

Members: Rachel Adkins, Sydni Brown, Sydney Messick

  • Senior (14-19 year olds)

Appaloosa’s- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club, Kent County

Members: Nicole Cannavo, Grant Kidner, Jessica Knowles, Maddy Lester

 

Delaware Ag Week

Delaware Ag Week programs along with an agricultural trade show and exhibits by the First State Antique Tractor Club, are being held January 9-13, 2017 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware.  Sessions focused on beef cattle production, small ruminant production, equine pasture management and hay and pasture are among the variety of programs being held.  For the complete schedule of events and individual session schedules please visit

http://sites.udel.edu/delawareagweek/     

 

Delaware Equine Council Scholarship- $1000

Eligibillity:

  • Must be a U.S. citizen and a Delaware resident or Delaware Equine Council member. ($10.00 to become an individual member)
  • Must be enrolled and in good standing in an agriculture, equine, veterinary or vet tech program in the United States.
  • Must submit a typewritten 250-word essay :

“How I plan to use this course of study to further the equine or agriculture industry.”

 

  • Must complete a typed application and include a transcript of a minimum of one full semester’s grades from an accredited college or university.

All awards are given without discrimination as to race, sex, or creed.

Application postmark deadline is January 31, 2017. Winners will be awarded in March 4, 2017.  To download the application or for more details please visit:

http://www.delawareequinecouncil.org/ScholarshipPAGE.html

 

DPI Offers College Scholarships

DPI is accepting applications for its 2017 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 official 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.

Although an applicant is not required to have a family member of a family business that is a member of DPI, membership in DPI would be a deciding factor when applicants are otherwise evenly matched.  Previous recipients, if still eligible, may reapply.

Applications must be completed and received at the following address on or before 4:30 pm on April 3, 2017:  DPI College Scholarship Program, 16686 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947.  Applications and additional scholarship information are available from the DPI website at www.dpichicken.org or by sending inquiries to morrow@dpichicken.com.

 

Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Second Entry Deadline 

The second entry deadline for the 2017 Delaware Junior Dairy futurity is February 1, 2017.  The entry form can be found here https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/28080154/2017-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf

To participate in the 2017 Futurity for Summer Calves, a calf must be nominated by May 1, 2017.  All calves, born June 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016 inclusive, of any dairy breed are eligible to enter the Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity. 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 2, 2016.

1st payment of $5.00 due on or before November 14, 2016

2nd payment of $10.00 due on or before February 1, 2017

3rd payment of $15.00 due on or before May 1, 2017

Late entries are permitted but if you do not enter the animal on the first due date, the payment will be doubled.  If your first entry is made on February 1, your entry fee will be $30.00.  If you do not enter until May 1, your entry fee is $70.00 on May 1.

Entry questions can be directed to volunteer Dairy Futurity co-chairs John Hickey or Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com

 

Delaware 4-H Horse Bowl- Entry Deadline February 10, 2017

The Delaware 4-H Horse Bowl will be held on March 11, 2017 at Lake Forest North Elementary.  Divisions are available for Ages 9-10, 11-13, and 14-19 as of January 1 of the 2017 4-H year. This year we are switching to using the newly updated 2015 4-H Horse Manuals as resource material.  These new versions have the same titles but are the manuals with the blue covers.  We are discontinuing use of the old tan cover versions of the 4-H Horse Manuals.

Complete rules and the entry form can be found here:

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/13081043/2017-HORSE-BOWL-CONTEST.pdf

Horse Bowl entries are due to the State 4-H Office by February 10, 2017.

Questions may come from:

  • 4-H Horse Manuals(blue cover 2015 version):

“Giddy Up and Go”, “Head, Heart and Hooves”, “Stable Relationships”,

“Riding the Range,” “Jumping to New Heights,” “Horse Project Helper’s Guide.,”

and 4-H Horse curriculum corrections found on-line at www.n4hccs.org.

  • In addition to the 4-H Horse Project manuals:

Age 8-10: Your Pony, Your Horse, by Cherry Hill

Age 11-13: Your Horse, a step-by-step guide to horse ownership, by Judy Chapple (and age 8-10 material).

Horses and Horsemanship – by Ray Antoniewicz, National 4-H Council- NEW!!

Age 14 and older: Storey’s Horse-Lover’s Encyclopedia, edited by Deborah Burns (and age 8-10 and 11-13 material).

Horse Science- by Ray Antoniewicz, National 4-H Council- NEW!!

 

2017 State 4-H Avian Bowl Interest???

The Avian Bowl is a knowledge based quiz bowl style competition that focuses on poultry and eggs and poultry industry topics.  The State 4-H Office is trying to gage the level of interest in holding a 2017 State 4-H Avian Bowl during the 2017 Delaware State Fair.  If you think that your club will have interest in submitting a team for a 2017 contest, please call or email Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)730-4000 by February 1, 2017.

 

Delaware Pork Producers Annual Dinner- March 18th

The Delaware Pork Producers Association will be holding their annual dinner and banquet on Saturday, March 18th at the Felton Fire Hall.  Dinner will be served family style beginning at 6:30pm.  The menu will consist of Felton’s famous fried oysters, delicious pork roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, dumplings, green beans, dessert and beverages.  Tickets are $25 for adults, $12.50 for children ages 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. Please call Karen Tigner at (302)632-4250 for more information or to purchase dinner tickets.  The Delaware Pork Producers Association has graciously provided support to Delaware 4-H Livestock programs for many years.

Animal Science, Camps and Overnight Events, Community Service, Delaware State Fair, Livestock, Opportunities, Summer Events, Trainings, Volunteer Opportunities

June Animal Science Updates

Stars and Stripes Livestock Show

The Stars and Stripes Livestock Show will be held on Sunday, June 26th in Moorestown, New Jersey.  Classes are available for exhibitors 21 and under in sheep, dairy goats, poultry and waterfowl, and small animals ranging from rabbits and cavys to lizards and snakes!  Please check their website for entry information and directions. Entries must be postmarked by June 23.  For questions please e-mail Robin Bruins or call 609-259-2347.

 State 4-H Horse Judging Contest at the Delaware State Fair

 The State 4-H Horse Judging Contest at the Delaware State Fair will be held on Wednesday July 27, 2016 beginning at 9:00 am in the Quillen Arena. Youth participants will be expected to judge 3 halter classes and two performance classes.  One of the performance classes will be reining this year.  The pattern will be provided in     mid-June and participants will be permitted to use the pattern in the contest.  The reining class will count towards the participants overall contest score but will not be a reasons class.

Here are some resources, in addition to the resources listed in the Delaware 4-H Horse Judging Leaders Guide to specifically help prepare for the reining class:

Reining Article

Horse Judging Youtube Video

4-H Horse Judging Guide – Oklahoma State

Reining Judging Guide – MSU

Reining Score Card

 

51st State 4-H Horse Show

The 51st Annual State 4-H Horse Show will be held on Friday, July 29,  2016 in the Quillen Arena during the Delaware State Fair.  All participants must have been enrolled as a 4-H member by March 1.  Horses do not need to be stabled on the fairgrounds and may ship in just for the day.  Horses and ponies need to have proof of a current negative Coggins test as well as proof of vaccination for Equine Influenza and Rhino (EHV) within the last 180 days.  All exhibitors are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet whenever mounted or driving.  A complete class list is available on the State    4-H Animal Science website.  For more information, please email  Susan Garey or call (302)730-4000.

 

Delaware Farm Bureau Rate of Gain Contest Forms Due August 19th

 All 4-H and FFA Rate of Gain Contest forms are due to the Kent County Extension office postmarked by August 19, 2016.  Complete rules and entry forms are available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage.

Rate of Gain Contest Rules

Rate of Gain Contest Entry Form

 

Delaware Livestock Exposition- date change for 2016!!

The 2016 Delaware Livestock Exposition will be held October 15-16 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  This is a youth breeding show open to exhibitors ages 21 and younger.  For more information please visit the expo website, find us on Facebook, or contact Susan Garey or Kristin Cook or call (302)730-4000.

Animal Science, Calendars, Livestock, Uncategorized

Animal Science Updates

Delaware State Fair Online Entries Open April 1

It’s that time already!  Delaware State Fair online entries for all classes, including livestock open on April 1.  Entries close on June 1.

 

Delaware State Fair Livestock Handbook Department Highlights for 2016

  • Entry fees for beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine and goats will be $5.00 per class with the exception of showmanship and group classes. A sliding scale for premiums paid will be utilized starting with the 2016 fair.
  • Beef cattle tie out times have been established starting in 2016. Tie out between the horse barns will be allowed from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM. Clean out is required nightly and all manure is to be brought to the designated manure bins. All tie out areas must be cleaned completely out by Sunday July 31st at noon, Exhibitors who do not comply will forfeit premiums.
  • Crossbred gilts and barrows for the open barrow show must be 200-300 lbs. Any hogs not making these weights for these classes must be removed immediately following weigh in on Saturday morning and may not be shown.
  • A minimum weight for tagging of market hogs is in place again this year. If your hog does not meet the minimum requirement for that tagging date, it will not be tagged by fair officials.  You may bring it back to another tagging date but must meet the minimum for that next date.  The minimum weights are:

May 7, 2016- 75 lbs.

May 14, 2016- 80 lbs.

May 20, 2016- 85 lbs.

May 24, 2016- 85 lbs. 

  • Goat Exhibitors– beginning with the 2016 Delaware State Fair, all pygmy goats will be required to be registered. Registration papers will be checked beginning in 2016.

 

Delaware State Fair Livestock Tagging Dates for Market Animals

All market animals must be identified with a Delaware State Fair ear tag in order to be eligible.  This applies to market steers, market lambs, market goats and market hogs.  Feeder calves and breed animals do not need to be tagged.

May 7, 2016- New Castle County- Newark- Cook’s Farm- 9:00am- 11:00 am

May 7, 2016- Sussex County- Georgetown REC- 9:00 am-11:00 am**

May 14 2016- Kent County- DSF- 9:00 am- 11:00 am

May 20, 2016- Kent County- DSF- 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm- Tagging for Jackpot participants

May 24, 2016- FINAL TAGGING DATE- DSF- 5:00 pm- 8:00 pm

**Sussex County does not have the ability to weigh steers so if you want your steer to be weighed at the time of tagging, it must be brought to one of the Delaware State Fair tagging dates.  To be eligible for the Delaware Farm Bureau Rate of Gain Contest, you must weigh and tag at the location for your county.

 

Jackpot Show Entries Due May 2

The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 19th Jackpot Show on May 21, 2016 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.  This is a market preview show for steers, market goats, market lambs, and market hogs.  Entry information is posted on the State 4-H animal science page https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/28175022/Jackpot-show-entry-form-2016-final.pdf and entries must be postmarked by May 2 or entry fees double.

 

NCC Hosts 4-H/FFA Livestock Classic- ENTRY DEADLINE MAY 13- Late entry fees are double!

New Castle County 4-H and FFA Livestock Volunteers are hosting the 4-H and FFA Summer Livestock Classic on June 4, 2016 at the Delaware State Fair.  This event is open to any 4-H or FFA member in Delaware and the eastern shore counties of Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties. Classes offered include showmanship and market classes.  Entry information and a class list are posted on the state 4-H animal Science website http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/

Please note entries must be postmarked by May 13.

 

PQA Certification

All Junior Market Hog Exhibitors are required to have a current PQA certification in order to exhibit a market hog at the Delaware State Fair.  There are currently three options for obtaining PQA certification. The class certification option is open to any age but youth under the age of 8 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) must have a parent attend the class with them as national program guidelines do not permit a child under 8 to hold their own certification.  Certification received through the classroom option is valid for one year.

Youth over the age of 12 (computed as of Jan 1 of the current year) have the option of taking a multiple choice test in lieu of attending classroom training. The benefit of the testing option is that certification may last for longer than one year, depending on the age of the youth at test time.  Youth must score 70% or better to pass the test and can take versions of the test up to three times in one sitting to pass.

There is an online training, testing, and certification option. Delivered in the form of an engaging, interactive online module, the new online option allows participants to learn, test, and become certified in Youth PQA Plus. For youth age 12 and under, a parent log-in for security is required. Youth only need to complete one of these three options for obtaining certification.

Beginners who participate in the online module will receive a one year certification. Intermediate and senior youth, depending on their age at the time of completing the course and if they pass the exam, could receive a three year certification, or certification lasting until they age out of their division if it’s less than three years, and move into the next age division. If an intermediate or senior youth member does not pass their exam online, they will receive a one year certification.  For more information and to complete your certification online, please visit http://www.pork.org/youth-pqa-plus/

The final PQA class training date remains:

June 6, 2016- FINAL PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office- 6:30-8:30 pm

The following PQA testing dates have been scheduled for this spring (walk in any time):

May 5, 2016- Sussex PQA Open Testing- Carvel Center- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

May 10, 2016- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

June 9, 2016- Kent County PQA Open Testing- Kent County Extension Office- 4:00pm-6:00 pm

You may attend class or testing 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. Please contact Susan Garey if you have any questions or concerns in regards to PQA certification needs.

 

Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 2 

2016 Delaware Youth Dairy Leasing Agreements must be turned in to county offices for county agent signatures or to Susan Garey by May 2.  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. http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.

 

 

National 4-H Dairy Conference Applications Due May 2

The 2016 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 25-28, 2016 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 at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and is due to Susan Garey by May 2.

 

Final Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Payment Due May 2

The third payment for futurity animals entered for the 2016 Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity is due May 2 to volunteer Charmayne Busker.  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 2, 2016.  For more information please consult the 2016 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/29153235/2016-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form1.pdf or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com

 

 

2016 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year Winner Named

Jointly sponsored by the Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee and the Peter Stone Model Horse Company, the Horse of the Year contest offered 4-H members the opportunity to nominate a horse or pony as the Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year.  Participants were required to submit an essay of 500-1000 words on the topic of, “If Your Horse was a Superhero, Who Would it be and Why?” along with 4 photographs of the nominated horse or pony.  Essays were scored based on the ability to answer the topic, the emotional impact and meeting the essay requirements by a panel of 6 judges with equine backgrounds and experience as 4-H volunteers.  Nominators were not required to own the horses or ponies entered.

The 2016 winner of the Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year is Ms. Ashley Tilghman, age 14 of Dover, Delaware who nominate her 7 year old grey Thoroughbred named WaChacha.  Ashley is a member of the Mane Squad 4-H Club.  In her essay, Ashley wrote about how Chacha has the qualities of Wonder Woman; agile, lots of endurance, quick reflexes, very intelligent, honest and beautiful.  She compared Wonder Woman learning to live amongst us and being a “normal” human being to Chacha adapting all that she knew from racing in order to become a show horse.

Ashley will be presented with a custom made and custom painted model of her horse WaChacha at the Kent County 4-H Achievement banquet in October, generously created and donated by Peter Stone Model Horses.  For more information on the Stone Model horse company, please visit: http://www.stonehorses.com 

The announcement and essay guidelines for the 2017 Delaware 4-H Horse of the year contest will be available in October with an entry deadline of November 15, 2016.  For more information on how to enter, please visit the Delaware 4-H Animal Science web page at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/

 

Free eXtension Recorded Webinar for Viewing- Spring Cleaning: Getting Your Horse Ready for the Show Season 

The webinar focuses on current vaccination strategies, nutritional management, muscle conditioning, and other health considerations to ensure your horse keeps healthy during the most demanding time of the year: Spring, Summer and Fall.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlRTfq7bIgQ

 

2016 4-H Horse Judging Contest at the Delaware State Fair 

The two performance classes in the 4-H Horse Judging Contest this summer at the Delaware State Fair will be Western Pleasure and Reining.  The Reining Pattern will be provided to contestants via your county extension office in advance of the contest and by June 15th.  Participants may bring the pattern with them to the contest.

 

51st State 4-H Horse Show at the Delaware State Fair

The 51st State 4-H Horse will be held on July 29, 2016 in the Quillen Arena at the Delaware State Fair.  The show program, with complete rules and a class list, can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science page at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/21024156/2016-State-4-H-Horse-Show.pdf  4-H’ers must have been enrolled in the Delaware 4-H program by March 1 in order to participate in the show.  Ship-ins for the day are permitted and all horse must have proof of a negative Coggins test and a certificate of vaccination for Equine Influenza and EHV in the past 180 days to show.  Class entries are made the morning of the show in the Quillen Arena office.

Animal Science, Delaware State Fair, Livestock

Important 4-H Livestock Dates

2016 Delaware State Fair Tagging Dates

  • May 7 – New Castle County, Cook Farm, Newark, 9-11AM
  • May 7 – Sussex County. REC Georgetown, 9-11AM (No Steers)
  • May 14 – Kent County, DSF, Harrington, 9-11AM
  • May 20 – Kent County, DSF, Harrington, 6-9PM (Jackpot and Kent County Show participants only)
  • May 24 – Kent County, DSF, Harrington, 5-8PM (FINAL TAGGING)

Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) Information

Dates have been set for the in-class training and the walk-in test for PQA. All youth exhibitors showing swine MUST be PQA certified.

New Castle County PQA dates:

  • April 19, Classroom Training, NCC Extension, 6:30-8:30PM
  • May 10, Walk-in Test, NCC Extension, 4-6PM

Please e-mail Susan Garey to register for the training or test if you plan to attend. You can also call Susan at 302.730.4000!