The following updates from Susan Garey, Extension Agent, Animal Science:
Delaware 4-H at the Delaware Horse Expo- April 6 and 7
Do you LOVE 4-H? Do you LOVE Horses? Join us April 6 & 7 to help promote the Delaware 4-H Horse Project activities and events. There is something for everyone. Please email Christie Little christie.e.little@gmail.com for more details on how you can help and get involved.
Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Entries Due April 12
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 12, 2013 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. http://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2013-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf
2013 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year- Entries Due May 1
Is there a special horse or pony that has had an impact on your life or the life of someone else? Have you ever wished that you could have a model of your own favorite horse or pony to cherish forever? Here’s your chance! The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee in conjunction with Peter Stone of Stone Model Horses is pleased to offer a new Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year contest. The contest is open to all traditional age 4-H members and you don’t necessarily have to own your own horse to participate. It requires an essay of 500-1000 words on the topic “My horse/pony has made my life and/or the lives of others BETTER by……” and the submission of several photos of the horse being nominated. The winner receives a customs painted model of their special horse. For complete rules and entry information, please click on the link below. Entry deadline is May 1, 2013. http://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2013-Horse-of-the-Year-Flyer.pdf
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. Please note that all exhibitors will have to register as a new exhibitor this year as old exhibitor information has been purged from the system. Entries close on June 1.
PQA Certification
There are two 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 additional 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. Youth only need to complete one of these two options for obtaining certification- not both.
The following PQA class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:
- April 9, 2013 – NCC PQA Classroom Training- New Castle Country Extension Office 6:30-8:30 pm
- April 18, 2013 – Sussex County PQA Classroom Training-Carvel Center 6:30-8:30 pm
- April 20, 2013- Kent County PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office-9:00-11:00 am
- June 3, 2013- 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 7, 2013- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
- May 14, 2013- Sussex PQA Open Testing-Carvel Center- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
- June 11, 2013- 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 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.
ABGA and Pygmy Goat Show in April
The Delmarva Goat Association is holding the 3rd Annual Delmarva Classic Goat show at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in April. They have added a pygmy show this year. On Friday April 19, 2013, there will be a Jr. Show of ABGA & Pygmy Goats starting at 6:00 pm. On Saturday April 20, 2013 there will be 2 Sanctioned ABGA Shows and 2 Sanctioned NPGA Pygmy Shows. Classes, Entry Forms, and show information can be downloaded from the association website www.delmarvagoat.com For additional information contact Sherry Blessing at (302)242-3464. Entries are due April 7.
Invitational Pygmy Goat Show Entries Due May 1
The 2013 Invitational Pygmy Goat show will be held at the Delaware State Fair on May 19, 2013. Any Delaware youth between the ages of 5-19 or any Delaware 4-H’er is eligible to participate. Entry information and forms are posted on the state 4-H animal science page http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and are due May 1. Please contact volunteers Tammy Riggins 245-9705 TammyL216@yahoo.com or Joelle Vincent 284-4007 or isew4two@juno.com for more information.
Jackpot Show Entries Due May 1
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 16th Jackpot Show on May 18, 2013 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 website animal science page http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ and entries must be postmarked by May 1 or entry fees double.
NCC Hosts 4-H/FFA Livestock Classic- NEW ENTRY DEADLINE THIS YEAR MAY 1
New Castle County 4-H and FFA Livestock Volunteers are hosting the 4-H and FFA Summer Livestock Classic on June 8, 2013 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 that entries are due earlier this year and must be postmarked by May 1.
Online Livestock Judging Training Resources
As we get closer to judging season, there are many good online resources available to 4-H members and leaders to help strengthen your livestock judging skills. Please visit the state 4-H animal science webpage for a list of descriptions and links to websites that you can utilize any time and are current, useful and best of all free! http://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/Livestock-Judging-Online-resources.pdf
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1
2013 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 2012 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 29- Oct 2, 2013 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 http://www.uwex.edu/ces/4h/events/dairyconf/index.cfm 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 2013 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, 2013. For more information please consult the 2013 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
2013 Delaware State Fair Tagging Dates
- May 4, 2013- New Castle County- Cook Farm, Newark 9:00 am-12:00 noon
- May 4, 2013- Sussex County- REC Georgetown, 9:00 am- 11:00 am (no steers)
- May 11, 2013- Kent County- DSF, 9:00 am-11:00am
- May 17, 2013- Kent County- DSF (Jackpot and Kent County Show participants ONLY) 6:00pm-9:00 pm
- May 21, 2013- Kent County-DSF, Final Tagging 5:00 pm
Upcoming Poultry Online Learning Opportunities
There are some great upcoming eXtension webinars related to raising backyard poultry and exhibiting them at shows. Please visit the Poultry Community of Practice website on eXtension at http://www.extension.org/poultry
for more information on the following upcoming webinars:
Raising Exhibition Poultry- May 21, 2013- 7:00 pm EST
Preparing Poultry for Show- June 4, 2013- 7:00 pm EST
Archived versions of past webinars as well as useful information and videos demonstrating a wide range of topics related to raising poultry are also available on the site and would be great poultry project group meeting activities.