Upcoming Avian Bowl Trainings
Dr. Brigid McCrea of Delaware State University will be holding monthly Avian Bowl training sessions in both New Castle and Kent counties. Monthly practice schedule through the month of June.
New Large Animal Veterinarian Seeing 4-H Project Animals and Poultry-
Meet Dr. Dayton-Wall DVM
Dr. Christina Dayton-Wall was born and raised in Lincoln, Delaware. She started her veterinary career as a kennel person at A. Little Veterinary Clinic in Harrington many years ago. Dr. Dayton graduated from the University Of Georgia College Of Veterinary Medicine in 2007 and then practiced in Georgia until 2013 when she decided to move home! Dr. Dayton enjoys working on all types of animals including horses, dogs, goats, sheep, cattle, cats, alpacas, llamas, and pigs (including pot belly pigs!).She enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine, but especially reproduction and general medicine in horses, soft tissue injuries in all species, and taking care of alpacas and llamas. Dr. Dayton also has an interest in alternative therapies and she is certified by the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association for dogs and horse chiropractic examinations. She is a graduate of the Options for Animals Chiropractic School. She is excited about being able to offer this new therapy to both large and small animals.
When Dr. Dayton is not taking care of patients, she is a busy girl taking care of her own animals. She and her husband, Adam own a farm in Lincoln, where they have 2 horses, 2 dogs, 2 cats and 7 chickens. Their horses are Sham, a 20 year old TB gelding, and May, a 3 year old warm blood filly. She enjoys showing her horse; Sham, at dressage shows and horse trials. Dr. Dayton has her bronze medal from the United States Dressage Federation. She is looking forward to working with May as she grows!
Dr. Christina Dayton-Wall DVM
Veterinarian and Internationally Certified Animal Chiropractor
All Creatures Veterinary Service
A division of A Little Veterinary Clinic
Harrington, DE
302-258-8160
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.
Purchasing Market Hog Projects and PEDv
If you have been following U.S. hog industry news over the past 9 months or so, you probably have heard of PEDv or Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus. This virus was first identified in Great Britain in 1971 and was officially confirmed in the United States for the first time in May of 2013 in Ohio. This virus is quite contagious and is transmitted through the fecal-oral route. Pigs infected with the virus shed virus particles abundantly in their manure for 7-20 days following infection. The most common sources of infected feces coming onto a farm are pigs, trucks, boots, clothing, or other things that can physically move it.
Pigs show symptoms of virus infection within 12-36 hours of exposure to the virus with the onset of acute diarrhea. This disease is of most concern to breeders of pigs as the mortality level in young, nursing or recently weaned pigs can be high. Older hogs experience a setback in growth rate of about 3-7 days and generally recover with supportive therapy (clean, dry comfortable, draft free environment, low stress levels, access to plenty of clean fresh water and electrolyte therapy). Because this is a viral disease, there are no antibiotics to treat it. There is no vaccine currently on the market to prevent this disease. The virus does not affect other species of livestock or horses and does not affect humans. In recent months, the number of cases confirmed has increased dramatically and at least 20 states have been affected. Samples from pigs and from the environment have confirmed the presence of the virus in our surrounding states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. It was also confirmed in Canada in early February.
4-H members are reminded to practice good biosecurity protocols when visiting project animal auctions, farms, fellow member’s homes and livestock shows. Examples of disinfectants effective against PEDV include Clorox®, Virkon S®, 1 Stroke Environ®, and Tek-Tol®. 2014 PQA training sessions will cover biosecurity principles and PEDv. For more information, please visit the National Pork Board website www.pork.org or the American Association of Swine Veterinarians website www.aasv.org
IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR ALL DELAWARE STATE FAIR SWINE EXHIBITORS!
PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING NEW MANDATORY WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS IN THE SWINE DEPARTMENT FOR THE 2014 FAIR:
New for 2014 and Updated on March 24, 2014 in Response to Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus(PEDV):
1. All Open Barrows and Crossbred Gilts – Must weigh a minimum of 200 lbs. and maximum of 300 lbs. at July 19th weigh-in or they may not be exhibited and must be removed from the fairgrounds immediately following weigh in.
2. All Junior Market Hogs – Must still weigh a minimum of 220 lbs. and maximum of 275 lbs. at July 19th weigh-in. Market hogs that do not meet the weight requirements to be exhibited as a market hog or in the open barrow or crossbred gilt classes, may not be exhibited and must be removed from the fairgrounds immediately following the July 19th weigh in.
Due to PEDV, the recently adopted policy that established target weights for tagging dates for market hogs has been suspended and will not be enforced. All Swine exhibitors will have the option of either weighing and tagging their animals or simply having their animals tagged on the trailer at the May tagging dates. Exhibitors will not be REQUIRED to have market hogs weighed in order to be tagged. Tagging dates and locations remain the same as previously announced.
4-H/FFA Rate of Gain Contest Update
The market hog division of the Rate of Gain Contest for all 4-H and FFA Members has been suspended for the 2014 Show Season. All other categories will still compete.
Free Equine Showmanship Workshop for State 4-H Horse Show- April 22nd
The Delaware 4-H Horse Advisory Committee is hosting a free showmanship workshop for 4-H members that will be participating in the State 4-H Horse Show. Join equine professionals, 4-H leaders and other 4-H members from across Delaware for an evening of fun learning! Whether you are new to showing, considering showing or an experienced exhibitor, please join us to learn about showing at the State 4-H Horse Show during the Delaware State Fair! The Delaware 4-H Horse Show Rule Book and scoring system will be discussed as well tips for presenting your horse or pony during 4-H Fitting and Showmanship Classes.
Please contact Becky Smith, Advisory President 302-373-4818 rasmitha6@yahoo.com or Sharon Little 302-398-9518 salger1@hughes.net Free Seminar – Please call to register in advance. Location: Pardee Center 69 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19901 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Jackpot Show Entries Due May 1
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 17th Jackpot Show on May 17, 2014 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 and entries must be postmarked by May 1 or entry fees double.
NCC Hosts 4-H/FFA Livestock Classic- ENTRY DEADLINE MAY 1
New Castle County 4-H and FFA Livestock Volunteers are hosting the 4-H and FFA Summer Livestock Classic on June 7, 2014 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
Please note entries must be postmarked by May 1.
Invitational Pygmy Goat Show Entries Due May 1
The 2014 Invitational Pygmy Goat show will be held at the Delaware State Fair on May 18, 2014. 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 https://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/PygmyGoatShow.pdf 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.
2014 Delaware State Fair Tagging Dates
May 3, 2014- New Castle County- Cook Farm, Newark 9:00 am-12:00 noon
May 3, 2014- Sussex County- REC Georgetown, 9:00 am- 11:00 am (no steers)
May 10, 2014- Kent County- DSF, 9:00 am-11:00am
May 16, 2014- Kent County- DSF (Jackpot and Kent County Show participants ONLY) 6:00pm-9:00 pm
May 20, 2014- Kent County-DSF, Final Tagging 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
PQA Certification
All junior market hog exhibitors at the Delaware State Fair are required to have a current Pork Quality Assurance (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, 2014 – Sussex County PQA Classroom Training-Carvel Center 6:30-8:30 pm
April 12, 2014- Kent County PQA Classroom Training- Kent County Extension Office-9:00-11:00 am
April 17, 2014 – NCC PQA Classroom Training- New Castle Country Extension Office 6:30-8:30 pm
June 2, 2014- 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 28, 2014- Sussex PQA Open Testing-Carvel Center- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
May 15, 2014- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
June 11, 2014- 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.
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 11, 2014 and will be put on display for the month of May at Chick’s retail store in Harrington, Delaware.
Contest guidelines and entry information
4th Annual Delmarva Classic Goat Show
The Delmarva Goat Association will host their Fourth Annual Delmarva Classic on April 25th and 26th. It will take place at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware.
Friday – April 25th will feature a Junior Show of ABGA and Pygmy goats
Saturday – April 26th will feature two shows simultaneously; an ABGA show, and a sanctioned Pygmy Goat Show. For more complete rules and entry forms please visit the DGA website at http://www.delmarvagoat.com/news.html
New Delmarva Goat Association Junior Herdsman Award
The Delmarva Goat Association is very excited to announce the DGA Youth Herdsman Award for all youth 21 and under that are members of the DGA. There are two categories Senior and Junior with a monetary award and a jacket. This award is an accumulation of a youth’s work with the goat industry for a year. They will need to keep records of what and where they were involved in goat activities. This award will be presented at the Delmarva Classic Show in April 2014. For more information please visit the DGA website at http://www.delmarvagoat.com/news.html or call (302)422-5746.
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1
2014 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 2014 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 28- Oct 1, 2014 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://4h.uwex.edu/events/dairyconf/ The updated application is available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage at 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 2014 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, 2014. For more information please consult the 2014 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
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!
Harness Racing Camp Coming June 21-25, 2014!
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, Harrington Raceway and University of Delaware Cooperative Extension are pleased to be partnering once again to bring a 5 day- 4 night camp back to Harrington Raceway for 2014. 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. Camp attendance will be limited in order to provide proper supervision for this intensive and fun learning experience. Registration information will be available later this spring.