Delaware State Fair Livestock Handbook Department Changes for 2015
All livestock exhibitors must be at least five(5) years of age as of January 1 of the current fair year to show livestock. This does not include rabbits and poultry.
Swine Exhibitors– the upper weight limit for market hogs has been raised to 290 lbs. Market hogs must be 220-290 lbs in order to be shown. 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 being established 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 2, 2015- 75 lbs.
May 9, 2015- 80 lbs.
May 15, 2015- 85 lbs.
May 19, 2015- 85 lbs.
Sheep Exhibitors– no tank or tub washing of sheep is permitted on the fairgrounds.
Beef Exhibitors– Tie out times have been established starting in 2015 for beef cattle. Tie out between the horse barns will be allowed from 9:00 pm to 9:00 am. Tie outs must be cleaned nightly and all manure brought to the designated manure bunks.
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 2, 2015- New Castle County- Newark- Cook’s Farm- 9:00am- noon
May 2, 2015- Sussex County- Georgetown REC- 9:00 am-11:00 am**
May 9, 2015- Kent County- DSF- 9:00 am- 11:00 am
May 15, 2015- Kent County- DSF- 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm- Tagging for Jackpot participants
May 19, 2015- 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.
Delaware 4-H’ers Compete at State 4-H Horse Bowl Competition
The Delaware 4-H program recently held their annual State 4-H Horse Bowl with a record number of teams competing. 118 Delaware 4-H members representing 31 teams 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. 48 Delaware 4-H volunteers assisted with the Horse Bowl event. Volunteer officials for the competition included Ms. Kacie Minner, Ms. Wendy Lippincott from the Delaware Equine Council and Dr. Christina Dayton, D.V.M. of All Creatures Veterinary Service.
The top three teams in each age division were:
Beginner (8-10 year olds)
1st Place- Holler-N-Hooves- Kent County- Team Members: Sydni Brown, Kassidy Hearn, Lauren Williams Coach: Jody Williams
2nd Place- East Coast Fearsome Fillies, Sussex County – Team Members: Kyli Baridon, Alex Herber, Anna Lopez, Tori Smith Coaches: Heather Smith, Jodie Gravenor
3rd Place- East Coast Mini Stars- Sussex County – Team Members: Logan Layfield, Emily Phillips, Ruby Phillipa Coaches: Heather Smith, Jodie Gravenor
Junior (11-13 year olds)
1st Place- Hearts 4-Horses – Team Members: Hayley Halloran, Sierra Kane, Lily Koster
Coach: Lee Halloran
2nd Place- Spotted Quarters, New Castle County – Team Members: Carly Mekulski, Grace Silicato, Bianca Todd Coach: Tina Mekulski
3rd Place- Holler-N-Hooves- Kent County – Team Members: Kassidy Kohland, Maddy Lester, Sophia Peterson Coach: Dawn Kohland
Senior (14-19 year olds)
1st Place- New Horizons- Kent County – Team Members: Ashley Hurd, Lauren Ide, Peyton Ridgely Coaches: Jennifer Ridgely, Dawn Spader
2nd Place- Heavenly Hooves- New Castle County – Team Members: Sarah Brown, Jessica Knowles, Brianna Mason, Melissa Vorn Coach: Ann Blackmore
3rd Place- Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club- Kent County – Team Members: Brittany Cahall, Sara Deason, Christie Little, Courtney Sarlouis Coach: Sharon Little
2015 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 “My Horse, My Hero…” along with 4 photographs of the nominated horse or pony. Essays were scored based on the ability to answer the topic, the emotional and sentimental impact and meeting the essay requirements by a panel of 5 judges with equine backgrounds and experience as 4-H volunteers and educators. Nominators were not required to own the horses or ponies entered.
The 2015 winner of the Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year is Ms. Sydney Messick, age 9 of Harrington, Delaware who nominated her 17 year old Miniature Horse Feather. Christie is a member of the Holler-N-Hooves 4-H Club. In her “My Horse, My Hero” essay, Messick wrote about all of her 4-H adventures with Super Feather from riding to driving, equine art entries to a grooming demonstration for the Kent County demonstration contest and their model for the Groom and Clean Contest. She also spoke of his impact on the community as a pet therapy horse who rides in elevators, has participated in parades and even assisted Santa Claus himself!
She concluded with, “Without Feather, I would not be able to participate in all of these fun things and our community would not be the same. Don’t let his size fool you. He’s a little guy but he sure has done a lot for me and many other people. Feather and I have such a strong connection and we have gained trust in each other. You might not see him flying through the air with a cape but Super Feather is really my horse, my hero!”
Sydney will be presented with a custom made and custom painted model of her pony Feather 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 2016 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year contest will be available in October with an entry deadline of November 15, 2015. For more information on how to enter, please visit the Delaware 4-H Animal Science web page http://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/
Jackpot Show Entries Due May 1
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is hosting its 18th Jackpot Show on May 16, 2015 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://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/Jackpot-show-entry-form-2015.pdf and entries must be postmarked by May 1 or entry fees double.
NCC Hosts 4-H/FFA Livestock Classic- ENTRY DEADLINE MAY 15- 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 6, 2015 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://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/
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.
New for this year 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 following local PQA class training dates have been scheduled for this spring:
April 16, 2015 – NCC PQA Classroom Training- New Castle Country Extension Office 6:30-8:30 pm
April 21, 2015 – Sussex County PQA Classroom Training-Carvel Center 6:30-8:30 pm
June 1, 2015- 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 4, 2015- Sussex PQA Open Testing-Carvel Center- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
May 7, 2015- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
June 9, 2015- 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 10, 2015 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://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/2015-Delaware-4-H-Equine-Art-Contest.pdf
5th Annual Delmarva Classic Goat Show
The Delmarva Goat Association will host their Fourth Annual Delmarva Classic on May 2nd and 3rd. It will take place at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware.
Saturday, May 2- 9:00 am –Open Jr. Boer Breed and Showmanship
1:00 pm- Open ABGA Sanctioned Boer Goat Show
Sunday, May 3- 9:00 am- Open ABGA Sanctioned Boer Goat Show
For more complete rules and entry forms please visit the DGA website at
http://www.delmarvagoat.com/news—events.html
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 May. For more information please visit the DGA website at http://www.delmarvagoat.com/news—events.html or call (302)242-3464.
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices May 1
2015 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://extold.anr.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 2015 National 4-H Dairy Conference is September 27-30, 2015 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 http://extold.anr.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 2015 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 2015 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at https://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/2015-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf 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! http://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/Livestock-Judging-Online-resources.pdf
Harness Racing Camp Coming June 20-24, 2015! Registrations Due May 15
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 2015. Camp will begin on Saturday morning June 20 and end on Wednesday evening, June 24. Participants learn to care for horses including grooming, proper equipment and safety techniques, and how to drive a horse, assisted by local licensed trainers and drivers. HHYF travels with its own stable of Trottingbreds, a slightly smaller breed of horse than the Standardbreds that normally race at the track. The final evening of camp, 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 registration fee, which includes all materials, meals, lodging and field trips is $150. Camp attendance will be limited in order to provide proper supervision for this intensive and fun learning experience. Registration forms are due May 15. https://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/files/2012/02/2015-HHYF-Harrington-application.pdf