2016 Spring 4-H/FFA Dairy Show
The Spring 4-H and FFA Dairy Show will be held on April 2, 2016 at the Delaware State Fairgrounds. Entries are due to 4-H volunteer Charmayne Busker by March 4, 2016. 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, 2016) 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 2016 show, please contact Charmayne by March 4 to be featured on the Spring Show t-shirt.
Delaware Livestock Exposition Benefit Dinner – March 12th
Mark your calendar for the 2016 Delaware Livestock Exposition, October 15-16 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 will be available in the summer. 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! The show committee is hosting a benefit dinner and auction on Saturday, March 12th in the Dover building on the Delaware State Fairgrounds. The dinner this year is being catered by Fat Daddy’s BBQ. Tickets are $30 each and are available for purchase at the Kent County Extension office or from any show committee member. 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!
4-H Dairy Project Group Meeting Opportunity- March 12st–
The Delaware Holstein Association is holding their annual meeting on March 12, 2016 beginning at 10:00 am at William Vanderwende & Sons, 4003 Seashore Highway, Bridgeville.
The Vanderwende Family has invited the membership to visit their home farm. Three generations of the family are involved in the operation that includes a 225 cow dairy, a 4,000 acre crop operation and most recently an on farm creamery. The farm is located about 6 miles west of Bridgeville on the north side on Seashore Highway.
Luncheon – Jimmy’s Grille, Bridgeville, DE – 12:30 To reach the restaurant from the farm, take Seashore Hwy east toward Bridgeville, following Business 404. At the first dead end turn left on Market Street and at the second turn right on S. Main Street. Jimmy’s Grille will be on the left at 18541 S. Main Street. At Walgreens, you’ve gone too far!
Program – The Story of Vanderwende Farm Creamery. The Vanderwendes have diversified their dairy operation with the addition of the creamery. Taylor Vanderwende will be on hand to tell our group about the history of the creamery and their plans for the future.
Jr. Association Annual Meeting – 2:30 All Juniors are welcome to participate in the first meeting of 2016. Learn what’s in store for the coming year.
Lunch tickets will be $10.00 for adults. Junior members, under age 21, will be free. Any Delaware 4-H or FFA member is welcome to join in for just the tour or the entire program. For more information please contact Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
National Junior Shropshire Association Offers Starter Flock Award
The National Junior Shropshire Sheep Association is pleased to announce that through the generosity and vision of several prominent Shropshire breeders, the third Shropshire Starter Flock Award will be given to a lucky youth in the spring of 2016.
The Shropshire Starter Flock Award is presented annually and helps to establish one new Shropshire flock every year. The award in 2016 will be a credit voucher of $1,500, which can be used to purchase no less than two ewes in one of the following sales: Shropshire Classic, Great Lakes, Shropshire Spectacular and The Midwest.
In addition, ewes can be purchased at any sale that has ewe lambs nominated for the Shropshire Futurity.
The National Junior Shropshire Sheep Association will identify a local breeder to act as a mentor to the recipient. The sheep will range in age from lambs to yearling ewes. The animals selected will be of sound structure and will maintain good breed type. If you are interested in winning this award flock, you are expected to write an essay to the National Junior Shropshire Sheep Association. Be sure to include background information about yourself. This document6 should illustrate your goals and intentions with the animals should you win the award. There should also be a budget included in the paperwork that is sent in. Type your essay and email it to shropsec@hotmail.com by April 1. Please include your mailing address and telephone number. All applicants should be between the ages of 8 and 20.
Winners are asked to give back to the Starter Flock Award Program in some way in the years to come. The awarded animals are asked to be shown at a county fair, state fair and a regional national show (All American Junior Show, NAILE, The Big E or the Midwest Regional Show).
All essays will be reviewed and discussed by the board members and the winner will be chosen and contacted to make arrangements to receive their award at a spring sale. Whichever sale you choose to make your purchase, you will have a $1,500 credit which can be used when you pay for your purchases. You must purchase at least two ewes with this award. Whether you are looking to add a second breed to your farm or looking to make a start in the sheep business, you are invited to take a chance and write to win.
For more information contact Alan Bruhin, wabruhin@utk.edu or Becky Peterson, shropsec@hotmail.com
- Youth Sheep Conservationist Program
Applicants must be between 9 and 18 years old. *Submit an application postmarked by April 1, 2016 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 answers 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, and 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. We will not accept emailed essays!
Requirements if selected: Must be present to receive the ewe at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Must exhibit the ewe at least twice in 2016 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 2016, 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 1740.622.1573 tankewe_cr58@yahoo.com Donors choose the recipients from the essays submitted by the youth.
Genetic Edge Showpig Sale
The Genetic Edge Sale will be held on Saturday March 26 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 Board Sale
The Champion Drive Board Sale is being held at the Caroline-Dorchester County Fairgrounds (8230 Detour Rd., Denton, MD 21629) on April 9, 2016. Club goats consigned by Erica Willing, lambs consigned by Hall Club Lambs and pigs consigned by Double K Showpigs, Burnite Mill Farm Showpigs, P and K Acres, Contended Acres, Messick Showpigs and Hayfield Acres will be sold. Preview begins at 9:00 am, educational seminars such as: “Feeding 101” and “What to Pack in Your Tack Box” begin at 10:00 am and the board opens at 11:00 am. For more information please contact Amanda Fabi 302-382-5443 or Kayla Kemp 302-531-6973.
Delaware 4-H Equine Art Contest- Entries Due April 8th
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 8, 2016 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://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/
6th Annual Delmarva Classic Goat Show and New Goat Association Sale!
The Delmarva Goat Association will host their 6th Annual Delmarva Classic on April 22nd and 23rd. It will take place at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware. Friday, April 22nd will feature an Open Junior Boer Breed and Showmanship Show followed by the first annual Delmarva Goat Association sale. Saturday – April 23rd will feature an Open ABGA Sanctioned Boer Goat Show followed by a second open ABGA show. Goat sale consignments must be submitted by March 11, 2016. 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 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 a reflection 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. 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 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.
Final Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity Payment Due
The final entry deadline for the 2016 Delaware Junior Dairy futurity is May 2, 2016. The entry form can be found here https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/29153235/2016-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf
To participate in the 2016 Futurity for Summer Calves, a calf must be nominated by May 1, 2016. All calves, born June 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 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 16, 2014
2nd payment of $10.00 due on or before February 1, 2016
3rd payment of $15.00 due on or before May 2, 2016
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 2, your entry fee is $70.00 on May 2.
Entry questions can be directed to volunteer Dairy Futurity co-chairs John Hickey or Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
2016 Delaware State Fair Tagging Dates
May 7, 2016- New Castle County- Cook Farm, Newark 9:00 am-11:00 am
May 7, 2016- Sussex County- REC Georgetown, 9:00 am- 11:00 am (no steers)
May 14, 2016- Kent County- DSF, 9:00 am-11:00am
May 20, 2016- Kent County- DSF (Jackpot and Kent County Show participants) 6:00pm- 9:00 pm
May 24, 2016- Kent County-DSF, Final Tagging 5:00- 8:00 pm