2023 Delaware State Fair Livestock Updates
The 2023 DSF Livestock Handbook has been posted on the state fair website under the livestock exhibitors tab https://www.delawarestatefair.com/livestock-general-information and entries open on April 1. Advisors, parents and exhibitors are strongly encouraged to read it thoroughly as there are a number of changes to the general livestock exhibitor rules this year that will impact market animal exhibitors.
A few important changes to note are:
- The adoption of a drug testing program for all champion and reserve market animals to ensure fair competition and a safe food product to enter the slaughter chain
- The requirement of a YQCA certificate that is valid through July of 2023 at the time a market animal entry is made. An entry will not be accepted without the YQCA certificate being uploaded at the time of entry.
- A declaration form that must be completed if your animal qualifies for the junior livestock auction and has not completed a drug withdrawal by the time of the auction. The withdrawal completion date and time will be announced at auction prior to the start of bidding on that animal.
- An updated deadline of July 1 for market animal photo submissions for Junior Livestock Auction add-ons.
- A new policy that clarifies that entries in breeding shows that are made under a farm name must disclose at the time of entry, the names of the adults involved in the farm so that the maximum of 2 entries per individual per class is not exceeded.
Several of these policy updates also have forms associated with them that are included in the handbook. It is an exhibitor’s responsibility to be familiar with these new policies and procedures.
Delmarva Chicken Association Offers College Scholarships
DCA is accepting applications for its 2023 College Scholarship Program. Applications are being accepted for undergraduate and graduate scholarships that are available in the amount of $2,000 for undergrads and $3,000 for graduate students.
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 academic transcript as well as proof of admission and a letter of recommendation from an academic advisor or faculty member 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.
Applications must be completed and received at the following address on or before 4:30 pm on April 7, 2023: DCA College Scholarship Program, 16686 County Seat Highway, Georgetown, DE 19947. Applications and additional scholarship information are available from the DCA https://www.dcachicken.com/scholarship/#:~:text=Delmarva%20Chicken%20Association%20offers%20scholarships,and%20graduate%20scholarships%20of%20%243%2C000. Late, incomplete, or handwritten applications will not be considered. DCA membership on the part of the applicant or his/her family is not required and has no effect on the selection process.
2023 State 4-H Avian Bowl Study Sections
The Avian Bowl is a knowledge based quiz bowl style competition that focuses on poultry and eggs and poultry industry topics. The 2023 Delaware 4-H Avian Bowl will be Saturday July 29th at 1:00 pm in the Centre.
All questions and answers will come from the following material in the 2016 version and the updated 2023 sections of the Avian Bowl Manual. Both are available online free of charge through the National 4-H Avian Bowl website https://national4hpoultry.ca.uky.edu/content/avian-bowl
2023 Study Sections:
- Prologue … pdf available online in new 2023 online version
- Avian systems (Circulatory, nervous, excretory, muscle, skeletal only) … pages 39-40~ 2016 Manual
- Breeds, varieties, and strains (through New Hampshires, Characteristics) … pages 67-71~ 2016 Manual
- Eggcyclopedia … pages 102-124 ~ 2016 Manual
- Small turkey flock (All)… pages 45-54 ~ 2016 Manual
- A revised version of ‘Changing World of Poultry and Eggs Market‘ … pdf available online
- Embryology (Daily development through entire glossary) … pages 191-195 ~2016 Manual
- New section: Non-food uses of eggs … pdf available online
The avian bowl manual is now available online, free of charge, including some of the new sections and some of the revised sections.
2023 avian bowl sections (pdf)
Prologue to the new avian bowl manual (pdf)
Changing world of poultry and egg markets (pdf)
Complete 2016 avian bowl manual (pdf) for the pages from avian systems; breeds, varieties, and strains; eggcyclopedia; small turkey flock; and embryology
Entries must be made online through the Delaware State Fair website www.delawarestatefair.com by June 1. Teams should be entered once under the club name.
Final Delaware Junior Dairy Futurity Payment Due May 1
The third payment for futurity animals entered for the 2023 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, 2023. For more information please consult the 2023 entry form posted on the State 4-H animal science page at https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/4H-youth-development/project-information/animal-science/ or email Charmayne Busker cpbusker@gmail.com
Dairy Leasing Agreements Due to County Offices – May 1
2023 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 https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/canr/cooperative-extension/personal-economic-development/4H-youth-development/project-information/animal-science/ This is the only version of a leasing agreement that is accepted for Delaware shows.
2023 Delaware State Fair Livestock Tagging Dates
Tagging dates for market lambs, market hogs, market goats, market steers and feeder calves for the 2023 Delaware State Fair are:
- Saturday, May 6, 8 am-11 am – Cook Family Farm 3300 Frazer Rd. Newark (NC County)
- Saturday, May 13, 8 am-11 am- State Fairgrounds (Kent and Sussex County)
- Tuesday, May 23, 5 pm- 8 pm – Delaware State Fair (Kent and Sussex County)
If you choose to participate in the 4-H/FFA Rate of Gain Contest sponsored by the Delaware Farm Bureau, you need to attend the tagging/weigh in for your county. If you choose not to participate in the 4-H/FFA Rate of Gain Contest you may tag at any of the locations regardless of which county you are enrolled in.
Statewide 4-H Livestock Judging Training
The Kent County 4-H Livestock Advisory Committee is offering an on farm statewide livestock judging training on Sunday, April 30th from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm. The training event will begin at 10:00 am with learning how to evaluate beef cattle at the Bodine Farm 1652 Hourglass Road Hartly, DE 19953.
Participants will then caravan to the home of the Hay family 902 Little Mastens Corner Rd., Harrington DE 19952 where lunch will be provided at noon. Following lunch, judging lambs, goats, and pigs will be discussed and practiced as well as oral reasons for livestock judging. Registration is required so enough lunch and supplies can be planned for. To register click here:
https://www.pcsreg.com/statewide-4-h-livestock-judging-training
Delaware Pork Producers Lawrence McClements Memorial Scholarship
Lawrence McClements (1924-2019) was a long-standing member of the Delaware Pork Industry and exemplified what it meant to be an advocate for raising Berkshire pigs. He began showing hogs at the age of thirteen and continued raising and showing hogs for more than 80 years up until his passing. His family farm (Kent Acres Farm) is located in Kenton, Delaware and first began as a dairy farm in 1950. Even with a substantial dairy cattle herd, Lawrence’s true passion was raising Berkshire hogs. There was never a time when a Berkshire breed was not represented on the farm. To this day, the McClements family continues the legacy that Lawrence began, and continues to breed and raise Berkshire show pigs to this day. This $500.00 scholarship will be awarded to an individual who exemplifies what it means to be a supporter of the swine industry on behalf of the Delaware Pork Producers in honor of Lawrence.
To be eligible applicant must:
1) Be a current junior or high school student or an undergraduate student at a college.
2) AND be either a 4H or FFA swine exhibitor at the Delaware State Fair.
3) A cover sheet with the following information:
- Name of Applicant
- Name of School
- Year in School
- Contact Information (home & school mailing address, telephone number & e-mail address)
4) An essay of 1000 words or less describing how their involvement in raising swine has impacted their life and an issue the applicant sees confronting the pork industry today or in the future, and what their solutions entail.
5) Two professional letters of reference from non-family members
Please submit your application either through email to delpiglady@gmail.com or send materials in a single envelope to:
Amanda Fabi 12320 Blanchard Road Greenwood, DE 19950
Entry Deadline: Postmarked by JUNE 16, 2023.
No late entries will be accepted. Essays are judged based on clarity and expression, persuasiveness, originality, and relevance of topic. Winners will be announced at the Delaware State Fair at the beginning of the Junior Market Hog Show along with pen display winners.