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. For the entire monthly practice schedule through the month of June, please visit:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2014-Avian-Bowl-practice-schedule-mccrea.pdf
Delaware State Fair Entries
It’s that time already! Delaware State Fair online entries opened 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):
- 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.
- 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.
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 pagehttps://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2014-First-State-Jackpot-Show-entry-for-web.pdf 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 http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/ 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.
Three PQA training sessions have already been offered in April. The final class opportunity is:
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 15, 2014- NCC PQA Open Testing- New Castle County Extension office- 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
May 28, 2014- Sussex PQA Open Testing-Carvel Center- 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.
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 visithttp://4h.uwex.edu/events/dairyconf/ The updated application is available on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage at https://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2014-National-4-H-Dairy-Conference-Application.pdf 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 https://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2014-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://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/Livestock-Judging-Online-resources.pdf
Harness Racing Camp Registrations Due May 15th!
Harrington Raceway is again playing host to a summer harness racing camp for youth ages 12-14. The camp is provided through a 3 way partnership formed between the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF), Harrington Raceway and the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Campers will stay overnight at Harrington Raceway and spend a significant amount of time working hands on with the HHYF stable of Trottingbred racing ponies. Campers will participate in and learn about the daily care of race horses, racing equipment and harnessing, safety around horses and how to drive their equine athletes on the track. In addition to HHYF and extension staff, local, professional drivers and trainers will be present at camp on a daily basis to help guide and instruct campers. The 5 day engaging camp experience culminates with campers partnering with professional drivers to race their ponies on the main track at Harrington Raceway, Wednesday evening June 25 in between the betting races. Registration for the camp is $150 and covers all accommodations, meals and field trips. Registrations must be received by May 15, 2014. Individuals who have previously participated in a one day camping program are still eligible. Applications are available by clicking on the link below:
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation is a charitable 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing young people and their families educational opportunities with harness horses, in order to foster the next generation of participants and fans. The Foundation has been making a difference in young people’s lives since 1976, and its programs include interactive learning experiences with these versatile animals, scholarship programs, and creation and distribution of educational materials. For more information on the HHYF, please visit their website at: http://hhyf.org or check out the HHYF video on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhMLHlYSEXc
49th State 4-H Horse Show
The 49th Annual State 4-H Horse Show will be held on Friday, July 25, 2014 in the Quillen Arena during the Delaware State Fair. All participants must be currently enrolled 4-H members. Horses do not need to be stabled on the fairgrounds and may ship in just for the day. Horses and ponies need to have proof of a current negative Coggins test as well as proof of vaccination for Equine Influenza and Rhino (EHV) within the last 180 days. All exhibitors are required to wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet whenever mounted or driving. A complete class list is available on the State 4-H Animal Science website https://s3.amazonaws.com/udextension/4h/files/2012/02/2014-StateHorseShow.pdf For more information, please contact Susan Garey (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu
And the Winner Is… Horse of the Year 2014
A selection committee of horse people, teachers, and horse advisory members that were unaffiliated with applicants reviewed and scored the 10 excellent entries that were submitted to recognize the 2014 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year. Applicants were asked to write on the subject of “My Horse/Pony has Promoted the Delaware 4-H Horse Program By…” A scoring rubic was utilized by the committee that took into account meeting the essay requirements, ideas and content, grammar and spelling , sentimental and emotional value and age appropriateness.
The winning essay was submitted by Nicole Cannavo of the Hearts 4-Horses 4-H Club in Kent County. Here is just a short excerpt from her winning essay titled,” Not Just an Old Mare” which was written from the mare Lucy’s perspective.
“…I am not just an old mare; I am a proud Delaware 4-H Horse member…Together my little girl and I help promote the Delaware 4-H Horse program…What I love about 4-H is that my little girl goes to her meetings and then comes home and tries out all the cool stuff she has learned on me…
…My little girl has taken pictures of me for the 4-H photo contest. She has had people come over and put sticky notes all over me with my body parts written on them for horse bowl practice. One year, we went to a farm and all the horses and I were dressed n funny looking outfits for what they called a 4-H Halloween costume party. It was embarrassing for me but they all the kids had a great time. Lately my girl’s friends and she have been putting mud all over me, and then brushing me off (which I don’t understand)…
…It makes me proud to see my little girl become a responsible horsewoman which 4-H has played a large role in. The Delaware 4-H Horse program is an awesome program which, as an old mare I am glad to be a part of. I get to teach and help not only my little girl but other kids as well. Together my girl and I have learned a lot through our years in the horse project of 4-H. The friendships, the learning and most importantly, the memories is what 4-H is about.”
Nicole will be presented with a custom made model of her horse Lucy at the Kent County 4-H Achievement banquet in October generously created and donated by Peter Stone Model Horses. For more information on the Peter Stone Model Horse Company please visit http://www.stonehorses.com/
Please keep your eye out for the nomination form and topic for the 2015 Delaware 4-H Horse/Pony of the Year in the fall and your chance to have your own custom made model!