Delaware 4-H Members Attend 64^th National 4-H Dairy Conference
Delaware 4-H’ers Joshua Menard of the Peach Blossom 4-H Club in Kent County and Parker Hickey of the Summit Bridge 4-H Club in New Castle County are currently attending the 64^th National 4-H Dairy Conference on the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison, Wisconsin and enjoying several days of fun and learning. The educational program has attracted approximately 200 youth and adult delegates from across the U.S.A. and Canada. They were selected from a field of applicants to attend the conference based on past experience, knowledge and interest in the dairy industry. The four-day experience exposes 4-H members to new dairy science technology and dairy- related careers. Through a combination of workshops, speakers, educational field trips and networking with other dairy oriented youth, 4-H members gain information they can use to strengthen their futures in the dairy industry. Hands-on learning workshop topics included biotechnology, genetics, foods evaluation, animal nutrition and marketing.  Joshua and Parker also have the opportunity to spend a day at World Dairy Expo.  They are being chaperoned by 4-H Dairy volunteer John Hickey.  Special thanks to the Delaware 4-H Foundation for funding this leadership and dairy science experience for our 4-H members!

National 4-H Dairy Conference is sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Extension, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Cooperating Friends of 4-H and the Dairy Industry, World Dairy Expo, and the National 4-H Dairy Conference Planning Committee. Supplemental monetary support is provided by numerous corporate sponsors including: ABS Global; Accelerated Genetics, AgStar Financial Services; Agropur; American Dairy Science Association; AMPI; Cargill, Inc.; Crave Brothers Farm, Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese, LLC; Culvers; Dairy Farmers of America; Datamars; DeLaval; Farm First Co-op; Foremost Farms; Hoard’s Dairyman; IBA; John Deere Co.; Milk Specialties; Mycogen Seeds; Nasco International, Inc.; National Dairy Shrine; PDCA; Select Sires, Inc.; SEMEX; SMS; Stan Erwine, DMI; Star Blends; SunOpta; Udder Tech, Inc.; Vita Plus; WinField United; Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board; and World Dairy Expo.

If you are interested in attending National 4-H Dairy Conference next year and have three years of dairy project experience, and are 15 years of age by January 1, applications will be due May 1, 2019 and can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science page http://extension.udel.edu/4h/projects-activities-for-members/4-h-animal-science/  For more information about National 4-H Dairy Conference please visit https://national4hdairyconference.org/

 Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity- 1^st Entry Deadline November 12
The first entry deadline for the 2019 Delaware Youth Dairy Futurity is November 12.  The futurity is open to all breed summer calves born between June 1, 2018 and August 31, 2018.  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, 2019. The entry form and official rules can be found on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/26102406/2019-Delaware-Youth-Dairy-Futurity-Entry-Form.pdf

 Saddle up with 4-H!
The annual State 4-H Trail Ride, sponsored by the State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee, will be held at Redden State Forest Headquarters Tract this year on November 4, 2018 with ride off occurring at 10 am.  This is a fun family event with riders of all ages and levels of experiences.  Non 4-H member horsey friends are welcome!  There will be some volunteer walkers as well to assist our less experienced riders if needed.  Following the trail ride there will be a picnic in the pavilion beginning at 11:30 am.  ASTM/SEI hard hats are required for all riders.  For more information please see the flyer posted on the State 4-H Animal Science webpage https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/19111222/2018-4-H-Fall-Trail-Ride.pdf To RSVP, please contact Susan Garey at (302)730-4000 or truehart@udel.edu no later than October 31^st.

 Delaware 4-H Horse of the Year- Deadline November 12, 2018

Have you ever wished that you could have a model of your own favorite horse or pony to cherish forever? Here’s your chance!

Peter Stone of Stone Model Horses (www.stonehorses.com) has volunteered to create a model horse to honor the great horse or pony selected as Delaware’s “4-H Horse of the Year”. The winning 4-H member will be announced at the Horse Bowl contest and awarded their horse/pony model horse at the winning member’s county achievement banquet in fall of 2019.

Any currently enrolled traditional Delaware 4-H member (Cloverbuds are not eligible), can nominate their beloved horse/pony by completing these steps:

1. Complete the Nomination Form 2019.
2. Provide Four (4) 4×6” full color photos of your horse/pony in natural light (not in the barn): front, back, left side and right side. Attach to the provided page. These photos will not be returned so make sure you have copies.
3. Add an essay of 500 to 1000 words written by the 4-H’er (age of 4-H’er will be considered in writing quality). The award will be chosen based on how well the 4-H member can answer the following topic:

“My horse represents the 4 H’s by…”

1. 1. Should be a horse or pony you have owned or worked with in some way.
   2. Do NOT include your name or the horse/pony’s registered name in the essay
   3. Use the horse’s unregistered nick name or pet name in the essay.
   4. Not required to own the horse or pony being nominated.
   5. The nomination with the essay must be postmarked by November 12, 2018.

Nomination forms, the scoring rubric used by judges, and more details are available on the state 4-H animal science webpage

https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/19110827/2019-Horse-of-the-Year-Application.pdf

 State 4-H Hippology Contest for Horse Project Members- Contest December 1
The State 4-H Horse Advisory Committee will be holding a Hippology Contest for statewide 4-H Horse Project Members at Sultana Stables in Greenwood on December 1 from 9:00 am -12:30 pm. What is Hippology?  Hippology is an activity that can enhance learning for 4-H members by letting them exhibit their knowledge and understanding of equine science and husbandry in a competitive setting. The term “Hippology” comes from the Greek “hippo”, meaning horse, and “ology”, meaning “the study of”. Participants will be able to demonstrate their experience and knowledge gained in their horse projects, horse judging, horse bowl, demonstrations, and practical horse management.  Contests are typically set up in a station format where participants are asked to complete tasks such as identifying feeds, judging hay, matching body parts with the correct names, putting together a bridle, bandaging a leg, etc.  The contest guide and entry form can be found at https://cdn.extension.udel.edu/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27075634/2018-Delaware-4-H-Hippology-Contest-Final.pdf Entries are due November 12^th. We are always looking for adult volunteers to help facilitate the contest as station monitors, timers, and scoring.  Please contact Susan Garey for more information.

Small Ruminant Field Day- October 20^th– Focus on Disease
There is a Small Ruminant field day scheduled for October 20^th at Delaware State University’s Hickory Hill Farm. The day’s agenda will focus on Prevention, Detection and Treatment of Infectious Disease in Sheep and Goats and will feature speakers from Delaware State University, University of Delaware and Virginia State University as well as Dr. Betsy Crook, DVM.  The morning will largely be lecture with a break for lunch (provided) and the afternoon sessions will be hands on.  This program is appropriate for older 4-H members and leaders/parents.

9:00 – 9:30 am            Registration

9:30 – 10: 00 am         Understanding Biosecurity- Daniel Severson and Susan Garey

10:00 – 10:45 am        Vaccination (Types of vaccines, vaccination protocol, etc.)-Dr. Elizabeth Crook, DVM

10:45 – 11:15 am        Zoonotic Diseases- Dr. Kwame Matthews

11:15 am – 12:00 pm Infectious Diseases- Dr. Eunice Ndegwa

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm   LUNCH

1:00 pm – 2:30 pm      Hands-on/Interactive Sessions

Creation of Biosecurity Plan, Vaccine Handling, Giving Injections and Quality Assurance Considerations

Registration for the day is available online here https://cast.ticketspice.com/small-ruminant-field-day and the cost is $15.00 per person for lunch and all materials.  The deadline to register is October 15^th.  For more information please contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu or (302)730-4000

New Horse Owner Seminar
The Delaware Equine Council is hosting a one day seminar for new horse owners or those considering buying a horse on Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 8:30-4:00 pm at the Paradee Center in Dover. This seminar would be appropriate for older horse project members. No sales, just lots of good information! A light lunch will be provided to participants. The schedule for the day is:

8:30 to 9:00 Registration

9:00 to 9:15- Welcome by Ken Horeis, Vice President, Delaware Equine Council

9:15 to 10:00 – What you need to know about proper hoof care (no hoof, no horse)

10:15 to 11:00 – Horse Care and Health Issues – All Creatures Veterinary Service (vaccinations, First Aid basics, temperature, respiratory, pulse)

11:15 to 12:00 – Pasture Management and Maintenance – Susan Truehart Garey, University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

12:00 to 1:00- Lunch and visiting with speakers

1:00 to 1:45 – Nutrient Management – Brooke Walls, Delaware Department of Agriculture, Nutrient Management Section

2:00 to 2:45 – Horse Trailer Maintenance and Safety – Ronnie Lloyd, Delwood Trailer Sales

3:00 to 3:45 – Basic Equine Nutrition – Ken Horeis

Pre-registration is required.  $10 for adults, $5 for youth under 18. To register for this event, contact Ken Horeis at kenhoreis@yahoo.com or 302-270-2648

 Women in Ag Equine Business Series

Calling all women involved in equine businesses! The University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, in conjunction with the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension, is hosting a Women In Ag Equine Business focused series of programs in November 2018.  The supper series is open to both women and men but the primary target is female equine business operators.

The program series blends friendly discussion and the opportunity for networking over dinner with presentations by guest speakers.  The information presented is designed to help equine operators to strengthen their skills to manage risk and promote farm and business growth.  Topics covered will include:

• Who is in Business with You? Understanding Business Structures
• What Color Are You? Learn How Different Color Personalities Can Work Well Together
• An Introduction to Business Plans
• What is a Lender Looking for?
• Understanding Credit and Credit Reports
• Farm and Equine Insurance
• The Value of Social Media for an Equine Business
• Building Your Social Media Presence
• Opportunity for an additional Hands-on Computer Session on Quick Books – date and location to be determined based on interest.

Past program participants said that as a result of their participation, 80% would implement change to their current business structure, 70% would change their insurance policy, 100% would use the resource materials from the program and 90% showed interest in follow up or advanced business management training.  Pre-registration is required for materials and meal planning purposes.  The series is being held November 8, 13, 15 from 6:00-9:00 pm at the Paradee Center in Dover.  The cost for the 3 evening series is $60.00 and includes meals and all resource materials.  Register online at   http://www.udel.edu/005163  Please contact Susan Garey truehart@udel.edu (302)730-4000 or Tracy Wootten wootten@udel.edu or (302) 236-0298 for questions or if you have special needs in accessing this program.  We hope you can join us!

 Delaware Equine Council Scholarship- $1500

Eligibillity:

• Must be a U.S. citizen and a Delaware resident or Delaware Equine Council member. ($10.00 to become an individual member)
• Must be enrolled and in good standing in an agriculture, equine, veterinary or vet tech program in the United States.
• Must submit a typewritten 400-word essay :

“How I plan to use this course of study to further the equine or agriculture industry.”

• Must complete a typed application and include a transcript of a minimum of one full semester’s grades from an accredited college or university.

All awards are given without discrimination as to race, sex, or creed.

Application postmark deadline is January 31, 2019. Winners will be notified in February and awarded at the scholarship dinner on March 3, 2019.  To download the application or for more details please visit:

http://www.delawareequinecouncil.org/ScholarshipPAGE.html