By Kate Pittack/Extension Agent
What do you do when you get back from a week-long 4-H conference? You grab your ear tagger, tattoo gun, nose printing materials, DNA collection envelopes and ethics forms and head to livestock validation. In order to show a livestock project in 4-H (and FFA), animals need to be properly identified.
The degree of identification/validation varies depending on the species and which show(s) a youth decides to attend. If you’re attending a major show (Fort Worth, San Antonio, Houston, etc.) there is quite a bit of paperwork involved. We hold youth accountable that the animal is being taken care of by them at the location they specify. They are also required to sign an affidavit in regards to the ethical upbringing/treatment of their animal(s).
Growing up raising and showing sheep, we kept careful records of our flock. Breeding records, registration records, feeding records and veterinary records of any immunizations or medicines given. Keeping track of all of these things is an important part of being a responsible producer.
Texas has the largest number of 4-H and FFA livestock projects in the nation. Young people participate at the county, district, regional and state level. The tremendous support and dedication of livestock show officials help make these opportunities possible.
With this opportunity comes a responsibility for each exhibitor to learn and demonstrate the highest standards, both in personal character and in the feeding and care of their animals. “Quality Counts” is a program designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character in carrying out livestock projects, and in every aspect of their lives. “Quality Counts” helps youth learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved. For more information on this program you can visit: http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/
We’ve really been off and running with the start of the new 4-H year in September. We had 4-Her’s participate in multiple shows/contests at the East Texas State Fair held in Tyler, The State Fair of Texas in Dallas and the Heart of Texas Fair in Waco. One of the neat things about many 4-H projects is that there are multiple outlets available for youth to test the skills they’ve been practicing (if they choose to do so).
This week brings a 4-H camping experience (YES (Youth Experiencing Success) Camp!) for some of our younger members. We’ll be loading up and heading to Palestine for a weekend of fun. Following that, we’ll be set up at the annual “Halloween at the Hatchery” event held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Be sure to come out and see us for a treat. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you’d like more information on joining 4-H!
Kate Pittack is the Henderson County Extension Agent – 4-H & Youth Development for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Contact her at: [email protected] & visit our webpage at http://henderson.agrilife.org