Rebecca Konopka Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development

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1 Cooperative Extension Service Carter County 94 Fairground Drive Grayson, KY (606) Fax: (606) Livestock programs are one of the most recognized aspects of 4-H, but many people do not know these programs help young people develop positive character traits and become the leaders of tomorrow. These programs introduce many youths to animals, but more importantly, youths learn many life skills through their participation. There are many ways youths can be involved in livestock programs through 4-H. Mentally challenging programs such as quiz bowls, skillathons, and livestock judging provide young people with skills they can use throughout their lives. Skills learned through these programs allow 4-H ers to become more informed consumers, team players, better employees and community leaders. Quiz bowls and skillathons are competitions that test youths knowledge in various aspects of livestock production. Skillathons test a 4-H member s general knowledge of livestock including nutrition, genetics, disease prevention, and equipment. Through participation in livestock judging, young people learn to be more observant, confident and develop effective communication skills. They also learn how to make decisions and logically defend those decisions to a judge. Livestock projects allow 4-H ers to get firsthand experience in raising and caring for an animal. This project teaches youths responsibility as they are in charge of caring for another life. As the animal grows, young people can take pride in knowing they helped the animal develop and mature. Livestock shows can be competitive for some youths and parents, but that shouldn t be the focus. The goal of 4-H is to raise grand champion kids, not grand champion livestock. Participation in shows teaches youths the importance of proper public behavior in a contest setting. Losers are taught to be courteous to winners, and winners learn to accept their award graciously and humbly. Participating in shows, such as at the County Fair and the Kentucky State Fair, provide prime opportunities for youth to develop friendships and network with others from different parts of the state. 4-H ers also have the opportunity during this time to educate those who are not familiar with livestock shows about show criteria, animal care and maintenance, and 4-H. Opportunities are limitless for youth in 4-H livestock programs. If you re just getting started with the 4-H livestock program this newsletter contains some basic information to help you get going in the right direction. See you at the next meeting! Sincerely, Rebecca Konopka Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development

2 Page 2 4-H Youth Livestock Club Meetings Since January 2005, every county with a livestock program must have a certified 4-H livestock leader. Kim Flaugher and Melodie Bush are the certified leaders for Carter County. Any 4-H member (age 9 and up) who plans to show at the County Fair MUST be a member of the livestock club. All club members MUST receive 6 hours of education from the club meetings by the time their species is weighed-in. There are no exceptions to this rule. To find out when the next club meetings are, call the Carter County Extension Office at H members are required to earn the 6 hours of certification every year. The certification must come from attending livestock club meetings and activities. (Participating a 4-H school club or other 4-H activity does not count toward livestock certification.) Novice cloverbud exhibitors (ages 5-8) do not have to meet the 6 hours educational requirement, but need to sign up in the Carter County Extension Office by March 1. Novice members are encouraged to attend the Livestock Club meetings. Novice members are only permitted to show lambs, goats, hogs, rabbits, and chickens. Cloverbuds are not permitted to show steers, heifers, or feeder calves. Cloverbuds must be at least 5 years old by January 1 st to participate in the livestock program. KUIP Tag-Ins and Weigh-Ins Animals participating in the County Fair, District Shows, or the Kentucky State Fair must be tagged-in. Cost to tag-in an animal is $4/head for cattle, goats, hogs, and lambs. Market Steers March Greenup County Fairgrounds Market Lambs, Goats, and Hogs May East Carter High School Ag Facilities Market Rabbits, Chickens, and Feeder Calves June Carter County Fairgrounds Other Things to Know Cattle, goats, hogs, and lambs are required to have current health papers in order to show. Animals will come in and leave on the evening they are shown and sold. Animals may need to be groomed at home and brought in. Exhibitors should wear button-up shirts and boots to show their animals. No premiums are awarded for the Carter County Fair Livestock Shows. Anyone who holds their animal to go to the State Fair is responsible for their animal. They will be held accountable to deliver their animal to the buyer once they return from the State Fair. An animal that is shown in a 4-H/FFA market class may not be entered into a breeding class. County Fair Auction 4-H members do not have to sell their animals unless they are Grand or Reserve Champion. Only one animal per species can be sold (unless both are grand and reserve champion). An exhibitor can only sell two animals. There will be no sponsorships at the county fair. Any animal participating in the sale will be sold. Animals can still be shown at the state fair. It is responsibility of exhibitors to invite buyers to the sale; there is no guaranteed sale. 4-H members will receive payment for their animals at a banquet after the money has been collected from the buyers.

3 Page 3 All animal must have KUIP tags. All animals must show at a district show to be eligible to show at the State Fair. A list of district qualifying shows can be found on the web at Animals must be registered with the State Fair by July 10 to be eligible to show. Contact the Extension Office ahead of time for the state fair paperwork. Animals transported to the State Fair are the responsibility of the 4-H Member. The KY Proud Livestock Tag Program has been established to help promote animals that are raised or bought from Kentucky producers for youth livestock projects. In order for youth livestock projects to qualify for the KY Proud ribbons, premiums, and points they must have the KY Proud tags. It is the breeder s responsibility to purchase tags and tag their animals before they are sold. Tags are available from Kentucky Department of Agriculture. KY Proud animals will receive additional premiums at district shows and the State Fair. January 15 Deadline to register for the State Skillathon February 1 Deadline to sign up to show livestock at the County Fair February - State Livestock Skillathon February 15 Location Waivers for Beef Animals due to the Extension Office March Market Beef Weigh-In April 15 Location Waivers for all other animals due to the Extension Office May - Goat, Hog, Lamb Weigh-In May 1 Deadline to Register for State Livestock Judging Contest May 15 - Breeding Animal Nomination Forms Due to Extension Office June Tag-in for Feeder Calves, Chickens, & Rabbits Carter County Fairgrounds June State Livestock Judging Contest July 10 Deadline for State Fair paperwork to be postmarked. This information must be sent to the State Fair Office in Louisville. If you are interested in showing cattle, hogs, goats, or lambs at the State Fair, you must participate in a district qualifying show. August Kentucky State Fair Read your mail and 4-H newsletters! Provide the Extension Office with an address, so we can put you on the list

4 Page 4 4-H livestock shows are some of the most widely recognized and anticipated 4-H events. While these competitions are meant to be a fun, learning experience for 4-H ers, some get caught up in the competitive spirit of the event, which can cause hurt feelings if a youth or animal doesn t place as high as expected. It is important to remember that judging is not an exact science. Judges for each livestock species have a very rich background in their specific species. They are breeders, producers and industry professionals. However, there is no perfect way to judge a livestock show. Judges have a set of criteria to follow for judging each show, but some judges may emphasize certain criteria over others. The important thing is for the judge to remain consistent as he/she judges each animal. Youths must be good sports and accept the judge s decision gracefully. Judges look for different things in the two livestock classes, which are showmanship and nonshowmanship. In showmanship classes, judges focus on the appearance of the animal and the young person, the animal s behavior and the youth s ability to control the animal. In the market classes, emphasis is placed solely on the animal and how close it comes to its species standard. Showmanship classes are a chance for youths to shine as they exhibit all the hard work they have put into preparing their animal for the show. Young people compete against others that are around their same age. This competition is not based on who has the most impressive animal physically, but if the animal is clean and properly groomed. Judges also evaluate the animal s behavior, if it demonstrates the correct demeanor, and how well the 4-H er is able to lead or control the animal in the show ring. Judges for non-showmanship classes focus solely on the animal s physical conformation. In the breeding animal classes, animals are grouped based on the age or weight of the animal. Breeding animals are judged according to how close they mirror the breed or species standards. Standard specifications are spelled out by the breed and species associations. In market animal classes, animals are typically grouped based on weight and judged according to how closely they match the ideal market animal for that species. The criteria typically evaluated in market animals include feet and leg structure, muscling, leanness and growth. As youths gear up for livestock shows, they and their parents should remember the life skills 4-H ers learn while raising and preparing an animal for the shows are far more important than the outcome. It can be tough to decide which animal to show. Factors to consider when deciding on an animal include housing and space requirements, cost of animal, time needed to work the animal, cost of feed and supplies, and the ability of the 4-H member to handle the animal. The next few pages give a general idea of requirements and costs associated with each animal. (Keep in mind these are suggested ranges and will change from year to year based on current market values. There are no guarantees.) Breeding Animals (Heifers, Ewes, Does, Sows) No age and weight requirements Must have current health papers to show at the fair Must turn in breeding nomination forms to the Extension Office by May 15.

5 Page 5 Market Beef square feet per animals in confinement with good ventilation It is recommended to have square feet outside for exercise Rope Halter to lead animal Show Halter for show day (not required) Time to work animal every day for an hour or more Show stick (not required but much easier to have) Way to haul animal to the fair Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical gallons per head per day Will eat lbs per head per day of beef feed Protein levels should be 12-14% CP Should gain pounds per day Good quality stem hay to promote proper digestion Market Hog 12 square feet per animals in confinement with good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to outside for exercise Cane, Whip, or Pig Stick to show A nipple water is highly suggested. Pig boards to help move pigs around Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 3-4 gallons per head Must be a steer or heifer to show in the market class. Minimum weight to show for grand and reserve champion is 900lbs Ideal weight should be lbs Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in March. Finish age of beef is 17 months Purchase animal in fall or no later than February Purchase price for 650lb calf - $1100-$1800 Feed range cost - $500 -$800 Sale price range from - $ $2000 Feeder Calves Must be born after January 1 Can be bull, heifer, or steer Grand and reserve champions do not have to be sold in the Auction. Must be tagged-in. Must be at least 9-years-old to show a beef animal. Must be a gilt or barrow to show in the market class. Must weigh to show for grand or reserve Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Finish age of hog is 5-6 months at show Purchase animal at 40-60lbs in Mid-April Cost can range from $50-$150 Feed range cost $150 - $250 Sale price range from $375 - $600 Will eat 3 8 lbs per head per day of hog feed Protein levels should be 16-20% CP Should gain lbs per day

6 Page 6 Market Lamb 15 square feet per animals in confinement with good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to outside for exercise Halter to lead animal Time to walk lamb every day for an hour Lamb must be sheared a couple times during the summer. Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 3 gallons per head Will eat lbs per head per day of lamb feed Protein levels should be 16-20% CP Should gain lbs per day 1-2 flakes of good quality stem hay to promote proper digestion Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Must also have a scrapie tag (from farm of origin) Must be a ewe or wether to show in the market class Ideal weight should be lbs Finish age of lamb is 6-8 months at show Purchase animal at 60-80lbs in Mid-April Cost can range from $150 - $400 Feed range cost $150 - $300 Sale price range from $275 - $400 Market Goat 15 square feet per animals in confinement with good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to outside for exercise. Rope halter to lead animal. Chain Goat Collar to show animal with. Time to walk Goat every day for an hour. Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical. 2 gallons per head per day Will eat 1-2 lbs per head per day of lamb feed Protein levels should be 16-18% CP. Feed should have some type of medication to help with Coccidiosis and Urinary Calculi Should gain lbs per day 1-2 flakes of good quality stem hay to promote proper digestion Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Must also have a scrapie tag (from farm of origin) Must be a doe or wether to show in the market class Horns must be tipped. Tipped is defined as the end of the horn squared off to 1/2 inch in diameter or larger. Should be meat goat; most common breed is Boer Ideal weight should be 70-90lbs Must be born after August 15 Finish age of goat is 7 9 months at show Purchase animal at lbs in mid to late - April Cost can range from $80 or greater Feed range cost $ Sale price range from $275 - $400

7 Page 7 Market Chickens 6 square feet in cage with good ventilation Must have 3 chickens to show as one project Cage Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 1-3 pint per head Finish age of chicken should be no older than 90 days Should be washed prior to the show. The pen is judged based on the uniformity of the animals. Therefore it is best to have three of the same gender. Cost can range from $9 - $15 Feed range cost $20 Sale Prices range from $100 - $200 Will eat.3lbs per head per day of chicken feed Should gain.1 lbs per day Need to weigh about 4lbs each Need to be meat chickens Recommended breed: Cornish Cross Ideal weight should be 3.5 7lbs at show Market Rabbits 10 square feet cage with good ventilation Must have 3 rabbits to show as one project Bunny Cage Pet brush and toe nail trimmers Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 1-2 Quart per day Will eat 4-8 Oz per head per day of rabbit pellets Protein levels should be 16-20% CP Should gain oz per day Recommended breeds include: Californian, White New Zealand, and Satin Should weigh between 4 and 4.5 pounds each at fair time Ideal weight should be 3.5 to 7.0 lbs per day Finish age of rabbit at show should be no older than 90 days Should be washed prior to the show. The pen is judged based on the uniformity of the animals. Therefore it is best to have three of the same gender. Cost can range from $15 - $50 Feed range cost $40 - $60 Sell prices range from $100 -$200

8 Page 8 In addition to providing youth an opportunity to learn about animal selection and evaluation, nutrition and feeding, health and daily care, reproduction, and marketing, another of the important purposes for 4-H/FFA Livestock Projects is to facilitate learning the valuable life skills of responsibility, hard work, critical thinking, and decision-making. Achieving each of these purposes is best accomplished when the 4-H or FFA member has personal ownership of their project and responsibility for the continuous daily care of their livestock or dairy project under the oversight of the youth s parents or legal guardians. The following rules pertaining to ownership, possession, and care of 4-H/FFA Youth Breeding and Market Livestock Projects apply to all projects: Adult/youth partnerships are acceptable for breeding animals providing each partner s full name is on the registration certificate. Animals registered in a farm only are not allowed. Co-tagging (joint ownership) of market animals with K.U.I.P. tags is only permitted among siblings, except in special cases where a waiver may be granted. It is expected that a 4-H/FFA member s livestock project be in the physical possession of and under the continuous daily care of the 4-H/FFA member and (or) their parents/legal guardians. Physical possession of the livestock project is defined as the following: Animals must be housed and maintained within the boundaries of the state of Kentucky, and must be housed at either: The residence of the 4-H/FFA member, OR The residence of the 4-H/FFA member s parent(s), legal guardian(s), or grandparent(s) that is either within the county of residence of the 4-H/FFA member, or within an adjoining county at a distance not to exceed 30 miles from the 4-H/FFA member s residence, OR A rented or leased location that is either within the county of residence of the 4-H/FFA member, or within an adjoining county at a distance not to exceed 30 miles from the 4-H/ FFA member s residence. All 4-H/FFA members with market animal projects must complete the Validation and Location Form that identifies the physical location where project animals are housed. This form must be completed at the tag-in. All 4-H/FFA members with breeding animal projects must complete the Breeding Animal Project Nomination and Location Form that identifies the physical location where animals are housed. Forms must be turned in by May 15. NOTE: For special circumstances where exceptions to the Possession and Care Rule may be needed, a written application for a waiver may be applied for. The application for waiver must outline in detail why a waiver is needed. The waiver must be applied for by February 15 for market steers and heifers and by April 15 for market lambs, hogs, goats, and all breeding animals. Newsletter designed by Rebecca Konopka, County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, and Kelsey McGlone, Extension Intern, with information from Mary McCarty, County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Rebecca Konopka and Karen Brammell, County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development, and Agent Exclusives from Dr. George Heersche, Dr. Richard Coffey, and Jason P Pool, Extension Specialists.