The National 4-H Dairy Conference is an annual event which should be the pinnacle of a 4-H member's involvement in the dairy project. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the best dairy cattle in the world ( it coincides with the World Dairy Expo) and also learn more about the dairy industry than you could possibly learn in a whole year of 4-H club … [Read more...]
What is the Coggins Test for?
The Coggins test is named for Leroy Coggins. He is the veterinarian who developed the test to detect antibodies against the equine infectious anemia virus (EIA) in 1970. It is important to note that once infected with EIA, an animal remains infected for life. Infections in horses are rare but incurable, and there is no available vaccine. That is why identifying the animals who … [Read more...]
Tick Season and Your Horse
Ticks - they seem to be everywhere this year, in your pastures and on your horse. What do you need to know to protect your horse? Why do I need to be concerned? One of the most common tick-borne diseases in this area is Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is a bacterial, tick-transmitted disease of animals and people. Areas of the country most commonly infected are the northeast … [Read more...]
Common Viral Diseases of Cattle
As you prepare for County Fair and show season, it is important to be sure that your animals are healthy before and after the show. Knowing some signs of common diseases can be extremely helpful to keeping your whole herd healthy. Warts are caused by a contagious bovine virus (papillomavirus). Four types of the virus are known to produce warts in cattle. Two of the viral … [Read more...]
How to Read Dairy Pedigrees – A Great Resource
So, you have just selected or purchased a new dairy calf as 4-H project. You may have received a copy of the animal's registration paper from the breed association and perhaps a copy of the animal's official pedigree, also from the breed association. The pedigree gives you information about the genetic background of the animal. The genetic background can give you an indication … [Read more...]
Tack Tagging Game
Do you need a hands-on, fun activity for your next horse club meeting? Why not try a learning game that helps your members remember the types of saddles and their parts? To set up the game, all you need is a few basic materials and several different types of saddles. To start, collect the following items; Post-It Notes®, pens and pencils, scrap paper, saddles, and saddle … [Read more...]
Winter Feeding for Horses
Photo courtesy of Dr. Carey Williams, Equine Extension Specialist, Rutgers University The winter weather is here! How do we help our 4-legged friends maintain body weight and stay healthy in the cold? The Rutgers Equine Science Center has a Fact Sheet on that! Fact Sheet #1143 authored by Drs. Carey Williams and Sarah Ralston in February 2011 is very relevant for this … [Read more...]
Breeds of Dairy Cattle
Did you know that there are six recognized breeds of dairy cattle? In New Jersey and many other states in our country, black and white Holsteins are the predominant breed because of their higher production levels. But in other parts of the world, other breeds are often more common. Most of the dairy breeds are from the British Isles or European countries. A good place to start … [Read more...]
Common Bacterial Diseases of Cattle
Leptospira bacteria (photo from the Center for Disease Control) There are several common diseases in cattle which are caused by bacteria that are important for 4-H members, their parents, and club leaders to understand because they can cause great harm to the animal if not treated properly. This blog post will describe the signs of these bacterial diseases to help members seek … [Read more...]
Got Chips? Have you Microchipped your horse?
There are many ways to identify your horse, including brands, tattoos, signalments, breed registry papers, DNA testing, and iris scanning. One of the newest forms of identification methods for your horse is microchipping. This method is becoming more popular, is easy and cost effective, and is now required for selected USEF events. What should you know about microchipping … [Read more...]