Dr. Sara Ruane, Rutgers Herpetologist and Evolutionary Biologist, shares her awesome 2019 travels with us. Louisiana In April, I went to Louisiana to collect genetic samples from snakes with my former PhD advisor, Frank, a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, and his postdoc, Skip. This collecting was for some projects that we are working on together and to … [Read more...]
Winter Weather Safety Tips
The temperature is dropping and there may be snow in the forecast. Everyone knows this is the time of year to bundle up, stay inside when the weather is bad, and do what we can to keep warm. But what about our dogs? Is your pet ready or even able to adapt to the cold winter weather? Some breeds hold up better than others, but all dog owners must monitor their pets closely … [Read more...]
Animal Science at Fair: Our Chance to Showcase
While County Fair season may be months away, 4-Hers know that now is the time to plan for this annual showcase of our project year, which provides a great opportunity for public engagement. Animals are an integral part of our fairs - 4-H members care for and exhibit their livestock, horses, poultry, and small animals (a major draw for fairgoers). We show animals under tents … [Read more...]
4-H Animal Science Resources for Your Club
Recently I had the opportunity to reconnect with my colleagues from around the country while attending the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents meeting in West Virginia. While there I attended workshops and poster sessions and visited vendors. I was reminded about the great Animal Science resources available from our sister land-grant universities. After the … [Read more...]
The Value of Consistence & Inconsistency in Training
When learning something new, it helps to first experience the new material under the same conditions. This is called "consistency". Think of your experience on the first day of school. You don't know what to expect from your new teacher and this new environment. Over time, consistent routines helped you learn when to sit at your desk and pay attention, how to raise your … [Read more...]
Sheep Identification – USDA Requirements
Proper identification is an important aspect of raising sheep. Whether you are a 4-H member raising only one market lamb per year or working toward establishing your own breeding operation, you will need to know U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) identification requirements and NJ Division of Animal Health rules. Scrapie Identification is required by the USDA for almost … [Read more...]
Making the World Your Office: Traveling for Research
There are many avenues of work that a research-type occupation or program can, and most likely will, take you in. As you enter into a research career, especially one in the realm of biology, you will find yourself in an actual office environment, but you may also find yourself in a lab, trying to get the data that your thesis or dissertation is dependent on (and for graduate … [Read more...]
Visit Lord Nelson at the Equine Science Center
The Equine Science Center at Rutgers is a resource for youth and adults who want accurate information about horses, their care, and their impact on the environment. Lord Nelson is the Equine Science Center's mascot and helps connect youth to the educational topics addressed by the Center. Lord Nelson is a Quarter Horse gelding that enjoyed a wonderful career at Rutgers. He … [Read more...]
National 4-H Dairy Conference – a great educational program for all!
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...]
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Dog owners know that keeping their canine friends protected from pests such as ticks is very important in preventing serious diseases. While Lyme disease is the most well known, there are other tick-borne diseases owners should watch for. One of the deadliest in the Americas is Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). This is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an … [Read more...]