Last month we shared information about curriculum and resources available to lead urban livestock projects in urban and suburban areas. One reader came back to us with a great question: "If we don’t have bees, rabbits or chickens, can our youth still get involved with animal projects?" The answer is yes! If your family or club cannot commit to raising your own animals, there … [Read more...]
Preparing for Show Season – Biosecurity
Now that spring is here, it is time to start preparing for the horse shows. One of the most important steps to prepare your horse is to schedule a spring health check and vaccinations with your veterinarian. There are several mandatory and recommended shots your horse must have to be able to compete in 4-H horse shows. For the most up to date information on these vaccination … [Read more...]
Career Profile- Large Animal Veterinarian – Jon E. Higgins, VMD
Name: Jon E. Higgins, VMD Job Title – Veterinarian and Veterinary Practice Owner Organization – Acorn Farmvets Education/Degree Earned – BS from the University of Vermont in Animal Science VMD – University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine If you were in 4-H, when and what club(s) were you a part of? How did 4-H help you grow as a professional? – … [Read more...]
Growing in 4-H, Following your Passion and Loving your Career = Recipe for Success!
Name: Dr. Karyn Malinowski Job Title: Professor of Animal Sciences and Founding Director of Equine Science Center Organization: Rutgers–The State University of New Jersey Education/Degree Earned: BS, MS, PhD If you were in 4-H, when and what club(s) were you a part of? How did 4-H help you grow as a professional? I was a member of the Somerset County Boots and … [Read more...]
April showers bring spring flowers – but are they poisonous to your horse?
Buttercups are a common flower in New Jersey pastures. Did you know they are poisonous to horses when consumed? Above is a picture of what they look like in early spring. Photo from Rutgers Fact Sheet # 938; Poisonous Weeds in Horse Pastures. April showers bring spring flowers! Flowers may be pretty, but not in your pastures! Do you know what is growing in your pasture that … [Read more...]
Can you tell the age of your horse?
You are about to purchase your first horse. Just like any other big investment, you want to be sure you are getting what you are paying for. The seller claims that the horse you are interested in is just 5 years old. But how do you know for sure? You can tell the approximate age of any horse by looking at its’ teeth if you educate yourself (or your 4-H members) on how to … [Read more...]
Do you know when and how to deworm your horse?
Photo from eXtension 10280 (link below) It is a fact of life for most grazing animals - they get worms! They easily pick up worms because they eat off the ground that they and other animals (including domestic as well as wild) defecate or poop onto. Your own horse could re-infect itself by grazing in the same pasture for months (or longer), thus completing the life cycle of … [Read more...]
4 Reasons to Join Us at the Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium, April 7
The Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium is held each year at the Cook Campus Farm of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. It is a great opportunity for 4-H members and their adults to learn about animals – including beef and dairy cattle, goats, horses, rabbits, and sheep. Here are four reasons to join us at Rutgers on April 7. Learn STEM – genetics, meat science, … [Read more...]