Once your ewes are getting close to their due date, which is approximately 4-1/2 to 5 months after being bred, you need to have your barn ready. You want to protect the newborn lambs from the elements for the first few days or weeks. They always seem to be born on the coldest day of the year! Approximately a month before lambing, it’s recommended to vaccinate the mothers … [Read more...]
4-Hers to Learn from Rutgers Professors at Cook Campus Farm Event, March 30
Several Rutgers professors and farm staff will lead hands-on sessions about horses, cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and rabbits at this year’s Junior Breeder Livestock Symposium, Saturday, March 30. 4-H families and clubs are encouraged to make the trip to their state university in New Brunswick to visit Rutgers, learn from the experts, and see the animals at the Cook Campus … [Read more...]
Expanded 4-H Animal Science Video Contest! – Entries Due March 11
Good news - the 4-H Sheep and Goat Video Contest has been expanded! It has been renamed the New Jersey 4-H Animal Science Video Contest and will now accept entries about several other animal project areas, in addition to sheep and goats. Youth may work individually or as a team to create 3-minute educational videos about horses, poultry, rabbits, dairy/beef cattle, swine, … [Read more...]
Getting Your Sheep Barn Ready for Winter
A Shropshire sheep standing in front of an example of proper winter shelter. Are your sheep ready for winter? The most important thing you can do is to make sure they have enough wool for the cold months. If a sheep has enough wool, it will never be cold. Fortunately, sheep do not need a lot of wool to handle New Jersey winters. A couple of inches will be fine. Sheep shorn in … [Read more...]
Animal Science in 4-H Public Presentations: Start Planning Now!
The school year, and a new 4-H year, are just beginning! But it is never too early for 4-H’ers to start thinking about club, county, state or national public presentation opportunities. How can you explore and showcase knowledge of animal science topics in a 4-H public presentation? Here are some ideas: Demonstration: This is already common practice in many counties. If … [Read more...]
No Animals, No Problem! Engaging urban and suburban youth in Animal Science projects
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...]
Opportunities for Urban and Suburban Livestock Experiences
Many of our urban and suburban youth have limited interaction with livestock. 4-H livestock projects, although not typical to urban or suburban areas, are possible and are becoming quite popular. In addition to learning about animal science, there is a great opportunity to teach young people about entrepreneurship. Does this mean 4-Hers bring cows to the into city? … [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...]
Feeding Young Lambs
When lambs are born, usually on the one of the coldest days of the year, they need to get nourishment within the first hour of birth. The mother’s first milk (colostrum) “comes in” by the time the lamb(s) are ready to nurse. If not, be prepared to supplement with a powdered colostrum from your local feed store. They may drink about 4-6 oz. By the time they’re hungry again, … [Read more...]
Market Lamb Selection: Finding the Cream of the Flock, Part 2
In our first blog post, we began the process of planning to find just the right lamb for your 4-H market project. I hope you have been studying up on the parts of the lamb, good conformation traits and determining what size lamb you will need. Now, let’s take a look at your next big steps. The Search for the Right Match Now it’s time for the second phase of your planning. … [Read more...]