April 10 through May 31, 2020 Members of your club (4th grade and above) can earn points each week over the next two months, through the end of May. The 5 clubs with the most points per member after seven weeks will earn $200 to support their club’s efforts to learn or teach animal science. In addition, up to 10 clubs from throughout New Jersey 4-H will earn $100 … [Read more...]
Helping Youth Understand the Vocabulary of Zoonotic Diseases
The understanding of zoonotic diseases, those that can transfer between animals and people, is one important topic within Animal Science. Still, it can be challenging to instruct youth in ways to prevent the spread of such illnesses; lessons are in-depth, vocabulary is challenging, and as educators we may worry that the material is dry. Michigan State University Extension … [Read more...]
Rutgers Campus Farm to Host Special Day for 4-H Members (canceled due to COVID-19)
For 4-H members and families interested in animals, Saturday, March 28 is your special day! Come and learn about horses, goats, sheep, cattle, and rabbits from leading veterinarians, professors, and other experts – all at your state university in New Brunswick. The Junior Breeder Symposium is for all youth and families interested in learning more about animals. You have the … [Read more...]
4-H Animal Science Video Contest – Expanded to Include ALL Animal Projects
The informational flyer and entry form for the 4-H Animal Science Video Contest and Film Festival are available on our website. New Jersey 4-H, in cooperation with the New Jersey Junior Breeder Symposium, is sponsoring the contest and film festival, now expanded to include ALL 4-H animal project areas - including ALPACA, CAT, CATTLE (BEEF/DAIRY), DOG, GOAT, HERPETOLOGY, HORSE, … [Read more...]
Improve Your Herd with Good Record Keeping
Record keeping is an important aspect of sheep production. It helps to identify which lambs should be kept as flock replacements, which ewes should be kept in your flock or culled, and which rams sire the best lambs. The National Scrapie Eradication Program requires producers to keep records on all animal dispositions (sheep that leave your flock) for five years. As a 4-H … [Read more...]
Animal Quality Certification Programs: Opportunities for 4-H Youth and Project Mastery
Quality Assurance in Animal Production Adults working in commercial agriculture are often required to maintain a quality assurance certification. For example, Pork Quality Assurance Plus aids pork producers in maintaining best practices for food safety. Another example is the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. While youth in 4-H learn many aspects of animal care and … [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...]
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...]
Five Essential Ag Safety Practices for Youth Programs
4-H programs can happen anywhere - rural, suburban or urban areas. Often, these programs will interact with the agriculture industry - even if for a short time or day trip. While it is important for youth to learn more about agriculture, these settings can be a hazardous place for young people. Agriculture is the only industry where children of all ages may be present at any … [Read more...]