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...]
Emergency Preparedness and 4-H Animal Projects
September is National Preparedness Month - a great time to build awareness of the need for emergency planning. New Jersey 4-H now offers a disaster preparedness program for youth, which teaches young people how to plan to shelter in place or evacuate with their families during an emergency. This program is in line with FEMA guidelines for youth emergency preparedness and can … [Read more...]
Paleontologists identify small fossils as that of oldest frog relative found in North America
This article was first published in the February 27, 2019 Virginia Tech News https://vtnews.vt.edu/. A team of paleontologists led by Virginia Tech’s Michelle Stocker and Sterling Nesbitt of the Department of Geosciences have identified fossil fragments of what are thought to be the oldest known frogs in North America. The fossils are composed of several … [Read more...]
I’m All Ears – Understanding the Universal Ear-Notching System for Swine
The Universal Ear-Notching System used to identify individual pigs in a litter has been around for.., a while.., but finding the actual historical roots of the how and why this system originated has proven elusive. What was found is not altogether that informative, nor does it come from any legitimate primary source. As of this writing, the best guess at the history of the … [Read more...]
Webinars as Tools for Animal Science Education
In recent months, the University of Kentucky Department of Animal and Food Sciences has been offering biweekly, 20-minute webinars on very specific topics in animal care and animal science. These livecasts are an effective educational tool because they are interactive. The hosts issue a call for questions at the end of each session and give answers in real time and incorporate … [Read more...]
Dogs in Cars: What do the laws say?
Part of the fun in having a dog is being able to go places together. Most dogs love any excuse for a car ride, even if it is just down the street to the local shops. In their mind, it's an adventure with their best friend (you!). But, what happens when your destination does not allow dogs? How many of us have left Fido in the car for just a quick minute? It's a common … [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...]
“Don’t Root For That!” – Why All Aren’t Fans of Swine Rooting Behavior
There’s something about that nose of a pig that stands out. In addition to its unique shape, it also serves some important functions. Though smell is a given, there are some other utilities employed by pigs that make their nose stand out. One behavior in particular that seems to stand out is rooting. But why? What is it about sticking their noses in dirt that is so … [Read more...]
Rabbit Ear Mites and Canker
Rabbit ear mites are a common parasitic problem responsible for the condition known as ear canker. Considered one of the most common mites of rabbits, it also causes infection in cavies, horses, goats, sheep, and cattle. Left untreated, canker can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the skin or invade the middle and inner ear leading to neurological disorders and fatal … [Read more...]
It’s Shearing Time!
Alpacas are often raised for their soft and luxurious fleece (sometimes called fiber to differentiate it from the fleece of a sheep). Each shearing produces roughly five to ten pounds of fleece per animal, per year. This fleece, often compared to cashmere, can be turned into a wide variety of products from tapestries and blankets to yarn and apparel. Alpaca fleece is recognized … [Read more...]