Just because you and the kids are cooped up in the house doesn’t mean you can’t experience the fun of catching up with your favorite furry friends at your favorite zoo or animal conservatory. Zoos and animal habitats have also moved their program online during the COVID-19 pandemic. When visiting a zoo, online or in-person, you can confirm the organization is kind to and … [Read more...]
Livestock and Poultry Animal Identification
Picture of a neck chain often used in a dairy barn to identify a particular cow. Photo Courtesy of Dr. Michael Westendorf, Extension Specialist and Professor of Animal Science, Rutgers University Animal Identification Do you know why it is important to identify your animals? Do you know how to properly identify animals? It is now Hurricane season, but even in winter, … [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...]
Equine Science 4 Kids! New Activity Book to Debut at Junior Breeders Symposium
Originally developed in 2010, Equine Science 4 Kids! (ES4K) is an educational program geared towards those in grades 3 – 9. The program encourages kids to get involved in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, using horses as a model. By developing hands-on, science-based activities and demonstrations, kids are able to better understand the science behind … [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...]
Dog Themed Tourist Destinations
Summer vacation can take us to new places where we can discover towns, cities, and states that we haven't seen before. Summer can also be a perfect time to do some discovering with our favorite four legged friend or to see things that relate to our interest in dogs. Here are some ideas. Planning a trip to New York City? Be sure to check out the American Kennel Club's (AKC) … [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...]
How to Read Dairy Pedigrees – A Great Resource
So, you have just selected or purchased a new dairy calf as 4-H project. You may have received a copy of the animal's registration paper from the breed association and perhaps a copy of the animal's official pedigree, also from the breed association. The pedigree gives you information about the genetic background of the animal. The genetic background can give you an indication … [Read more...]
Tack Tagging Game
Do you need a hands-on, fun activity for your next horse club meeting? Why not try a learning game that helps your members remember the types of saddles and their parts? To set up the game, all you need is a few basic materials and several different types of saddles. To start, collect the following items; Post-It Notes®, pens and pencils, scrap paper, saddles, and saddle … [Read more...]
JOIN US!
The NJAES Board of Managers, in cooperation with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, is sponsoring the NJ Livestock Summit on March 21, 2019 at the Eco Complex in Bordentown from 6-9pm. Registration is FREE and can be completed online here. This event will be a great learning opportunity for anyone interested in livestock - large/small ruminants, swine and fowl. The flyer is … [Read more...]