4-H Animal Science Resource Blog

STEM Connections, know-how & Inspiration

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  • Alpaca/Llama
  • Dairy Cattle
  • Dog
  • Goat
  • Herpetology
  • Horse and Pony
  • Poultry
  • Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal
  • Sheep
  • Swine

Sheep Identification – USDA Requirements

November 4, 2019

Photo of ewe with an ear tag

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Current Issue, Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, animal science project area, Focus on STEM

Sportsmanship…Always a Priority!

July 14, 2019

The Six Pillars of Character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, give us an easy guide to follow to be a good sportsman.

Sportsmanship is defined as “conduct becoming to an individual involving fair and honest competition, courteous relations, and graceful acceptance of results.” Focusing on what you can learn makes you a better competitor and helps you improve your animal projects. Your behavior in the show ring reflects your behavior in life. Sportsmanship is a reflection of your character and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Alpaca/Llama, Dairy Cattle, Dog, Goat, Herpetology, Horse and Pony, Poultry, Rabbit/Cavy/Small Animal, Sheep, Swine Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science

Sheep Showmanship: A Basic Guide

June 22, 2019

4-H members Julie McKenna, of Somerset County, Steven Quattrock, Hunterdon County, and Emily Granja, Somerset County, compete in a Hampshire spring ewe lamb class at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival in September 2017.

Now that it is fair time in New Jersey, it is important to know how to display the lambs or sheep you have worked so hard to raise. Showmanship is the ability of an exhibitor to present an animal effectively and competitively in the show ring. A good showman can actually improve his or her placing in a breed class just by good handling skills. It sounds simple, but the best … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, animal science project area, STEM learning goals, Youth exhibitions, youth STEM

Understanding and Treating Sheep Hoof Ailments

April 30, 2019

Photo showing footrot in a sheep's hoof.

Lameness in sheep is not uncommon and can be caused by a range of issues in the hoof. A sheep may favor a hoof due to a small injury or improperly trimmed hooves, but in most cases, lameness indicates an infection. Animals with hoof infections such as footrot suffer from lameness, decreased weight gain, and poor wool growth. Many hoof ailments are contagious and require quick … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, care, diseases, health, youth STEM

Good Nutrition – the Key to Lambing Success

February 21, 2019

Pregnant ewes shown eating hay from a feeder. Photo courtesy of Deer Creek Farms.

Investing in proper nutrition for pregnant and lactating ewes saves both time and money in the long run. Ewes in good body condition prior to delivery have healthier lambs and fewer complications than underweight or overweight ewes. As 70% of fetal lamb growth occurs in the last five weeks of pregnancy, it is important to increase feed for ewes at this time. After lambing, it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, care, feeds, Focus on STEM, health, New Jersey 4-H, youth STEM

Ask The Expert – Joanne Powell (part 2)

February 21, 2019

(Editor’s note: This is part two of a two-part series) Every day is a new adventure for Joanne Powell.  As the Research Farm Supervisor for the large animal unit at Rutgers University, Joanne gets to do the things she loves, including being outside with animals!  In addition to that, Joanne is a 4-H leader in Somerset County, a role she has had for nearly 30 years.  In … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Career Profile, Club Programming Idea, Featured Resource, Swine Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, animal science project area, Career Profile, Club Meeting Ideas, Club Programming Ideas, featured resource, Focus on STEM, STEM, Swine

Preparing for Lambing

January 15, 2019

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Project Areas, Focus on STEM, Sheep, Uncategorized Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, care, health, New Jersey 4-H

Ask The Expert – Joanne Powell, Research Farm Supervisor (part 1)

January 14, 2019

(Editor’s note: This is part one of a two-part series) For Joanne Powell, no two days are the same.  Joanne is the Research Farm Supervisor for the large animal unit at Rutgers University.  Having grown up on a farm herself, she appreciates not only the rewards of a hard day’s work, but also being able to spend time outdoors with animals.  We recently reached out to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Expert, Career Profile, Featured Resource, Swine Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, Career Profile, careers, featured resource, livestock, STEM, Swine

Getting Your Sheep Barn Ready for Winter

November 15, 2018

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Health, Focus on STEM, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, care, health

Feeding Young Lambs

May 13, 2018

Lambs are shown in a creep feeder eating.

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...]

Filed Under: Animal Project Areas, Sheep Tagged With: 4-H Animal Science, feeds, New Jersey 4-H, youth STEM

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New Jersey 4-H provides educational outreach programming for youth in grades K-13 (one year out of high school) through 4-H clubs, special interest programs, school enrichment, afterschool programs, and overnight camping.

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