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 […]
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 […]
(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 […]
In 4-H we often strive to make everything we do “youth centered”, meaning we want the young people to drive the conversation, tasks, and goals of the club. This builds leadership skills in youth and helps them learn how to communicate effectively with each other. As a club leader, it can be challenging to figure […]
If you don’t mind the idea that you will get bitten, scratched, and defecated on by almost every type of reptile and amphibian…then you can learn how to become a herpetologist! Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians, but many people asking “how” to become a herpetologist really mean, “How can I be involved […]
You are about to purchase your first horse. Just like any other big investment, you want to be sure you are getting what you are paying for. The seller claims that the horse you are interested in is just 5 years old. But how do you know for sure? You can tell the approximate age […]
Need an idea for a winter Dairy Club meeting? Learning the parts of the dairy cow is a great club meeting topic for this time of year. Every 4-H dairy club member should know the anatomical parts of the dairy cow. Members who want to participate in Dairy Quiz Bowl or Dairy Judging in the […]
Photo from eXtension 10280 (link below) It is a fact of life for most grazing animals – they get worms! They easily pick up worms because they eat off the ground that they and other animals (including domestic as well as wild) defecate or poop onto. Your own horse could re-infect itself by grazing in […]
