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

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

An Idea that Works: Managing Group Work During STEM Club Meetings

January 14, 2019

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 out how to be the “guide on the side” and mentor as opposed to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Club Programming Idea, STEM Learning Tagged With: cooperative learning, Focus on STEM, STEM learning goals

How to be a Herpetologist

June 15, 2018

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 in working with reptiles and amphibians,” rather … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Career Profile, Focus on STEM, Herpetology Tagged With: animal science project area, career information, Career Profile, Focus on STEM, Herpetologist, research

Can you tell the age of your horse?

March 12, 2018

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 of any horse by looking at its’ teeth if you educate yourself (or your 4-H members) on how to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Focus on STEM, Horse and Pony Tagged With: anatomy, Club Meeting Ideas, Focus on STEM

Parts of the Dairy Cow Activity – Club Meeting Idea

January 31, 2018

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 spring will especially benefit from knowing the parts of the dairy cow. There are some … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Club Programming Idea, Dairy Cattle Tagged With: anatomy, Club Meeting Ideas, Focus on STEM

Do you know when and how to deworm your horse?

January 31, 2018

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 the same pasture for months (or longer), thus completing the life cycle of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Focus on STEM, Horse and Pony Tagged With: Equine, Focus on STEM, parasites

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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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