County Fair Livestock Project Prep letter

 

Kaufman County Livestock Show Prep

Weigh-In: For Junior Livestock youth, the fair kicks off with weigh-in. Each species has a specified time to be weighed in, which is noted on the Livestock Show Schedule also attached to this newsletter. Make sure to carefully review the requirements for weigh-in. Typically, your animal will need to be washed and dried at weigh-in. You will lead your animal across the scale and officials will record its weight.

            Tuesday, March 2 – 6:30 pm - Market Lambs – In Place and Weigh In Starts

            Wednesday, March 3 – 3:00 pm – In Place Deadline - Market Swine, Market Steers, Market Goats

            Wednesday, March 3 – 3:00 pm – Market Swine Weigh In

                                                         - 5:00 pm – Market Goats Weigh In

                                                - 7:00 pm – Market Steer Weigh In

 Minimum Weights: Each species will have a minimum weight requirement to be eligible to be exhibited in a market class. These minimum weights are generally listed in the fair catalog. Although it is disappointing if your project animal does not meet the minimum weight requirement, in many counties this does not mean you cannot exhibit in the fair.

·      No steer may be sold in the auction unless they weigh 900 lbs. or over at entry weighing time.

·      Market hogs must weigh between 220 and 280 lbs. at weigh in to be eligible for the sale.

·      Market Lambs will weigh 80 lbs. at weigh-in

·      Market Goats must weigh 65lbs. or over at weigh in to be eligible for the sale.

A weight pay limit on all auction and floored animals and non-sale animals has been established. This means the floor pay out stops at these weights.

Top pay limits: • Hogs – 280 lbs • Steers – 1300 lbs • Lambs – 165 lbs • Goats – 110 lbs

 Set Up for the Fair: Your club will be assigned a stall or pen area for your animals. The number of stalls or pens your club is assigned depends on the number of animals you are exhibiting. Space allocated each year depends on the overall number of animals in the fair. Prior to the fair, check with your county extension agent or livestock superintendent to find out the size and type of pens that will be used for your species, availability of automatic waterers, and whether shavings will be provided.

 Displays: Most counties allow you to display a banner in your stall or pen area. It is common to include the following information: club name, animal’s name, exhibitor’s name, weight, and breed. Make sure to thank and recognize your sponsors and boosters. You will need to bring all the supplies for your club display, as well as the materials needed to hang it. Zip ties, wire, rope, etc., are commonly used. Make sure the banner is hung securely and is safely out of your animal’s reach.

Do your part to be a great ambassador of the 4-H Livestock Projects by following these guidelines:

• Keep your animal fed, watered, and comfortable throughout the fair. Check on your animal regularly.

• Keep your area clean at all times.

• Keep the aisles open so people can walk through the barns and see the animals.

• Answer questions graciously.

• Be on your best behavior. You reflect on everyone in 4-H and FFA.

But another benefit is the County Fair Board awards Herdsmanship Awards to those that keep good displays.  Work Together to represent 4-H and your project area.

 Supplies: A successful experience at the fair requires having the right supplies. Following are some things you will most likely need.

• Bedding—You will need shavings, straw, or other bedding for your animal.

• Broom—Keep your assigned area and walkways neat.

• Feed—Your animal will need feed throughout the fair. Flies can be a problem, so bring feed in an enclosed container. Do not forget to bring feed and water containers.

• Bucket—You will need a bucket to haul fresh water to your animal (unless automatic waterers are installed).

• Chairs—You will spend a lot of time in the barn area, so you may want to bring chairs. Remember to keep the aisle area open for fair guests at all times.

• Fans—Many exhibitors bring a portable fan to help keep their animal cool. Check the policy for your fair. You will need to bring an extension cord for your fan and connectors to hang or mount it safely.

• Grooming Supplies—Make sure to bring a hose, grooming brushes, soap, spray bottles, etc., normally used to wash and groom your animal. Many sheep/goat exhibitors put blankets or tubes on their lambs/goats to keep them clean.

• Grooming Stands or Chutes—Your animal should come to the fair already clipped or shorn, however minor fitting will be needed to get your animal show-ready.

• Show Equipment—You will need a halter, show stick, comb, whip, or other show equipment.

• Show Attire—Most shows have specific dress code for exhibitors. Check the requirements for your county. 4-H members are often required to wear a 4-H patch on their left arm while exhibiting.

• Rake or Shovel—You will need to remove droppings and soiled shavings from your animal’s pen area frequently. Stalls and pens need to be maintained throughout the fair. This will also help reduce flies in the barn area.

• Wheel Barrow—You will need to haul droppings and soiled shavings from the barn to the designated waste area.

Showing: There are two types of shows in which you can exhibit—showmanship and market classes. In showmanship classes, the judge is evaluating your skills in fitting and showing your animal, rather than just the quality of your animal. In market classes, the judge is evaluating your animal. Of course, a good show person will ensure his or her animal is shown to its best potential in the market class, helping the animal place as high in the market class as possible. 

• Showmanship Classes: These classes are typically divided by grade divisions. . Showmanship will be offered in Steer, Breeding Beef, Swine, Sheep, Market Goats, Dairy Goats, Rabbits and Ag Mech (shop). Classes will be divided into the following categories:

Peewee Division- Ages up to 8 years old

Junior-Grades 3,4, &5

Intermediate-Grades 6,7, &8

Senior-Grades 9,10,1

For the county show it is $5.00 “at the gate” except for Pee Wee Division. Participants must have exhibited an entry in the species to participate in the showmanship contest (except for Peewee Division)

• Market Classes: Once all the animals have been weighed, they will be grouped into different classes based upon weight. Classes will be posted prior to the market show.

• Breeding Shows: If your project animal did not weigh enough to show in a market class, you may have an opportunity to exhibit in the feeder class. Check the regulations in your county.

 

Junior Livestock Auction: The steer, market lambs, swine, market goats, broilers and rabbit meat pens projects at the county fair will be eligibility sold at auction at the conclusion of the fair. You will need to secure buyers to purchase your project animals and show their support for livestock youth.  

If you make the auction you need to be prepared to help with sale set up Saturday morning at 10 am. IF you do not help or have someone sign in to help in your stead your auction check will be with held and money deducted.

Preparing for the Auction: All market animals that qualify for auction will be sold on Saturday at the conclusion of the fair. You will wash and prepare your animal just as you did for the show. You will follow the same dress code as for the show. 

Sale Order: Each exhibitor will go through the auction in a certain order, which is typically based upon how your animal placed in the market class. The sale order will be posted prior to the auction. Staff and volunteers will assist you in lining up in the correct order. You must go through the auction in the correct order, so be prepared and ready to line up. 

Sale Method: During the auction, your market animal will be sold. Some auctions sell the animal by the pound; others sell the animal by the head. You will want to make sure your potential buyers understand the procedure in your county. The person who buys your market animal generally has the choice of flooring the animal (FLOOR), having the animal processed for their own use (KEEP) or to give back to the exhibitor (GIVE BACK) which then the exhibitor can either keep the project or floor it themselves with is a separate check back to them from the sale.

1. Flooring the animal (FLOOR). If your buyer does not want to keep the animal they purchase, they can floor the animal and pay only the difference between the final bid price and the established (floor) market price. The floor price is set prior to the sale and is based upon current market prices. For example, if the buyer bids $2 per pound for a 250 pound hog (250 lbs x $2/lb = $500) and the floor price is 65 cents per pound (250 lbs x .65/lb = $162.50), the buyer will actually pay $337.50 and the packer will pay $162.50; the packer will take the animal.

2. Having the animal processed for their own use (KEEP). The buyer will pay the full bid price, plus the cost of processing the animal. The buyer will receive the animal. 

3. Give Back to the Exhibitor. (GIVE BACK). The buyer will pay the full price without the benefit of the floor price deduction.

Sales Fee: Each fair will assess a small fee, generally a percentage of the final price, to pay for the expenses, premiums, and awards associated with the Junior Livestock program. This amount will be deducted from the check received for the sale of your animal.

After the County Fair if you made the County Auction, you will prepare a thank you letter for your buyer.  Before you can get your auction check you will need to pick up the photo that the fair board provides, along with the thank you letter. We have a signature form that you will need to hand back into the office and then your check can be received when they get delivered to the office.

If you have any questions or need help prepping for the county fair, Contact Carrie Sharp, Kaufman County 4-H and Youth Development County Agent at cl-sharp@tamu.edu or the extension office.

A Few Selections from the February Newsletter

 Council News

Council Meeting – NOW ON SUNDAYS!!

The next 4-H Council Meeting will be February 20, at 2:00 pm at the Extension office. 

The 4-H Council consist of officers and delegates from each club in Kaufman County, but any Intermediate or Senior 4-Her can attend the meetings.  The County Officers are elected each year to serve all of Kaufman County.

Items for discussion this month:

=Voting on the First Section of Bylaws, =Second section of Bylaw discussion, =Ag Day Planning at the County Fair =Fundraiser opportunities, =County Roundup Planning, =District Community Service Project

Camps, Clinics, Workshops

Summer 4-H Camping Opportunities – all held at the 4-H Conference Center:

·        4-H Fishing, Wildlife, STEM Camps; June 15-17, 2022

·        Horizons Camp; June 26-30, 2022

·        Prime Time I; July 10-13, 2022

·        Prime Time II; July 13-16, 2022

·        Junior Leader Retreat; November 11-13, 2022

Crafting Workshop for County Fair

Decorating Cookies not quite what you want to try for the county fair?  Then join Pandora Bonner and the Livestock club on February 21^st at the fairgrounds to make something for the county fair Creative Talent Show. 

Cookie Decorating Workshop

February 27th at the County Extension Office Come Learn basic cookie decorating techniques and make and take some treats home! Ages 8-18  Please bring $5 to help with costs of the workshop.

Participants will learn the basics of decorating techniques to create tasty treats to take home or Just in time to enter the County Fair!!!

If you can not attend, but still want to learn the techniques you can go this YouTube site.

Cake Decorating on Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MZn7dAgwfo

Happy decorating!!

Club Communications

Club and Project Meetings

Robotics Project - Meets weekly on Friday nights. Location changes so please contact Mr. Dreher at txdrehers@gmail.com for more information on robotics team practices.

NEW DAY!!! Kemp 4-H Club: Meets on the 1^st Tuesday at the Kemp City Hall at 7:00 p.m.  Contact Treasa Richardson.

Silver Spurs 4-H Horse Club: Meets on the 2^nd Tuesday at the extension office at 6:30 pm. Contact Amy Wolfe (arw1309@gmail.com) for location.

NEW DAY!!! Livestock 4-H Project Club: Meets on the 3^rd MONDAY at the county fairgrounds at 6:30 p.m.

NEW DAY!!! County 4-H Council – Meets on the 3^rd SUNDAY at the County Extension Office at 2:00 pm.  Two representatives need to attend from each club.

County Liners 4-H Club- Meets on the 4^th Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Terrell.

Shooting Sports 4-H Club: Meets monthly on set dates throughout the year. Contact Kelly Crawford at simmentalover@gmail.com

Scurry Rosser 4-H Club - Meets on the 3^rd Thursday at 6:30 pm monthly at the High School Cafeteria in Scurry.

Project Talk

County Fair Livestock Prep

We are less than 30 days away for the county fair.  At the end of the newsletter is some important reminders for the county fair move in and show days.  Right now we are trying to get around and weigh projects.  If you need help with that please contact me before Wednesday, February 9^th.  The 4-H Scales are traveling and we can help see where your projects are in weight. 

County Fair Creative Talent

The Deadline to sign up for the Kaufman County Creative Talent contests is February 11^th.  Go to KCJLS.com and look up the Creative Talent Rule Book to look at all the opportunities to show off your favorite hobbies and talents.

 Texoma Robotics Contest

2022 T.E.L.S. Youth Agrobotics ChallengeTop of Form

Grayson County 4-H is providing a competitive event for youth to showcase their skill and knowledge

within the robotics project.

The 2022 T.E.L.S. Youth Agrobotics Challenge will be a semi-blind challenge. Teams can look up known challenges on the Texas 4-H Robotics page.  This Agrobotics Challenge will be using the 2021-2022Texas 4-H Ag Emergency 911Challenge rules and known objectives can be found at the Texas 4-H Robotics Webpage.

Junior and Intermediate Division Teams will follow the rules of play for Junior Division. T.E.L.S. Youth Agrobotic Rules for TELS  NO challenge mats will be available for purchase, but teams can download the challenge mat and have it printed.

Entry is in team format only. Teams may have 2 to 6 members and must compete within their specific age division. At least one team member is required to be active members of Texas 4-H or FFA for this event.

The cost to enter is $60 per team. Teams can pay by credit card or by mailing checks to Grayson County 4-H, Attn: Agrobotics, 100 W Houston A-G-1, Sherman, Texas 75090.

Bovine Care 101
Now with 5 additional activities, this series from the University of Tennessee Extension brings kids an up-close look at how cows work (they grow fungi in their stomachs?!), and what it takes for farmers to take care of them. By the end of each activity, kids will have newfound knowledge as well as a fun craft to take their bovine knowledge to the next level. Get started by clicking here.  (4-H.org//4-H at home)

4-H Night at NASA

 

On behalf of the hosting Texas 4-H STEM Ambassadors, we are excited to announce that at long last

Texas 4-H is going back to NASA’s Johnson Space Center.  This is an overnight “camping” experience held at the space center that will include hands-on STEM activities, an astronaut guest speaker, a tram tour of rocket park, and free roam of the museum’s exhibits.  It promises to be a great time for all space enthusiasts! 

Below are some of the details and even more in the FAQ linked below.  A promotional graphic is attached for you to use and share on social media.  Please share this information with your 4-H families. 

Event Dates:  March 5-6, 2022

Location:  NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston

Registration Dates:  February 1-15, 2022 on 4-H Online (Event title:  Texas 4-H Night at NASA).  All youth and adult participants must register on 4HOnline.

Who can attend:  Texas 4-H members (Jr, Int, and Sr ages) and screened adults.  All 4-H members must be accompanied by a parent/guardian chaperone.

Saturday Check-in Time:  5-6 PM sharp.  

Sunday End Time:  Will vary based on your own preference/needs. 

What to Expect:  Staff led STEM activities, astronaut guest speaker, explore the center’s exhibits, and tram tour of rocket park.

SPACE CENTER HOUSTON OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE FAQ – this page provides many more details about the overnight experience.  It references scouting overnight in some places, which is mostly the same program as ours.

Forms:  All participants will need to download, review, and bring signed copies of all required forms.  Required forms will be available in the downloadable files section of the 4HOnline registration process.  If you are chaperoning someone else’s child and he/she is taking any kind of medication, the chaperone is advised to follow best practices outlined in the Procedures for Handling Medications document.  Other forms that chaperones may need pertaining to medicines can be found on our Programs for Minors page:  https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/minors/

Meals:  Saturday supper and Sunday breakfast will be provided and is included in the registration fee.

Chaperones:  Due to the unique sleeping arrangements, all 4-H members must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.  The 4-H program will not be providing any chaperones; therefore, youth are not allowed to be dropped off without a parent/guardian.  All adults must register on 4HOnline.  Please note, it could take up to 2 weeks to get background screening completed, so plan to re-enroll quickly if you have not already done so.  When tent camping, only family units may sleep in the same tent. 

Sleeping Arrangements

There will be two different options for sleeping arrangements.  Again, more specific details can be found in the linked FAQ.

1. Indoor Lodging (inside the museum)
• Participants will have assigned locations inside the center, which will be outlined during the event.
• Indoor setup will take place towards the end of the evening. Please leave your bedding materials inside the car until the end of the night.
• What to bring is outlined in the FAQ.
• The Space Center's lead instructor will direct you to your assigned location the night of the event, after the center closes.
2. Outdoor Lodging
• You may choose to sleep outside in a tent underneath their SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that has flown to space twice or under the historic shuttle carrier aircraft that ferried space shuttles 223 times.
• Please be aware that if you decide on outdoor sleeping you will be setting up your tent immediately after check-in NOT at the end of the night. (the 5-6 PM time period).
• If you choose this option, you must bring your own tent as well as necessary bedding.  Tent sizes and other details are outlined in the FAQ.
• We recommend that if you are planning to sleep outdoors, that you get there closer to 5:00 pm to ensure you have enough time to pitch your tent.
• No indoor or outdoor cooking allowed.

COVID Guidelines/Protocol:  We will adhere and follow the guidelines of Space Center Houston and Texas 4-H/AgriLife Extension.  We will provide the most up-to-date guidelines via email about a week ahead of the event.  All participants will be required to submit a Covid Screening form at check-in. 

Registration Status:  Please note that all registrations will remain as “Pending” at the state level until the week of the event.  This will ensure we can delete registrations without charge if the situation arises where we have to cancel the event due to Covid or other unforeseen circumstances.

Please thoroughly review this information above and on the FAQ page.  There is a lot of information that should help answer any questions you may have.  If questions remain unanswered, please feel free to contact me.  We look forward to seeing everyone there!

Answers to some frequently asked questions.

Q:           What is the cost?

A:            $90 per person (same fee for youth and adults) – sorry I omitted that important detail in my original email.

Q:           Do adults have to register?

A:            Yes.  Each person attending must submit a separate registration.

Q:           Can an adult chaperone other kids that are not their own?

A:            Yes, so long as they adhere to our Texas 4-H Youth Protection Standards.  For your reference, those rules and best practices are outlined here (found on this page):

• Programs for Minors Zoom Update and Discussion – April 13, 2021 Recording
• Volunteer Orientation Updated with Overnight Program Guidelines PowerPoint

Q:           I see on my kid’s registration that there is a place to enter the name of the parent/guardian chaperone.  Does submitting a name in that field register the adult?

A:            No, that text field is to document who the designated chaperone is for the youth member.  The adult chaperone still needs to create and submit a separate registration.  Before approving registrations, we will cross-reference the designated chaperone with the registration list to ensure the adult chaperone has registered.

Q:           Can a younger sibling attend?

A:            As it stands today, the event is only open to junior, intermediate, and senior 4-H members.  If that changes, I will let you know.

 

Winter Storm Prep for 4-H Projects

 

As the storm warnings keep increasing time is now to make sure you are keeping your 4-H animal projects healthy. 

Follow these steps to help your 4-H projects perform their best this winter.

 

1. Make sure animals have plenty of fresh air.
Although it seems natural to close all the barn doors in the winter, similar to how you seal your house up tight, remember animals are different. To help keep them healthy and prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses, make sure you have adequate ventilation.

 

2. Water, water, water.
Whether providing water in a bucket, tank or automated system, it is important to check the water each day. If you are like many farms, you have probably experienced a frozen water tank or two. That is why it’s important to check the water supply every day: realizing the issue and reacting to it are essential in keeping animals healthy and on track for market or reproduction. No matter what the temperature, make sure the water you are providing your animals is clean and easily available in adequate amounts.

 

3. Know what is in your feed. 
Knowing the contents and the quality of the feed you are offering to animals is essential in making sure they have adequate nutrition to meet their energy requirements. Researchers at Oregon State University mention the “lowest critical environmental temperatures for livestock vary according to species and researchers, but 20 or 32 degrees Fahrenheit are often used as the lowest temperature dry livestock can tolerate without additional energy demands to support normal body temperature.” Paying attention to the amount of feed consumed as well as the temperature is important in keeping your animal on track.

 

4. Pay special attention to young and new animals.
Younger animals, especially newborn animals, are more susceptible to the cold weather. When new animals are born, make sure they are dried off in a reasonable amount of time. Additionally, remember how crucial it is for animals to receive their first milk, colostrum. If transporting new animals to your farm, make sure you minimize the amount of stress they will encounter as well as provide adequate dry, minimal dust bedding to help reduce the effect of winter chill.

5. Heat Lamp safety.

Animals just love to nibble on inappropriate things dangling into their stalls, and they could also get tangled up in cords and wires and drag the heat lamp down into flammable bedding. Tuck them up out of reach (and account for chickens flying up or goats standing on hind legs, and secure them. Use zip ties, string, duct tape – whatever you have to, to get them secured.

 

Lamps are often hung over a stall using either a rope or the clamp on the actual lamp, but whatever you choose to use to secure them, use something else too. For example, when I use the built in clamp, I also tie a rope or bungee to the actual lamp, careful not to touch it to the reflector, and tie it to a nail, beam, or the side of the pen. If one of the fastenings were to fail, the other would prevent it from falling into the pen.

 

Some heat lamps come with cages over the bulb to protect them to hopefully prevent the hot bulb from coming into contact with anything flammable should it fall. It’s not failsafe, as the reflector will also be hot, but it’s an extra arrow in your safety quiver.

Make sure that lamps are affixed a good distance away from the bedding in the stall, and any stored hay or bedding. All are super flammable.  In addition, make sure the lamps are not too close to the blankets.  In the past some projects have ended up with burns due to the lamp heating up the vinyl neck pieces and burning the projects. 

6. Check under the blankets

In any case, blankets and tubes should be checked at least every other day.  If not to check for fit and rub spots, at least double check that ring worm or burn spots are not occurring.