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Livestock Resources

10 Things That Matter WAY More Than Where You Place With Your Livestock

Posted with permission from Ranch House Designs*

Excerpts:
As a young person, I was very fortunate to spend nearly 10 years showing in junior and open cattle shows with my family. And, we were also very thankful to have tremendous success at all levels. My sister and I still hold the record for the most number of grand championships . . .

It has been more than 10 years since I showed in a junior show (wow I feel old), but now that I look back on showing, I have realized that there are certain things that are WAY more important than where you place at the show, and how much you spend on your animal. These are things that NO ONE can take away from you, no matter how old you are, where you are from, or where life takes you.

  1. Do your own work.
  2. Be kind of others. Basic kindness is one of the most important things you can practice when you’re at a livestock show. There are thousands of opportunities to do this at a show, . . .
  3. Say Thank You. You can never say thank you enough . . .
  4. Learn from successful people. When you go to a show, it doesn’t take too long to realize the people who are “in the know”. . . .
  5. Enjoy family time together. . . .
  6. Inspire someone else. Trust me – you will – even if you don’t realize it. Right now, no matter who you are, where you are from, or how old you are, I promise you there is someone out there who looks up to you. . . .
  7. Learn the business side of things. Showing livestock teaches you a lot about business, and that is something you will always use. . .
  8. Make friends. . . .
  9. Apply For (And Earn) Scholarships. The scholarship aspect of being involved in showing livestock is huge! . . .
  10. Learn that It’s Okay to Fail.  . . . It’s hard to lose. It’s hard to fail, whether it is in a show ring, in life, in school, in elections, in businesses, or in relationships. But everyone has failed somewhere. And the good thing is, it is never too late to start over or try again. Showing cattle teaches us to take risks.  . . .

Complete Article:
https://ranchhousedesigns.com/10-things-matter-way-place-livestock/
Thanks to Randy Williams, Lincoln-Adams 4-H Program Coordinator, for spotting and sharing this article.


Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) – What 4-H Livestock Exhibitors Need To Know

As YOU begin to purchase and feed your livestock for the Junior Livestock Show or county fair this spring and summer there is one additional item that is important for you to consider in feeding, managing and keeping records for your animal.

The use of medications in feed has been an effective and convenient method to prevent and treat certain disease conditions in groups of livestock. The proper use of feed medications has changed and will need to be under the oversight and order of a veterinarian. The order is known as a veterinary feed directive (VFD). Read more in Complete VFD Article

Livestock Showing Teaches Life Lessons

youth showing steerBy Jenn Carrico,
Field Editor, High Plains/Midwest Ag Journal
Used with permission

Jan 27, 2017

At nearly every cattle show I attend with my kids, the judge offers a few extra words of wisdom prior to selecting the grand champion. Our recent trip to the National Western Stock Show in Denver was no different. My daughter, Kassidy, was fortunate enough to place first or second in her class with her market steer each of the last four years. Those steers have returned to the ring later, to walk across the green carpet in hopes of being named grand or reserve champion. During this year’s show, judge, Dave Duello said something I won’t soon forget. Duello said, “Surround yourself with good people and keep dreaming.”

No matter what you are doing or where you are going, that is true. We often wonder if our children hear these wise words, given by folks . . . Complete Article


Misc. items for keeping 4-H livestock records4-H Record Keeping

by Randy Williams,
Lincoln/East Adams 4-H Program Coordinator

January 27, 2017
There are many reasons why kids decide to join 4-H. One of the most popular is the love of farm animals. Having the opportunity to care, feed and manage an animal brings a lot of satisfaction to our daily lives. We realize that the well-being of our project depends upon US and for most of us that is a great feeling. Some of you enjoy showing your animals at Jackpots, County Fairs and Regional Livestock Shows. Those who take this activity real serious spend hours training, clipping and preparing. This is your MOST favorite part of raising an animal! I would be willing to bet, however, that one of your LEAST favorite responsibilities is KEEPING RECORDS! Recordkeeping helps . . . Complete article includes link to livestock record keeping ap.


JACKPOT SHOWS Explained

By Randy Williams, Lincoln/East Adams 4-H Program Coordinator

Many of you may not be aware of Jackpot Shows for Youth Livestock Exhibitors. Typically, Jackpot Shows are a one day event open to ALL youth in different age brackets. 4-H and FFA members who are preparing their animals for County or State Fair can utilize these shows as a way to gain more experience in preparing, fitting and showing a steer, hog, lamb or goat.  Livestock enthusiasts who organize a Jackpot Show secure the show facility, seek sponsorship money from local businesses, advertise, and distribute entry forms. For most jackpot organizers, a highly qualified judge is critical to the success of the show; an individual who is knowledgeable, can relate to kids, and is talented on the microphone is paramount.

Shows will charge an entry fee (typically around $30-$40/head) that will be used to pay the judge, cover show costs (facility rental etc.) and . . . Jackpot Show-Explained complete article

 

Reference to specific Jackpot events is provided for informational purposes only. No endorsement of the named jackpot/prospect show is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar shows not mentioned.  There are many other Jackpot and open events like the Wheatland Jackpot Show that may provide valuable experiences for youth. Please be aware that the WSU 4-H youth development program may not be the sponsor of some of these events and is not responsible for any of the activities or outcomes associated with the non 4-H sponsored shows.

 


Importance of Ethics

The following paragraph was written by Mark L. Wahlber from Viginia Polytech & State University.  He brings out some very good points, which I have underlined.

“Teaching ethics in the livestock program starts at home and at local clubs. It can’t be legislated. Sure, there need to be rules by which shows operate, and penalties that will be imposed if those rules are broken. Some shows have exhibitors agree to a Code of Conduct before they participate. But ethics deals with doing the right thing, not just what is within the bounds of the rules. It is not what you can get away with. Ethics is an attitude, and involves a conscience. Ethics is taught by example – a good example. Adults can only be reminded of what’s right or wrong, because they have already learned this. Young people, on the other hand, are still learning. We have a teachable moment! The lessons learned now will last a lifetime.”

I encourage youth and parents to keep Mr. Wahlber’s words in mind when preparing and conducting themselves for competitions involving 4-H/FFA livestock.  Are you really a champion?—ask your conscience!  If you had to break rules or used unethical techniques (written or unwritten—you know what they are) was your animal really the best or were you a champion?   Remember, many animals and showman that did not receive purple ribbons are champions because they conducted themselves in an ethical and sportsmanship like manner.  And not all purple ribbons are champions—if you cannot look yourself in the mirror and feel good about what you did—then you just experienced a shallow victory!


Publication: Judging Beef Cattle and Oral Reasons 101

The Oral Reasons section is great information to help members explain their decisions for all species. Available online at:
http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/PNW/PNW669.pdf


Livestock Resources

Reminder: Use the latest PDF reader for your computer or device. “Get Adobe Reader” or search for “Free PDF Reader.”

4-H/FFA
State FFA/4-H Memorandum of Understanding
EM2778 WA 4-H Projects & Publications
Animal Science Curriculum – National 4-H
WA State 4-H Policy

Beef
Central WA Ag Team Beef Resources
Health Records
Judging Beef Cattle and Oral Reasons 101 
Monitoring Your Steer’s Progress
WA 4-H Beef Curricula
4-H Beef – Resources Publications
National 4-H Beef Curriculum

Club/Group/Learning Activities
Fun Club/Group Activity – Theme: “Resiliency (PDF) Word
Make a Rope Halter

Fairs, Shows, & Contests

Lincoln-Adams Fair Page
Lincoln-Adams Livestock Judging
Taking Your Animal Off The Farm Checklist
WA State Fair & Show Dates

Goats
Central WA Ag Team Resources
Training, Grooming and Showing Market Goats
Goat Meat Facts – (Poster – LARGE PDF file)
Health Records
Selecting a 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Project Animal
WA-4-H Goat Resources Publications
National 4-H Dairy Goat Curriculum
National 4-H Meat Goat Curriculum

Horse
Lincoln-Adams 4-H Horse Resources

Poultry
WA-4-H Poultry Resources Publications
National 4-H Poultry Curriculum

Sheep
Central WA Ag Team Resources
Health Records
Monitoring Your Lamb’s Progress
National 4-H Sheep Curriculum
Scrapie
Successfully Slick Shearing Show Lambs
Tail Docking Policy
Training, Grooming and Showing Market Lambs
WA-4-H Sheep Resources Publications

Swine
Central WA Ag Team Resources
Health Records
Judging Swine and Oral Reasons 101 
Importance of Pork Quality in youth Swine Projects

Pork Gateway Pork Information Gateway
An interactive information network focused on answering pork producers’ questions and providing extensive information on all facets of pork production!  There are fact sheets, short videos, how-to guides and numerous other references covering a wide range of subjects.  This free and easy to use resource is a valuable tool related to the production of pigs and pork.

WA-4-H Swine Resources WSU Publications
National 4-H Swine Curriculum
More Swine information

General
Animal Ag Team e-Newsletter
Appropriate use of 4-H Name . . . Livestock Sales, Auctions
Central WA Ag Team
Fair Animals are Food Animals
Fundraising: Private Support for the 4-H Program
Livestock & Ag Links
Lincoln County 4-H State Fair Livestock Judging Policy
Lincoln Co. Livestock Judging Contest Superintendent Job Description
Lincoln Co. Livestock Program Commitment to Excellence
Market Livestock Profitability
National Show Ring Code of Ethics
National 4-H Materials – Searchable
Other Lincoln-Adams Forms & Publications
Record Book Add Sheets for Animal Projects
Teaching Techniques
Temperature Concerns for Livestock

WSU Carcass Calculator

The WSU Livestock Carcass Grade & Cutability Calculator

(Free app available on both Android and iOS)

The calculator is an excellent way for producers, niche marketers, butchers, livestock judges, meat evaluators, and youth to quickly determine the yield grade and cutability of beef, pork or lamb carcasses.

Android link:  https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=edu.wsu.meatcalculator

iTune Store link:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/livestock-carcass-calculator/id1022439322?mt=8

For More Information Contact:
Sarah M. Smith, smithsm@wsu.edu or 509-754-2011 x4363
Jan Busboom, busboom@wsu.edu or 509-335-2880