Animal Science

2020 Livestock Quality Assurance Update

by

To: Livestock Exhibitors:

All market and breeding livestock, rabbits, and poultry must participate in Quality Assurance each year to participate in exhibition with their animal, per ODA and Ohio Revised Code

For a printable copy of this information, click here.

You have 3 options for Quality Assurance in 2020: (in order of preference). Any of the above options must be completed by July 1st, 2020

  1. Register for one of 9 virtual QA sessions with Madison County
  2. For $12, complete the online YQCA module on your own time prior to fair (Please email your certificate to nicol.115@osu.edu to verify completion)
  3. Schedule an online 3 year test out option with Frances (for ages 12 and up only)

 

To register for a virtual Quality Assurance session, review the information below:

  1. Fill out this survey link FOR EACH YOUTH you are registering: go.osu.edu/MadCoVirtualQA (You MUST pre-register at least 48 hours before the session)
  2. Register youth for one of the sessions listed. Each session will be limited to a certain number of participants to ensure a quality connection.
    1. Session 1: Tuesday, April 28, 3:00-4:00pm
    2. Session 2: Tuesday, May 5, 5:00-6:00pm
    3. Session 3: Monday, May 11, 2:00-3:00pm
    4. Session 4: Wednesday, May 20, 5:00-6:00pm
    5. Session 5: Thursday, May 28, 4:00-5:00pm
    6. Session 6: Thursday, June 11, 6:00-7:00pm
    7. Session 7: Sunday, June 14, 4:00-5:00pm
    8. Session 8: Tuesday, June 23, 6:00-7:00pm
    9. Session 9: Thursday, June 25, 5:00-6:00pm
  3. After registration is completed, you will receive an email confirmation with more information and the Zoom link to join virtually for the session you selected.
  4. If you need to register additional youth in your household, complete the survey again for each youth (NOTE: if you live together, you can all join with the same device as long as everyone can see the screen easily)

Additional Notes:

  • Attendance will be taken during the call. Youth will receive confirmation of completion.
  • Any youth under the age of 16 must have a parent/guardian attend the training. It is always recommended that one parent/guardian attend training regardless of youth age.
  • Do NOT send your link to another family to use. They must register themselves.
  • It is preferred to join via phone, tablet, or computer that has video capability for maximum participation. If this is a challenge, please contact Frances to join via a regular phone call and to receive a copy of the materials to follow along with.
  • No recordings will be available. You must attend during the times provided. If you cannot attend any of the 9 times offered, contact Frances or consider one of the other QA options.

*IF YOUR YOUTH NEEDS ACCOMODATIONS, such as a copy of the materials, individual instruction, etc., please contact Frances at nicol.115@osu.edu in advance to set up a plan.

*IF YOU HAVE INTERNET CONNECTIVITY ISSUES/POOR VIDEO QUALITY, please contact Frances at nicol.115@osu.edu to join via a phone call and receive a copy of the materials to follow along with.

If you have any questions, contact Frances at nicol.115@osu.edu or call 740-852-0975, or call her direct line at 740-956-5048!

Hay is for Sheep and Goats Too!

by

Written by Frances Nicol, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development

There is often a misconception that hay is only meant for cattle and horses. However, sheep and goats are also ruminant animals and need to digest forages to complete their diet.

If you are taking a sheep and/or goat project to the fair, make sure you provide plenty of hay at home and during the fair week. If these animals do not have forages in their diet, it can have detrimental effects on their nutrition and product quality. Because of their rumen bacteria, they are able to digest large amount of cellulose which is found in plant fibers. This provides them the necessary carbohydrates for a balanced diet.

Your livestock resource book has recommendations on how much hay/forages you should provide to your animal. Often, it is the grain diet that should be given in portioned quantities as they tend to eat too much, while hay can be fed “free choice”, meaning the animals should always have access to hay for them to graze on.

It is also important to have the right quality of hay. The nutrition chapter of your Goat or Sheep Resource Books have more information on the quality of hay and and other feeds, proper storage, etc.

Proper nutrition is the basis of a healthy animal. If they are not being fed properly, it can not only affect the meat or product quality, but also the general well being and health of the animal. Please be sure you are doing your research before purchasing feed for your animals.

For more information, check out your 4-H project books and Resource Handbooks or call the extension office at 740-852-0975 or a livestock key leader with any questions about feeding your livestock.

Source: Goat Resource Handbook, Ohio State University Extension, 2016