Livestock & Small Animals

Virtual Quality Assurance Training – REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Quality Assurance Training is still mandatory for 2021 for all youth taking market livestock and lactating dairy cattle/goat projects to be eligible to participate in junior fair events, shows and sales at the fairs. Parents are encouraged to attend the training with their child.

All trainings will be held using Zoom and start at 7:00 pm:

March  23, 24, 25

April 19, 20, 21

May 6

Each session will hold a maximum of 40 participants. No more than two family members on one Zoom connection.

A Zoom link to attend the training will be emailed after you register.

Participants must sign-up and reserve a training spot at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A094EADA72CA1FD0-20213

Attendance will be taken throughout the training session. If someone doesn’t attend the full training, the training will have to be repeated.

A face to face session will also be held May 20 for members that are not able to attend a virtual training due to limited or no internet access.

How to attend a virtual training using Zoom:

Steps to attend a Zoom meeting on a computer

  • Click on the QA invitation link emailed after you registered
  • You will need to allow your computer some time to download Zoom
  • Enter the meeting ID if necessary
  • Allow access to Camera & Sound
  • Your controls are at the bottom for microphone and camera

Steps to attend a Zoom meeting on a mobile phone

  • Open App Store and download Zoom Cloud Meetings
  • Open App, sign-up, enter email address, first name, and last name, email will be sent, verify account, initial setup complete
  • Make sure Zoom App is downloaded and ready
  • Click on the QA invitation link emailed after you registered
  • Enter the meeting ID if necessary
  • Allow access to Camera & Sound

 

Quality Assurance Test Out Option Available

The Washington County 4-H Program will be offering a quality assurance test out option on Monday February 15, 2021 at 9am.  The test will be administered at the OSU Extension Office for youth ages 12-14 years old and youth 15-18 years old.  The quality assurance test with a passing score for youth ages 12-14 will allow them to not attend an annual quality assurance training until they turn 15 as of January 1st.  Youth members ages 15-18 years old who pass the test will not need to attend an annual quality assurance training for the remainder of their 4-H / FFA career.  The tests are administered by 4-H professionals and consist of multiple choice questions.  If youth are interested in taking the test they may call the extension office at 740-376-7431 to set and appointment for February 15th.  If you would like more information you may also email Kathryn at hartline.24@osu.edu

Dairy Technology and Data Management Miniseries

Here is an opportunity not only for local dairy farms, but youth interested in the dairy industry.

Technology and Data Management on the Dairy Farm From milking parlors, to robots, to sophisticated software…farmers are increasingly using technology to make management decisions on the farm. Dairy farming has evolved greatly over the last few decades. If there was ever an industry in need of new technologies to become leaner and greener, it’s dairy farming. Many different kinds of technologies exist in the market today. The sheer number of various technologies and the information produced by them can be overwhelming and confusing. Technologies monitoring various parameters are available to farmers and often these technologies fall into categories including Nutrition, Production, Animal Health, Fertility, and Environmental. The decision to adopt a technology depends on factors such as management style, familiarity with computers, ease of use, type of housing system, and perceived benefit to cost ratio. Farmers have many considerations before adopting and implementing dairy technologies. Farmers must consider their unique objectives as well as family needs. Technology, and increased access to data are enabling dairy farmers to make smarter day-to-day decisions to improve cow health, production, and on-farm efficiencies.

Series 1: February 17 at 12:30 pm  Technology and data management on the farm Session 1 featuring Dr Jeff Bewley

Series 2: February 24, 2021 12:30 pm Technology and data management on the farm Session 2 featuring a panel of farmers using different technologies on their farms.

 

OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day – February 20

The OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day is scheduled for February 20, 2021. The complete agenda and registration information can be found at this link: www.go.osu.edu/jsd2021

2021 OSU Virtual Junior Swine Day
Saturday, February 20, 2021 – 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

The Agenda for the Day:

9:00 a.m. – Welcome
Evaluating and Selecting Your Pig Project (Video evaluating pigs)
 A.J. Genter, Archbold, OH and Justin Rodibaugh, Rensselaer, IN
Nutrition and Feed Management
     Dr. Joel DeRouchey, Swine Nutritionist, Kansas State University
Meat Science
     Dr. Steve Moeller, OSU Swine Extension Specialist
When Science and Pig Shows Collide
Dr. Andy Bowman, OSU Veterinary Preventive Medicine
Vaccinations / Pig Health
Dr. Todd Price, North Central Vet Services, Sycamore, OH
Showmanship (Video with interviews and showmanship discussion)
Kelly Morgan, Manager of Showpig Programs, Ohio Pork Council
12:30 p.m. – Wrap Up and Answer Questions

2021 Market Steer Announcements

2021 State Fair Market Beef Registration

DNA sample kits and EID tags are available from the Extension Office. All samples must be received at the Ohio State Fair by January 15, 2021

Market Steer Tag-in & Weigh-in for 2021

Tag-in for 2021 Market Steers to be taken to the Washington County Fair will be Saturday, December 12 from 8-9:30 AM at the NFO Building on SR 339 near Waterford.

Saying “Thank You” is Important

Have you had a great 4-H experience this year, or maybe you were able  to put some money in to your college fund after the livestock sales.  Now is a great time to say thank you to our local businesses, volunteers, and project helpers.  A great way to say thanks is to write a quick thank you note and drop it in the mail or even stop by the business personally to offer a thank you.  Saying Thank you is easy and lets other’s know you appreciate their support.  Who will you thank this year??

  • Livestock Buyer
  • Fair board members
  • Trophy / Award Sponsor
  • 4-H Advisor
  • Project Helper
  • Parents

Washington County Junior Fair Plans

Thank you for being patient as the Washington County Fairboard has worked out a plan with the Marietta Health Department to conduct a Jr Fair. Excitement is beginning to swell as we get closer to the event. All Livestock Exhibitors will be receiving the following letter in the mail outlining a detailed plan, expectations and revised fair schedule. Read this information carefully as everyone will be effected by the changes as well as the mask and social distancing requirements.

Washington Co Fair Exhibitor Letter – 2020

County Fair Weigh-in & Check-in

The County Fairboard is working on completing their Jr Fair plan and submitting the proposed schedule to the Marietta Health Department for consideration. The proposed plan includes animal weigh-in and check-in occurring on Friday, September 4 in the evening. This is a change to the original schedule where animals were going to arrive on Thursday.

Stay tuned for a complete Jr Fair schedule to be released soon.