hill county 4-h***swine projects must weigh 210 pounds to sell*** drop/add 4-h project deadline all...
TRANSCRIPT
April 2017 Hill County 4-H
Happenings
Highlights In this Issue
Feed Me Tender (cont’d) Project Book Activities
Page 2
Upcoming Events, Meetings, and Deadlines
Page 3
Save the Date Opportunities
Page 4
Where to Get Pig or Lamb Lamb and Swine Weigh-In
Drop/Add Deadline Page 5
2017 Communications Day Montana 4-H Congress
Page 6
Calendar of Events Horse ID and Small
Animal ID Card Deadline Page 7
Project Book Activities Back Cover
Raising Blue
Ribbon Kids
MSU Hill County Extension
315 4th Street Havre, MT 59501
Phone (406) 265-5481 ext 233 Fax (406) 265-5487
www.msuextension.org www.montana4h.org
Hill County Extension Website
msuextension.org/hill
Feed Me Tender Feeding your 4-H
Livestock Project Animal What are we trying to teach our youth
livestock producers?
Life skills? Production practices? Yes and yes.
As youth livestock producers, it is important to realize that the
animals we produce for the market livestock sale go directly into
the food chain to the consumer. And with the consumer, quality is
number one. Quality to the consumer means satisfaction.
What does it take to produce a product that satisfies the
consumer? First: a safe product. Next: a product that provides an
enjoyable eating experience.
What makes an enjoyable eating experience? Flavor, juiciness,
tenderness? Meat quality is a term used to describe a range of
attributes of meat. Consumer research suggests that tenderness is a
very important element of eating quality and that variations in
tenderness affect the decision to repurchase. As an animal matures
to slaughter weight, muscle fiber hypertrophy (increase in bulk) is
accompanied by maturation of the endomysium (layer of
connective tissue that ensheaths a muscle fiber), thickening of the
perimysium (sheath of connective tissue which groups individual
muscle fibers) and the formation of non-reducible cross-links
between collagen molecules. Say what? That basically means that
as an animal grows and matures, more the tough connective tissue
is produced in the muscle tissue. So, the younger the animal, the
more tender the meat.
What does this mean for our youth market livestock producers?
It means that in order to produce a quality product for the
consumer that we need to select young animals that will grow fast,
so they will reach a marketable weight at the youngest age
possible. This is why market livestock shows have weight limits at
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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
(continued from Page 1)
show day. Animals that are too big and too old will either grow too big for the consumer de-
sired end product or have to be “held” to make weight. Holding market animals slows their
growth rate and initiates the development of more connective tissue, leading to tougher, less ten-
der meat.
2013-2014 Great Northern Fair Livestock Show and Sale Weight Limits
* The weigh-in date for the Great Northern Fair is July 17th.
All livestock species have a minimum fair weight that they are required to make in order to sell
the animal at the Great Northern Livestock Sale. However, 4-H exhibitor is still eligible to show
the animal at the Great Northern Fair.
If the animal weighs more than the maximum weight, the animal can be sold at the Great
Northern Livestock Sale. However, the 4-H exhibitor will receive a check that is based off the
weight maximum for that species. For example a 1,550 pound steer will be sold through the Great
Northern Fair Livestock Sale but the 4-H exhibitor will receive a check that is based off 1,500
pounds (maximum weight for steers) not 1,550 pounds.
However, these weights are only guidelines; weight truly depends on animal frame size. If you
need help determining frame size or determining a goal weight, please contact the MSU Hill
County Extension Office.
With these weights and days on feed, the recommended weights and ages for your animals at
weigh-in:
Back to customer satisfaction, if a customer doesn’t have an enjoyable eating experience he or
she may not buy that meat product again. That means less demand and less demand means lower
prices paid for the product. It may be a long chain effect, but it comes back to the producer,
whether it is a youth producer or a commercial producer. Produce an enjoyable eating experience
and you will get paid for it. Produce an inferior product and it will hurt the whole industry. *Special Thanks to John Fouts, WSU Extension Educator.
Species Days from Weigh in to Fair Fair Weight Minimum Fair Weight Range
Steers 220 days 1,000 1,100-1,500*
Pigs 79 days 210 235-300*
Lambs 79 days 100 100-150
Steers 600-700 lbs Born Spring of 2013
Pigs 70-90 lbs Born early to mid-March 2014
Lambs 60-70 lbs Born late February early March 2014
Plan Ahead: Minimum of 5 Project Book Activities Due
We are again enforcing the 4-H requirement wherein each 4-H project needs to have seven
(7) project book activities completed by year’s end. Remember that five (5) of those project
book activities need to be completed by May 1st.
All of your 4-H project books need to be turned into the Extension Office by that May 1st
deadline with the Activity Tracking page being signed off by a leader (not your parent).
If your project book does not have specific activities, please call the office and we can
help you determine activities.
4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
Upcoming Events , Meetings,
AND DEADLINES
4-H Horse Project Practice Wednesday, April 5, 2017
Northern Agricultural Research Center at 5:30 p.m.
The first practice for the 4-H Horse pro-
jects will be on Wednesday, April 5th be-
ginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Research Cen-
ter.
DO NOT BRING your horses to this
practice.
DO BRING your pr inted Animal
Project Journal and Financial Record Book
form and project books.
Community Easter Egg Hunt Hosted by Chirping Meadowlarks
4-H Club Friday, April 14, 2017
Rudyard Park in Rudyard at 11:00 a.m.
This Hi-Line Community event covers
Chester to Havre and invites everyone to a
fun-filled Easter Egg hunt
on Friday, April 14th at
11:00 a.m. at the Rudyard
Park in Rudyard.
4-H Foundation Meeting
The Hill County 4-H Foundation will not
meet until August 21, 2017.
4-H Exchange Meeting Monday, May 8, 2017
Timmons Room-Courthouse Time, TBA
It is time to finalize the activities being
planned while the Nebraska group is here.
All Exchange members need to attend
this meeting.
4-H Livestock Committee
Meeting Monday, May 8, 2017
Timmons Room-Courthouse Time, TBA
The Hill County 4-H Livestock Committee
will meet on Monday, May 8, 2017 in the
Timmons Room at the Hill County Court
House.
4-H Council Meeting
Monday, May 8, 2017 Timmons Room-Courthouse
Time, TBA
The Hill County 4-H Council will meet on
Monday, May 8, 2017 in the Timmons
Room at the Hill County Court House.
4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
SAVE THE DATE OPPORTUNITIES
4-H Shooting Sports Camp
May 19, 20, and 21, 2017 Loon Lake 4-H Camp near Bigfork
Disciplines being offered are Archery,
Air Rifle and Shotgun. Firearms and
equipment are provided. This is a great
chance to learn more bout 4-H Shooting
Sports program.
Families from anywhere in Montana are
welcome to attend. This is a family camp
an adult present with youth.
The fee is $60 per person with a
maximum for immediate family of $200.
For more information contact the Extension
Office.
Clinton Anderson Horsemanship Clinic
June 9-11, 2017 Kings Arena—Great Falls, Montana
Exercises covered will range from
learning how to gain basic control and
earning a horse’s respect to building
confidence in the saddle and improving a
horse’s softness and suppleness – all keys
to creating a safe, willing and enjoyable
partnership with your horse. More
information and the clinic application can
be found at www.downunderhorseman-
ship.com/events/road-clinics.
Spectators are welcome to attend the
clinic. Spectator tickets are available to
purchase online or by calling 888-287-
7432.
The clinic begins each day at 9:00 a.m.
and concludes at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Anderson
will be available at the end of each day to
visit with horsemen and answer training
questions.
If you would like more information
about Clinton Anderson or Downunder
Horsemanship or the Fundamentals Clinic,
visit www.downunderhorsemanship.
com. For questions about the clinic call
888-287-7432 or email customerserv-
4-H Cloverbud Camp
June 9, 10, 11, 2017 Loon Lake 4-H Camp near Bigfork
This camp is for enrolled 4-H Cloverbud
members and a parent/guardian. The camp
activities are specifically for this age group.
The fee for the camp is $120 and
includes lodging and meals for the
Cloverbud and 1 adult. Additional youth or
adults are $50 each.
Registrations are due by June 1st. If
interested in attending the Cloverbud
Camp, contact the Extension office.
Montana 4-H Leadership Forum
September 29-30, 2017 Glendive, Montana
This event is designed to provide a
weekend retreat for all of our 4-H
Volunteers and Youth Leaders across
Montana to come together for networking,
education, relaxation, and fun. Participants
return with a deeper understanding of the
4-H mission, a stronger sense of how to
accomplish it, and an expanded toolbox to
make it happen.
Workshop Proposal information will be
available in April and Registration
information will be out in June. Follow
Montana 4-H on Facebook and the event
webpage at Montana 4-H for details. .
4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
WHERE DO I GET MY PIG OR LAMB?
If you need information on where to get your pig or lamb for your market project,
please contact the Extension office for a list of area breeders.
4-H Lamb and Swine Weigh-In
County Weigh-In Day for lambs and pigs will be
Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hill County Fairgrounds.
You can purchase your animals anytime before April 13th.
***Lambs are required to be weighed at Weigh-In Day.
If you choose to not participate in the Weigh-In Day with your PIGS please review and follow the
guidelines below.
You must provide the following items to the Hill County Extension
office no later than Monday, April 17th, at 5:00pm.
PIG WEIGHT
BREED
BREEDER NAME/ADDRESS
PICTURE OF PIG WITH MEMBER AND VISIBLE EAR TAG #
Your animal entry will not be complete until ALL of the above information is submitted to the
Extension office . Again that deadline is Monday, April 17th at 5:00 p.m. No exceptions.
Remember the minimum weights for the Fair! ***Lambs must weigh 100 pounds to sell ***
***Swine projects must weigh 210 pounds to sell***
Drop/Add 4-H Project Deadline
All 4-H members need to review their 4-H projects with their organizational leader to
determine whether or not their project list is complete. We often get excited in the beginning
of the year and sign up for more projects than we have time for or forget some.
With that being said, REMEMBER your FIVE (5) activities for EACH project that you are
enrolled in are due into the Extension office no later than May 1st. If you are not going to
meet that deadline, it might be worth some thought to drop that project for this year and pick
it up again next year to continue with it.
Now is the time to review your projects with your organizational leader to determine what,
if any, you want to drop or add. Have your organizational leader contact the office about any
changes in your 4-H projects. Changes will not be accepted by members or parents.
4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
2017 4-H COMMUNICATIONS DAY
All 4-H members are encouraged to compete in 4-H Communications Day. The categories are:
Demonstration, Illustrated Talk, Speech, Commercial, Broadcast, Cowboy Poetry, Career
Communications, and Video. Registration forms are available at the Extension office.
Save the Date—4-H Communications Day will be held on April 23, 2017 beginning at
1:15 p.m. with registration at the Hill County Annex Meeting Room. Registrations are
due into the Extension office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017.
A 4-H member who was 13 on October 1, 2016 and receives a blue ribbon at the county level
in Demonstration, Illustrated Talk, Speech, Career Communications or Video is eligible to
compete at State 4-H Congress.
Need help? Tammy Duncan is willing to help anyone who is struggling with an idea or any
other aspect of a demonstration or speech. Give Tammy a call to set up an appointment at 292-
3503.
It’s Not too Early to Think About 4-H Congress
4-H Congress is a place to meet new friends and have a lot of fun with other 4-H teen
members. One focus however is the state competitions, and that is the easiest way to earn a
way to Congress. State contests are designed to provide educational and state level
competitive events to Montana 4-H'ers age 14 years and older. This year 4-H Congress will
be July 12-15, 2017.
The following contests will take place Thursday, July 13, 2017, in conjunction with
Montana 4-H Congress:
Career Communications
Demonstrations and/or Illustrated Talk
Fashion Revue
Gavel Games (Parliamentary Procedure)
Horse Judging
Horse Skill-A-Thon (Hipology)
Livestock Evaluation
Public Speaking
Quilt Contest
Stir-Up (Foods)
Video
Montana 4-H Congress Participants that are 13 years of age are permitted to compete in the
state contest at the discretion of the County. However, they may not be eligible for an award
trip due to age requirements set by the national/regional event. They do not lose their
eligibility and can compete in future years to again earn eligibility for a national award trip.
If you are interested in any of
these activities or would like
more information, please
contact the office. Plan now
to prepare for your 4-H
Congress experience.
4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
April 2017 April 1 Montana State 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications due to State office April 3 4-H Foundation Grant Applications Due to the Extension Office April 13 Market Sheep and Swine Weigh-In Day 5:30pm Hill County Fairgrounds April 17 Deadline for 4-H Communications Day Registrations April 20 Early Turn-in Opportunity for 4-H Project Books with at least 5 Activities Completed April 23 4-H Communications Day 1:30pm Hill County Courthouse Annex Room
May 2017 May 1 Deadline to Drop or Add 4-H Projects May 1 Horse ID and Small Animal ID Cards due to the Extension Office May 1 4-H Project Books Due to the Extension office with at least 5 Activities Completed May 8 4-H Interstate Exchange Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 4-H Council Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 Deadline to RSVP for Rabbit/Cat/Poultry Workshop scheduled for May 11th May 11 Rabbit/Cat/Poultry Workshop—Rabbits-5:30pm; Cats-6:15pm; Poultry-7:00pm at Fairgrounds May 29 Memorial Day - Extension Office Closed
June 2017 June 1 4-H Family Packets Ready to be Picked Up June 1 Hill County 4-H Scholarship Applications Due to the Extension Office June 5 4-H Foundation Grant Applications Due to the Extension Office June 12-14 Multi-County 4-H Camp—Camp Kiwanis June 19 4-H Fair Entries Due to the Extension Office
Horse ID and Small Animal ID Cards Deadline
All 4-H members taking the horse project must submit a Horse ID card complete with the
horse’s information along with pictures showing all sides along with any special markings.
All 4-H members taking small animals—cats, dogs, rabbits, poultry and pocket pets—are
also required to submit a Small Animal ID card. This ID card will be project specific and
needs to include a picture of all sides along with any special markings. Remember Cats and
Dogs also need current Vaccination Records.
The Horse ID and Small Animal ID cards are available at the Extension office.
Remember the Deadline to have these ID cards turned in is May 1st. If you don’t turn in
your ID card, you won’t be able to exhibit that project at the Fair.
NO EXCEPTIONS!!
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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension
Hill County Extension Staff
Nicole Gray MSU/Hill County
AG Extension Agent [email protected]
MSU/Hill County
FCS Extension Agent
Rhonda Gregoire Food Stamp
Nutrition Education [email protected]
Amanda Powell Administrative Assistant
Office Phone 406-265-5481 ext 233
Office Fax 406-265-5487
MSU Hill County Extension
315 4th Street Havre MT 59501
Plan Ahead: Minimum of 5 Project Book Activities Due There is a 4-H requirement being enforced this year wherein each project needs to have
seven (7) project book activities completed by year’s end. With that being said, five (5) of
those project book activities need to be completed by May 1st. All of your project books
need to be turned into the Extension Office by that May 1st deadline with the Activity Track-
ing page being signed off by a leader (not your parent). If your project book does not have
specific activities, please call the office and we can help you determine activities.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717