2020 Animal Science Project ID InformationJune 1 DeadlineApril 1, 2020

TO: Murray County 4-H Animal Science Project Members – Enrolled in: Beef. Sheep, Swine, Dairy, Dairy Goat, Market Goat, Rabbit, Lama, Poultry

FROM: Melissa Runck, Ag Production System Extension Educator

RE: IMPORTANT - Animal Identification Process

Thank you for enrolling in a 4-H animal science project. We hope you find this project both challenging and rewarding. This letter outlines the online animal identification process.

COVID-19 requires that we adjust many of our typical processes and policies related to 4-H Animal Science programming. Please review the following information carefully.

UPDATED: IDENTIFICATION DEADLINE & EARTAG DISTRIBUTION Extended deadline: Our animal identification (ID) system will remain in place. The deadline is extended to Monday, June 1, 2020.

Our office continues to be closed to the public and we are unable to provide 4-H tags to families at this time. If you will need 4-H tags, please fill out this Tag Request Form and we will have your order ready for pickup (bagged in an envelope) when we reopen on May 18 (watch for updates on re-opening). Otherwise please come into the office on or after May 18 and we will get you the tags you need.

There will be no charge for 4-H tags this year. However, any unused tags must be returned to our office by June 15. Families must place tags in animal ears and record identification data in 4HOnline by June 1.

While your youth are home and looking for things to fill time, encourage them to explore livestock demonstrations and Science of Animals projects to extend learning. Watch this video for more information on Science of Animals. Watch this video for more information on Science of Animals.

Minnesota 4-H uses its online enrollment system, 4HOnline, to record all animal identifications and ownership data. Online animal identification reduces inaccuracies and inefficiencies that were a part of our past paper system. More information and a 4HOnline user guide can be found on the Animal ID web page (www.4-H.umn.edu/animal-ID).

The process that will be followed in 2020 is as follows:1. 4-H Family completes an ID worksheet for each specie (optional) which are available on the Animal ID

web page (www.4-H.umn.edu/animal-ID). 4-H families may scan/email or mail copies to the Extension Office. This is not required; however, it may be helpful to ensure there are no discrepancies with your family’s animal ID’s.

2. 4-H Family self-enters information and prints entry report for personal record. If an animal is leased (Breeding Animals ONLY!), the lease information form must be scanned and uploaded in 4HOnline

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(bring hard copy to County Extension Office by June 1 if unable to scan. The lease information form is available on the Leasing 4-H Animal page (z.umn.edu/LeaseAnimal) NOTE: This does not apply to Dairy; see below for specific Dairy lease instructions

3. Existing project animals that are being carried over from last year to this project year must be re-activated by June 1. Eligible animals are Dairy, Dairy Goat, Lama, Rabbit, Dog, Horse, Beef Spring and Fall calves, and Cow/calf. Instructions can be found in the document Detailed Guide - Animal ID Data Entry by Families, page 5, on the Animal ID web page (z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID).

4. NOTE: New lease information forms should be completed each year for all species except dairy. Once a dairy animal is identified and a lease information form has been submitted, the lease information form will become a permanent document, attached to the online identification record for that animal and will not need to be renewed each year. Details to update existing dairy leases information is found further in this letter.

+ special rules regarding first freshening apply – see dairy informational sheet++ calf data needs to be updated

NOTE: Animals need to be identified by JUNE 1. Data entry in 4HOnline must be completed by 11:59 pm, June 1, 2020; you will not be able complete identification after that point.

Online Identification ONLY: Families must enter their own livestock identification information in 4HOnline – the Extension Office WILL NOT accept paper copies of ID Worksheets to be entered by Extension Staff. For a how-to video, go to the Animal ID web page (z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID), scroll down to “Requirements for Species, click on your specie, then look for the video below. Or, refer to the detailed guide 4HOnline-Animal ID data entry by families. To cut down on insufficient data submitted to the office on ID worksheets that we eventually need to attempt to track down from families, we are requiring 4-H families to enter their own data online. The 4HOnline system will not allow you to complete the animal entry process if you are missing necessary information such as Scrapie numbers, individual tattoos, registration numbers, etc.

If your family cannot self-enter the ID information: 4-H family should come into Murray County Extension Office during normal business hours and staff will help the family enter their data using one of our computers, anytime on or before close of business on June 1. You may wish to call first to ensure staff is available to help (836-6927).

The user guide, Reviewing and Printing Animal ID Data, is available on the Animal ID web page (www.4-H.umn.edu/animal-ID) to walk you through the process. The animal entry page in 4HOnline will be locked to 4-H families after midnight on June 1, but you will be able to view the information you entered at any time after the deadline. The County Extension Office must be notified of any discrepancies in animal ID data by June 15.

Online ID’ing (4HOnline) user assistance and support

● A user guide is available on the Animal ID web page (www.4-H.umn.edu/animal-ID).

● For assistance with the online ID process, contact your county extension staff at piesk003@umn.edu or 507-836-6927

● In addition, an ID helpline will be available on the following days:

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o Sunday, May 31 - 4:30 - 9 p.m. - 701-331-9930o Monday, June 1 - 4:30 - 11:59 p.m. - 320-766-1176

Additional pieces of project information are available online for your information:

● 2020 Animal Science Identification Requirements for Minnesota 4-H details specific dates and requirements unique to each animal science project area.

● 2020 Information Sheets for the species your family is currently enrolled in (scroll down the webpage to find requirements by species), which have been compiled by 4-H State Committees and includes processes, procedures and information unique to the specific projects at the Minnesota State Fair.

On rare occasions, 4-H animals will lose the official Minnesota 4-H ear tag or other identifying tags. If this occurs, you will need to contact Melissa Runck immediately at 507-836-1143 so that the tag can be verified and replaced. Do not wait until county fair if this occurs!

SPECIES SPECIFIC INFORMATION….Beef, Sheep, Swine & Meat Goats:1. 4-H Family picks up MN 4-H ear tags and tag applicator from the County Extension Office. 2. 4-H Family puts tag* in animal’s ear by June 1 and enters ID information in 4HOnline3. Family returns ALL unused and/or damaged ear tags to the Extension Office.*Animals showing as Registered Breeding Beef & Registered Breeding Sheep do not need a MN 4-H ear tag

Dairy: 1. 4-H Family completes the ID worksheet (optional) and enters information in 4HOnline for all NEW

project animals. All dairy animals must be identified with an official form of identification: Official Breed Assn. Ear Tag, Official Breed Assn. tattoo, State 4-H ear tag (available from Extension Office), USDA tag, Copy of the Breed Assn. ID paper and/or photo (if exhibits distinct markings). Registered animals with pending breed association registration information by June 1 must update this information as soon as registration numbers are received. If you enter as “pending”, you will need to provide updated information to your local Extension Office to update prior to County Fair. If an animal is leased, the lease information form must also be scanned and uploaded in 4HOnline (bring hard copy to County Extension Office by June 1 if unable to scan). The lease information form is available on the Animal ID web page (z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID). If using a photo as an official form of identification (because the animal has distinct markings), you will upload the photo in 4HOnline no later than June 1.

2. EXISTING project animals that are being carried over from last year to this project year must be re-activated by June 1. Families expecting an existing animal to be eligible in future years must reactivate the animal yearly even if not planning to utilize as a project animal in the current year.

3. Instructions can be found in the document Detailed Guide - Animal ID Data Entry by Families, page 5, on the Animal ID web page (www.4-H.umn.edu/animal-ID).

4. All leased and newly ID'd dairy animals must upload a completed lease information form that matches the animal's name, breed, birthdate, official ID and registration form. If a new lease information form for a previously ID'd animal needs to be updated to reflect changes in the animal's owner, etc., families must submit the new lease information sheet to Extension staff (families are not able to upload lease information sheets to previously ID'd dairy animals). The lease information form must be submitted the first year. It becomes a permanent document in this animals’ identification record and does not need to be renewed each year the dairy animal is carried as a 4-H project. All that is required in subsequent years is to reactivate the dairy animal by the ID deadline (June 1 this year).

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NOTE: Existing dairy animal ID’s can be viewed but not edited because of the “first freshening” rule. If changes are needed to a dairy animal (including changes to the associated exhibitor/member) contact your local Extension Office.

Dairy Goat: 4-H Family completes the ID worksheet (enclosed) for all NEW project animals. Registered animals with pending breed association registration information by June 1 must update this information as soon as it is received. If you enter “pending” you will need to provide updated information to your local Extension Office to get it updated prior to the County Fair.

Lama: One lama can be ID'd by multiple members. In those cases, the same animal should be entered under EACH member ID'ing that animal.

Horse: One horse can be ID'd by multiple members. In those cases, the same animal should be entered under EACH member ID'ing that animal.

Poultry: Pigeons and Doves – all pigeons and doves need to be officially ID’d through the 4HOnline system using a permanent leg band by June 1. The 4-H family is responsible for obtaining permanent bands and banding the birds. Again, this is only for pigeons and doves.

● For all other poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, guineas,) there is no identification worksheet or

information that needs to be submitted.

● Leased poultry projects - a “Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Lease Information Form” must be turned in

to your County Extension Office by June 1. The form is available online (z.umn.edu/LeaseAnimal) or at the county office.

● Be sure to read the Poultry Information Sheet. It contains info on hatch dates and health requirements.

● For chicken, duck and turkey exhibits , you must submit a copy of the MN Board of Animal Health “Poultry Exhibition Statement of Origin” OR a negative Pullorum-Typhoid test to the Extension Office by July 15. We MUST have a copy on file before county fair.

Rabbit: If a Doe is properly ID'd by May 15 the market rabbits born to that Doe will be considered ID'ed if they are tattooed by county fair check-in time.

Livestock Quality Assurance Training Options: Minnesota 4-H supports livestock quality assurance and animal science ethics. All youth participating as a state fair 4-H livestock exhibitor in beef, dairy, sheep, swine, poultry, rabbits, meat goat, dairy goat, and lama must complete livestock quality assurance training.

A. Certification is required for state fair grade/age-eligible youth. Must be completed by Murray County

youth by August 1.

B. The training accommodates multi-levels of learning for all ages. The level of training required is

determined by the grade/age of the youth at the time the training takes place.

C. Counties that have a swine marketing agreement with a packer that requires livestock quality assurance

certification may require swine members (grade 3-13) to certify.

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D. Minnesota 4-H youth must participate in one of the training options to be eligible for Minnesota 4-H state

fair shows. Minnesota 4-H recognizes two training options:

1. A face-to-face three-hour livestock quality assurance and ethics training (LQA&E) from Minnesota 4-H. These will be offered in multiple locations statewide. This certification is valid for three fair seasons. Cost is set by county/regional host.

a. Murray County’s in-person trainings for both Levels 1 & 2 are scheduled for Thursday, June 11, from 6-9 pm in the 4-H Building. No charge to 4-H members.

2. An online one-hour youth quality care of animals training offered via distance learning. This certification is valid for one fair season. Cost: $12; pay at registration with a credit card. (This is a national program and registration fee pays for the national training system.) More information on the online “Youth for the Quality Care of Animals” (YQCA) training can be found at: https://yqca.learngrow.io

Trainings promote responsible care of animals, making informed decisions in animal care and providing safe consumer food products. Youth will receive a certificate of completion. Additional information concerning any Livestock Quality Assurance training in our area will be listed in the upcoming 4-H newsletters.

Cloverbud Animal Science Specifics● Cloverbuds may show their own animal or another 4-H’ers identified animal.● The Minnesota Board of Animal Health requires all animals at exhibitions to have official ID (tag or

tattoo) this includes Cloverbuds. Cloverbud animal ID information does not need to be entered in 4HOnline but will be required with county fair registration.

● Cloverbud entries are included in county fair pre-registration for planning/stalling/penning purposes.

Important - All ownership and registration papers WILL BE checked at the 2020 County Fair.

If you miss the June 1 ID deadline…

4-H COMPETITIVE EVENTS - Deadlines, Consequences, and Exemptions: Members can choose to use a one-time exemption only if it is turned in to the Extension Office WITHIN ONE CALENDAR WEEK OF MISSING THE SET 4-H DEADLINE. One-time Member Exemptions cannot be used after one calendar week of the original deadline. This table is found on our website in the download section.

After the June 1 deadline the Extension Office will look through identification data and check for errors in identification data or missing forms not uploaded. Families will be notified of errors or information that needs to be submitted to the Extension office, and you will have until Monday, June 15 to submit this information or required forms/papers to the office (you must turn them in to us because you will be locked out of 4HOnline). Failure to submit requested information to the Extension office by June 15 will result in that animal identification being flagged as “Incomplete” and will be considered a late entry (not subject to the One Time Member Exemption Rule). It is YOUR responsibility to submit any necessary data back to the Extension Office upon request prior to June 15 - we will not continue to notify you and send reminders up until County Fair.

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If you have ANY questions regarding online animal identification or anything else in this letter, please do not hesitate to call me at the Extension office at 507-836-1143 or email mkrunck@umn.edu or piesk003@umn.edu.

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