Cooperative

Extension Service Carter County

94 Fairground Drive

Grayson, KY 41143

(606)474-6686

Fax: (606)474-8542

Livestock programs are one of the most recognized aspects of 4-H, but many people do not know these programs help young people develop positive character traits and become the leaders of tomorrow. These programs introduce many youths to animals, but more importantly, youths learn many life skills through their participation.

There are many ways youths can be involved in livestock programs through 4-H. Mentally challenging programs such as quiz bowls, skillathons, and livestock judging provide young people with skills they can use throughout their lives. Skills learned through these programs allow 4-H’ers to become more informed consumers, team players, better employees and community leaders. Quiz bowls and skillathons are compe-titions that test youths’ knowledge in various aspects of livestock production. Skillathons test a 4-H mem-ber’s general knowledge of livestock including nutrition, genetics, disease prevention, and equipment. Through participation in livestock judging, young people learn to be more observant, confident and develop effective communication skills. They also learn how to make decisions and logically defend those decisions to a judge.

Livestock projects allow 4-H’ers to get firsthand experience in raising and caring for an animal. This project teaches youths responsibility as they are in charge of caring for another life. As the animal grows, young people can take pride in knowing they helped the animal develop and mature.

Livestock shows can be competitive for some youths and parents, but that shouldn’t be the focus. The goal of 4-H is to raise grand champion kids, not grand champion livestock. Participation in shows teaches youths the importance of proper public behavior in a contest setting. Losers are taught to be courteous to winners, and winners learn to accept their award graciously and humbly.

Participating in shows, such as at the County Fair and the Kentucky State Fair, provide prime opportuni-ties for youth to develop friendships and network with others from different parts of the state. 4-H’ers also have the opportunity during this time to educate those who are not familiar with live-stock shows about show criteria, animal care and maintenance, and 4-H.

Opportunities are limitless for youth in 4-H livestock programs. If you’re just getting started with the 4-H livestock program this newsletter contains some basic information to help you get going in the right direction. See you at the next meeting! Sincerely,

Rebecca Konopka Carter County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development

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4-H Youth Livestock Club Meetings Since January 2005, every county with a livestock program must have a certified 4-H livestock leader.

Kim Flaugher and Melodie Bush are the certified leaders for Carter County.

Any 4-H member (age 9 and up) who plans to show at the County Fair MUST be a member of the live-stock club. All club members MUST receive 6 hours of education from the club meetings by the time their species is weighed-in. There are no exceptions to this rule. To find out when the next club meetings are, call the Carter County Extension Office at 606-474-6686.

4-H members are required to earn the 6 hours of certification every year.

The certification must come from attending livestock club meetings and activities. (Participating a 4-H school club or other 4-H activity does not count toward livestock certification.)

Novice cloverbud exhibitors (ages 5-8) do not have to meet the 6 hours educational requirement, but need to sign up in the Carter County Extension Office by March 1. Novice members are encouraged to attend the Livestock Club meetings. Novice members are only permitted to show lambs, goats, hogs, rab-bits, and chickens. Cloverbuds are not permitted to show steers, heifers, or feeder calves. Cloverbuds must be at least 5 years old by January 1st to participate in the livestock program.

KUIP Tag-Ins and Weigh-Ins Animals participating in the County Fair, District Shows, or the Kentucky State Fair must be tagged-in.

Cost to tag-in an animal is $4/head for cattle, goats, hogs, and lambs.

Market Steers – March – Greenup County Fairgrounds

Market Lambs, Goats, and Hogs – May – East Carter High School Ag Facilities

Market Rabbits, Chickens, and Feeder Calves – June – Carter County Fairgrounds

Other Things to Know Cattle, goats, hogs, and lambs are required to have current health papers in order to show.

Animals will come in and leave on the evening they are shown and sold.

Animals may need to be groomed at home and brought in.

Exhibitors should wear button-up shirts and boots to show their animals.

No premiums are awarded for the Carter County Fair Livestock Shows.

Anyone who holds their animal to go to the State Fair is responsible for their animal. They will be held accountable to deliver their animal to the buyer once they return from the State Fair.

An animal that is shown in a 4-H/FFA market class may not be entered into a breeding class.

County Fair Auction 4-H members do not have to sell their animals unless they are Grand or Reserve Champion.

Only one animal per species can be sold (unless both are grand and reserve champion).

An exhibitor can only sell two animals.

There will be no sponsorships at the county fair. Any animal participating in the sale will be sold. Animals can still be shown at the state fair.

It is responsibility of exhibitors to invite buyers to the sale; there is no guaranteed sale. 4-H members will receive payment for their animals at a banquet after the money has been collected

from the buyers.

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Read your mail and 4-H newsletters!

Provide the Extension Office with an email address, so we can put you on the email list.

www.facebook.com/CarterCountyKY4H

https://twitter.com/cartercounty4H

http://instagram.com/cartercounty4h

http://carter.ca.uky.edu/4HYouthDevelopment

All animal must have KUIP tags.

All animals must show at a district show to be eligible to show at the State Fair. A list of dis-trict qualifying shows can be found on the web at http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/show-and-fair.html .

Animals must be registered with the State Fair by July 10 to be eligible to show. Contact the Extension Office ahead of time for the state fair paperwork.

Animals transported to the State Fair are the re-sponsibility of the 4-H Member.

The KY Proud Livestock Tag Program has been established to help promote animals that are raised or bought from Kentucky producers for youth livestock projects. In order for youth live-stock projects to qualify for the KY Proud rib-bons, premiums, and points they must have the KY Proud tags. It is the breeder’s responsibility to purchase tags and tag their animals before they are sold. Tags are available from Kentucky Department of Agriculture. KY Proud animals will receive additional premiums at district shows and the State Fair.

January 15—Deadline to register for the State

Skillathon

February 1 – Deadline to sign up to show live-

stock at the County Fair

February - State Livestock Skillathon

February 15—Location Waivers for Beef Animals

due to the Extension Office

March —Market Beef Weigh-In

April 15—Location Waivers for all other animals

due to the Extension Office

May - Goat, Hog, Lamb Weigh-In

May 1 – Deadline to Register for State Livestock

Judging Contest

May 15 - Breeding Animal Nomination Forms

Due to Extension Office

June – Tag-in for Feeder Calves, Chickens, & Rab-

bits – Carter County Fairgrounds

June —State Livestock Judging Contest

July 10 – Deadline for State Fair paperwork to be

postmarked. – This information must be sent to

the State Fair Office in Louisville. If you are inter-

ested in showing cattle, hogs, goats, or lambs at

the State Fair, you must participate in a district

qualifying show.

August – Kentucky State Fair

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Breeding Animals (Heifers, Ewes, Does, Sows) No age and weight requirements Must have current health papers to show at the fair Must turn in breeding nomination forms to the Extension Office by May 15.

It can be tough to decide which animal to show. Factors to consider when deciding on an animal include housing and space requirements, cost of animal, time needed to work the animal, cost of feed and supplies, and the ability of the 4-H member to handle the animal. The next few pages give a general idea of require-ments and costs associated with each animal. (Keep in mind these are suggested ranges and will change from year to year based on current market values. There are no guarantees.)

4-H livestock shows are some of the most widely recognized and anticipated 4-H events. While these competitions are meant to be a fun, learning experience for 4-H’ers, some get caught up in the com-petitive spirit of the event, which can cause hurt feelings if a youth or animal doesn’t place as high as ex-pected. It is important to remember that judging is not an exact science. Judges for each livestock species have a very rich background in their specific species. They are breeders, producers and industry profession-als. However, there is no “perfect” way to judge a livestock show. Judges have a set of criteria to follow for judging each show, but some judges may emphasize certain criteria over others. The important thing is for the judge to remain consistent as he/she judges each animal. Youths must be good sports and accept the judge’s decision gracefully. Judges look for different things in the two livestock classes, which are showmanship and non-showmanship. In showmanship classes, judges focus on the appearance of the animal and the young per-son, the animal’s behavior and the youth’s ability to control the animal. In the market classes, emphasis is placed solely on the animal and how close it comes to its species’ standard.

Showmanship classes are a chance for youths to shine as they exhibit all the hard work they have put into preparing their animal for the show. Young people compete against others that are around their same age. This competition is not based on who has the most impressive animal physically, but if the ani-mal is clean and properly groomed. Judges also evaluate the animal’s behavior, if it demonstrates the cor-rect demeanor, and how well the 4-H’er is able to lead or control the animal in the show ring.

Judges for non-showmanship classes focus solely on the animal’s physical conformation. In the breeding animal classes, animals are grouped based on the age or weight of the animal. Breeding animals are judged according to how close they mirror the breed or species standards. Standard specifications are spelled out by the breed and species’ associations. In market animal classes, animals are typically grouped based on weight and judged according to how closely they match the “ideal” market animal for that spe-cies. The criteria typically evaluated in market animals include feet and leg structure, muscling, leanness and growth.

As youths gear up for livestock shows, they and their parents should remember the life skills 4-H’ers learn while raising and preparing an animal for the shows are far more important than the outcome.

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Market Beef Space Needed 40 - 50 square feet per animals in confinement

with good ventilation It is recommended to have 400 – 600 square feet

outside for exercise Project Needs Rope Halter to lead animal Show Halter for show day (not required) Time to work animal every day for an hour or

more Show stick (not required but much easier to have) Way to haul animal to the fair Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 10-20 gallons per head per day Feed Requirements Will eat 15 - 20 lbs per head per day of beef feed Protein levels should be 12-14% CP Should gain 2-3.5 pounds per day Good quality stem hay to promote proper diges-

tion

Show Ready Must be a steer or heifer to show in the market

class. Minimum weight to show for grand and reserve

champion is 900lbs Ideal weight should be 1000 - 1300lbs Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in March. Finish age of beef is 17 months

Budgeting Purchase animal in fall or no later than February Purchase price for 650lb calf - $1100-$1800 Feed range cost - $500 -$800 Sale price range from - $1500 - $2000

Feeder Calves Must be born after January 1 Can be bull, heifer, or steer Grand and reserve champions do not have to be

sold in the Auction. Must be tagged-in. Must be at least 9-years-old to show a beef animal.

Market Hog Space Needed 12 square feet per animals in confinement with

good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to out-

side for exercise Project Needs Cane, Whip, or Pig Stick to show A nipple water is highly suggested. Pig boards to help move pigs around Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 3 - 4 gallons per head Feed Requirements Will eat 3 – 8 lbs per head per day of hog feed Protein levels should be 16 - 20% CP Should gain 1.0 – 2.3 lbs per day

Show Ready Must be a gilt or barrow to show in the market

class. Must weigh 220-270 to show for grand or reserve Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Finish age of hog is 5 - 6 months at show Budgeting Purchase animal at 40 - 60lbs in Mid-April Cost can range from $50-$150 Feed range cost $150 - $250 Sale price range from $375 - $600

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Market Lamb Space Needed 15 square feet per animals in confinement with

good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to out-

side for exercise Project Needs Halter to lead animal Time to walk lamb every day for an hour Lamb must be sheared a couple times during the

summer. Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 3 gallons per head Feed Requirements Will eat 3.5 - 4 lbs per head per day of lamb feed Protein levels should be 16 - 20% CP

Should gain .5 - 1.0 lbs per day 1 - 2 flakes of good quality stem hay to promote proper digestion Show Ready Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Must also have a scrapie tag (from farm of origin) Must be a ewe or wether to show in the market

class Ideal weight should be 120 - 140lbs Finish age of lamb is 6 - 8 months at show Budgeting Purchase animal at 60 - 80lbs in Mid-April Cost can range from $150 - $400 Feed range cost $150 - $300 Sale price range from $275 - $400

Market Goat Space Needed 15 square feet per animals in confinement with

good ventilation It is recommended to allow small access to out-

side for exercise. Project Needs Rope halter to lead animal. Chain Goat Collar to

show animal with. Time to walk Goat every day for an hour. Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical. 2 gallons per head per day Feed Requirements Will eat 1 - 2 lbs per head per day of lamb feed Protein levels should be 16 - 18% CP. Feed should

have some type of medication to help with Coccidiosis and Urinary Calculi

Should gain .25 - .40 lbs per day 1 - 2 flakes of good quality stem hay to promote

proper digestion

Show Ready Must be KUIP tagged and weighed-in in May Must also have a scrapie tag (from farm of origin) Must be a doe or wether to show in the market

class Horns must be tipped. Tipped is defined as the

end of the horn squared off to 1/2 inch in diame-ter or larger.

Should be meat goat; most common breed is Boer Ideal weight should be 70 - 90lbs Must be born after August 15 Finish age of goat is 7 – 9 months at show Budgeting Purchase animal at 40 – 50 lbs in mid to late - April Cost can range from $80 – or greater Feed range cost $75 - 150 Sale price range from $275 - $400

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Market Chickens Space Needed 6 square feet in cage with good ventilation Project Needs Must have 3 chickens to show as one project Cage Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 1-3 pint per head Feed Requirements Will eat .3lbs per head per day of chicken feed Should gain .1 lbs per day Show Ready Need to weigh about 4lbs each Need to be meat chickens Recommended breed: Cornish Cross Ideal weight should be 3.5 – 7lbs at show

Finish age of chicken should be no older than 90 days

Should be washed prior to the show. The pen is judged based on the uniformity of the

animals. Therefore it is best to have three of the same gender.

Budgeting Cost can range from $9 - $15 Feed range cost $20 Sale Prices range from $100 - $200

Market Rabbits Space Needed 10 square feet cage with good ventilation Project Needs Must have 3 rabbits to show as one project Bunny Cage Pet brush and toe nail trimmers Water Requirements Access to clean, fresh, cool water is critical 1-2 Quart per day Feed Requirements Will eat 4 - 8 Oz per head per day of rabbit pellets Protein levels should be 16 - 20% CP Should gain 1 – 1.5 oz per day

Show Ready Recommended breeds include: Californian, White

New Zealand, and Satin Should weigh between 4 and 4.5 pounds each at

fair time Ideal weight should be 3.5 to 7.0 lbs per day Finish age of rabbit at show should be no older

than 90 days Should be washed prior to the show. The pen is judged based on the uniformity of the

animals. Therefore it is best to have three of the same gender.

Budgeting Cost can range from $15 - $50 Feed range cost $40 - $60 Sell prices range from $100 -$200

In addition to providing youth an opportunity to learn about animal selection and evaluation, nutrition and feeding, health and daily care, reproduction, and marketing, another of the important purposes for 4-H/FFA Livestock Projects is to facilitate learning the valuable life skills of responsibility, hard work, critical thinking, and decision-making. Achieving each of these purposes is best accomplished when the 4-H or FFA member has personal ownership of their project and responsibility for the continuous daily care of their livestock or dairy project under the oversight of the youth’s parents or legal guardians. The fol-lowing rules pertaining to ownership, possession, and care of 4-H/FFA Youth Breeding and Market Livestock Projects apply to all projects: Adult/youth partnerships are acceptable for breeding animals providing each

partner’s full name is on the registration certificate. Animals registered in a farm only are not allowed.

Co-tagging (joint ownership) of market animals with K.U.I.P. tags is only permitted among siblings, except in special cases where a waiver may be granted.

It is expected that a 4-H/FFA member’s livestock project be in the physical posses-sion of and under the continuous daily care of the 4-H/FFA member and (or) their parents/legal guardi-ans. Physical possession of the livestock project is defined as the following:

Animals must be housed and maintained within the boundaries of the state of Kentucky, and must be housed at either:

The residence of the 4-H/FFA member, OR The residence of the 4-H/FFA member’s parent(s), legal guardian(s), or grandparent(s)

that is either within the county of residence of the 4-H/FFA member, or within an adjoin-ing county at a distance not to exceed 30 miles from the 4-H/FFA member’s residence, OR

A rented or leased location that is either within the county of residence of the 4-H/FFA member, or within an adjoining county at a distance not to exceed 30 miles from the 4-H/FFA member’s residence.

All 4-H/FFA members with market animal projects must complete the Validation and Location Form that identifies the physical location where project animals are housed. This form must be completed at the tag-in.

All 4-H/FFA members with breeding animal projects must complete the Breeding Animal Project Nomi-nation and Location Form that identifies the physical location where animals are housed. Forms must be turned in by May 15.

NOTE: For special circumstances where exceptions to the Possession and Care Rule may be needed, a written application for a waiver may be applied for. The application for waiver must outline in detail why a waiver is needed. The waiver must be applied for by February 15 for market steers and heifers and by April 15 for market lambs, hogs, goats, and all breeding animals.

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Newsletter designed by Rebecca Konopka, County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development, and Kelsey McGlone, Extension Intern, with information from Mary McCarty, County

Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources, Rebecca Konopka and Karen Brammell, County Extension Agents for 4-H Youth Development , and Agent Exclusives from Dr. George

Heersche, Dr. Richard Coffey, and Jason P’Pool, Extension Specialists.