Steer Validation

With Texas Steer Validation coming soon don't forget about the online videos for refreshing your Validation Committee on the proper way to validate steers.

This and other resources can be found at: http://agrilife.tamu.edu/livestock101/

Contestants Sought for Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest

The Texas CattleWomen would like to encourage qualified and interested youth to participate in the Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest (TBLT). 

This competition is managed by the Texas CattleWomen, Inc. and sponsored by the Beef Checkoff. There are four first place winners with $1000 cash prize and $500 scholarship each. The Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Program strives to provide an opportunity for youth to educate consumers and students about beef nutrition, food safety and stewardship practices of the beef industry. Texas Beef Leaders tell the beef production story to consumers and students through promotion, education, media and the online environment.

 Full details on the competition are available at www.txcattlewomen.org.  

Contestants must be 17 but not over 20 by January 1, 2011 and must be a resident of Texas. They must be single and cannot be or become married or a parent during their state term if they are selected. Contestant winners may enter the state competition only one time. Contestants requirements are to be completed and submitted by July 30, 2010 as stipulated in registration package. These include: One - Media Interview - local, state or national, print, radio or television media; One - Youth Presentation - made for elementary age youth (if it is not possible to make the presentation in the classroom, after school programs or youth organizations such as 4-H, YMCA or scouts groups may be used); and One - Consumer Promotion - consumer events such as in-store demonstrations and health fairs may be used to fulfill this requirement. The deadline for entry is July 1, 2010. There is no entry fee. For more information, contact event chair Rosemary Gambino at 281/375-8836 or rgambino@consolidated.net.

Beef Quiz Bowl Questions

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to coach a new quiz bowl team, or run a quiz bowl contest with out a good set of questions.  Take some of the work out of the process and use the Beef Quiz Bowl questions released by the State 4-H Program last Spring.

You can find this set of questions on the State 4-H Web Site.

There are over 400 questions in this set and they are free for the taking, complete with references etc...

Enjoy

Texas A&M Horse Judging Camps - Dr. Clay Cavinder

The next round of Texas A&M Annual Youth Horse Judging Camps are just around the corner!  Camps are open to youth from ages 12-18 and the camp fee of $275 is all inclusive (food, fun, housing, etc.).  Information concerning the clinic and how to sign up are on the animal science webpage under the horse page.  The link is http://animalscience.tamu.edu/workshops/youth-workshops/tamu-horse-judging-camp.htm.  Contact Dr. Clay Cavinder for additional information at cac@tamu.edu or 979-845-7731.

The Texas 4-H Horsemanship Leaders Guide AS 3-2.032 - by Teri Antilley

The Texas 4-H Horsemanship Leaders Guide AS 3-2.032 is available for sale at the Texas Agrilfe Bookstore.

This book is the definitive guide to training horses, especially with youth riders in programs such as 4-H. It takes into account the varied skill levels of riders and horses. Topics covered include haltering, tying and horsemanship from the ground; grooming; hoof and leg care; bits and equipment; bridling, saddling, mounting and dismounting; longeing and bitting up; ground driving; body position; rein aids; stops; backing; gaits and leads; circles, arcing and counter arcing; lateral bending; collection and extension; rollbacks and turnarounds; speed control; transitions and simple lead changes; and flying lead changes. For each topic there are specific objectives, lesson plans and drills. The emphasis is on using proper technique and following safety guidelines as riders and horses move from basic to advanced skills. (478 pp., numerous color photos, illustrations and diagrams)

Wool and Mohair Judging

Dr. Frank Craddock and Jess Yeaman announce Wool and Mohair Judging contest dates for the coming year!!

• April 10, Crockett County Invitational and District 6 Contest
• April 14, District 7 & 10 contests, San Angelo
• April 17, Kendall County Invitational
• April 24, Schleicher County Invitational
• May 15, Val Verde County Invitational
• May22, Ker County Invitational
• June 8-10, State Roundup
• June 15-17, Sonora Wool and Mohair Show and Judging Contests

Coaches needing sample fleeces to teach with can contact Frank Craddock to arrange for purchase or exchange of fleeces.

Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest - $6000 in Scholarships

Students 17-20 years old sought for the Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow Contest on July 31, 2010 at Texas A&M University in College Station.  The contest is hosted by Texas Cattle Women and sponsored by the Texas Beef Checkoff.

There are four first places!

Take a look at this short video for more information:



Texas Beef Leaders of Tomorrow 2009 Contest Highlight from Sandy Buller on Vimeo.

For more information contact Rosemary Gambino at rgambino@cosolidated.net or 281.375.8836

Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program - Provided by Wendy Scott, Extension Program Specialist 4-H

The Texas 4-H Livestock Ambassador Program will equip youth with the knowledge and skills to become ambassadors for Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas 4-H program and animal science as it relates to livestock projects.  The Short Course will be college level animal science curriculum.  It will take an in-depth look at sheep, goat, swine and cattle production in Texas and how it relates to the show ring.  

Upon conclusion of the short course, ambassadors will be required to log at least 20 hours of service annually helping novice 4-H members with their livestock projects and by educating fellow 4-H members on various livestock topics.  

The 2010 4-H Livestock Ambassador Short Course will be held on the campus of Texas Tech University July 26th-28th.  The event is open to twenty-five youth, ages 14 and older.  Youth will be chosen through a competitive application process.

Click here to see a flyer with more information.

and Click here to download an application.

For more information contact Wendy Scott, in the District 2 Extension Office:  (806) 252-4630

Announcement of the 2010 Poultry Institute for Youth - by Jennifer Albert

The 2010 Poultry Institute for Youth will be held June 20-23, 2010 at Texas A&M University in College Station TX.

The Institute is a 4 day enrichment camp for high school students who will be entering their junior or senior year of high school or their freshman year of college in Fall 2010. Students will attend mini-lectures taught by TAMU staff on topics such as anatomy, embryology, immunology, nutrition and processing. Students will also take field trips to a commercial layer facility and a local processing facility.
Interested students must complete an application that can be found at http://posc.tamu.edu/extensionprograms/youth_programs/index.htm or you can contact Jennifer Albert at 979-845-1654 to have an application mailed to you.

A registration fee of $50 will be required for each participant that is selected. This fee is to be paid upon acceptance to the program and will go towards a commemorative camp t-shirt and evening activities. Lodging, meals and local transportation will be provided by the sponsorship of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association.

The deadline to submit your application is Friday, May 7, 2010.

2010 Texas Market Poultry Production & Selection Workshop

The 2010 Texas Market Poultry Production and Selection Workshop will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at Texas A&M University’s Louis Pearce Pavilion on George Bush Drive in College Station.  The workshop will begin at 8:50 am and will adjourn at approximately 3:00 pm.

This workshop provides CEAs, Agriscience Instructors, 4H Leaders, parents and youth with an opportunity to ‘hear the experts’ and work alongside judges and superintendents for major poultry shows in Texas.  Educational activities include an in-depth discussion of brooding, management, sanitation programs, feeding programs and selection methods for broilers, turkeys and roasters.  Discussion on selection procedures and bird quality characteristics will be followed by ‘hands on’ practice in early culling and selection  of show pens.

Registration for the event will be conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Conference Services online at http://agrilifevents.tamu.edu beginning in April.  Mail-in registration instructions can also be found on the website.  Early registration for the event will be $35 per person or family with an additional (optional) cost of $9.00 per meal for BBQ lunch.  Agriscience instructor and CEA registration for the event will be $15 per person with and additional (optional) cost of $9.00 per meal for the BBQ lunch.

A reminder memorandum will be sent in early April to CEAs and 4H for the event.  If you have any questions about the workshop please contact Dr. Michael Davis with the Poultry Science Unit of Texas AgriLife Extension Service at (979) 845-4319 or mdavis@poultry.tamu.edu.