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.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Calf Scramble Deadline Extended

If you have a young person that want to scramble at the biggest Rodeo in the world make sure they take advantage of this extended deadline.  For details go to:  http://www.rodeohouston.com/access/calf-scramble/participate.aspxhttp://www.rodeohouston.com/access/calf-scramble/participate.aspx

Livestock Judging: A Powerful Skill

Why is the 4-H Livestock Judging Program important to Texas?

A senior in high school sits in English class.  He confidently scans the room, making eye contact with girls and cracking jokes.  As a captain of the football team he lifts weights, drives a strong 1967 Chevelle, and just broke up with the cheerleading captain.  Life was good until the teacher asked him to stand and read from Macbeth.   He could feel his confidence folding like a lawn chair, with his voice cracking and sweaty hands shaking, he labored over the words.  His peers looked down trying not to watch the all too slow car wreck in public speaking.  I am told this was a socially disastrous and positively humbling experience.

Building Relationships & Expanding Opportunities...With 4-H Livestock Projects

4-H livestock projects allow numerous learning situations for youth and adults, in addition to providing opportunities for consistent family interaction.  Savvy county agents understand the lifelong lessons that can be gained by youth feeding and exhibiting livestock, but, opportunities exist for the county agent too!  County programs deemed “successful” generally have active youth and adult programs and the two feed off each other.  Agriculture or natural resource agents wanting to develop strong(er) adult programs should initially focus on their youth programs, more specifically, the youth livestock program.

Somebody thinks the Beef Industry is Doing things right!!!

When we hear the words Animal Rights or Animal Welfare our natural tendency is become defensive.  And with good reason.  To often these labels are associated with an attack on programs and lifestyles that we hold dear to our heart.

I will never profess to be an expert in the area of Animal Welfare, but I can learn, and one of the things I have learned from a recent article in "Beef Daily" is that I should have a message in mind regarding the welfare of the livestock I raise.

Turns out the Beef Industry has a solid message if they will embrace it, according to Animal Rights Philosopher Dr.Benard Rollin.

You may not agree with Dr. Rollin's points but I think you will agree his message is thought provoking.

To see and hear what Rollin has to say go to:  http://blog.beefmagazine.com/beef_daily/2009/11/17/animal-ethics-philosopher-speaks-to-sdsu-students-producers/

For what its worth,
Kevin