WSU To Host First Pork 300 Short-Course for Individuals Involved with the Pork Industry
Washington State University Extension and Departments of Animal Sciences are excited to announce the first WSU PORK 300 short-course will be offered June 21-22, 2013 at the WSU Department of Animal Sciences on the Pullman Campus. This course will be held immediately prior to the 2013 Annual WAAE Summer Conference for Washington Ag Teachers, which begins June 23 in Spokane.
WSU PORK 300 is a two-day, hands-on workshop designed for progressive individuals involved with the swine industry. This course will also be an excellent educational opportunity for agriculture instructors who teach animal science classes; coach Livestock Evaluation and/or Meats Evaluation CDEs, are directly involved in the swine industry or advise FFA youth who raise show pigs.
Remember to take a Market Livestock Health Form with you when you PURCHASE your animal! That way you won't have to track down the person who sold you your animal right before Fair!
About the health of your animal - ask
your veterinarian
About Fair entry/animal management
requirements- contact
the specific Fair. (Fairs/sales may have livestock management
period requirements longer than the minimum required in the
WA State 4-H Policy)
About general livestock or range
management - (Spokane-Lincoln-Adams
area) contact Tom
Platt, WSU Extension - 509-725-4171.
Livestock and Horse Mortality Insurance
10/22/12 - From Tom Platt
Two companies that offer livestock and horse mortality insurance for project animals in the LIncoln-Adams WA area are: The Hartford and Country Mutual Insurance Company. Grange Insurance no longer offers relatively inexpensive policies for project animals. If you know of other mortality insurance options for project animals, available to Lincoln-Adams WA residents, please contact Tom Platt (509) 725-4171 so that he can pass the information along to the 4-H community.
Please note: Reference to commercial
services, non-4-H activities, products or trade names is made with
the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by WSU Extension or 4-H is implied. This information is for your convenience only. There are links to external sites which are not managed by WSU Extension. Furthermore, WSU
Extension does not review, control or take responsibility for the content
of these sites, nor do these sites implicitly or explicitly represent
official positions and policies of WSU Extension.
Hartford: Marsha Tesky of Sloan Levitt in Ritzville gave me information about Hartford. You can contact her at 509-659-0772. Hartford's livestock insurance web site is http://www.hartfordlivestock.com , where you can find application forms and contact information for other Hartford agents. Because Hartford has a minimum premium of $250, its policies are best suited for more valuable livestock and horses.
Country Mutual: Angie Stevenson of Country Financial in Moses Lake gave me information about Country's policies. You can contact her at 509-766-9197, Angie.Stevenson@countryfinancial.com . Country's policies are relatively inexpensive, but the maximum settlement value may be less than the expected sale price of market livestock at the fair: $1500 for cattle, $250 for sheep, goats, and swine. Nevertheless, these settlement prices should protect most of the investment members have in their market livestock project. Horses also have a maximum settlement value of $1500. Premiums for these policies run from $15 to $30.
Each 4-H family that wants to insure their project livestock will need a packet with an application form for each 4-H member who has project animals (forms accommodate 4 animals each). Request application packets from Angie Stevenson or your local Country Financial agent. Please realize, however, that your local Country Financial agent may not have the packets, so it may take several weeks to get them. The packet is called Youth Project Livestock Insurance Blue Ribbon Policy. Rate Sheet as of August 2012
Insurance application packets will be sent to Lincoln & Adams Co. WA head club leaders and family 4-H leaders who have livestock or horse project members as soon as they enroll for the 2013 year. We have a limited supply of these packets. Lincoln and Adams Co. 4-H leaders can contact the insurance companies direct or let Tom Platt or Karen Robertson know if you need the information before your enrollment is in.
Swine Flu
Even though fair season is over - it's still important to be aware of swine flu and appropriate precautions. MORE
USDA Food Safety Inspection Drug Residue Testing
August 1, 2012
USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) will initiate new drug residue testing methods on livestock presented for slaughter beginning this week.
The new testing methods allow FSIS to test for a wider variety of pharmaceuticals and other compounds used in livestock production and to do it more quickly and more accurately. FSIS inspectors are required to take random residue tests at the packing plant, and they also have the authority to target specific groups of livestock from certain farms or fairs that have a history of, or higher likelihood violative residues (chemical residue in meat that violate the law) than other livestock.
Although residue testing normally applies to animals slaughtered in Federally inspected plants, the law requires all livestock producers to employ proper use of animal pharmaceuticals and compounds and to observe withdrawal times specified on the product label whether or not the animals will be slaughtered under federal inspection or in custom plants that are not federally inspected.
Click on this article from WSU Director of Veterinary Extension, Dr. Dale Moore, gives more information on this topic. 4-H'ers who participate in a Pork Quality Assurance workshop (teaching materials are online here and here) or Dr. Moore's 4-H Quality Assurance module, also online, will better understand the violative drug residue issue and why it is so important to the livestock industry and the public's perception of the healthfulness of meat.
Dedicating a 4-H meeting or two to this topic is a great idea.
Regards,
Tom Platt
Washington State University Extension
Box 399, 303 6th St.
Davenport WA 99122
509-725-4171; 725-4104 (fax) plattom@wsu.edu
With the current high purchase prices for livestock as well as high feed prices, 4-H members, parents and leaders may need a little help to evaluate the economics of 4-H and FFA market livestock projects. Tom Platt has developed a "Market Livestock Calculator." It should be used as a planning tool prior to beginning the project, and again to evaluate the project after it is completed. Click HERE
Promo for WSU Animal Sciences Program
E. Coli: Current Perspectives on Cattle, Produce, and Human Health - part 4
Does What We Feed Cattle Have an Effect on 0157 Shedding?
Presenter, David Smith, DVM, PhD, Professor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, has studied the relationship of feedlot cattle and E coli O157:H7 shedding. He focuses this presentation on the role that cattle diet may or may not affect shedding rates in cattle and debunks some myths about the role of grain feeding.
Interactive power point presentation, created by Dale Moore, DVM, MPVM, PhD, Washington State University, with audio voice over. Highlighted are some of the more common ‘mistakes’ that are made that can lead to meat and milk residues.
Online Training Module:
Housing Environments
1/4/2011
Housing Environments Module: “Providing clean and comfortable environments to optimize livestock health and well being.”
The third online training module offered through Veterinary Medicine Extension for 4-H Volunteer Leaders who work with youth livestock projects is now on-line!
The Housing Environments Module is intended specifically for volunteer leaders and provides training, resources, and ideas to help prepare volunteer leaders to teach youth about livestock housing environments. This course was created in response to increasing concern over livestock health and welfare in this country and emphasizes the importance of optimizing housing environments to ensure 4-H livestock health and well being in Washington State, while promoting human health and environmental stewardship. We hope you find the content to be useful and that you will bring these concepts to youth in your county.
If you are interested in participating in the training please select a link from the options below:
You can access information on this and other training modules through the Veterinary Medicine Extension sitehere.
To Register:
- Is this your first time taking a course with us? Click here to register.
- Have you already taken a course from Vet Med Extension? Login for the course here.
Animal Ag Team e-Newsletter
The latest newsletter from the WSU Extension Washington Animal Agriculture Team
posted on-ine ist the Winter 2013 Quarterly Newsletter.
Topics covered in the spring newsletter include:
Feeding Consideration for Livestock Owners, Feeding the Pregnant Cow for Optimal Calf Health, The Importance of Alfalfa and Alfalfa Variety Testing, and more.
Lincoln-Adams residents unable to download the newsletter can contact
Contact Karen at 659-3209 to
receive a hard copy.
Market
Livestock Calculator for 4-H & FFA
Tom Platt has designed a calculator to
help youngsters and their families evaluate the economics of 4-H
and FFA market livestock projects is available. It should be used
as a planning tool prior to beginning the project, and again to evaluate
the project after it is completed. CLICK
HERE
If you have questions about the calcualtor, contact Tom
Platt, at
509-725-4171.
Longer Article by Sara M Smith
As we all are aware the basic costs of living has increased
significantly in the past few years and many individuals have also
faced difficult economic times during this time. The
cost to raise agriculture commodities (corn, hay, potatoes, wheat,
cattle, sheep, pigs, and goats) has also risen significantly in the
past few years as equipment purchases/upkeep, feed, and fuel prices
continue to rise. With these increased prices and depressed
livestock prices, producers are experiencing a very tight profit
margin and profit losses in the livestock industry.
So what does that mean for youth looking forward to
being involved in a market animal project —It means two (2)
things: 1) Youth and their parents cannot expect to pay the
same amount for a project animal, feed, equipment, etc. as you paid
20 years ago, 2 years ago, or even a year ago. The cost to
produce those product, be it a animal, feed, or equipment, has increased—so
expect to pay more for them; and 2) Youth need to set down
with their parents, leaders, and/or advisors and identify their resources,
goals and production/show alternatives for being involved with a
4-H/FFA market animal project. Both youth and parents need
to develop a plan for purchasing and raising a market animal that
fits into their budget.
I don’t want to be accused of saying that the
only reason to take a 4-H/FFA project animal is to make money—there
are many important life skills that can be developed/learned from
raising a food animal—responsibility, leadership, compassion,
etc. However, in addition to these life skills, sound financial
decision making is a critical life skill youth need to develop for
future economic and personal success and satisfaction. Today,
U.S. consumer debt is at an all time high and delinquency on credit
card debt in American is at shocking rates.
For these reason—I challenge parents, exhibitors,
and leaders\advisors to evaluate and review economic goals and financial
losses or gains. Tom Platt, WSU Extension Educator from the
Lincoln/Adams/Spokane Area, has developed an Excel spreadsheet youth
can use to calculate expected expenses and income. The electronic
publication, Youth Market Livestock Profit Calculator, is
designed to help youth livestock producers and their families evaluate
the economics of 4-H and FFA market livestock projects. It
should be used as a planning tool prior to beginning the project
and again to evaluate the project after it is completed. Even
if parents or another person purchases feed or parts of the projects,
calculate those expenses against your income. In addition,
calculate what your animal was “really” worth using the “true
market value” (the turned or floor value)—that is the
price most of our livestock producers are receiving for the animals
they are producing to feed the world. This will help everyone
recognize the real world value of food animals and of the “generous
gift” you are receiving when you sell your animal through the
4-H/FFA program.
Check
out these On-line training modules for 4-H
Livestock Project Volunteers
There is a Quality Assurance Module! It introduces the subject
of quality assurance and why it is important for youth to meet quality assurance
standards while raising 4-H livestock. Youth who raise livestock take on a
producer role in the food supply continuum which includes the responsibility
of providing safe and wholesome products for consumers. This module is a great
way to learn about quality assurance while motivating leaders to equip youth
livestock producers!
The Disease Prevention Module covers bio-security
practices and how they can be used to reduce the risk of contracting and spreading
diseases while raising 4-H livestock. It is a great way to learn disease prevention
while providing you with inspiration and teaching ideas so you can bring these
concepts to youth in your county! If you have no or slow internet access, this
module is also on a DVD that Lincoln-Adams volunteers can check out by contacting Karen or
call 659-3209 or 725-4171.
(preferred method). For those with no or slow internet access, a DVD of training
is available from the Extension Office. Lincoln-Adams volunteers can contact Karen or
call 659-3209 or 725-4171.
Market Livestock Health Issues
BioSecurity Checklist for Livestock Exhibitors Checklist
Here
This electronic newsletter is published by the Central
Washington Animal Agriculture Team, comprised of Washington State University
Extension educators in the fields of animal science, range management, agronomy,
and entomology.
Market Livestock Health Forms
Don't wait till Fair Time to fill out your QA Marktet Health Form!! Take a blank form with you when your PURCHASE your animal!
The
Market Animal Health Record Forms, revised in 2008, satisfy
most
Fair Livestock Sale QA Health Record and.Country of Origin Labeling, (COOL) record requiements
USDA requires that retail meat (beef, pork, lamb, goat meat, and chicken)
be certified by the retailer as to its country of origin. In order
to do so, retailers will obtain affidavits certifying country of
origin of all meat they purchase from wholesalers, which most often
are USDA inspected packing plants. In turn, USDA inspected packing
plants require an Affidavit of Country of Origin for all
livestock they purchase. This USDA rule has some effect
on 4-H market livestock, especially those destined for the retail
meat trade. Sellers need to provide an Affidavit of Country
of Origin to buyers. 4-H livestock that is sold directly to
end users (mom, grandpa, Uncle Jim, Jerry’s Tire Company, etc.)
for custom slaughter does not need an Affidavit of Country of
Origin, since it will not be sold at retail. On the other hand, “turn” animals
often are sold to a commercial packing plant. Since the final destination
of
4-H market animals sold at the Fair or Junior Show often is not known,
4-H’ers should be prepared to provide buyers an Affidavit
of Country of Origin for all beef, pigs, lambs, goats, and chickens
they plan to sell.
In order to provide an Affidavit of Country
of Origin, 4-H’ers should do the following:
Obtain an Affidavit of Country of Origin from
the person from whom you purchase or obtain your meat animals. (You can use the revised Market Health Records)
Keep a copy of this affidavit for one year after you sell the meat
animals. Furnish the seller an Affidavit of Country
of Origin (or Market Health Record) if they don’t have one.
When you sell meat animals, provide buyers with your own Affidavit
ofCountry of Origin.( Market Health Records) (Keep a record of this affidavit
for one year following the sale. In order to certify the country
of origin of meat animals you sell, you must have first hand
knowledge of their origin. First hand knowledge means that you
produced these animals or that you obtained an Affidavit
ofCountry of Origin for them when you obtained
them.
4-H’ers who raise their own meat animals
should originate the Affidavit of Country of
Origin.
Meat animals participating in the National Animal Identification
System (NAIS) need no Affidavit of Country of Origin, since
NAIS participation is considered proof of country of origin.
Livestock Judging Contest results for registered participants may be used as one of the qualifying shows for State 4-H Fair Lincoln or Adams Co. Judging contest qualification.
State
Fair Livestock Judging Contest Teams Click HERE for
team qualification information for the Livestock Judging Contest
at the WA State Fair in Puyallup.
Deadlines Be sure to check with management of Fairs
or shows you plan to enter as early as possible. Each event may
have their own enrollment, residence, ownership, certification
or other requirements and deadlines.
8/7/07 - Sarah M. Smith Fairs are not only stressful for exhibitors,
but can be extremely stressful on the animals. Considering
the fact that most animals at the fair have never been off the
farm or hauled extensively prior to these events, it always amazes
me how well they handle all the adversity—We all as stewards
of our animals should try to handle stress in such a positive
manner. It is important for exhibitors, parents, and leaders
to manage potential stress factors:
Anticipate potential stress factors,
Minimize these stress factors or their potential
impact,
Recognize when these stress factors have impacted
an animal, and
React to stress factors by treating animals
and/or changing management of the stress factor.
Some of the stress factors that can compromise an
animal’s health and the ability to maintain health are: travel,
confinement, temperature/humidity changes, nutritional changes (both
diet and water supply), contact with animals and other pathogen (disease)
challenges, activity requirements (transportation, grooming, and
showing), and excessive handling by outside individuals.
Lincoln-Adams 4-H'ers please note: Single species
judging contests are great opportunities to practice judging & decision
making skills. However, to qualify for State Fair Livestock Judging
- contests must include beef, sheep AND swine. The extension office
must receive complete results from Judging Contests to be counted
towards qualification for State Fair. More
Info
On-Line Livestock Judging Practice
Revised 3/4/14
Lincoln-Adams and Spokane County 4-H'ers have access a great, on-line livestock judging web site: Elite Livestock Judging,/www.elitelivestockjudging.com/ where 4-H youngsters and adults can sharpen their livestock judging skills. Tom Platt recently renewed the subscription to this web site for Lincoln-Adams and Spokane 4-H.
Because the tutorials are short video clips, a high speed internet connection is necessary to view them. DSL, wireless, or satellite connection should work fine, but dial-up connections will not. If you don't have a high speed internet connection at home, try the school, library, or a friend in town.
Elite Livestock Judging was kind enough to let our entire Lincoln-Adams-Spokane area 4-H livestock program register for a single subscription fee. So that this courtesy is not abused, I ask that all of you to do your best to keep the login credentials within our two counties. Log-in information was sent to the Lincoln-Adams 4-H Listserve. If you did not receive, and are an enrolled Lincoln or Adams 4-H member or leader, contact Karen Robertson for the Login email and password.
We hope you enjoy Elite Livestock Judging. Let us hear from you about your experience with the web site.
4/18/12 Additonal Livestock Judging Resources
Here is a list of additional Livestock Judging
Resources.
Livestock Judging Contest Videos To see some short beef heifer and
meat goat juding videos - start HERE
Miscellaneous
WSU Veterinary
Extension Newsletter
Dr. Dale Moore, Director of the WSU Veterinary Medicine
Extension program has introduced a valuable resource
for individuals engaged in animal agriculture, animal
owners and the general public. There is extremely timely
and valuable animal health information included in each
newsletter. To register, please go to the following URL: http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/extension/Newsletters/index.aspx
FSA Youth
Loan Program
If you need assistance to fund your fair animal or 4-H
project, Farm Service agency can help you. We provide low interest
loans for projects supervised by an advisor or leader and supported
by your parent. This program is beneficial as
it teaches fiscal accountability and financial planning along with
establishing a credit history.
Use this revised publication at a livestock
project meeting: Make
a Rope Halter (pdf)
(provided by Tom Platt, formatted by Marge Schoessler)
If you can't open or want multiple copies for your meeting, E-mail Karen
Robertson or call 659-3209.
Great
Activity for Clubs or Groups Topic:
Resiliency
Susan Kerr
Hi everyone—here is a brief activity we developed for our livestock
youth, but it is applicable to all youth. As you approach show season,
you might find an opportunity to use this activity to help youth
appreciate the value of resiliency. Feel free to adapt this activity
however you need to for your audience.
High
Feed Cost Impacts 4-H/FFA Livestock Projects Many 4-H and FFA
youth involved with livestock market projects must contend
with high feed prices. It
is important for youth, parents, leaders, and advisors
to expect feed prices to remain high and be prepared
to factor these additional costs into raising project
animals.
Click HERE for Article has
good information, even though it was written a couple of years ago.
Beef,
Sheep, Swine, Goat, Horse References
Lots of misc. references, fact sheets, and
newsletters are available from the WSU Central WA
Animal Agricultural Team at: http://animalag.wsu.edu/
Jefferson County 4-H posts short video
and audio clips on their web site. If you have high speed internet,
click over to this page for their collection of media related
to 4-H animal projects: 4-hnews.blogspot.com/search/label/4-H%20Animals
Selections include:
- Judging beef heifers
- Judging meat goats
- Insights on the 4-H horse project from a judge
- More! To see more Jefferson County 4-H web media,
go to their home page at: 4-hnews.blogspot.com/
Animal
Premise Identification
The Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is encourages all
livestock producers, including small farms and youth producers, to
register their premise as part of the voluntary National Animal Identification
System (NAIS). Click HEREFor
for more information.
Animal Disease Traceability
On February 5, 2010, USDA announced a new, flexible
framework for animal disease traceability in the United States.
The framework will provide the basic tenets of an
improved animal disease traceability capability in the United States.
Taking your animal to a
workshop, clinic, or show, may be a good way to get hands-on practice prior
to a fair. And the fair experience, may be one of your primary goals. However,
there are Health
Risks. The
commingling of animals of different species, breeds, and ages, from multiple
premises and herd management backgrounds creates an environment for potential
exposure and spread of animal diseases. Responsible animal owners need to
implement practices before, during, and after clinics, fairs, & sales to
protect their animals. Check with your leader
or veterinarian
for advice on taking YOUR specific animal(s) to events.
Washington State University Extension revised and
updated Washington
4-H Program Policy, publication EM0758 in July 2008. This
publication outlines Washington 4-H program and mission and also
defines the procedureand policy for membership, organization of
4-H clubs, types of enrollment, volunteer staff, activity and events
requirements, animal management and ownership, safety, and relationship
with other organizations. This is an excellent publication to have
on hand to answer questions pertaining to enrollment
eligibility, fund raising requirements,
and equirements concerning the management
and ownership of livestock. Please discard
old versions of this publication and take time to review
this updated version.
Feathers & Fun Poultry Clinic
July 27, 2013 - Lincoln Co. Fairgrounds
9 am - 2 pm - FREE!
A day full of fun & learning is planned, including: poultry showmanship, chicken washing & show preparation, poultry care, bird selection for breeding or showing, quiz bowl. rooster crowing contest, and demonstrations.
WA State Dept. of Agriculture Resources to Reduce the Risk of Salmonella
3/12/13 -.submitted by Pat BoyEs
With chick and duck season nearly upon us, the WA State Dept. of Agriculture has developed a set of resources to educate poultry owners on taking proper precautions to prevent the spread of Salmonella. These resources are free and should be made widely available to our 4-H families and club members who raise poultry. Additionally, they can serve as excellent information in the preparation of public presentations. You can order the materials by calling WSDA at 1-800-606-3056 or visit their website at: www.agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/avianhealth.
Resource
A book is available from National 4-H Supply:
Author: Tara Kindschi
Raising chickens teaches more than animal husbandry. It's
a hands-on chance to learn the character- and community-building
principles and practices that 4-H is all about. And, of
course, it's fun. This easy-to-follow, illustrated guide
introduces beginners to the basics of how to raise chickens.
Whether you're a 4-H'er, a first-time poultry owner, or
a future egg farmer, The
4-H Guide to Raising Chickens provides step-by-step
instructions for your project. From selecting a breed to
caring for chicks, from housing and fencing to feeding
and preventing or treating illness, the guide presents
simple, straightforward information about chickens of all
kinds, raised for pets, eggs, or meat. It also includes
a glossary and list of resources.
Pages: 176
Price: $18.99
Poultry Resources Poultry resources from the WSU
Extension Veterinary Medicine site: Click
HERE
Poultry
Testing for Fairs
Please share this with anyone who plans to exhibit poultry!
In January 2008, WSDA passed a rule which states that all
poultry going to exhibit must test negative for Salmonella pullorum-typhoid
(P-T).
This rule applies to chickens, exotic fowl, and game birds;
but excludes waterfowl, doves, and pigeons.
Exhibitors can either participate in the National Poultry Improvement
Plan (NPIP) or buy their birds from an NPIP producer, hatchery, or
feed store.
We are asking 4H exhibitors to save their receipts when they purchase
chicks at feed stores or save the VS 9-3 form (NPIP) when they
purchase chicks from NPIP participants.
Please bring the receipts or VS 9-3 when you exhibit. This
way there will be verification that your birds were purchased
from a P-T tested source.
Thank you.
Julie Broome, CHES
Avian Health Program Coordinator
Washington State Department of Agriculture
360-725-5762
Chicken
DVD
--Jean Smith
“Beginner's Guide to Raising and
Showing Chickens” is an excellent 90 minute educational
DVD that includes:
Choosing chicks for a backyard flock or showing;
Flock care;
Showing chickens;
Poultry showmanship & training;
Butchering chickens (a section not for everyone.)
The DVD is $22, payment by check or money order should
be made to:
FTV, LLC, and mailed to: FTV, LLC, attn: Chicken Video,
16654 Soledad Canyon Rd #382, Canyon Country, CA 91387, or you can
purchase directly online using paypal.com. http://www.chickenvideo.com/
"Bird" Flu
Click here for
sources of information on Avian Influenza aka "Bird Flu."
Scrapie - A Good topic for Sheep & Goat Project Meeting
Looking for information on Scrapie for your 4-H sheep & goat members, leaders, and parents? Click HERE for some sources!
Tail Docking Policy All sheep shown at 4-H Youth shows
should be docked in a manner that does not compromise the
animal's health and well-being. As a working guideline
we recommend that lambs be docked so that at the show the
tail (dock) is long enough to be lifted. Moreover, the
stress caused by docking increases with age, therefore
docking should be performed early in life and certainly
before the lambs are two weeks of age. The tail should
be healed at the time of show and any animal that has been
redocked, except for a medically justified reason, should
be ineligible for show.
From "Tail
Docking Policy Link" on the WSU
4-H Sheep Additional Project Information Page.
April 2012 Important
Letter to Lincoln County Fair Exhibitors Word PDF
Swine
Swine Flu
It is important that you take
precautions at the fair. MORE
Trouble downloading? Lincoln-Adams 4-H members or leaders who would like a hard copy of a Newsletter or article can contact Karen in the Ritzville Extension Office
- 659-3209.
Swine Clipping Rule
Many fairs and sales have a Swine Clipping Rule : similar to this: clip
swine body hair NO LESS than 1/2 inch, No body shaving. ONLY cordless
clippers allowed in the barn. Any swine clipped less than 1/2 inch
will be disqualified from the show. The decision to disqualify
a swine will be made by the swine superintendents. Head, ear and tail clipping are the exception
to the above rule.
WHY?! Clipping makes hair removal during the
butchering process difficult. Typically, the carcass is scalded
after slaughter, and then the hair is removed by scraping with
tools similar to curry combs. If the hair is longer, it's easier
to scrape clean. Cuts of meat that are smoked, like belly’s
(for bacon) and hams, are left with the hide on, but nobody wants
the hair on as well!
Swine Resources Swine resources from the WSU Extension
Veterinary Medicine site: Click
HERE
Swine Showmanship Basics
7/23/08 Sarah M. Smith
Some of you request to know what the judge
will be looking for concerning Swine Showmanship. Rusty
Finch, one of the 2008 Grant County Fair, was gracious enough
to provide the basics of what swine judges are looking for concerning
Showmanship. Here are the basics:
Keep them moving.
Clip hogs with a 3/4" guard. Excessively hairy hogs
are considered unfit. For harvest purposes, our packers
(“turned” hog buyer has requested that hogs have a
minimum of ¾” hair on their body (does not include
ears or tail). Please maintain at lease ¾” hair
length on the body of the pigs.
Prefer the showman's stance and posture to be more upright rather
than bent over.
Showman will be expected to pen their hogs.
Keep their eye on the judge.
Light weight show crops (whips, pvc, plastics) are preferred
over blunt wooden canes.
Sarah M. Smith
Area Extension Faculty--Animal Sciences
WSU Grant-Adams Extension
Articles on the "Young Pig" Resource
Center 12/16/08 --Submitted
by Susan Kerr Click
HERE to visit the Young Pig Resource Center, a
great source for current news, research, resources and
information about raising healthy young pigs on Porkmag.com !
Online
Resources for Washington Pork Producers and Educators 10-24-06 -Jerry Newman WSU Extension and the Department of Animal Science
has partnered with the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence;
National Pork Board; and over 20 other land-grant universities
to develop an online resource with current, accurate and
readily available information concerning pork production.
This new system, called the Pork Information Gateway (PIG),
will increase knowledge and will be valuable for Washington
pork producers, managers, stakeholders and educators.
PIG is a virtual library with information from national
swine researchers contained in over 200 fact sheets. Information
has been developed for pork operations of all sizes and there is
even a section for youth producers raising 4-H and FFA swine projects.
This valuable resource is free to anyone interested
in the pork industry. People can access the site and register for
a free account on the WSU PIG page that can be found at http://wsu.porkgateway.org/web/guest/home
Free registration allows visitors to search PIG for any topic they
may need or are curious about.
Supplemental
Health Record (Word)(PDF) This supplemental form is suitable
for youth producers raising their animals from birth or animals
that suffer serious illness or injury that require additional
record keeping entries for treatments or medicated feed.
*This page
provides links to external sites for the convenience of users. These
external sites are not managed by the WSU Extension. Furthermore, WSU
Extension does not review, control or take responsibility for the content
of these sites, nor do these sites implicitly or explicitly represent
official positions and policies of WSU Extension. Reference to commercial
services, non-4-H activities, products or trade names is made with
the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endoresement
by WSU Extension or 4-H is implied.
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Adams County Extension , 210 W Broadway, Suite 104, Ritzville,
WA 99169-1894, 509-659-3209, Contact Us
Lincoln County Extension , PO Box 399, Davenport, WA 99122, 509-725-4171, Contact
Us
