10/01/20 Livestock Email Blast

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INFORMATION IN THIS EMAIL BLAST (IN ORDER)

  • Major Livestock Show Validation Updates
  • Quality Counts Reminders
  • 2020-2021 Major Show Entries Update
  • 2020-2021 Calf Scramble Information & Opportunities
  • Livestock Skillathon Opportunities
  • Other Opportunities

Howdy and Happy Thursday!

We wanted to touch base with you all about upcoming livestock opportunities and information.  A lot of things are still being planned and talked about this year, but the official plans and entry information may not come until a little later than we’re used to.  Unfortunately, with the complications that COVID has presented, everyone is having to wait to see what we are able to do while being able to keep everyone safe and comply with the local and state health mandates.  Thank you all so much for your patience and understanding this year!

On that note, let’s talk about some opportunities open for youth interested in livestock projects!  (Fun Fact for some of our new 4-H family members  – you do NOT have to have an animal to be part of a livestock project! – check out some of the contest or skillathon opportunities below!)

MAJOR LIVESTOCK SHOW VALIDATION UPDATES:

  • Families who ordered lamb, goat, or heifer tags should be receiving an email with information about validation on Friday – please be checking your emails  
  • Swine Tags: Accepting Late Tags
    • We are accepting late tag orders until 10/14/20
    • Validation Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2020 (starting at 5:00 PM – time slot required; more information will be sent out to those who purchase tags)
    • 2 Options to Purchase Tags:

QUALITY COUNTS REMINDERS

  • All livestock exhibitors in Bastrop County (both 4-H & FFA) will need to participate in the learning modules and pass the exam with at least an 80% to be able to exhibit their livestock projects.
  • Website: https://www.texaslivestockvalidation.com/qc/qcregister.aspx.  Be sure to save the registration email to be able to access the program and take the exam. 
  • If you have any questions, please contact your AST/CEA.  The Bastrop County 4-H Agent can be reached at 512-581-7186 or at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu.
  • Exhibitors will need to retake the exam this 4-H year if:
    • They did not pass with a score of 80% or higher
    • If they are moving into the 3rd grade
    • If they moved from 5th to 6th grade this year
    • If they moved from 8th to 9th grade this year

2020-2021 MAJOR SHOW ENTRIES UPDATE

  • Most of the Major Livestock Shows (Fort Worth, San Angelo, San Antonio, Houston, and Rodeo Austin) are planning on releasing their entry paperwork a little later than usual with the unpredictable nature of COVID and local health authority mandates this year.
    • Fort Worth Entries should be available around mid-October
    • The others are starting to show dates of around November 1st
  • Currently Available:
  • Reminders for San Angelo Lamb/Goat Show: ALL MARKET LAMBS and WETHER DAMS MUST HAVE A VALID TLBA TAG AND THE NUMBER MUST BE RECORDED ON ALL OFFICIAL VALIDATION FORMS AND IN THE VALIDATION BOOKS. Make sure that you have your TLBA/TGBA Tag in your animals’ ear BEFORE you get to validation.
  • Reminders for Open Show Entries and Eligibility/Excused Absences:
    • We’re happy to help you get entered in the open show opportunities you want to participate in, but please remember that we are only allowed to request eligibility and excused absences for youth show entries that require the exhibitor to be a 4-H/FFA member. 
    • When we request excused absences for youth to participate in the shows, the schools do NOT have to grant them.  Please make sure that you are in communication with your teachers and principals to keep them in the loop on your 4-H activities to they understand the learning experiences associated with them and are more likely to grant the request. 

2020-2021 CALF SCRAMBLE INFORMATION & OPPORTUNITIES

  • What is a calf scramble? A calf scramble is a competition where a group of youth and smaller calves are turned out into an arena.  The goal is for the 4-H/FFA member to catch a calf – if they do, they are awarded a certificate with a monetary value to purchase a show animal for the next show season.  Not everyone will catch a calf.
  • Rules and requirements:  Rules and requirements for calf scrambles vary from show to show.  On average, you need to be at least 12 years old to participate.  The other key detail is that if you get a calf scramble certificate, you must purchase an animal that you will show at their show the following year.  To enter the competition, you must turn in any application materials to your County Extension Agent or Ag Teacher.
  • Currently Available:
  • Expected Soon:
    • Fort Worth Calf Scramble (October 15th-ish)
    • San Antonio Calf Scramble (November 1st-ish)
    • Houston Calf Scramble (November 1st-ish)
    • Rodeo Austin Calf Scramble (November 1st-ish)

 LIVESTOCK SKILLATHON OPPORTUNITIES:

  • What is a Skillathon? A skillathon is a contest where youth are tested/demonstrate their knowledge and skills gained while learning about or caring for livestock projects.  They are typically divided into one contest per species (Beef, Sheep, Swine, etc) and have stations that test knowledge/skills in breed ID, internal and external anatomy, feed ID and nutrition, cuts of meat, common medications, etc.
  • Where can you participate in a skillathon?  There are a few invitational contests that are open to the state and a few of the Major Livestock Shows have a skillathon you can enter!
    • Beef Skillathon: State Fair & San Antonio Livestock Show
    • Horse Skillathon: San Antonio Livestock Show
    • Sheep Skillathon: State Fair & San Antonio Livestock Show
    • Swine Skillathon: State Fair & San Antonio Livestock Show
  • How can you get started? We are partnering with Lee County to help provide some additional opportunities to increase your livestock project knowledge AND prepare for and participate in these contests.  The current practices listed below are going to take place at the Lee County Extension Office (310 S Grimes St, Giddings, TX 78942) AND we are trying to incorporate virtual participation with the live practices for those unable to travel to the Lee County Extension Office.
  • Beef Skillathon Practices:
    • Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    • Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    • Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    • Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    • Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 4:30 PM
    • Monday, December 7, 2020 at 4:30 PM
  • Sheep Skillathon Practices:
    • Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    • Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    • Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 5:30 PM
    • Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:00 PM
    • Tuesday, December 7, 2020 at 6:00 PM
  • If you are interested in participating – please email Miss Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu and let her know which practices you’d like to attend and whether you are wanting to attend in-person or virtually

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES:

  • Other Livestock related opportunities can be found on the County Calendar – registration information should be included for each post.
  • Other Contest related opportunities can be found on the Judging Card Calendar – to sign up for these opportunities, please contact Mellanie at MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu or at 512-581-7186

That’s all for now!  Have a great week and let us know if you have any questions!

M

Mellanie L. Mickelson

Bastrop County Extension Agent – 4-H & Youth Development
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services

P.O. Box 650 | 901 Pecan Street | Bastrop, TX 78602
p: (512) 581-7186 | c: (512) 522-9174 | f: (512) 581-7187
MLMickelson@ag.tamu.edu

Website – https://bastrop.agrilife.org
Blog – www.bastrop4h.blogspot.com
Facebook – www.facebook.com/BastropCounty4H

 

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