4-H Animal Lines

JUNE 1999

"Learn from the mistakes of others . . . you won't live long enough to make them all yourself."

SOURCES OF PROJECT ANIMALS
Many sales are coming up soon that would be good sources of project animals. We will keep you informed on dates, locations, etc. of sales. The following are sales already announced.

CONTEST REMINDERS
4-H district and state contests will be here soon. Now is the time to be assisting 4-H'ers with their contest. Contests for juniors in 4-H animal and dairy science projects are the Dairy Products Judging and Visual Presentations for juniors ñ three contests, including (1) beef, sheep, and swine; (2) horse; and (3) dairy animals and dairy foods. In the senior division there are five contests in Visual Presentations ñ (1) beef, (2) sheep/swine, (3) horse, (4) dairy animals, and (5) dairy products. Seniors also have an opportunity to participate in a Meats Judging and Identification Contest, Meats Bowl, Dairy Products Judging, and Dairy Bowl. These are all excellent contests. If we can provide you with information about these contests, please let me know. Also, study your 4-H Contest Handbook for details on each contest.

WINNING TEAMS
The state winning meats judging team will be eligible to represent Mississippi at the National 4-H Judging Contest to be held at Kansas State University in November 1999. We have a lot of training material available, including a judging manual, slide sets, and video tapes. Check your contest handbook for more details.

The state winning dairy bowl team will be eligible to represent Mississippi at the National 4-H Dairy Bowl Contest to be held at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, KY, in November 1999. If you need additional information, give me a call.

4-H DAIRY POSTER CONTEST
The theme for the 1999 Dairy Poster Contest is "Got Milk? It does a body good!" Publication 799 contains all the information about this contest and it can be obtained from Extension Supply. Your county winners in the three age divisions are to be delivered to the Bost Extension Center Building "B" on June 14th, the first day of State 4-H Club Congress for judging in the state contest. The deadline will be 3:00 p.m. rather than noon. Good-Luck!

MISSISSIPPI JUNIOR DAIRY PRODUCTION CONTEST
I encourage you to add special promotion to our junior production contests. The 4-H dairy project member must own a registered Holstein or Jersey cow that is on an approval testing program. An entry form, JD-1, must be filled out within 60 days after the cow is fresh. The participants' entries will be ranked on ECM and awards are given at the annual meeting of the Holstein and Jersey Associations.

4-H DAIRY PRODUCTS JUDGING WORKSHOP
We will be conducting a 4-H Dairy Products judging Workshop, May 31, 1999, at the Walthall Company Extension Office in Tylertown. The workshop will begin at 1:00 p.m. Please call Gale Chrestman, if you need more information.

4-H BEEF CAMP
The Beef Camp will be held June 7th & 8th at the Lee County Agri-Center in Verona. 4-H'ers should bring one calf to work with during the two day camp. The complete schedule has been finalized; however, we do plan to hold sessions on the following: Skillathon, Premiere Exhibitor, Beef Bowl, EPD's, Meats Judging, Beef Cookoff, Team Grooming, How to feed your show calf, Showmanship and Ethics. In addition, we will ask each 4-H participant to bring a charcoal grill that will be used in the Cookoff workshop and each 4-Her will prepare their own meal (hamburgers) on the night of the 7th.

More details will be coming soon via E-Mail concerning this camp. The cost of camp will be $20.00 per 4-H participant and the camp will be limited to the first 30 4-H'ers that sign up. To sign up for this camp - call, e-mail, fax, or write Mike Howell. His phone number is 662/566-2201, e-mail address: mikeh@ext.msstate.edu, fax is 662/566-2257, and address is P.O. Box 456, Verona, MS 38879. There are still openings for this camp.

4-H SWINE DAY CAMP
The Swine Project Day Camp will be Thursday, June 10th, at the Calhoun County Livestock facility in Pittsboro. Pittsboro is located south of Bruce and north of Calhoun City on Hwy. 9. Again, a complete schedule of events has not been finalized for this camp at this time. You will receive a complete schedule via e-mail at a later date.

Some of the activities we are planning include: showmanship tips, how to clip pigs for the show ring, how to feed pigs prior to the show and at the show, how to identify and correct health problems, selecting the right type show pig, facilities needed for show pigs (both summer and winter), pork cookoff contest and premiere exhibitor contest.

There will not be a limit to the number people that can participate; however, there will be a $7.00 camp fee. For more information call Mike Howell at 662/566-2201.

4-H HORSE CAMP - HATTIESBURG
A 4-H Horse Camp will be held in Hattiesburg on June 10th and 11th. 4-H'ers may participate with or without horses. Camp fees are $10.00 for one day or $15.00 for both days. Stalls are available for $12.00. For additional information, call Lanell Entrekin at (601) 794-6417 or Linda Jarrell at (601) 582-5598. This camp is still open for participants.

BE A CHAMP! CAMP
This camp will be held on June 18-20, 1999, at the MSU Agri-Center. It is for 4-H members who want to learn basic and advanced showmanship, clipping, grooming, and feeding of their beef cattle or lamb projects. Up-to-date instruction will be offered by professionals. 4-H Agents and volunteers are welcome to come and observe camp instructions. Cost of the camp is $265. For additional information, call Gale Chrestman (601/325-3515) or Kipp Brown (601/283-5304). Openings for this camp are still available.

4-H HORSE CAMP- VERONA
The 4-H Horse Camp will be held June 21st & 22nd. All available slots for this camp has been filled. Sorry, there is no room left for participants.

LIVESTOCK JUDGING WORKSHOP& ORAL REASONS CAMP
The Animal& Dairy Sciences Department will again be conducting a Livestock Judging & Oral Reasons Camp for those students involved with judging team activities. This will be a very intensive 3� day school with sessions held all day and each evening. The school will be conducted by Tommy Shields, MSU Livestock Judging Team Coach, with help form current judging team members.

The school will start on Wednesday, June 23, at 10:00 a.m. and conclude with a contest on Saturday morning, June 26, finishing at noon. The cost for the school will be $125.00 and includes room, meals, tee shirt, and pizza party. The students will stay in a dorm with meals in the cafeteria. The students will stay in a dorm with meals in the cafeteria. The students will need to bring bedding and towels. We would also like to invite any interested Ag teachers or County Agents to attend.

This will be a working school, but also provides interaction with MSU staff members and students and other 4-H and FFA members . . . a great opportunity for those wanting to become competitive in judging contests and improve upon their communicative skills. Alert your judging team members about this workshop. The school will be limited to the first 65 applications - - at least 14 years old and still in school. Registration forms are due May 31, 1999. We will send more details to you once the registration form is received. If you did not receive a registration form sent out in April, please call.

BEEF AND PORK COOKOUT CONTESTS
These contests are scheduled for July 22, 1999, at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. You will be receiving more details for these contests soon. Outdoor cookery is a popular family activity and these contests can create a lot of interest and good public relations for 4-H in your county. You might want to have some sort of cookout clinic, followed later by a county cookout contest, with the winners going to the state contest.

STATEWIDE 4-H HORSE JUDGING CLINIC
A statewide 4-H Judging Clinic has been scheduled for June 29, 1999 at the State Fairgrounds in Jackson. This clinic will start at 10:00 a.m. and will feature halter classes, western pleasure, western riding, reining, hunter under saddle and oral reasons. This will be an excellent opportunity for your horse project members, adult leaders and judging team coaches to learn more about judging.

REMINDER: RULE CHANGES FOR 1999 HORSE SHOWS
Below are the major rule changes for the 1999 4-H Horse Shows. Check the rule book for additional details.

MAJOR SHOW CHANGES FOR 1999

1. Added a Walk/Jog Pleasure Class at District and State Shows. This class is for Horses Only (Junior and Senior). Contestants entered in this class may only enter halter, showmanship and trail. Entry in other classes is prohibited.
2. Split the Racking Horse Classes in Plain Shod and Padded
3. Under the showmanship classes, change numbers 2, 6 and 13 to read as follows:
   • 2. The exhibitor must lead on the horse's left side holding the lead shank in the right hand near the halter with the tail of the lead loosely coiled in the left hand, unless requested by the judge to show the horse's teeth. It is preferable for the exhibitor's hand not be on the snap or chain portion of the lead continuously.
   • 6. When turning the horse to the left 90 degrees or less, the horse should be turned to the left. On turns of greater that 90 degrees the ideal turn consist of the horse pivoting on the right hind leg while stepping across and in front of the right front leg with the left front leg. An exhibitor should not be penalized, if their horse performs a pivot on the left hind leg; but an exhibitor whose horse performs the pivot correctly should receive more credit.
   • 13. Severe faults in showing showmanship: Leading on the off or right side of the horse Complete failure to move around horse by exhibitor and obstructing judge's view Exhibitor touching the horse or kicking or pointing their feet at the horse's feet during set up Sanding directly in front of the horse Exhibitor wearing spurs or chaps Omission or addition of maneuvers Knocking over a cone Working on the wrong side of the cone Severe disobedience including rearing or pawing; horse kicking at other horses, exhibitors, or judge; or continuously circling the exhibitor.
4. Add the new AQHA Western Riding Pattern "Three".
5. Change the time limit for team penning from 2.0 minutes to 1.5 minutes.

REMINDER: SPECIAL 4-H HORSE ACTIVITIES FOR 1999
We have an abundance of activities for the 4-H horse project. Please alert your 4-H members about the following events:

1. Horse Bowl. The senior (14-18) horse bowl competition will be held at the State 4-H Horse Championships on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, 3:00 p.m. in the Trade Mart Building on the State Fairgrounds. County entries (Form 166) are due July 1, 1999, in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Order rules and regulations for more details and contest procedures. The winning horse bowl team will be eligible to represent Mississippi at the Eastern National Round-Up in Louisville, KY, in November.
   
   We will require counties to submit questions this year.
   
   Junior (8-13) horse bowl competition will be held at your respective district show. Information on dates and procedures will come from your district show management.
   
   References will be limited to the following:
   
   Senior Contests
   
   • Horses & Horsemanship (National 4-H Council publication CO-200), (Extension # M-189)
   • Horse Science (National 4-H Council publication CO-201), (Extension # M-190)
   • Horses & Horsemanship - 6th Edition (Ensminger)
     (Be sure you have the 6th Edition of this book. Some of our 4-H publications may still list the 5th Edition).
   • Horse Industry Handbook - by American Youth Horse Council
     
     Junior Contests
     
   • Horses & Horsemanship (National 4-H Council publication CO-200), (Extension # M-189)
   • Horse Science (National 4-H Council publication CO-201), (Extension # M-190)

   
   
   Where to get references:
   
   You can order the two National 4-H Council publications electronically from the Extension Animal and Dairy Sciences Department.
   
   You will have to purchase Ensminger's Horses & Horsemanship - 6th Edition from outside sources. Two possible sources are:
   
   (A.) Interstate Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 50, Danville, IL, 61832, will give you a discount price, if you tell them you are associated with 4-H. Cost will be about $39.95 + shipping and handling expenses. You can order by phone (217-446-0500).
   
   (B.) Jeffers, P.O. Box 100, Dothan, AL, 36302; phone 1-800-Jeffers. (I am enclosing their order form).
   
   You will have to purchase the Horse Industry Handbook from the American Youth Horse Council. The AYHC address is 4093-A Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY, 40511-8434. Cost is $59.95 which includes shipping and handling.
   
   Let me encourage you to recruit a 4-H horse volunteer leader to handle this contest for you. It will be a fun event for them and, at the same time, provide them with leadership and responsibility to the 4-H horse project.
   
   

2. Horse Team Demonstration Contest. This contest will be for senior 4-H members and held at the State 4-H Horse Championships on July 14, 1999, 2:00 p.m., in the Trade Mart Building on the State Fairgrounds. County entries (Form 166) are due July 1, 1999, in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS 39762. The winning team demonstration will be eligible to represent Mississippi at the regional contest in Montgomery, Alabama in early August 1999. Rules are attached.
   
   
3. Individual Visual Presentation Contests. Juniors will compete at the district achievement days and seniors will compete during State 4-H Club Congress. The winning senior will be eligible to represent Mississippi at the regional contest in Montgomery, Alabama in early August 1999. Rules are attached.
   
   
4. Mississippi 4-H Horse Photography Contest. For junior and senior 4-H members. Entries will be accepted from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, at the State 4-H Horse Championships in the Equine Center on the State Fairgrounds. See 4-H Contest Handbook for rules, etc. Rules, regulations and entry forms are also available from the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department. Let us know if you need additional information.
   
   
5. Public Speaking. Juniors will compete at the district shows and seniors will compete at the State 4-H Horse Championships on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, 1:30 p.m. in the Trade Mart Building on the State Fairgrounds. County entries (Form 166) are due July 1, 1999, in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS 39762. District show management will send you dates, times, etc. for junior contests. Rules are attached.
   
   
6. Horse Judging. Juniors will compete at the district shows and seniors will compete at the State 4-H Horse Championships on Wednesday, July 14, 1999, 9:30 a.m. in the Equine Center on the State Fairgrounds. County entries (Form 166) are due July 1, 1999, in the Animal and Dairy Sciences Department, Box 9815, Mississippi State, MS 39762.
   
   A county may enter 1 or 2 individuals, or a team of 3 or 4 contestants. See 4-H Contest Handbook for rules, etc.
   
   The winning senior team will be eligible to represent Mississippi in the regional contest in Montgomery, Alabama in early August 1999.
   
   The state senior contest will consist of 2-4 halter classes and oral reasons on 1 or 2 of these classes, and 2 performance classes with oral reasons on 1 or both. Performance classes will be selected from Western Pleasure, Western Riding, Showmanship, Reining (Pattern No. 2), and Hunter Under Saddle.
   
   Senior contestants should assemble at the Equine Center between 9:00-9:15 a.m. on July 14, 1999.
   
   

We are excited about all the events available for the 4-H horse project. Please call, if you have any questions or need further information.

REMINDER: DRESSAGE PATTERN FOR STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW We will use 1999 Training Level Test 3, at the State 4-H Horse Show. Alert your exhibitors!

WINNER'S TIP! Do you want your horse judging team to be real competitive? If yes, really emphasize oral reasons. This is the secret to having a good, competitive team. Oral reasons count 50 points, the same as placing scores. Follow suggestions in the 4-H horse judging publication (Publication 901), use Form 655 (reasons card) to promote good note taking and organization, and practice, practice, and practice your 4-H'ers on oral reasons.

Sincerely yours,

Gale Chrestman, Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist
Brett Scott, Extension Equine Specialist