Livestock Validation:
A Critical Part of Youth Livestock Projects
by: Dr. Mario Villarino
Livestock projects are a historical fundamental component of the 4-H program. By selecting a project, youth learn life skills useful for the rest of their life. What I really like about raising a livestock project is the commitment and sense of responsibility that the child gets by raising a live animal. Contrary to computer games and sports, livestock projects require time and care. Very few other project will reflect as good (or bad) on the child behalf than attending (or not) to the needs of a livestock project. If the livestock project does not get enough attention, the consequences will be reflected at the time of the livestock show. In the other hand, if the livestock project is care properly, the project will shine on the arena. To facilitate our local junior livestock show, the North East Texas Livestock Association meets every month during the school time to plan and make arrangements needed for the February 2013 show. Validation, the time when the young exhibitor present the project to the validation committee has been scheduled for the different species for the Hopkins County Junior Livestock show as follows: Steers at Dairy Health Services from 9:00 to 11:00 am Lambs and Goats October 30 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the regional civic center arena, Swine projects November 26 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the regional civic center arena and poultry by December 1, 2012. All young exhibitors will be required to have a quality counts number, that can be processed on-line at http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/verification/. Project belonging to youth exhibitor without quality counts numbers will not be validated, regardless if they belong to FFA or 4-H. 4-H members will be required to be enrolled in 4-H for 2012-2013 before validating projects. For more information in 4-H, youth projects or any agricultural topic please call the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
Program updates: The professional Agricultural Workers Hay Show is scheduled for October 4, 2012 at 6:30 am. The show includes a free breakfast. The topics of Do and Do Not in weed control will be discussed by Dr. Curtis Jones- Texas A&M University Commerce. A fundraising charitable auction of competing hay will follow. The hay show will be conducted at 957 Connally street, next to Buford Park. The Grazing Management Field Tour is scheduled for Friday October 5th 2012 at the Lamborn Ranch, located at 1511 NW County Road 1090, in Sulphur Bluff, Texas. The tour is organizard by NRCS, the Fannin-Hopkins SWCD and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Services in Hopkins County. 2 CEU’s for private applicator will be granted. The tour is free. Call 903-583-9513 to RSVP. Our yearly Dairy Outreach Program Area Training will be conducted at the SouthWest Dairy Museum October 31, 2012. Permitted Dairies are encouraged to participate. 4 DOPA credits will be offered. The cost of the training will be $10 per person lunch included. Our yearly pesticide applicator training is scheduled for November 7, 2012 at the regional civic center. The topics for this year are of special interest for herbicide applicators and beef producers. Call the Hopkins County Extension Office for more details. The cost of the event is $25 lunch included. New pesticide applicator applicants are encouraged to participate in our multi-county pesticide applicator training scheduled for November 7, 2012. Private landowners seeking pesticide applicator licensing will have an opportunity to get the mandated training and exam in our single day. The cost of the PAT training is $10. No lunch is included. For more information on these or any agricultural topics please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or e-mail me at mavillarino@ag.tamu.edu.
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