Animal Updates
Horse, livestock, and small animal updates!!
Check back regularly as we will continue to make changes as they come about!!
Things are changing constantly but we hope that we can edit and change things on here as dates change. Before you make a decision, please check here to see if anything has changed or moved dates.
As of right now, there will be NO face-to-face 4-H sponsored events, including club meetings, until after June 15th!!
Small Animals
Small Animal Judges Workshop - for kids and adults!!!!
All Animal ID Sheets are Online!!
Want a fill-able livestock ID sheet that you can fill out on your computer and send in via email!! We got you covered!! Find your livestock sheet below, fill it out, save it on your computer and then email to krosas2@unl.edu (Morrill County), saltena2@unl.edu (Garden County), or spaisley3@unl.edu (either county). Remember they are due on June 15th!!
Check back for poultry and rabbit sheets!
Large Animal Livestock
Sheep, Goat, and Swine Tags
Horse Information
Fort Rob Horse Camp Cancelled
Horse Stampede - Postponed to July 12th in Grand Island
The 4-H Horse Stampede is held annually on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln East Campus. This year's 4-H Horse Stampede will be held Saturday, March 28th, 2020. This event offers a variety of 4-H horse contests that don't require live horses, including public speaking, demonstration, quiz bowl, art, and photography contests. Youth have the opportunity to display their equine knowledge through these contests both as an individual and as part of a team.
Go to Horse Stampede for more information on registration, contest information, or even to go volunteer.
District Horse Shows - Cancelled but State Horse is NOT!!
The State 4-H Horse Exposition is held annually at Fonner Park in Grand Island, NE. This year the Expo will be held July 12-16, 2020. The Expo includes the state horse show, hippology contest, and horse judging contest, as well as additional activities.
Youth will enter the state show and district shows using the same entry form. The entry deadline is June 15th, 2020. See entry procedures for more information. Go to State Horse Expo for more information.
New in 2020 - Garden County Requires Level 1 Testing for County Fair
If you are participating in the Garden County Horse Show you will have to pass Level 1 test for the 2020 Fair. Due to COVID-19, you can take the written exam online!! Demonstrations and skills tests are on hold until after June 15th. For study materials and more information about level testing, go to Horsemanship Advancement Levels or call your Horse Club leader.
FYI - Morrill County will most likely implement this next year too. So you can get a jump on this and get your written exam down now if you want!!! :)
Livestock at State Fair
All Livestock Nominations and DNA are Due JULY 1st!!!
If you are planning on taking any large animal livestock to the Nebraska State Fair this year, you must nominate your livestock byJULY 1st. Beef DNA samples have been pulled but CANNOT be sent off until you notify Sarah that your nomination is completed - email her at spaisley3@unl.edu to let her know.
Swine, sheep, and goat DNA will need to be collected in a special envelop. Notify the office when you pick up your tags and we will give you instructions and the envelop. These animals also need to be nominated by June 15th and email Sarah once you have that step completed.
For all of the complete Animal Exhibitor Resources include rules, step-by-step guides, and FAQs go to 4-H Live Animal Exhibitor Resources.
NEW:
Due to the challenges of COVID-19 for families and educators, the extension of restricted in person 4-H events through June 15, and the closures of offices and schools, 4-H and FFA, in consultation with the Nebraska State Fair Livestock Committee, have decided to extend the state fair livestock nomination deadline from June 15 to July 1. Exhibitors will be required to submit their DNA envelopes to their county office or FFA Advisor and have completed their online nomination through https://showstockmgr.com/ along with submitting payment online by 11:59 PM CST on July 1.
Extension Staff and FFA Advisors must have completed DNA envelopes in their possession by July 1. Those staff will then be required to postmark all DNA envelopes to the Aksarben Stock Show office by July 6 and have all nominations validated by Friday, July 10 in Show Stock Manager.
Learning about Livestock Opportunities
Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Required by June 15th
Because we cannot do Face-to-face programs until after June 15th, we are encouraging everyone to go ahead and begin their YQCA training online. This will be required to participate at fair shows in both counties! Great news, though, they discounted the online cost to $9 up until Thursday, April 30th. How to get that discounted price can be found here. If paying for your youth is a problem, please contact the office or 4-H Council. We will be trying to figure out how we can offer this at a discounted rate even more. Go to YQCA Login to get started today.
Upon completion, send either a picture or saved pdf of your certificate to krosas2@unl.edu (Morrill County), saltena2@unl.edu (Garden County), or spaisley3@unl.edu or text to 308-750-8513 for either county.
Livestock Judging from Home with UNL
Practice livestock judging from home! Start by sorting through the class and working on your reasons. Then, get tips and tricks for improving your skills while listening to a critique of the class.
The YouTube Channel at Nebraska 4-H Online Livestock Judging has practice livestock judging classes!
Premier Animal Science Events (PASE) - Postponed
Premier Animal Science Events (PASE) is a two-day event designed to help youth learn about issues related to the animal industry, explore career opportunities that are available, compete with other teens from across the state, and have FUN! It has been postponed to September 21-22, 2020. Please let Sarah know if you are interested in participating! We would love to have a team from our area compete.
Opportunities for youth include livestock judging, meats judging, and poultry judging, as well as livestock skill-a-thon and livestock quiz bowl. Youth can participate in more than one contest or event as their schedule allows.
Nebraska Extension - Garden and Morrill Counties
Email: spaisley3@unl.edu
Website: https://4h.unl.edu/
Location: Garden and Morrill Counties
Phone: 308-750-8513