April Newsletter
Furnas County
~ In this Newsletter ~
- Events & Deadlines
- 4-H Enrollment
- NAYI Application
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Club Leader Resources
- Speech Contest
- Livestock Weigh-In
- YQCA
- County Fair Animal Nominations & Identification Requirements
- Premise ID Number
- Extension Spring Programs
- Nebraska 4-H Events
- 4-H Council Members 2023
- Extension Office Contact Information
Upcoming Events & Deadlines
April 14th - Jerome Becker Memorial Scholarship
April 15th - NAYI Application Deadline
April 28th - Office Closed in observance of Arbor Day
May 20th - Sheep Weigh-in at the fairgrounds in Beaver City
May 29th - Office Closed in observance of Memorial Day
May 31st - YQCA in Beaver City at the Blue Ribbon
June 15th - DNA & Nominations for SF & AKSARBEN due
June 15th - Pre-Entry Forms for Livestock due
July 6th - Clean up Day
July 6th - Fashion & Talent Show Entry Forms Due
County Fair - July 10th - 15th
State Fair - August 23rd- September 5th
October 15th - Achievement Night
~ 4-H Enrollment ~
For returning families, please do not create a new account; rather use your log-in credentials for 4honline used in previous years. Instructions can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/returning-member.
Enrollment instructions for new families can be found here: https://4h.unl.edu/enroll/new-member
Our website page has step by step instructions on how to enroll into 4-H as well! https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/furnas/join-4-h-today/
Please contact the Extension Office at 308-268-3105 or rebecca.dahlgren@unl.edu with any questions or concerns!
Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI)
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is currently accepting applications for its biggest youth outreach event - the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI). NAYI brings together hundreds of high school juniors and seniors for one week every year to learn more about Nebraska agriculture, network with ag leaders and discover the many careers available in agriculture.
NAYI will be held at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus July 10-14, 2023. Applications for NAYI are available at www.nda.nebraska.gov/nayi and must be submitted online. Students selected to attend NAYI do so free of charge due to generous donations from numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and industry organizations. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending have until April 15, 2023, to apply. This year’s theme is “For the Future.”
“NAYI is a long-standing tradition in Nebraska agriculture and a one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students to connect with peers from around the state,” said NDA Director Sherry Vinton. “This week-long event is a creative and fun way for a new generation of ag enthusiasts to learn more about Nebraska agriculture and the many careers available in the industry. If you know high school juniors or seniors with an interest in learning about agriculture, be sure to encourage them to apply to NAYI before the April 15 deadline.”
NAYI is in its 52nd year, making it the longest running agricultural youth program of its kind in the nation. Approximately 200 students attend every year. NAYI features motivational speakers, discussions on agricultural issues, career development, networking opportunities, leadership activities, a farm management game, a formal banquet and awards presentation, and a dance.
NDA selects students to attend NAYI based on their leadership skills, interests and involvement in agriculture.
NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, which is comprised of 21 college-aged students selected by NDA for their passion and interest in the ag industry. The Council’s purpose is to provide young Nebraskans with a better understanding of agriculture, including agricultural opportunities available to today’s youth.
~ Scholarship Opportunities ~
Jerome Becker Memorial Scholarship
The Jerome Becker Memorial Scholarship program is sponsored by the Furnas County Livestock Association. The annual scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors or to students currently enrolled in post high school education.
The screening and selection of scholarship recipients will be done by a special scholarship committee appointed by the Furnas County Livestock Association board of directors. The committee will select two winners and one alternate winner. Applications are due in the Extension Office by April 14th and the winners and alternate will be notified by May 19th.
Nebraska Cattlemen Research & Education Foundation
Dear Friend,
Each year, the Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation (NCF) offers scholarships to help students continue pursing their academic careers. This would not be possible without many generous donors who believe in positioning the future of the beef cattle community for success.
NCF is currently accepting scholarship applications for the 2023-2024 academic year from qualified youth. Applications are available on the Nebraska Cattlemen website or can be obtained by calling the NCF office at (402) 475-2333.
Below you will find descriptions and deadlines for NCF scholarships. Please refer to the Nebraska Beef State Scholarship application and the general scholarship application for complete selection requirements.
All scholarship winners will be announced during the Nebraska Cattlemen Annual Midyear Meeting in June 2023.
$1,000 MINIMUM SCHOLARSHIPS
NCF offers numerous other $1,000 minimum scholarships, awarded on the basis of academic achievement, beef industry involvement and goals/quality of the application. Completed applications are due in the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation office by close of business on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Incomplete applications and applications received after the due date will be disqualified. Scholarship recipients must be a high school senior or college student, have a "C" or higher grade point average, and be enrolled or intending to enroll full time in a college or university that offers a bachelor degree, an approved vocation or trade school, or a state accredited junior college.
Nebraska Cattlemen | www.nebraskacattlemen.org
~ Club Leader Resources ~
Nebraska 4-H offers a variety of resources for 4-H Clubs and leaders. A 4-H Club is an organized group of five or more youth who meet regularly with adult volunteers or 4-H staff for a long-term, progressive series of educational experiences. The purpose of a 4-H club is to provide positive youth development and foster educational opportunities to meet the needs of young people.
For 4-H Club Leader Resources follow this link https://4h.unl.edu/resources/club-leaders
~ Livestock Weigh-in ~
4-H Market Sheep & Goat Information
All youth who plan to show a Market Sheep & Goat animals at the 2023 County Fair, State Fair, or AKSARBEN need to have an official USDA scrapie tag and complete their Pre-Entry Form. The forms can be picked up at your local Extension Office. If you don't have an official USDA scrapie tag you will need to contact Sheri Gillham with the USDA. #402-434-2302
State Fair and Aksarben animals must also have DNA hair samples taken and turned into the county office by June 15th. DNA envelopes are available at the Extension office.
Market Sheep & Goat Weigh-in Date
Market sheep & goat ONLY needs to be weighed for the optional county rate of gain contest.
Attend a county sheep & goat weigh-in to receive a weight and pulled DNA (if planning to go to SF or AKSARBEN). The deadline to identify and nominate market beef for County or State Fairs or AKSARBEN is June 15.
May 20, 2023
Furnas County Fairgrounds
1200 9th Street
Beaver City, NE 68926
9am-11am
~ YQCA ~
Nebraska 4-H requires all youth ages 8-18 enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance certification through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). YQCA is a national multi-species quality assurance program focused on three core pillars: food safety, animal well-being, and character development. Requirements
YQCA certification is required for all 4-H members enrolled in any of the following projects:
· Beef (bucket calf, feeder calf, breeding beef, market beef)
· Dairy Cattle
· Goat (breeding meat goat, dairy goat, meat goat)
· Poultry
· Rabbit
· Sheep (breeding sheep, market sheep)
· Swine (breeding swine, market swine)
YQCA is required annually.
Face-to Face Training In-person YQCA training courses cost $3 per individual regardless of age. Dates to be determined. Be watching your 4-H Newsletter!
Web-based Training at https://yqcaprogram.org. The online YQCA course costs $12 per individual regardless of age.
Each participant that completes either the ILT or WBT MUST complete a pre-test and a post-test.
Test-out options are only available to youth in the first year of Intermediate (age 12) and Senior (age 15) age levels. There is no test-out option for Juniors. Participants will have only one chance to take the test-out option. If youth fail, they will not be provided another opportunity to test out of that age level.
Test-out costs are:
Intermediate: $36 ($12 x 3 years of certification) Senior: $48 ($12 x 4 years of certification).
YQCA TIPS
- 4-H Families will register and pay online
- 4-H’ers use their 4-H Online Account
YQCA in-person Training Dates:
Phelps County - March 3rd in Holdrege at the Ag Center from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
April 13th in Elwood at the Civic Center from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
May 7th in Bertrand at the Village Hall from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Frontier County - March 13th in Eustis at the Eustis 4-H Building from 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
April 3rd in Curtis at NCTA's LTC from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Furnas County - May 31st in Beaver City at the Blue Ribbon from 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Harlan County - June 1st in Orleans at the Ag Center from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Continue to watch the newsletter for upcoming in-person training early 2023
~ 2023 4-H County Fair Animal Nomination & Identifcation Requirements ~
All 840 Tags and Forms are available at the local Extension Office.
- Market Beef- All market beef must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavit (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
- Breeding Beef– Any Breeding Heifer project animal enrolled in 4-H must be born between August 2021-Janurary 2023. Breeding beef does NOT need a specific 4-H tag. Paper ownership affidavits (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. State Fair - Registered heifers are required to have a copy of registration papers & DNA sample submitted to the office by June 15.
- Stocker Feeder: All stocker feeders must be born within the current year (2023) and be identified with a farm tag. Paper ownership affidavits (Pre-Entry Forms) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15. State Fair – Feeder calves will now be required to submit a DNA sample/envelope to be eligible to exhibit by June 15.
- Bucket Calf: All bucket calves must be born within the current year (2023) between January 1 and June 1 and be identified with a farm tag. Calves are to be fed on bucket or bottle and/or dry feed only. Calves are to be away from real or substitute mothers from June 15.
- Market Swine- All market swine must be identified with a federally accepted 840 EID electronic identification (EID) tag. Any animal carrying an 840 EID tag will require the exhibitor to obtain a Premises ID. Paper ownership affidavit (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
- Market Lambs and Market Goats- All market lambs and market goats must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
- Breeding Sheep and Goats- All ewes and does (registered and commercial) must be identified with an official USDA scrapie tag. Paper ownership affidavits (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned in to the local Extension office by June 15.
- Horse- All horses that will be shown at the County, District &/or State Horse Show must be appropriately identified on the Nebraska Horse identification affidavit and Entry form turned into the local Extension office by May 6 for State (subject to change) and June 15 for County Only.
- Rabbits & Poultry- Rabbits and poultry do not have a nomination/id form requirement in order to exhibit at the County Fair. Paper ownership affidavit (Pre-Entry Form) must be turned into the local Extension office by June 15th. County-only rabbits will not be required to have an ear tattoo. State Fair Rabbits do require ear tattoos.
- Dogs-All dogs must have rabies vaccination certificate signed by a vet. Certificates are to be handed in to the Extension Office by June 15.
- Cats– All cats must have rabies vaccination certificate signed by a vet. Certificates are to be handed in to the Extension Office by June 15.
Reminders
· The due dates listed above mean that all tagging is complete, the animal information completed and in the possession of the local Extension office.
· No animal may be shown in both breeding and market classes.
~ Premise ID ~
What is a premise ID?
A premises identification number (PIN) is a unique code that is permanently assigned to a single physical location. A premise ID is administered by each State and allows animal health officials to quickly and precisely identify where animals are located in the event of an animal health or food safety emergency.
- Any animal that carries an 840 EID tag requires the exhibitor to obtain a Premise ID.
- A Premise ID does not identify the animal but instead the location of that animal.
To get a Premise ID Number:
Complete the Premises ID Registration Form
Email the completed form to agr.cvi.ne@nebraska.govor mail to:
Nebraska Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Protection 301 Centennial Mall South P.O. Box 94787 Lincoln, NE 68509-4787
If you have any questions, contact Britney Hagood, Animal Disease Traceability Program Manager, at 402-471-6865 or britney.hagood@nebraska.gov
~ Extension Spring Programs ~
~ Nebraska 4-H Events ~
4-H Camp
Excited to announce another year of the Nebraska 4-H Livestock Achievement Program. This additional opportunity for livestock project youth, is designed to promote all educational aspects of 4-H livestock projects including selection, production, leadership, and exhibition by recognizing youth striving to improve in their livestock project knowledge and leadership.
The program recognizes Members of Excellence across all 4-H livestock project areas, including: beef, sheep, meat goat, swine, dairy cattle, dairy goat, rabbit, and poultry.
The program consists of two levels that require 4-H members to plan and report a broad range of age-appropriate and project-related accomplishments. For each level, the Livestock Achievement Program provides a list of accomplishments from which 4-H members choose their goals. Each accomplishment is worth a specific number of points. Intermediates, ages 10-13, must complete 100 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Intermediate Member of Excellence. Seniors, ages 14-18, must complete 150 points worth of activities to receive the distinction of Senior Member of Excellence. The Plan and Reports, linked on the webpage, show examples of the project related accomplishments they can choose, or they can identify their own with approval of their local educator.
Applications/Sign up are due June 15th through the link on the website. Plan and Reports, as well as Project Records will be due August 1st by submitting as attachments to an email sent to 4hlivestockachievement@unl.edu
Youth completing the achievement program and receiving member of excellence recognition in the various species will be recognized during the Parade of Champions, 4-H weekend at the Nebraska State Fair.
4-H Council Members 2023
President : RayAnn Roskop
Vice President: Brandon Andrews
Secretary: Laura McInturf
Treasurer: Sher'rie Balderston
4-H Council Rep: Blake Soucie
Member: Tayley Becker
Member: Trenton Roskop
~ Furnas County Extension Office ~
Makayla Livingston
Email: makayla.livingston@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/furnas/
Location: 912 R Street, Beaver City, NE, USA
Phone: 308-268-3105
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/furnascountyext
Rebecca Dahlgren
Email: rebecca.dahlgren@unl.edu
Website: https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/furnas/
Location: 912 R St, Beaver City, NE, USA
Phone: 308-268-3105
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/furnascountyext/?ref=page_internal