April 2017 Hill County 4-H

Happenings

Highlights In this Issue

Feed Me Tender (cont’d) Project Book Activities

Page 2

Upcoming Events, Meetings, and Deadlines

Page 3

Save the Date Opportunities

Page 4

Where to Get Pig or Lamb Lamb and Swine Weigh-In

Drop/Add Deadline Page 5

2017 Communications Day Montana 4-H Congress

Page 6

Calendar of Events Horse ID and Small

Animal ID Card Deadline Page 7

Project Book Activities Back Cover

Raising Blue

Ribbon Kids

MSU Hill County Extension

315 4th Street Havre, MT 59501

Phone (406) 265-5481 ext 233 Fax (406) 265-5487

www.msuextension.org www.montana4h.org

Hill County Extension Website

msuextension.org/hill

Feed Me Tender Feeding your 4-H

Livestock Project Animal What are we trying to teach our youth

livestock producers?

Life skills? Production practices? Yes and yes.

As youth livestock producers, it is important to realize that the

animals we produce for the market livestock sale go directly into

the food chain to the consumer. And with the consumer, quality is

number one. Quality to the consumer means satisfaction.

What does it take to produce a product that satisfies the

consumer? First: a safe product. Next: a product that provides an

enjoyable eating experience.

What makes an enjoyable eating experience? Flavor, juiciness,

tenderness? Meat quality is a term used to describe a range of

attributes of meat. Consumer research suggests that tenderness is a

very important element of eating quality and that variations in

tenderness affect the decision to repurchase. As an animal matures

to slaughter weight, muscle fiber hypertrophy (increase in bulk) is

accompanied by maturation of the endomysium (layer of

connective tissue that ensheaths a muscle fiber), thickening of the

perimysium (sheath of connective tissue which groups individual

muscle fibers) and the formation of non-reducible cross-links

between collagen molecules. Say what? That basically means that

as an animal grows and matures, more the tough connective tissue

is produced in the muscle tissue. So, the younger the animal, the

more tender the meat.

What does this mean for our youth market livestock producers?

It means that in order to produce a quality product for the

consumer that we need to select young animals that will grow fast,

so they will reach a marketable weight at the youngest age

possible. This is why market livestock shows have weight limits at

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

(continued from Page 1)

show day. Animals that are too big and too old will either grow too big for the consumer de-

sired end product or have to be “held” to make weight. Holding market animals slows their

growth rate and initiates the development of more connective tissue, leading to tougher, less ten-

der meat.

2013-2014 Great Northern Fair Livestock Show and Sale Weight Limits

* The weigh-in date for the Great Northern Fair is July 17th.

All livestock species have a minimum fair weight that they are required to make in order to sell

the animal at the Great Northern Livestock Sale. However, 4-H exhibitor is still eligible to show

the animal at the Great Northern Fair.

If the animal weighs more than the maximum weight, the animal can be sold at the Great

Northern Livestock Sale. However, the 4-H exhibitor will receive a check that is based off the

weight maximum for that species. For example a 1,550 pound steer will be sold through the Great

Northern Fair Livestock Sale but the 4-H exhibitor will receive a check that is based off 1,500

pounds (maximum weight for steers) not 1,550 pounds.

However, these weights are only guidelines; weight truly depends on animal frame size. If you

need help determining frame size or determining a goal weight, please contact the MSU Hill

County Extension Office.

With these weights and days on feed, the recommended weights and ages for your animals at

weigh-in:

Back to customer satisfaction, if a customer doesn’t have an enjoyable eating experience he or

she may not buy that meat product again. That means less demand and less demand means lower

prices paid for the product. It may be a long chain effect, but it comes back to the producer,

whether it is a youth producer or a commercial producer. Produce an enjoyable eating experience

and you will get paid for it. Produce an inferior product and it will hurt the whole industry. *Special Thanks to John Fouts, WSU Extension Educator.

Species Days from Weigh in to Fair Fair Weight Minimum Fair Weight Range

Steers 220 days 1,000 1,100-1,500*

Pigs 79 days 210 235-300*

Lambs 79 days 100 100-150

Steers 600-700 lbs Born Spring of 2013

Pigs 70-90 lbs Born early to mid-March 2014

Lambs 60-70 lbs Born late February early March 2014

Plan Ahead: Minimum of 5 Project Book Activities Due

We are again enforcing the 4-H requirement wherein each 4-H project needs to have seven

(7) project book activities completed by year’s end. Remember that five (5) of those project

book activities need to be completed by May 1st.

All of your 4-H project books need to be turned into the Extension Office by that May 1st

deadline with the Activity Tracking page being signed off by a leader (not your parent).

If your project book does not have specific activities, please call the office and we can

help you determine activities.

4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

Upcoming Events , Meetings,

AND DEADLINES

4-H Horse Project Practice Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Northern Agricultural Research Center at 5:30 p.m.

The first practice for the 4-H Horse pro-

jects will be on Wednesday, April 5th be-

ginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Research Cen-

ter.

DO NOT BRING your horses to this

practice.

DO BRING your pr inted Animal

Project Journal and Financial Record Book

form and project books.

Community Easter Egg Hunt Hosted by Chirping Meadowlarks

4-H Club Friday, April 14, 2017

Rudyard Park in Rudyard at 11:00 a.m.

This Hi-Line Community event covers

Chester to Havre and invites everyone to a

fun-filled Easter Egg hunt

on Friday, April 14th at

11:00 a.m. at the Rudyard

Park in Rudyard.

4-H Foundation Meeting

The Hill County 4-H Foundation will not

meet until August 21, 2017.

4-H Exchange Meeting Monday, May 8, 2017

Timmons Room-Courthouse Time, TBA

It is time to finalize the activities being

planned while the Nebraska group is here.

All Exchange members need to attend

this meeting.

4-H Livestock Committee

Meeting Monday, May 8, 2017

Timmons Room-Courthouse Time, TBA

The Hill County 4-H Livestock Committee

will meet on Monday, May 8, 2017 in the

Timmons Room at the Hill County Court

House.

4-H Council Meeting

Monday, May 8, 2017 Timmons Room-Courthouse

Time, TBA

The Hill County 4-H Council will meet on

Monday, May 8, 2017 in the Timmons

Room at the Hill County Court House.

4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

SAVE THE DATE OPPORTUNITIES

4-H Shooting Sports Camp

May 19, 20, and 21, 2017 Loon Lake 4-H Camp near Bigfork

Disciplines being offered are Archery,

Air Rifle and Shotgun. Firearms and

equipment are provided. This is a great

chance to learn more bout 4-H Shooting

Sports program.

Families from anywhere in Montana are

welcome to attend. This is a family camp

an adult present with youth.

The fee is $60 per person with a

maximum for immediate family of $200.

For more information contact the Extension

Office.

Clinton Anderson Horsemanship Clinic

June 9-11, 2017 Kings Arena—Great Falls, Montana

Exercises covered will range from

learning how to gain basic control and

earning a horse’s respect to building

confidence in the saddle and improving a

horse’s softness and suppleness – all keys

to creating a safe, willing and enjoyable

partnership with your horse. More

information and the clinic application can

be found at www.downunderhorseman-

ship.com/events/road-clinics.

Spectators are welcome to attend the

clinic. Spectator tickets are available to

purchase online or by calling 888-287-

7432.

The clinic begins each day at 9:00 a.m.

and concludes at 5:00 p.m. Mr. Anderson

will be available at the end of each day to

visit with horsemen and answer training

questions.

If you would like more information

about Clinton Anderson or Downunder

Horsemanship or the Fundamentals Clinic,

visit www.downunderhorsemanship.

com. For questions about the clinic call

888-287-7432 or email customerserv-

ice@downunderhorsemanship.com.

4-H Cloverbud Camp

June 9, 10, 11, 2017 Loon Lake 4-H Camp near Bigfork

This camp is for enrolled 4-H Cloverbud

members and a parent/guardian. The camp

activities are specifically for this age group.

The fee for the camp is $120 and

includes lodging and meals for the

Cloverbud and 1 adult. Additional youth or

adults are $50 each.

Registrations are due by June 1st. If

interested in attending the Cloverbud

Camp, contact the Extension office.

Montana 4-H Leadership Forum

September 29-30, 2017 Glendive, Montana

This event is designed to provide a

weekend retreat for all of our 4-H

Volunteers and Youth Leaders across

Montana to come together for networking,

education, relaxation, and fun. Participants

return with a deeper understanding of the

4-H mission, a stronger sense of how to

accomplish it, and an expanded toolbox to

make it happen.

Workshop Proposal information will be

available in April and Registration

information will be out in June. Follow

Montana 4-H on Facebook and the event

webpage at Montana 4-H for details. .

4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

WHERE DO I GET MY PIG OR LAMB?

If you need information on where to get your pig or lamb for your market project,

please contact the Extension office for a list of area breeders.

4-H Lamb and Swine Weigh-In

County Weigh-In Day for lambs and pigs will be

Thursday, April 13, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. at the Hill County Fairgrounds.

You can purchase your animals anytime before April 13th.

***Lambs are required to be weighed at Weigh-In Day.

If you choose to not participate in the Weigh-In Day with your PIGS please review and follow the

guidelines below.

You must provide the following items to the Hill County Extension

office no later than Monday, April 17th, at 5:00pm.

PIG WEIGHT

BREED

BREEDER NAME/ADDRESS

PICTURE OF PIG WITH MEMBER AND VISIBLE EAR TAG #

Your animal entry will not be complete until ALL of the above information is submitted to the

Extension office . Again that deadline is Monday, April 17th at 5:00 p.m. No exceptions.

Remember the minimum weights for the Fair! ***Lambs must weigh 100 pounds to sell ***

***Swine projects must weigh 210 pounds to sell***

Drop/Add 4-H Project Deadline

All 4-H members need to review their 4-H projects with their organizational leader to

determine whether or not their project list is complete. We often get excited in the beginning

of the year and sign up for more projects than we have time for or forget some.

With that being said, REMEMBER your FIVE (5) activities for EACH project that you are

enrolled in are due into the Extension office no later than May 1st. If you are not going to

meet that deadline, it might be worth some thought to drop that project for this year and pick

it up again next year to continue with it.

Now is the time to review your projects with your organizational leader to determine what,

if any, you want to drop or add. Have your organizational leader contact the office about any

changes in your 4-H projects. Changes will not be accepted by members or parents.

4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

2017 4-H COMMUNICATIONS DAY

All 4-H members are encouraged to compete in 4-H Communications Day. The categories are:

Demonstration, Illustrated Talk, Speech, Commercial, Broadcast, Cowboy Poetry, Career

Communications, and Video. Registration forms are available at the Extension office.

Save the Date—4-H Communications Day will be held on April 23, 2017 beginning at

1:15 p.m. with registration at the Hill County Annex Meeting Room. Registrations are

due into the Extension office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 17, 2017.

A 4-H member who was 13 on October 1, 2016 and receives a blue ribbon at the county level

in Demonstration, Illustrated Talk, Speech, Career Communications or Video is eligible to

compete at State 4-H Congress.

Need help? Tammy Duncan is willing to help anyone who is struggling with an idea or any

other aspect of a demonstration or speech. Give Tammy a call to set up an appointment at 292-

3503.

It’s Not too Early to Think About 4-H Congress

4-H Congress is a place to meet new friends and have a lot of fun with other 4-H teen

members. One focus however is the state competitions, and that is the easiest way to earn a

way to Congress. State contests are designed to provide educational and state level

competitive events to Montana 4-H'ers age 14 years and older. This year 4-H Congress will

be July 12-15, 2017.

The following contests will take place Thursday, July 13, 2017, in conjunction with

Montana 4-H Congress:

Career Communications

Demonstrations and/or Illustrated Talk

Fashion Revue

Gavel Games (Parliamentary Procedure)

Horse Judging

Horse Skill-A-Thon (Hipology)

Livestock Evaluation

Public Speaking

Quilt Contest

Stir-Up (Foods)

Video

Montana 4-H Congress Participants that are 13 years of age are permitted to compete in the

state contest at the discretion of the County. However, they may not be eligible for an award

trip due to age requirements set by the national/regional event. They do not lose their

eligibility and can compete in future years to again earn eligibility for a national award trip.

If you are interested in any of

these activities or would like

more information, please

contact the office. Plan now

to prepare for your 4-H

Congress experience.

4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

April 2017 April 1 Montana State 4-H Foundation Scholarship Applications due to State office April 3 4-H Foundation Grant Applications Due to the Extension Office April 13 Market Sheep and Swine Weigh-In Day 5:30pm Hill County Fairgrounds April 17 Deadline for 4-H Communications Day Registrations April 20 Early Turn-in Opportunity for 4-H Project Books with at least 5 Activities Completed April 23 4-H Communications Day 1:30pm Hill County Courthouse Annex Room

May 2017 May 1 Deadline to Drop or Add 4-H Projects May 1 Horse ID and Small Animal ID Cards due to the Extension Office May 1 4-H Project Books Due to the Extension office with at least 5 Activities Completed May 8 4-H Interstate Exchange Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 4-H Livestock Committee Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 4-H Council Meeting in the Timmons Room—time to be announced May 8 Deadline to RSVP for Rabbit/Cat/Poultry Workshop scheduled for May 11th May 11 Rabbit/Cat/Poultry Workshop—Rabbits-5:30pm; Cats-6:15pm; Poultry-7:00pm at Fairgrounds May 29 Memorial Day - Extension Office Closed

June 2017 June 1 4-H Family Packets Ready to be Picked Up June 1 Hill County 4-H Scholarship Applications Due to the Extension Office June 5 4-H Foundation Grant Applications Due to the Extension Office June 12-14 Multi-County 4-H Camp—Camp Kiwanis June 19 4-H Fair Entries Due to the Extension Office

Horse ID and Small Animal ID Cards Deadline

All 4-H members taking the horse project must submit a Horse ID card complete with the

horse’s information along with pictures showing all sides along with any special markings.

All 4-H members taking small animals—cats, dogs, rabbits, poultry and pocket pets—are

also required to submit a Small Animal ID card. This ID card will be project specific and

needs to include a picture of all sides along with any special markings. Remember Cats and

Dogs also need current Vaccination Records.

The Horse ID and Small Animal ID cards are available at the Extension office.

Remember the Deadline to have these ID cards turned in is May 1st. If you don’t turn in

your ID card, you won’t be able to exhibit that project at the Fair.

NO EXCEPTIONS!!

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4-H: The Youth Development Program of MSU Extension

Hill County Extension Staff

Nicole Gray MSU/Hill County

AG Extension Agent ngray@montana.edu

MSU/Hill County

FCS Extension Agent

Rhonda Gregoire Food Stamp

Nutrition Education gregoire@montana.edu

Amanda Powell Administrative Assistant

hill1@montana.edu

Office Phone 406-265-5481 ext 233

Office Fax 406-265-5487

MSU Hill County Extension

315 4th Street Havre MT 59501

Plan Ahead: Minimum of 5 Project Book Activities Due There is a 4-H requirement being enforced this year wherein each project needs to have

seven (7) project book activities completed by year’s end. With that being said, five (5) of

those project book activities need to be completed by May 1st. All of your project books

need to be turned into the Extension Office by that May 1st deadline with the Activity Track-

ing page being signed off by a leader (not your parent). If your project book does not have

specific activities, please call the office and we can help you determine activities.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and Montana State University Extension prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717