4-H Dairy Bowl Practices Starting Soon!

The 4-H Dairy Bowl Program had their first meeting on December 12th. Coaches Rebecca Ferry (Senior), Martin Kelly (Junior) and Terri Nelson (Novice) have scheduled the start to the practice season. Juniors and Seniors will have two opportunities each week to attend a practice. Saturdays (starting on January 2) from 1:30-3:00 p.m. at CCE and Tuesdays (starting January 5) from 7-9 p.m. at Fonda-Fultonville School. Novices will start meeting on January 14th at the FSA Office on route 5S outside of Fultonville starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Regional Dairy Bowl Contest will be at Greenwich High School on March 13th.

Please sign up to be on a team by calling Bonnie at the 4-H Office. Juniors are 9-13 as of January 1, Novice are 8-13 as of January 1 and Seniors are 14-18 as of January 1.

4-H Dairy Workshop

Thanks go out to The Dygerts, Dr. Terri MacKenzie, and Rebecca Ferry for helping make the

4-H Dairy Workshop that was held on November 11th a successful one! We are working on scheduling the Sire Selection/Reading Pedigrees Workshop for sometime this coming winter...so stay tuned!

Don't forget the Dairy Bowl Meeting that is coming up on December 12th at 1:30 p.m.

4-H Dairy Workshop

We are working on a 4-H Dairy Workshop that will be taking place on November 11th (Veteran's Day) at the Dygert Farm from 10a.m.-12noon. Dr. Terri MacKenzie will be doing a session on Calf-Raising that will cover topics such as health care, feeding and nutrition, housing, and diseases that affect calves in particular. We will also have a short session on "What should be in that show box?". Finally, we are working on a session for older youth on Sire Selection and Reading Pedigrees. For Directions to the Dygert Farm and to register to attend, please contact Bonnie at the 4-H office (762-3909 extension 115) or e-mail bsp8@cornell.edu

Record Books Are Due Soon!

Just a reminder that in order to receive your 4-H Premium check from the Fonda Fair, you must complete and turn in your 4-H Record Book. If you are in a club, check with your leader as to when you need to have it in to him/her. If you are an independent member, it is due to the 4-H Office by October 13th. Animal Records are required for youth ages 14 and up. Blank copies are available on our website at http://www.ccefm.com/

Pet Show Champion

I will be posting more results tomorrow. The Champion of the Pet Show was Timothy Mazur with his hairless rat. The judge was Louise Brower

State Fair Animal Science Success!!!

Several 4-H Youth represented Fulton and Montgomery Counties at various 4-H Events in the areas of Dairy Cattle, Horses, and Dairy Goats at the 2009 New York State Fair. Here are the results that have been reported.
4-H Dairy Cattle Judging Teams: In the Junior Division, the Fulton/Montgomery Counties team placed FIRST!!!! In individual standings, Cyrus Conard placed third and Clyde Sammons placed fourth. Also on the team were Erika Gogis and Danielle Bartlett. In the Senior Division, the Fulton-Mongomery Counties team placed tenth. On day one of the contest, Jake Pamkowski was ranked third and Joe Pamkowski was ranked 14th. Jake Pamkowski went back for day two and placed 15th overall in the contest and will be representing our county program and New York State on the Dairy Judging team that will be going to Harrisburg, PA. Other members of the Senior Dairy Judging Team were Amanda Gogis, and Greg DeBlock. Becky Ferry coached the team with assistance from Martin Kelly.
4-H Hippology Team: The Fulton-Montgomery Counties Junior Hippology Team competed at State Fair as well. They placed second in team standings. In individual competition, Alex Briggs placed second, DeeDee DeRosa placed Third, Abigail Andrews placed 14th and Arhianna Fleres placed 19th.
4-H Dairy Goat Judging: Stephanie Peck placed First in the Novice Division of the Dairy Goat Judging Contest at State Fair. In the Dairy Goat Team Fitting Contest, Carolyn and Stephanie Peck were on the second place Senior Team.

4-H Dairy Cattle Show: Cyrus Conard placed third in the 11-13 year old Showmanship class and heis Senior 3 year old Holstein was fourth and his fall calf was tenth.

4-H Dairy Goat Show: Stephanie Peck had the Grand Champion LaMancha, the Reserve Junior Champion LaMancha, and Second place LaMancha in the milking contest. Carolyn Peck had the Reserve Grand Champion LaMancha, and first place LaMancha in the milking contest.

Good Luck to those going to State Fair!

We have several animal science youth going to state fair this year! In Dairy Cattle, Cyrus Conard, Jacob Pamkowski, and Joseph Pamkowski are taking cattle. The Dairy Judging Team will be competing (I am not sure who will be on the team yet). In Dairy Goats, Stephanie Peck and Carolyn Peck will be taking goats. The Hippology Team (Horse Knowledge) of Alex Briggs, Abigail Andrews, DeeDee DeRosa, and Arhianna Fleres will be representing us at the State Contest. Elise Smalley was invited to go and participate in a Horse Bowl Event at State Fair as well. Good Luck to All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fonda Fair Count-down!

Yesterday was the animal entry deadline, so I hope you got yours in! Just a reminder to the horse project members that you will be there all week and actually will not be released until Sunday at 7:00 p.m. this year. Also, this year there will be an "Equine Nutrition" Seminar at 9:00 a.m. on Friday during the fair with Heather Jaqueay, a Nutrena Equine Nutrition Specialist, at the Locust Hill Farm and Stove Tent. All 4-H Members are invited to attend.

We have a lot of exciting things going on this year for Dairy and Livestock as well! There will be a "calf raising" seminar on Wednesday, at 2:30p.m. during the fair at the Locust Hill Farm and Stove Tent as well. Please plan on attending!

Please don't forget the Barn Dance in the Ag 2000 Building on Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. following the 4-H Master Showman of Fair Contest. It is open to all!

The Master Showman of Fair Contest pits the champion Showman from the Dairy, Dairy Goat, Sheep, Beef, and Swine Shows against each other in all of those species to see who is the best showman overall!

4-H Horses at Fonda Fair

If you are planning on showing horses at the Fonda Fair in the 4-H Horse Show, please contact Bonnie and let her know how many horses your family will be housing all week at the fair. All
4-H Horses must stay all week. Also, don't forget to send a copy of your Rabies/Coggins with your entry. While our entries are not due until August 17th, I would love to have them by August 7th if possible.

State Fair Entries

If you are planning on showing any animals 4-H at the New York State Fair, entries must be to Bonnie by Wednesday, August 5th.

Dairy Judging Team Contest Results

The Fulton-Montgomery Counties Dairy Cattle Judging Team attended the Schoharie County Dairy Tour on Thursday, July 9th. In the Senior Divison, the team of Danielle Bartlett, Joe Pamkowski, and Jake Pamkowki placed second. In individual standings, Jake placed fourth and Joe placed fifth. In the Junior Division, the team of Cyrus Conard, Andy Chlus (from Herkimer county) and Clyde Sammons placed first. In individual standings, Cyruc Conard was first, and Clyde Sammons Placed fourth.

Thank you to Martin Kelly for accompanying the teams to the contest.

Goat Fitting and Showmanship Workshop Moved!

The Goat Fitting and Showmanship Workshop that is scheduled for Thursday, July 9th at from 6-8 p.m. has been re-located to the Farm of Lisa MacIntosh. Please RSVP to Bonnie by that morning. If there is not sufficient registration, the workshop will be cancelled.

Directions: Route 30 South from Amsterdam to Hartley Road (on the right, across from the Mohawk Valley Veterinary Clinic)...take a right and go to the end (about 2.5 miles). At the stop sign, turn right onto Snooks Corners Road. It is the first place on the left. If you get lost, call 788-0027.

4-H Dairy Judging Team Practice

Tonight is the second practice for the 4-H Dairy Judging Team. It will be held at Conards at 7:30 p.m. Each participant will be asked to give two sets of reasons. Reasons CD's will be provided to all members of the judging team. On July 9th, the team will be participating in the Cobleskill Dairy Judging Tour. It will actually be taking place with two Montgomery County Farms on the tour (Conards...where it will begin) and Everett's. For more information on how to get involved with Dairy Judging, give a call to the 4-H Office!

Dairy Showmanship Clinic Coming Up!

On Wednesday, July 1, 2009 starting at 6:30 p.m., there will be a 4-H Dairy Showmanship Clinic held by Rob Hudyncia at his farm on Lighthall Road in Fort Plain. Please contact him for directions and to let him know that you are planning on attending at 993-4337.

Dog Obedience Graduation

The Spring 4-H Dog Obedience Class graduated on May 26th. Eight youth trained their dogs under the watchful eye of 4-H Volunteer Terry Smith. All 8 participants graduated and three have continued on to start the 4-H Dog Agility Class each Tuesday from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Congratulations to all!

Tractor Certification Graduation

The 2009 Tractor Certification Course came to a close at graduation on May 19th at Springers Equipment Dealership in St. Johnsville. Eight youth participated and 6 received certification to operate tractors and some machinery. Thanks go out to Mike Settle who taught this year's class and congratulations to those who participated!

State Horse Communications

Congratulations to Haley Claes for placing 7th in the State for 4-H Horse Communications in the Junior Division. Horse Communications is similar to 4-H Public Presentations.

Enrollments and Animal Forms Due soon

Just a reminder to all 4-H Youth, if you are not receiving a 4-H Newsletter you may not be enrolled in 4-H! The enrollment deadline is June 1. In addition, if you are showing a non-owned animal or one that does not have registration papers (dairy, beef, sheep, swine, goat), you must fill out the non-ownership form and/or the Livestock Certificate and turn them in by June 1.

Horses...certificates are due for all horses by June 1 and if you plan to show in the Gymkhana Show on May 30th....it has to be by then. Another Horse Reminder... Coggins must be current ( dated 2008 or 2009) and an annual Rabies Shot. Give prior notice if you need to be evaluated for the Gymkhana Show....

Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goats.... The Cooperstown Junior Livestock Show Books are out...you should have received yours by now. The deadline is June 3rd. If you did not receive one, stop by the 4-H office and pick one up. they were sent to those who were enrolled by March.

May 2 4-H Dairy Tour Results

On May 2, Fulton and Montgomery Counties hosted a 4-H Dairy Judging Tour. The Senior Contest winner was Amanda Gogis and Junior Contest Winner was Erika Gogis. Both received trophies sponsored by Locust Hill Ag Products. Thanks go out to host farms Appleridge Farm/Windswept Acres (Bud Pickard and Greg DeBlock), Subiks, and Ferry's. The official judge was Steve Smith.

Those 4-H Dairy Project Members who are interested in being on the 4-H Dairy Judging Team are asked to attend the first Team Practice on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 P.M. The practice will be at Cornell Cooperative Extension in Johnstown.

Beef and Sheep Fitting Clinic

This weekend (May 15-17) is the 4-H Beef and Sheep Fitting Clinic being held at the Fonda Fairgrounds. 4-H youth are getting in-depth training on how to properly fit their animals for show. Key volunteer, Jennifer Phillips lined up professional fitters to give direct instruction to the youth attending.

Under construction

As this blog is developed, there will be things posted frequently in the various areas of 4-H animal science. It is a great place to find out what is going on in our 4-H animal science program! Stop back again next week for the first blog!