PAULDING COUNTY 4-H Livestock Record Book Obtain and complete this book each year this project is taken. Name Club Age (as of 1/1/2017) Years in 4-H Years in this animal project Date project started / / I hereby certify that as the 4-H member of this project, I have personally kept records on this animal project and have personally completed this record book. Signed: Market Projects (Please Circle) 117M - Market Beef Steer 150 CM Market Chicken 117BF -Beef Feeder 150 TM -Market Turkey 117DF- Dairy Beef Feeder 150 GM Market Goose Date: 135M- Goat (Dairy Market, Market Goats) 198 Market Lamb 226 Market Rabbit 139 Market Hog 150 DM Market Duck
Records Help You Learn about animals, their rate of growth, the feed they require, the cost of the feed, and your animal s habits Plan and budget future projects Follow drug withdrawal times and keep a record of all medications/ or treatments given Know if you made or lost money, and how much Improve your management practices Keep a record of your project activities Understand the business aspects and economics of purchasing animals, feed, facilities, and equipment for an animal project Remember, records are no more useful than what you put into them. Page 2
Market Livestock Record Book & Interview Scoring Page Section Market Project Point Value Cover Youth Information 5 4 Youth Agreement must have parent signature for full points 5 The Care That You Provide Your Animal 5 6 Goals and Accomplishments 5 7 Project Animal Information 5 8 Misc. Expenses 5 10 Feed Tag 5 11 Feed Record Summary 5 12 Photo 5 13 Treatment Record (write N/A if no treatment given to receive points) 14 Rate of Gain 5 15 Closing Animal Roster 5 16 Profit Loss Statement 5 17 Buyer Letter Addresses 5 18 Sample Letter to a buyer or an award donor 5 19 Assuring Quality Care for Animals 5 20 Project Summary 5 Total Record Book Points Available 5 5 85 + Livestock Interview 10 + Appropriate Dress 5 Total Points Available 100 Page 3
Youth Agreement The terms of this agreement shall begin on the day of, 20, and terminate on the day of, 20, or when the animal(s) are sold. Who will provide the following? Labor: Housing: Feed: Financing: Transportation: Livestock: Youth Livestock Program Commitment to Excellence I believe that participation in the 4-H Livestock/Animal Program should demonstrate my own knowledge, ability, and skill as a producer and exhibitor of livestock. I will do my own work to the fullest extent I am capable and otherwise will only accept advice and support from others. I will not use abusive, fraudulent, illegal, deceptive, or questionable practices in the feeding, fitting and showing of my animal (s), nor will I allow my parents, supervisor, or any other individual to employ such practices with my animal(s). I will read, understand, and follow the rules without exception, of all livestock shows in which I am a participant, and ask that my parents and the supervisor of my project do the same. I wish for my livestock/animal project to be an example of how to accept what life has to offer, both good and bad, and how to live with the outcome. I realize that I am responsible for: the proper care and safe humane treatment of my animals the production of a high quality, safe and wholesome food demonstrating strong moral character as an example to others. I (the 4-H member) will be responsible for the primary care of my livestock project. I will keep accurate records throughout the project year and agree to finish this record in order to complete my livestock project. Member Signature Date Parent/Guardian Signature Date Page 4
The Care That You Provide Your Animals (Complete Entire Check List- mark N/A if not applicable for your animals.) Task Prepare the facilities before I purchase my project animal. Provide adequate housing and bedding. Provide access to clean, fresh feed and water. Control internal and external parasites. Dehorn animals when they are young. Castrate animals when they are young. Train animals to be handled at a young age. Develop a health program to prevent disease. Observe animals daily & immediately treat those who need care. Identify animals (ear tag, tattoo, etc.) Keep records on vaccines, medication, and medicated feed. Be aware of animal comfort at all stages of production. Use proper techniques for vaccination and treatment. Observe and follow drug residue avoidance rules. Observe label directions including withdrawal times on medications as well as on feed tags. Sort and load animals safely and with concern for them. I am already doing I want to improve Page 5
Goals and Accomplishments for this Project Choose at least five (5) goals for your project. Goals should be established at the beginning of the project. They should be challenging, yet attainable. They should be stated in terms of definite outcomes. At the close of the project, the accomplishments should be compared with the goals. Check off what you plan to do or write your own goals in the space provided. Then, have an adult initial and date the goals you complete. What I Plan To Do (Goal) Date Adult s Achieved Initials Have my animal meet industry standards for the ideal market animal(s) Learn a new livestock management skill. Describe: Learn proper show attire for exhibiting your animal project Do a demonstration on some aspect of livestock production or management at a club meeting Complete my record book to the best of my ability and have it reviewed by a knowledgeable adult Raise my animal(s) to completion Take full responsibility for care and health of my animal(s) Learn how to show my project animal(s) Participate in a Quality Assurance Program Learn how to read a feed tag Help a younger Jr. Fair exhibitor with their project or find an older member to help you with your project Participate in a skill-a-thon Participate in showmanship Complete my own fair entries and DUNF accurately Learn how to groom and clip my project animal(s) Learn more about desirable characteristics for my project that judges typically look for at a show. Page 6
Project Animal Information (Beginning Animal Inventory) Please list each animal separately! Example: 2 meat pens of chickens equal 6 separate entries Identification of animal (s) Name, ear tag #, ear notch, tattoo, etc. Sex Breed Date Born Date Purchased Purchase Price or Value at start Total Value of animals started with or purchased: $ Page 7
Misc. Expenses Expenses for non-feed items. (insurance, bedding, equipment, tags, veterinary, transportation, etc.) If none, write none and explain why. Estimate expenses to Skillathon. Date Item Cost Quantity Example 5/4 1 bale of straw for bedding $2.00 Total Expenses $ Page 8
Project Plan Enrolling in a 4-H livestock project will mean many decisions must be made by you with the help of your parents and 4-H advisors. Some of these decisions should be made before the project begins. This becomes your project plan. Even though your plan may change during the year, it is important to have thought about what you want to do and what you want to learn. Your project plan should be made before your project animals are selected and started on feed. Please refer to the average daily gain and market weight to help you as your project progresses to fair. Average Daily Gain (Typical Range) Average Market Weight (Typical Range) Lambs.5# (.2 to 1.0) 125# (85 to 160) Hogs 1.75# (1.5 to 2.2) 250# (235 to 285) Steers 2.75# (1.5 to 4.0) 1250# (1100 to 1400) Goats.3# (.15 to.45) 75# (50 to 115) How to Determine Average Daily Gain To find the required average daily gain, you must first determine what the required gain for your animal is. This is done by taking the proper finished weight (which should be between the minimum and maximum weights for the Paulding County Fair) and subtracting the beginning weight of your animal. Proper Finished Weight Beginning Weight = Total Required Gain Next you will take the Total Required Gain you just found and divide this number by the number of days in the feeding period [the number of days between the date you acquired your livestock (or completed weigh-in) and the weigh-in date of the Paulding County Fair (Sunday before the fair)]. This will give you the Required Average Daily Gain. Total Required Gain Days in Feeding Period = Required Average Daily Gain You will be required and know how to use this information to complete page 14 of this record book! Page 9
Feed Tag It is important for every producer to know what they are feeding and to understand how to read a feed tag. Tape or staple one feed tag, supplement tag or feed mix receipt (i.e. list of ingredients and amounts) to this page from ration fed during your project. You will also need to answer the questions below. 1. What is the main ingredient in this feed? 2. What is the crude protein level? 3. Who is the manufacturer of the feed? 4. Does this feed tag have a withdrawal time? If so, how long? Page 10
Feed Record Summary Start your record whenever you began feeding your animal. For breeding stock you have year round, start this record on January 1 st. It is not possible to raise an animal and have no feed costs. Do not leave this section blank. If you have an agreement to use feed from your parent s farm, or some other arrangement, calculate the pounds and value of the fed as if you had purchased it. Complete Feed *Estimate Feed Costs to Skill-a-thon* Hay, Silage or Pasture Grain Mineral Block Other (milk replacer etc.) Date Lbs. $ Value Lbs. $ Value Days $ Value Lbs. $ Value Lbs. $ Value Total $ $ $ $ $ Add the total of the 5 feed columns Total Feed Costs $ Page 11
Place Current Project Photo(s) here Must have at least one photo of each animal you plan to exhibit at the fair for this year. (No Drawings) Page 12
TREATMENT RECORD To receive full points must mark* N/A if no treatment was given* Treatment Date/Time March 2-7,2017 Flush March 8 9:00am April 2, 2017 10:00 am May 1, 2017 5:00 pm Animal ID Name, species, ID Rhode Island-Cross Broilers Caprine, N18 Boer Doe Victoria, Alpine doe Kid LE:J4 Condition Being Treated Infectious Synovitis Lame, right rear foot Estimated Weight (lbs) Treatment Given (Medication dispensed, Amount and Route) 4.5-5 lbs Carraamysin-152, 350 mgm/gal in drinking water 65 lbs Rubracillin 4 ml, IM Diarrhea 40 lbs Blosol Liquid 3 cc orally Instructed Meat/Milk/Egg Withdrawal Date/Time Withdrawal Complete 5 days 3/13/15 9am 48 hours milk 11 days meat 4/13/15 10am (meat) 30 days meat 5/31/05 5 pm If this is an extra label or Rx drug, list the name, phone # of the licensed vet who prescribed or directed the treatment. Dr. Jones 419-555-5555 Dr. Lee 419-555-5555 n/a Page 13
Rate of Gain - Estimated Required Average Daily Gain Making sure your animal is at the appropriate weight by the time of sale is critically important to the success of your project. Using the estimated end weight (page 5), to calculate the estimated required average daily gain that your animal needs to maintain to make market weight at the time of fair. Do this at the beginning of your project or soon after obtaining your animal. Keep each animal separate! Refer to page 9 if assistance is needed. Animal Name/ID # Estimated Proper Finished Weight (p. 5) minus Beginning Weight equals Total Required Gain divide Days in Feeding Period (Sale Day) Mickey # 44 500 lbs - 120 lbs = 380 lbs / 212 days = equals - = / = Estimate of Required Average Daily Gain 1.79 lbs/day - = / = - = / = - = / = - = / = - = / = - = / = Page 14
Closing Animal Inventory If you plan to sell your animal through the Junior Fair Livestock Sale or your extra animals through a livestock market (i.e. United Producers), use an average market price for May. Determine value as if you sold your animal(s) for this average price and complete your project summary below. Check for average price at a location where you would sell your animals(s) if you were not going to market it at the fair. List each animal separately! Animals to be sold at Jr. Fair Livestock Sale or other livestock Market Weight X Avg. Market Price = Estimated Sale Value X = $ X = $ X = $ X = $ X = $ X = $ X = $ X = $ I looked at market values for my livestock on. * To determine an estimated market value of animals sold at the livestock sale or after fair visit the Topeka Livestock website at http://www.topekalivestock.com/market-reports.html Poultry and Rabbits please use the prices provided below for you market value. Turkeys - $0.75 lb. Chickens - $0.85 lb. Ducks - $0.87 lb. Geese - $0.87 lb. Rabbits - $1.00 lb. Page 15
Profit or Loss Statement Market Projects Income 1) Projected Value of Animals Sold (page 14) $ 2) Other income (Show Income, Premium Bid at Livestock Sale and Add Ons ) $ TOTAL INCOME (add 1 and 2) $ Expenses 3) Project Animal Inventory (page 7) $ 4) Miscellaneous Expenses (page 8) $ 5) Feed Expenses (page 10) $ TOTAL EXPENSES (add 3, 4,and 5) $ TOTAL PROFIT OR LOST (Total Income subtract Total Expenses) $ Page 16
Buyer Letter Must be completed for those with market animals participating in the Junior Fair Livestock Sale. (Must be Completely Filled Out to Receive Points) List potential buyers you can contact. Write a sample letter to a buyer. Be personal with your letter; include your accomplishments and future educational career goals. Do not use To Whom It May Concern to address the letter. Contact your potential buyers to get the correct spelling of the name you are sending the letter to. Don t forget to mail the letters in late May or early June to promote the livestock sale. List three potential buyers Business Contact Name Address City State Zip Business Contact Name Address City State Zip Business Contact Name Address City State Zip Page 17
Sample Letters Choose one of the following Write/type a letter to a potential livestock sale buyer invited to come to the sale Write/type a thank you letter to a buyer who put a bid on your animal Write/type a thank you letter to an award (trophy) donor Date Dear Sincerely, Page 18
Assuring Quality Care for Animals Assuring Quality Care for Animals merges the current state-mandated Youth Food Animal Quality Assurance program with animal handling, care, and welfare. Ten Good Production Practices Ohio 4-H has adopted The Ten Good Production Practices (GPPs) below as a key component of the Youth Food Animal Quality Assurance program. The program s highest priorities are ensuring 4-H members remain as safe as possible, project animals receive high quality care, and animals entering the food chain are safe for the consumer. Review and study the GPPs below and answer the questions that follow. 1. Use an appropriate veterinarian/client/patient relationship (VCPR) as the basis for medication decision-making. a. There are many situations in which a veterinarian s advice or care is needed to maintain the health of your project animal. b. Choose a veterinarian ahead of time so you are prepared when faced with an injury or illness which needs veterinary care. 2. Establish and implement an efficient and effective health management plan. a. Be sure you know what your animals will need from you before you bring them home. b. Use your livestock resource manual and/or seek out a trusted, knowledgeable person. c. Proper animal care requires a financial investment. Think about the total cost of your project before purchasing an animal. d. Daily care and observation is a requirement for all projects. If you are raising your project animal away from your home, be sure you can meet this commitment or that you have an agreement in place with others who will be helping. 4-H Members are required to have a significant role in daily animal care. 3. Use antibiotics responsibly. a. Use professional veterinary advice to make decisions about antibiotic use. b. Be sure to include all antibiotic use on your treatment records, including medicated feeds. 4. Properly store and administer animal health products. a. Read and follow instructions on all drug labels for storage and administration of products. b. If your animal needs treatment, learn how to properly administer products to your animal or seek the help of a trusted, knowledgeable person to do it for you. 5. Follow proper feed processing protocols. a. Provide clean water at all times. b. Choose feed appropriate for the species, age, and purpose of your animal. c. Store feed in a clean, dry space free of rodents or insect infestation. d. If you use medicated feeds, take care not to contaminate other feedstuffs. Page 19
6. Establish effective animal identification, medication records, and withdrawal times. a. This record book contains places to record the minimum requirements. b. Additional records can be kept in a notebook or on a computer if desired. c. Treatment records must be kept for at least one year after the project is complete. 7. Practice good environmental stewardship a. Develop a plan for managing animal waste (manure). b. If an animal dies, investigate the local rules for handling the remains. 8. Maintain proper workplace safety (for yourself and others). a. Use safe animal handling practices, even at home. b. If your animals are housed at a facility away from your home, make a plan for what to do in case of severe weather, a fire, or other disaster. c. Post the address of the facility in any easy-to-find place so it is readily available in case of an emergency. 9. Provide proper animal handling and care (to improve animal well-being). a. Observe your animals daily. Take note of their behavior and appearance, as well as how much they are eating and drinking. Understanding normal behavior is the first step in recognizing signs of illness or injury. b. Maintain a clean living environment for your animal. c. Minimize animal stress by monitoring environmental conditions (such as temperature) and using appropriate handling techniques. 10. Utilize tools for continuous improvement. a. Take the time to learn how to properly care for and handle your animal from a knowledgeable, reputable person. b. Review GPPs annually and take note of any improvements needed to meet goals. Information for Member to Consider 1. Which veterinarian will you contact if your animal needs medical care? Name: Phone: E-mail: 2. Who will you contact if you have questions about feeding your animal? Name: Phone: E-mail: 3. Who will you contact if you have questions about handling your animal? Name: Phone: E-mail: Page 20
Project Summary 1. What was your favorite part of this project? Why? 2. What was your least favorite part? Why? 3. What was the most important or interesting thing you learned? Explain. Page 21
Winning and Losing At Livestock Shows It seems far too often we place too much emphasis on winning and losing at Jr. Fair livestock shows. Unfortunately, many times adults consider 4-H and FFA livestock projects a failure if their son or daughter does not win. If our only goal at a livestock show is to win, maybe we need to make some adjustments in our goals and in understanding the benefits our youth are gaining from livestock shows. Ideally, 4-H and FFA livestock projects should be a family affair. If the right percentages of time and energy are spent by youngsters and parents together, these projects can help our young people learn the basic life skills and eventually help them develop into better citizens. If the percentage gets out of hand, we see a group of spoiled kids whose parents are sore if they don't win, constantly criticizing the judge and trying any trick possible to win. Very few 4-H and FFA livestock projects are economically sound. However, neither are having children, paying for band lessons, taking them to summer recreation programs, buying them bicycles and paying for other youth activities. If a parent's goal is for the child to make money, investing in a savings account is less risky than investing in a 4-H and FFA livestock project. However, if a parent's goal is to invest in the future and to help their son or daughter develop as a person, learn responsibility, set goals and gain some knowledge about livestock production, then 4-H and FFA livestock projects are a good investment. Most likely we will have livestock shows as long as there are youngsters who have parents and grandparents. However, let's keep these shows in proper perspective. They are not beef shows, swine shows and sheep shows but they are KIDS SHOWS! The animal is simply the ticket for the youngster to take part. Through schools, the Extension Service and other educational units, we constantly hear of improved teaching tools to better equip our young people for life. As we analyze all the new and innovative ideas, many of which are quite sound and very excellent methods, we find 4-H and FFA livestock projects are one of the oldest and greatest teaching tools that we have to teach youth life skills. Following are some life skills that Jr. Fair livestock project members can gain: 1. How to get along with people. A large number of people in society quit or lose their jobs because they cannot get along with others. 4-H and FFA members who show livestock are around people they have never met but have similar interests. They learn to communicate with these people. 2. Sportsmanship. At a livestock show, there is only one Grand Champion. However, there are many winners. Most 4- H and FFA members who show livestock for any period of time usually experience the extreme high feeling of an exceptional effort and the extreme disappointment of a project that didn't turn out as well as was expected. Normally, win or lose, the competitors in the show ring (the 4-H and FFA members) can be seen after the show talking and enjoying life together. 3. Responsibility. Feeding and daily chores in a 4-H and FFA livestock project teach responsibility. Top feeders follow the time clock in their daily efforts. This is a good habit to start at a young age and may reap youngsters substantial benefits in a career later in their lives. 4. Attend to details. Most young people take care of major items in a 4-H and FFA livestock project like fencing, feeding, etc. However many times it's the little things that make a different: keeping water tanks and feed troughs clean, working on grooming and showmanship several months before the show, keeping pens clean and close observation for sickness and disease. Paying attention to details is beneficial in almost everything we do in life. 5. Decision making. Decision making is never easy at any point in our lives. 4-H and FFA livestock projects require several key decisions be made: selection of project animals, selection of feeding method, care and management decisions, fitting and grooming techniques, etc. 6. Goal setting. For every successful 4-H and FFA livestock project, there is usually a good plan. Most details and plans for the project on selection, feeding and management of the project have been planned well in advance. Goal setting is important for everyone regardless of future endeavors. Are Jr. Fair livestock projects successful? We may hear some negative things about them but these projects are a long way ahead of whatever is in second place in helping teach our young people to adjust to life. Next time you are at a livestock show, study the kids instead of the animals. You will notice that most classes have several winners, not just the one standing in first place. - Reprinted from California 4-H Staff October 1989 Newsletter Page 22