Ventura County 4-H
Market Animal News
April 4, 2020
Should We Buy a Market Animal?
What if Fair is Canceled?
Letter from State 4-H Director

April 3, 2020

Dear 4-H Community,

Hello from the State 4-H Office, I hope this post finds you and your family safe and secure. I want to take this time to brief you on some new developments, as well as thank all of the 4-H professionals around the state working so hard to keep you and your family engaged in learning and social activities during the shelter in place mandate.

As you are all aware, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many fairs in California are being cancelled at the discretion of their Fair Boards or due to the State of California shelter-in-place directive. This situation has raised questions relative to how 4-H members can complete their 4-H goals for the year if fairs, still exhibit competitions, livestock shows, and junior livestock auctions are cancelled.

In the event your fair is cancelled, your Fair Board will determine if alternate opportunities, such as a (virtual) junior livestock show and auction, will be put into place. If your Fair Board determines it will not provide alternate opportunities, a team of 4-H staff are exploring alternative educational activities such as virtual showmanship classes, skill-a-thons, and exhibitions for youth to participate in to demonstrate their educational accomplishments and successfully complete their goals for the year.

Due to the rigorous food and consumer safety standards set forth by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for market animals which are sold at junior livestock auctions, and the time, expertise and preparation needed to meet these standards, the University of California 4-H Youth Development Program is not granting permissions for new 4-H sponsored livestock auctions to take place. This is in accordance with long-standing 4-H policy CA 4-H Policy Handbook, Chapter 7, Part V. http://4h.ucanr.edu/Resources/Policies/Chapter7/#V

Recognizing opportunities such as virtual showmanship and skill-a-thons do not address the fiscal considerations or concerns associated with livestock projects, we know there is still value in youth participating in livestock projects. Participation in these projects creates opportunities for participants to enhance their skills in accepting responsibility, setting goals, develop[ing] self-discipline, self-motivation, and knowledge of the livestock industry, as well as [developing] responsibility, relating to others, spirit of inquiry, decision making, public speaking, maintaining records, and building self-esteem.

While finances are certainly a component in making the decision to participate in a livestock project, we encourage each 4-H family to weigh the options and make a decision that is right for them. Due to the uncertainty around fairs and livestock programs, this could mean some 4-H members and their families opt out of participating in livestock projects at this time. Should you choose to move forward with a livestock project (later fairs) or if you have already undertaken that endeavor (earlier fairs), we encourage you to look for responsible ways to minimize any personal financial losses.

Additionally, state 4-H teams are working to make decisions about other large-scale events that take place on an annual basis. The decision to hold the State 4-H Field Day virtually has already been made: https://ucanr.edu/sites/sfd/ and decisions about summer camps, California 4-H Focus and State Leadership Conference will come forth in the weeks to come.

Finally, the cancellation, postponement or mandate to only meet virtually has been extended for UC ANR and the 4-H Youth Development Program through April 30. We continue to monitor the statewide and local restrictions on gatherings and consult with UC ANR leaders and will provide updates as conditions change. I realize this has challenged many of us to re-think how we continue to meet the educational needs and support the 4-H community, I want to applaud you all for meeting this challenge. The number of social media posts on 4-H have been a pleasure to read and share. The ways you are embracing technology to stay connected, educate and provide opportunities for members to lead and grow has been amazing.

In grateful appreciation,

Lynn Schmitt-McQuitty
State 4-H Director
University of California, Agriculture & Natural Resources
4-H Youth Development Program
California State 4-H Office
2801 Second Street
Davis, CA 95618-7774
(530) 750-1334 | Fax (530) 756-1148
lschmittmcquitty@ucanr.edu
How Can We Care For Our Animals?
Could We Get Coronavirus from Animals?

Raising your 4-H animal can help you keep a bit of normal in your life during these times of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The bond you share with your animal can help you feel happy, relaxed, less stressed and less anxious and is good for your health and wellness. ( National Institute of Health ;  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )

In response to questions we are receiving, here is some pertinent information regarding caring for and raising your animals within the context of COVID-19.

  • Regarding the Coronavirus and animals:
  • In the United States, there is no evidence to suggest that any animals, including pets, livestock, or wildlife, might be a source of COVID-19 infection at this time. However, because all animals can carry germs that can make people sick, it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals. [from CDC Animals and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)]
  • The World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that pets and other domestic animals are not considered at risk for contracting COVID-19 or transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19 (also known as 2019-nCoV). (from American Veterinary Medical Association FAQ document)
  • The same guidance to reduce COVID-19 spread also is good practice for raising and caring for your animal, including washing your hands on a regular basis.
  • Best Practices for 4-H Animal Projects
  • When 4-H Clubs have multiple families picking up their project animals from one location, please consider staggering each family’s pick-up by 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In the case that all the 4-H Project animals are housed in one facility, a schedule should be created so families may sign up for a specific time slot to tend to their animals and facilitate social distancing.
  • Please remember not to financially overextend yourself for purchasing animals and feed. We do not know if Fairs will go forward this year.

Dorina M. Espinoza PhD
Youth, Families and Communities Advisor
UCCE Humboldt
Reminder: Market Steer/Heifer
Deadline/Due Date Friday, April 10

Hi All,

Just a reminder that Online entries for Market Steer/Heifer closes on Friday, April 10th at 11:59 PM and the beef DNA kits are also due on Friday, April 10 by 5 pm. Make sure all paperwork, hair samples, copy of the bill of sale, summary form, exhibitor code of practice, adult code of conduct and pictures are sealed in the 6X9 envelope and put the mail slot in the fair admin office door.

Market goat, lamb and swine online entries are open and will close on Friday, June 5, 2020 at 11:59 pm.

I am working on how and when the DNA kits will be available and I will let you know when a decision has been made.

Please stay safe.

Kim Leach
4-H Fair Liaison Report

Hello Ventura County 4-H,
 
In addition to the information about DNA kits and online entry dates, I would like to update all Ventura County 4-H'ers who are planning to raise animals for the fair the following:
 
  • The Livestock/Equestrian Committee voted to recommend to the fair board a 2% increase in the percentage withheld from exhibitor auction checks. This will be presented and voted on by the fair board and as soon as I know the meeting date/time I will advise.
  • The Wood-Claeyssens Foundation sent an email to the Livestock Auction Staff notifying them that they will be lowering their bids at the fair auction for all market animals. At this time the price per pound is not known, but by lowering the floor price, the hope is more local businesses, community leaders and citizens will step up and pledge their support of youth agriculture.
  • At this time the 2020 Ventura County Fair is continuing as planned.
 
Julie Salomonson, Ventura County 4-H Fair Liaison
T. 818-437-1847
Looking Ahead: Deadlines

Market Goats, Market Lambs and Market Swine
  • DNA Kits will be available beginning April 20, 2020
  • Kits are due back no later than June 5, 2020 by 5 pm.
 
Buy your DNA Kits for $5 each at the Fair Administration Office Monday-Friday 9am - 4pm. Return completed DNA Kits to the Fair Administration Office Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm (closed 12pm - 1pm).
 
Items due with DNA Kits  :
  1. DNA Registration Form
  2. Two hair sample envelopes (with hair samples)
  3. Exhibitor Code of Practice,
  4. Adult's Code of Conduct
  5. Summary Form
  6. Copy of Bill of Sale
  7. Photographs.
 
Entry Deadlines:
Market Steers, Miniature Market Steers and Market Heifers:  Fri, April 10, 2020 by 11:59pm.
Market Goats, Market Lambs, Market Swine:  Friday, June 5, 2020 by 11:59pm.
Market Meat Pens:  Friday, June 5, 20202 by 11:59 pm.  

Paperwork,  found on the Livestock page of the Ventura County Fair website  , is due at coop-in. Please do not wait until the last minute to enter.

If you have any questions please contact Kim Leach via email at   kleach@venturacountyfair.org   or by phone at 805-648-3376 ext. 105.
It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities Inquiries regarding ANR’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to UCANR, Affirmative Action Compliance & Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1397. Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/215244.pdf
Ventura County 4-H
 287 S. Briggs Rd.
Santa Paula, CA 93060
805-525-9293