Barn Chatter
Barn Chatter
Indiana 4-H Approved Animal Grooming Assistance Program
Wednesday, April 17th, 2019
As springtime in Indiana brings flowers and sunshine, it also marks the start of Indiana 4-H animal projects. Youth in Indiana 4-H who participate in animal projects begin learning what it takes to raise a healthy animal — long hours and plenty of effort. This is why the Indiana 4-H Approved Animal Grooming Assistance Program…
Read More Managing Heat Stress: Best Practices for Summer Livestock Shows
Wednesday, June 20th, 2018
Summer is here, and so is the heat. As county fairs and livestock shows get underway, it is important to be mindful of the heat in regard to the safety and wellbeing of your animal. Heat stress goes beyond simply checking the forecast for the day. As you and your family prepare your animals, there…
Read More 4-H Animal Livestock: Tips for Avoiding Sickness
Friday, May 18th, 2018
Listen to the Podcast 4-H livestock show season is approaching, and a healthy animal is part of any successful animal project. This means 4-H members and their families should know the best management practices for livestock biosecurity before, during, and after livestock shows. The focus of 4-H animal science projects is the education of the…
Read More Indiana State Fair 4-H Livestock Shows: What You Need to Know about Exhibitor’s Corner
Monday, April 23rd, 2018
The Indiana State Fair is the culmination of a 4-H member’s work with an animal over a 4-H program year. One important part of the learning process is ensuring that all necessary registration information is complete. 4-H members and families are familiar with the 4HOnline registration system. But 4-H members showing livestock also need to…
Read More Indiana Bred and Owned Program: Showcasing Indiana Purebred Livestock
Friday, March 16th, 2018
The Indiana State Fair is the culmination of the 4-H livestock experience, where 4-H members showcase what they have learned with their animal over the course of the summer. The Indiana State Fair’s Indiana Bred and Owned program is another opportunity for 4-H youth to demonstrate their skills and knowledge with their animal. The program…
Read More Animal ID: Ensuring Traceability for All
Tuesday, February 27th, 2018
A common misconception among many 4-H families is they are not livestock producers; they are livestock showers in the sport of livestock exhibition. Animal ID requirements teach youth that they are a part of a larger livestock industry in which individual animal ID and traceability are important. As Indiana 4-H counties begin their animal ID…
Read More Introducing the New Indiana 4-H Online Animal Ethics Program: A Conversation with the Design Team
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2018
4-H animal projects help youth raise and care for an animal as they learn about the nutrition and management of specific species. At the same time, the projects foster life skills in decision making, nurturing, self-motivation, and resilience. Youth learn this knowledge and acquire these skills and abilities through the support of positive adult mentors….
Read More Quality Assurance Education for Youth: Indiana 4-H Being a Part of the Solution
Tuesday, December 12th, 2017
Indiana 4-H hosted a pilot project where 346 youth from 19 counties participated in the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) online education program. YQCA is a non-for-profit organization that developed an online course to deliver a consistent, accurate, and evidence-based curriculum to youth participating in livestock projects. As a part of the…
Read More Unethical Livestock Showing Practices: Short Term Gain is a Long Term loss in Reputation
Wednesday, July 19th, 2017
Listen to the Podcast 4-H livestock projects have many goals and objectives that serve to the benefit the youth involved. When youth participate in livestock projects, they develop leadership abilities, build character, and assume citizenship responsibilities. 4-H livestock projects contribute to the experience of pride in owning livestock and youth learn to be responsible for…
Read More The What, Why, and Who of the Indiana State Fair and Indiana 4-H Livestock Drug Testing Program
Friday, July 7th, 2017
Listen to the Podcast Drug testing programs can sometimes feel overwhelming for Indiana 4-H livestock parents. There are a number of considerations, practices, and regulations youth must follow when they raise an animal for show or market. This article aims to answer some commonly asked questions and highlight best practices that both youth and parents…
Read More 4-H Livestock Policies and Procedures: Focus on the Process, Not the Prize
Friday, June 2nd, 2017
Listen to the Podcast The vast majority of 4-H animal science project policies and procedures are associated with showing. It is important to note that not all youth involved in the 4-H animal projects show animals. Although showing is an important part of the learning process, it cannot be the focus. The focus of 4-H…
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