This Week in Gillespie 4-H: December 25th

Monday - December 25th, 2023

Extension Office Closed. Merry Christmas!!

Tuesday - December 26th, 2023

Extension Office Closed

Wednesday - December 27th, 2023
Meats Judging Practice @ 5:00 PM

Thursday - December 28th, 2023
No Events Scheduled

Friday - December 29th, 2023
No Events Scheduled

Saturday -December 30th, 2023
No Events Scheduled

Sunday - December 31st, 2023
New Years Eve!

January 3rd-6th- Gillespie County Youth Livestock Show & Sale
January 10th- DEADLINE for Dog Validations
January 12th- 20th- Hill District Grandstand Show

Club Meetings

**** Meetings sometimes change after dates and locations have been posted. Please

always verify meetings with Club Managers****

New News

For those who entered Fort Worth and San Angelo, Gate and Parking Passes are now available to be picked up at the Extension Office!

Coryell County and Milam County are hosting an invitational Consumer Decision Making contest on Saturday, January 27, 2024. The registration deadline is January 16th. Teams are $40 and individuals are $10 per entry. There will be junior, intermediate, and senior age divisions.

Click Here to Register

Interested in Trying Meat Judging?

There is a long-standing tradition of excellence in meat judging in Gillespie county and we are working to add to that outstanding reputation. Below you will find a tentative practice and contest schedule for this beginner group of kids. Some of you may not be enrolled in Gillespie County 4-H, but once we determine if your child is committed to being a part of this group, we can still enroll them.

FISD Ag Teacher Cory Rains is excited to start a new group of kids and he looks forward to working with them. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact him via email at coryr@fisd.org or on his cell at 325-236-0593.

Beginner Meat Judging Calendar


DEC. 20^TH	Introduction and Contest overview

JAN. 10^TH	Beef Placing Classes and Notes
JAN. 17^TH	Pork Placing Classes and Notes
JAN. 24^TH	Lamb Placing Classes and Notes
JAN. 31^ST	Pork Retail

FEB. 7^TH	Retail Identification
FEB. 14^TH	Mock Contest
FEB. 17^TH	San Angelo Invitation Contest
FEB. 18^TH	San Antonio Contest
FEB. 21^ST	NO PRACTICE
FEB. 28^TH	Recap contests and Retail Identification

MAR. 6^TH	Retail Identification
MAR. 13^TH	No Practice
MAR. 20^TH	Placing classes and questions
MAR. 23^RD	TAMU Clinic*
MAR. 27^TH	Fredericksburg contest

APRIL 3^RD	Retail Identification
APRIL 10^TH	District Contest in San Angelo **

This is subject to have some slight adjustments.

*Contests that adult chaperon could be needed.

BB GUN SIGN UPS OPEN!!!!!

Please read the following information:

Requirements for the project

*Must be enrolled in 4H

*Must have a parent with each child (its a parent/child project)

*BB Guns can be purchased on registration site

**Wednesday, December 20th. 6pm...Beginners Meeting

(1st and 2nd graders and anyone new to the program).

We will go over what to bring, safety protocols, dominant eye etc. that night.

*Monday, January 8th

Session 1 6:00-7:15 for 3rd grade and older... only 40 lanes available

Session 2 7:00 -8:15 3rd grander and older... only 40 lanes available

As you can see there is an overlap... the 2nd session will come into the meeting room and have a 15 min class, 1st session is dismissed and the 2nd session moves to the shooting room.

*Wednesday, January 10th

First night for 1st and 2nd grader to shoot 6pm -7:30

Meeting Dates:

3rd graders and older (Monday nights)

January 8

January 15

January 22

January 29

February 5

February 12

*1st and 2nd graders only (Wednesday nights)

January 10

January 17

January 24

January 31

February 7

February 14

Matches:

County Match will be February 17th

State Match will be March 2nd

Practices will be at the Gillespie County Extension Office

38 Business Ct.

Fredericksburg, TX

(830) 997-3452

BB Gun Sign Ups- Click Here

DOG VALIDATIONS!!!!

The Texas 4-H Dog Show will be held on July 11-13, 2024 at the Walker County Fairgrounds in Huntsville, Texas. To be eligible for this show, dogs must be validated by January 10, 2024 on 4HOnline. Completing the FREE validation process before January 10th will give members the opportunity in May to submit entries if they decide to participate.

As 4-H members complete their validation, here are some things to keep in mind:

•

For purebred dogs (they do not have to be registered) you will select the correct Group and list the breed.

•

For mixed breed dogs you will select the Weight Group of the dog and list the dominant breed along with the word “Mix” or list the two breeds if known. (Ex: Border Collie Mix/Mastiff/Great Dane)

•

Photos of the left/right side of the dog should be a side view of the entire dog. Pictures must be clear & well-lit to see all markings/color of the dog. The dog should only be wearing a collar only.

•

Dogs MUST be validated each year. If you validated a dog last year, the information and photos will be in the system, but you must still review and SUBMIT to validate for the 2023-2024 year.

Range & Plant I.D. Practices!!!

Fredericksburg Practice

Tuesdays, starting January 16^th until May 7^th, 2024. 4:45 pm – 5:45 pm.

We will meet the first couple of practices at the Gillespie County Extension Office, then start meeting at Lady Bird park.

Harper Practice

Need four interested kids to hold practice in Harper. Will likely be either Mondays or Wednesdays.

Participants will get to learn the names of local plants, how to evaluate an area for livestock use and what indicates if a grassland is healthy or not. Contests are on Saturdays except for the district contest. Participation in the contests is not mandatory.

Please contact Beth McMahon at 830-997-3452 or Elizabeth.mcmahon@agnet.tamu.edu to sign up.

The 2024 Texas 4-H Dog Show is looking for shirt design's for the annual t-shirt. This is a great opportunity to show of those artistic skills! Entries are due by Feb. 15th!

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TEXAS 4-H FOUNDATION OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

The Texas 4-H Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is now OPEN! All graduating seniors who are Texas 4-H members are encouraged to apply. Applications are lengthy, so it is wise to start now.

Scholarship Application/Information

Applications for youth to participate in the 2023 National 4-H Conference on April 19-24, 2024, in Arlington, VA are now open! Youth must be 15 – 19 years old to attend. Click the button below for the announcement for Texas 4-H members and information about National 4-H Conference. Applications will close on December 15, 2023, the delegation will be announced early January 2023. Want to know more about Texas 4-H members experience? Click Hereto read a story about last years' Conference! Applications can be done through 4HOnline

Youth Day

4-H, FFA, & FCCLA members from across South Central Texas gather at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo to showcase their talents, organization activities and project work. Members set up exhibits and hands-on activity booths for visitors and guests attending the Stock Show & Rodeo. An additional activity to this event is the Wagon & Wheelbarrow Parade. Youth Day is hosted by the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo School Tours Committee on - Saturday February 10, 2024.

The link to register for youth day is https://www.sarodeo.com/f/75

Below is a schedule for the day's activities.

8:30 a.m.	Open for Exhibitors
10:00 a.m. - 4:30p.m.	Interactive & informative Exhibits and Activities
12:00 Noon	Youth Day Best of Show Awards Presented
2:30 p.m.	Line Up for Wagon & Wheelbarrow Parade
3:00 p.m.	Wagon & Wheelbarrow Parade
4:30 p.m.	Exhibits close

The deadline for entries is January 12th, 2024.

Include the total number of youth and adults that you expect to participate in activities and your exhibit. List the address of a school or county extension office as these are the only locations passes will be mailed. You are invited to participate in as many Youth Day activities as you would like but please note that there will only be one exhibit table for each club or chapter.

School Tour Guide Information

For more than 30 years, 4-Hers from around the state have volunteered to lead San Antonio-area K-3^rd grade youth around the San Antonio Stock Show Grounds. It doesn’t matter what county you are from, you can still volunteer to be a tour guide! The dates for these opportunities are:

· Tuesday, February 13, 2024

· Wednesday, February 14, 2024

· Thursday, February 15, 2024

· Friday, February 16, 2024

· Tuesday, February 20, 2024

· Wednesday, February 21, 2024

· Thursday, February 22, 2024

· Friday, February 23, 2024

The Website to register your youths to be a tour guide is https://www.sarodeo.com/f/124 On here, you will select 4-H or FFA, and select “tour guide”…the lunch bunch option are typically filled by SA Area FCCLA programs. I am planning on doing a training in January for agents and youths that are not familiar with the school tour guide program. Please note, that for your 4-Hers to be eligible for the SALE school tours scholarship, they MUST participate as a tour guide! Additionally, if your youths show and place an animal for auction, you can put their name on our list in the Freeman Coliseum, and the committee will try to do an add-on.

The School Tours Program offers students a wonderful opportunity to practice the leadership skills that 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA strives to develop in our youth. As we prepare for the upcoming San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, we are looking for enthusiastic, responsible students in grades 9 -12 (Special exceptions can be made for deserving 8^th grade students) to take part in this unique leadership opportunity. Your students will grow by being tour guides to younger children and by educating them on agriculture and its’ importance to our daily lives.

Please read the following information prior to filling out the entire School Tours Guide Registration Form, for more information or questions about the School Tours Program please email schooltours@sarodeo.com

Tour dates are assigned on a first come, first serve basis
Be sure to provide us with the number of students you can commit on the days you chose to volunteer
Students must commit to volunteer from 7:45 am to 2:30 pm on their tour day
Do not schedule students on the day they sift, classify, or show an animal
Additional correspondence will be e-mailed after we receive your initial commitment
Final count and list of student names is due by 5:00 pm on January 12, 2024
If you have a senior who cannot attend your tour date, we will work with your student's schedule to ensure they are included in all scholarship opportunities
Remember to make arrangements to have your students excused from school for their tour date(s)
Registration is handled by the County Agent or Advisor/Sponsor for FFA, 4H and FCCLA
Parents, DO NOT contact School Tours to register your student
Registration Deadline is December 15, 2023 at 5:00 pm

Non-Livestock Opportunities!

Listed below are opportunities for youth to volunteer to sing the National Anthem and recite the American, Texas Pledges, the FFA Motto and the 4-H Pledge at the market shows for Rodeo Austin

Market Steer Show (British, Shorthorn, Brahman, ABC, Black Cross - Friday, March 8th - Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.
Market Steer Show (Red Cross and Other Cross) - Saturday, March 9th - Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.
Market Poultry Show - Monday, March 1th -Show starts at: 10:00 a.m. (approximately)
Jr. Wether Dam & Doe Show - Wednesday, March 13th - Show starts at:8:00 a.m.
Market Lamb & Goat Show - Friday, March 15th - Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.
Barrow Show - (Duroc, OPB-Dark, OPB-White, Hampshire, Yorkshire)- Sunday, March 17th - Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.
Barrow Show - (Light Crossbred, Crossbred) - Monday, March 18th - Show starts at : 8:00 a.m.
Jr. Breeding Heifer Show Wave 1 (American) - Thursday, March 21st- Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.
Jr. Breeding Heifer Show Wave 2 (British / Continental) - Saturday, March 23rd - Show starts at: 8:00 a.m.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4EA9AE2AA57-44691184-2024

For those interested in this leadership opportunity, please sign up using the above link to the online form. You will need to plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the species show in which you are volunteering.

When you register, please select the option to use alternate name and in the "First Name" box , list the first and last name of the youth member. In the "last name" box, list the 4-H County or FFA Chapter in which the youth is a member.

Youth interested in singing the National Anthem, submit a video at the link below. Selected submissions will be able to select from dates available on the link. Currently all dates are “filled” and will be released to those youth selected to sing.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScze0AJEy_FSxjmrO2zwtkOqc6oxPPteCplFiL4CQ7LLNTRYw/viewform - Video Link Submission

If you have questions, please email Cory at Cory.hundl@ag.tamu.edu

Livestock Corner

Broilers

Temperature of the Coop

Your broiler house should be 68-70F until the show. This is important to keep it constant and help keep them comfortable especially since they are getting bigger.

If your birds are too hot, they will not grow and they will be stressed. If they are too cold they will huddle to stay warm and will not eat.

Check the daily forecast, this is the best way to plan ahead. If it’s going to be a hot sunny day (we have some ahead) open the windows before leaving for the day. It’s better if they are a little cold in the morning than getting hot later in the day.

Also- on Sunday (12/17) our 5 bird average was 39.86oz if you need a reference point for anyone.

Sheep & Goats

Christmas Break!

While it has been getting dark early Christmas break is a great time to get in a little extra barn time! Does that mean showmanship practice every day…no! Here are some good extras that you could do along with your normal exercise routine.

If your not working boots/legs it’s a great time to start with an every other day routine.

1 - walk somewhere NEW for 15 minutes. Take them on a stroll down the road or in the pasture. Walk by hand if your ready or just on the halter

2- tie to fences or put on stand/rack! Sit next to them and sing Christmas carols (just kidding)! Set their legs square as you would in the show ring just while they are on the rack or on the fence. If they move - move them back into the right spot.

3 - if you haven’t trimmed their feet in the past 30 days! Great time to do this before the show. Trimming their feet to close to the show can make them lame if you cut off to much.

4 - build some stamina! Get out the radio and walk for an entire song and when the next song comes on set up and hold until it is over! Do 2-3 times!

5-take a little extra time while you have it and do a good pen clean and scrub those water buckets clean.

Have a merry Christmas and happy new year!

Pigs

Pig Clipping:

This Show Rite diagram is pretty much spot on to how market hogs should be clipped today! We are now in the times for shag and being hairy. This could help your animal to look as if they have more bone and dimension if they don’t. Now, if you have it all, you’re sitting pretty. In most cases you will not clip the bodies at all, especially if they have no hair. You see this most common in minor breed hogs, where genetically hair it’s not always bred into them like crossbreds. One key note that a lot of people tend to miss is the blending from the head and neck to the body…if this is not done correctly, it can definitely ruin your animal and give them the “chili bowl” cut. The best type of clipper is the cordless, Andis Pulse II, it’s easy to use, light weight and again cordless!!! If you are not capable of clipping your animals to this standard, please seek help. Do not try this on your own. Remember to use a conditioner to keep the hair and hide hydrated. 14 days until county! This means, no time off, early mornings and late nights! You can beat people over the holidays if you use your time wisely! Best of Luck!

If you ever need help with your project please contact our office and set up an appointment with Brad or Emily.

4-H Spotlight

How do you celebrate you first buckle at the Harper Livestock Show? Emma Geistweidt celebrates with chips and queso! Not only did Emma make the weekly spotlight, but she is representing Gillespie 4-H in a big way with her new sweatshirt from the merch store. Congratulations Emma!!!

If you have someone you would like to nominate for 4-H spotlight please email emily.grant@ag.tamu.edu

STAY CONNECTED WITH GILLESPIE COUNTY 4-H

There are ALOT of opportunities available for 4-H youth on a county, district, and state level and through external organizations. We do our best to keep you updated with these opportunities through the following methods! If you have any questions please let us know.

The members of Texas A&M AgriLife will provide equal opportunities in programs and activities, education, and employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity throughout Texas A&M AgriLife. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

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