WELCOME Welcome to the 4-H Dairy Project! Please read through this Dairy Guide carefully, as it contains information and suggestions that are important for your project. Leaders can obtain a Leader Project Guide and other resources from the PEI 4-H Office. Hopefully you, as a member, will “Learn to do by Doing” through hands-on activities that will encourage learning and enjoyment. If you have any questions, contact your District 4-H Officer or your 4-H project leader.

4-H YEAR COMPLETION You complete a project by:

completing the project Achievement Day requirements completing a communication project completing a community project completing an agriculture awareness project taking part in Achievement Day

DA

IRY

You must complete

all of the listed

aspects in order to

show at Fairs and

Exhibitions.

ACHIEVEMENT DAY REQUIREMENTS Conformation 20 Showmanship 20 Judging 20 Calf inspection (Unit 1 only) or 20 One Special Project Option (all other units) Fitting & Clipping Clinic 20 100 Marks

Note: For their Achievement Day all members who participate in conformation and showmanship with their animal will receive full marks for those two components.

Members must

show all of their

project animals

at their

Achievement Day

in order to show

in 4-H Classes

at the Island

Fairs and

Exhibitions.

If an animal is

not shown at

Achievement Day

it cannot show in

4-H Classes at

the Fairs and

Exhibitions.

AGE OF CALF YOU CAN SHOW Members 9-10 years of age:

Heifer born December 1-February 28 (Intermediate heifer) and/or a

Heifer born March 1-May 14 (Junior heifer calf) Members 11-21 years of age:

Select up to 3 heifers (from different classes)

March 1-May 14: Junior calf December 1-February 28: Intermediate calf September 1-November 30: Senior heifer

June 1-August 31: Summer yearling

Showmanship Classes

Ages for 4-H members as of January 1st of the 4-H year:

Junior: 9-11 years Intermediate: 12-14 years Senior: 15-21 years

Check out the PEI 4-H Web Site

www.pei4h.pe.ca

Jan 2014

HELPFUL RESOURCES! Internet Sites... www.dairyinfo.gc.ca www.dairygoodness.ca www.dairyfarmers.org www.moomilk.com www.carc-crac.ca Booklets… Showmanship...Leading to Win Dairy Cattle...Show Selection and Preparation You Be The Judge Videos… The Milky Way Dairy Cow Management: An Introduction Hoof Care in Dairy Cattle The Dairy Industry in Nova Scotia Body Condition Scoring Causes of Milk Fat Variations & Depressions The Management of Calving Mastitis Prevention and Control Part 1 & 2 Producing Milk of Good Quality and Flavour Wholly Cow Showmanship… Leading to Win Clipping Dairy Cattle Showing Dairy Cattle Showing Dairy Cattle, Part 1 Fitting Dairy Cattle, Part 2 Practice Dairy Judging (heifers You Be the Judge Preparing to Lead are available at the PEI 4-H Office which can be borrowed for a two week loan period. To book these, call 368-4833 or drop by the PEI 4-H Office at 40 Enman Crescent, Charlottetown.

1. Make a detailed (and labeled) site drawing of your farm or a neighboring farm, showing all wells, water lines, valves in water lines, pumps, watering bowls, power lines, power poles, panel boxes and yard lights.

2. Plant a section of windbreak at your farmstead or a nearby farmstead. Draw a detailed site plan of the farmstead, showing the location of buildings, other trees, etc. Keep track of materials used, costs and time involved in the project. Give reasons for types of trees used and spacing from buildings.

3. Study the manure handling system in your own farm or a local farm. Take pictures of the manure storage system and equipment that is used. Show in report form how the system works, what changes you would make and why and what the cost would be for these changes.

4. Do a complete projected budget for the management of a herd a 80 lactating cows. (You already have the quota required for this number of cows.) Budget should include cost of veterinary and breeding services, machinery repairs, expansion of any type etc.

5. Develop and present a marketing strategy for breeding stock raised or bought/sold by your farm. Marketing strategy should be on display at your Achievement Day.

6. A special project of your own design which must first be approved by your project leader.

Selecting Your 4-H Dairy Calf

Choosing a calf for your 4-H Dairy Project is a big decision. Here is a list of things to consider…

Breed Size - Pick a calf whose size and age you can handle. Registered or grade - a registered calf has registered parents, they have an ‘official’ family tree. Registered animals are purebred, meaning both parents are from the same breed. Production - how much milk a young calf should produce, look at the calf’s parents and see what their production records are. Conformation—is a rating of the animal’s body type. Find out from the breed association what the ideal animal should look like.

Before you begin assessing and comparing animals, you must know the parts of the dairy cow.

Source: You Be the Judge— Distributed by Holstein Canada

DAIRY SHOWMANSHIP

Your personal poise, alertness and neatness are important in the show ring Keep an eye on your animal and be aware of the position of the judge at all times Don’t be distracted in the ring Respond quickly to requests from the judge Be courteous and a good sport at all times Show the animal, not yourself Keep showing until the entire class is placed, reasons given and the class is out of the ring

Showmanship Scorecard

1. Appearance of animal 40 Condition Grooming Clipping Cleanliness

2. Appearance of exhibitor 10

Clothes and person neat and clean White outfit preferred

3. Showing the animal in the ring 50

Leading Standing Showing animal to best advantage Poise, alertness, attitude

Total 100

JUDGING As part of your Dairy Project, you are required to judge a class of dairy animals. Your leader will make the arrangements to have the class. In most competitions, four animals are needed; however, between you and your leader, you can decide upon 3 or 4 animals for the class. You will have between 10 and 15 minutes for placing the class, on a piece of paper you may want to put down some reasons for your placing. Once you have placed the class, give your oral reasons to the official judge (this may or may not be your leader). The judge will score you and give your score to your project leader. This will be worth 20 points towards your achievement day requirements. Attention Senior Members... In addition to judging a class of dairy animals, senior members are also required to judge a class of beef animals. All aspects of livestock judging should be important to 4-H members regardless of the livestock project in which they are enrolled. To assist in judging, talk to beef 4-H members and farmers. The 4-H Livestock Judging Guide is available from the Provincial 4-H Office. Things to Remember... DATE: ________________________________ LOCATION OF JUDGING: ________________

FITTING & CLIPPING CLINIC Also as part of your Dairy Project, you are required to participate in a fitting and clipping clinic. Your leader will make the arrangements for a session in which you and other project members will learn how to prepare your own animals for showing. This will be worth 20 points towards your achievement day requirements. Things to Remember... DATE: ________________________________ LOCATION OF CLINIC: __________________

CALF INSPECTION (Dairy Unit I Only) As part of the Dairy Unit I Project, a calf inspection needs to be carried out. This will be done by your project leader. You will be asked about your calf and about information you have learned in the project. This will be worth 20 points towards your Achievement Day requirements. The inspection will be scored on the following items… Inspection Quiz 50 points Evidence of Care & Interest 50 points

Leading Grooming Lack of Health Problems Presence of Salt and Mineral Presence of Shelter and Shade

INSPECTION QUIZ

To help you prepare for the quiz here are some questions that could be asked. 1. When was your calf born? 2. What breed is it? 3. What is its ear tag number or tattoo? 4. How many stomachs do cattle have? 5. What is the difference between a grade and

a registered calf? 6. What nutrients are found in raw milk? 7. Does your calf receive any grain? 8. What is the name used to describe the father

of a calf? The mother? 9. What is the Animal Identification Form and

when is the deadline for having it into the Provincial 4-H Office?

10. Point out the following parts on your calf: barrel, flank, pastern, poll.

Summary: Giving Good Reasons After a Class

Start with a descriptive statement Emphasize only the main points of difference Use comparative terminology (not descriptive) to compare one animal to another Be accurate Be positive Grant an obvious advantage to a lower placing animal

Source: You Be the Judge - Distributed by Holstein Canada

At the Show When showing your calf, wear a white shirt and pants with a dark colored belt that are clean and neat. Clean, steel toed work boots or cowboy boots are the safest choice for your feet. Hard-soled shoes may look better, but they don’t offer any protection. To prepare for the show, follow these guidelines. □ Arrive early □ Make sure your calf is securely tied using a quick release knot. □ Remain with your calf so that she stays calm and comfortable. □ Don’t fuss with the calf. Let her rest after the ride to the show. □ Pick up your stall card and fill it out if not already. □ Register at the registration desk during the specified times (refer to the day’s agenda) and pick up

your show harness. □ Know the time schedule for the day. □ If possible, wash the calf early in the day. □ Bed the calf. □ Feed hay and water. □ Have someone with the calf at all times to remove manure. □ About 1 ½ hours before the show, feed your calf the beet pulp that you

brought and add some grain if the calf refuses to eat the beet pulp. □ Ask for help and advice from leaders and older 4-H members. □ Be friendly and courteous to show visitors. □ Assist other 4-H members. □ Be a good sport at all times.

Final Preparation There are a few last minute things you should think about before the show: □ Blow the hair up on the top-line. Set and trim it to give it a straight stylish appearance. □ Brush the calf’s head, neck and sides with a soft brush. □ Apply a shiny product to the dark areas of the heifer’s coat with a sponge or rag, i.e. purple oil, final

mist □ Apply fly spray □ Comb or brush the tail

On Show Day Make sure you have a wooden or plastic box that is large enough to hold your equipment, but not too heavy to

carry. You should bring the following equipment:

□ leather show halter

□ good quality hay

□ beet pulp

□ small quantity of grain

□ water pail

□ fork for bedding and cleaning stall

□ straw

□ washing equipment - plastic or nylon halter, pail, animal shampoo, brushes, hose, nozzle, blanket,

wash suit

□ work clothes and a clean set of white show clothes and work boots

CODE OF ETHICS FOR DAIRY SHOWS

The following was taken from Holstein Canada’s web site. It supports good animal husbandry practices at shows, while presenting a positive image to spectators. All exhibitors and their fitters, agents, or other representatives agree to abide by the following rules and regulations.

PART I The following practices or procedures are unacceptable in the show ring of registered dairy cattle.

1. misrepresenting the age or ownership of an animal

2. filling an animal’s rumen unnaturally with liquid (tubing)

3. balancing the udder by any means other than by leaving naturally produced milk in any or all quarters 4. treating the udder internally with an irritant, counter-irritant, or any other substance to temporarily improve

conformation or produce unnatural animation 5. treating the udder externally with an irritant, counter-irritant, or any other substance to temporarily improve

conformation or produce unnatural animation ( allowable practices/substances include sealing and setting teats, and the use of external anti-inflammatory substances for the well-being of the animal

6. roping udders and the use of objects to physically improve definition of the suspensory center ligament

7. administering epidural anesthesia (blocking tails) and/or applying any irritant either externally or internally to the perineum (rectum and vagina) areas

8. inserting foreign material/articles under the skin, into the topline (including hair not attached to its own hair follicle) or on the feet (administration of acceptable medications, and false switches and tails are permitted)

9. performing surgery of any kind to change the natural contour of appearance of the animal’s body, hide or

hair. Not included is the removal of warts, teats and horns, clipping and dressing of hair, and trimming of hooves

10. criticizing or interfering with the judge, show management or other exhibitors, or other conduct detrimental to the breed or show

11. wrapping hocks or draining fluid from hocks unless authorized by a veterinarian at the show

PART II

All exhibitors and their fitters, agents or other representatives agree to abide by the following procedures:

1. Exhibitors, agents, employees or other persons acting on behalf of an exhibitor, shall deliver to an inspector upon request any hypodermic syringe, needle or other device, swabs, cloths or other material, or samples of

any medicine, preparation or substance, whether in liquid or other form, for the purposes of laboratory

analysis.

2. All entries and personal property of the exhibitors, their servants and agents and persons acting on behalf of exhibitors, are subject to inspection by inspectors authorized by a show.

All such persons shall cooperate with the inspectors and shall provide all such information in connection with such inspections and shall provide access to the animal and all information reasonably required by inspectors in

connection with such inspections and shall provide, if so requested, samples or urine, milk, blood, or any other body fluids suitable for analysis.

3. Exhibitors shall remove any udder supports, blankets or other objects limiting the ability of the inspector to

undertake a thorough inspection.

4. The exhibitor agrees to act at all times in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Showing and the

Standard Procedures, and will accept any final decision made there under.

STANDARD EXHIBITORS AGREEMENT Agreement, Declaration and Waiver

If entry is accepted by the show organizers, the undersigned on his or her own behalf and the exhibitor

and the principals and agents of the exhibitor acknowledge and agree that they and each of them:

1. are bound by, and will act at all times in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Showing Dairy Cattle, and Standard Procedures and Penalties for Enforcing Rules and Regulations for

Showing Dairy Cattle, and will accept any final decision made there under;

2. accepts that any action which may be taken under the above may be reported to any association registering purebred livestock; and

3. release and agree to hold the Show and its officials, directors, officers, employees, representatives, agents and volunteers (collectively the “show organizers”) harmless from any action taken under

this agreement, the rules and Regulations for Showing Dairy Cattle, or any other show rules and regulations, and release the show organizers from and against any injury, damage or loss suffered

during or in connection with the show, whether or not such injury, damage or loss resulted from or

was contributed to directly or indirectly, by the acts or omissions of the show organizers.

I declare by signing the Old Home Week and Rural Youth Fair entry forms that: (1) any animal entered is not currently barred from showing at any future dairy show in North America;

and

(2) no owner of the entered animal, whether direct or indirect, is currently barred from showing any other animal at any future dairy show in North America.

I declare by signing this entry that:

(1) the entry information provided to the show organizers is true and correct; (2) I have the authority of make this AGREEMENT, DECLARATION, AND WAIVER, and to bind all

persons and enterprises with any interest in the entered animal(s) to the terms of this AGREEMENT,

DECLARATION, AND WAIVER, and do so bind them, their agents, heirs, successors and assigns or, to the extent that I do not have this authority, will ensure that such person(s) sign this agreement;

(3) I and all other persons and enterprises with an interest in the entered animal(s) accept full responsibility for my actions, and for those of anyone else, including but not limited to fitters, who

are involved in the care of, show preparation and/or showing of the entered animal(s).

By signing the Exhibition Entry Forms, you are agreeing to abide by this Code of Ethics and AGREEMENT, DECLARATION AND WAIVER.

Violators are subject to disciplinary provisions of the Standard Procedures and Penalties for Enforcing Rules and Regulations for Showing Dairy Cattle, and/or other

show rules and regulations.

AGRICULTURE AWARENESS PROJECT Agriculture is one of PEI’s main industries. You are expected to participate with your club to complete a project (or provide a service) which helps your club or others become aware of the importance of agriculture in our lives. As in the community project, you should actively participate. Our Agricultural Awareness Project was ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ I helped by _____________________________________________________________________________ It was beneficial because __________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ I learned _______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________

COMMUNITY PROJECT Each year you are encouraged to provide a service to your community as a 4-H member. This introduces you to the responsibilities of citizenship. You must participate in your club’s plan for a community project and you should have a role to play. Describe your involvement with your club’ community project this year. Our Community Project was _________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ I helped by _____________________________________________________________________________ It was beneficial because __________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ I learned ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________