4H_LogoBrown County 4-H is supported by the Brown County United Way.

DATES TO REMEMBER

July

19 – Junior/Intermediate Fashion Show, Grape Creek, Texas

23-30 – State 4-H Horse Show, Abilene, Texas

August

8 – Entry Deadline for West Texas Fair & State Fair

BROWN COUNTY 4-H NEWS AND UPDATES

WEST TEXAS FAIR AND STATE FAIR

It is that time already to start thinking about stock shows. The fall stock shows that are coming up are West Texas Fair and State Fair. The deadline to enter into the West Texas Fair and State Fair is August 8th. The entry forms are available at the Extension Office. If you have any questions, please contact Nick Gonzales

District 7 Sheep and Goat Youth Leadership Tour

District 7 is hosting a sheep and goat tour July 25-27, 2016. This program is to educate youth on the aspects of sheep and goat production. It will cover topics such as evaluation, feedlots, breeds, and marketing. The purpose is to show that there is another side to sheep and goat production other than showing. The program will be in San Angelo and youth will be staying in the Concho Hall dorms provided by ASU. A chaperone must attend with the youth participant, please note that the chaperone is responsible for transporting the participants to each stop on the tour.

Registration fee is $75 per person (youth and chaperone). All participants must be 13 years old at the time of the event.  Registration forms and fees are due to the Coke County Extension Office by July 17, 2016. For more information and registration forms contact Nick Gonzales.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR RABBIT COOL DURING HOT SUMMER HEAT

Remember rabbits wear a fur coat year round and must stay cool during the heat of summer. If possible, move inside. Place a small litter box in one corner of the cage. Rabbits are very easily litter box trained. Use cat litter in the box to help with an ammonia smell.

  1. If you have to leave them outside, place a frozen water bottle in the cage with your rabbit, any size several times a day.
  2. Place a soaker hose around your cage. A mister works well on top of cages.
  3. Place a wet piece of burlap or rug on top of the cage.
  4. Place a ceramic tile in the cage and wet it.
  5. Do not wet rabbit completely but you can mist their face and ears.

Rabbits cool their bodies by releasing heat through their ears. Fresh, clean, cool water is a must throughout the day. Put ice cubes in a bottle or water bowl. Most rabbits go off feed during heat. A handful of oak leaves; never sprayed with insecticides, will help. Remember if you give treats try slices of frozen bananas, teaspoon of oatmeal, apple slices, or carrots: make sure they have been washed before feeding your rabbit.

If you have any questions, contact Patricia Becktold at 325-646-4753.

SHADE FOR SHOW ANIMALS

It is imperative that you have some sort of shade for your show animals. Numerous research trials indicate that steers with adequate shade gain weight considerably faster up to 30 pounds a month extra. When the temperature combined with humidity totals 130 or more it becomes really critical to have shade for your animals. Air movement within the pen is also important. If there is no air moving within your pen you need a fan of some kind. Clean fresh water should be available 24 hours a day this summer. If your water trough is empty every time you feed, you need a bigger water trough.

NEW Steer Classification Standards for 2017 Major Shows

Starting in 2017 new steer classification standards will take place at major shows. Several breeds were modified and changed to better serve today’s industry. If you are looking to purchase steers for next year’s major shows, please review each of the breed guidelines. Especially note the revisions to Red Angus, Hereford, Polled Hereford, Charolais, Limousin, Simmental, and the additions of the following Cross Color Divisions: Red Cross, Black Cross and Other Cross.  Please note the Chianina breed is no longer included in the updated classification standards. A complete list of these breeds can be viewed at: http://brown.agrilife.org/links/4h/. If you have any questions, please contact Nick Gonzales.

4-H ENROLLMENT IS OPEN ON 4-H CONNECT!

The enrollment process for the 2015-2016 4-H year will begin August 15, 2015. All 4-H families, new and returning, are encouraged to log in and enroll in order to become an official 4-H member.

As you begin your enrollment for the year, here are some tips in using 4-H CONNECT:

  • If you already have a profile DO NOT create another one!
  • If you lost your email and password call the county office so we can reset it for you.
  • An active membership will not be granted until the $20.00 participation fee is paid on 4-H   Connect!
  • You cannot register or participate in an event until your profile is ACTIVE.
  • When you are doing your re-enrollment for the 2015-2016 4-H Year please make sure you update your address, phone number, and e-mail address.
  • You can use your Fundraiser Voucher to pay your membership dues. To do this you will have to come into the extension office to enroll.
  • We are updating our e-mail database on November 1st so if you are not enrolled by then you will no longer receive newsletters updates via e-mail. Unless you notify the Extension Office prior to November 1st deadline.

Don’t wait until the last minute to enroll because after October 31st the cost increases to $25!!

Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating.