4-H Agent's Message

Happy Holidays! Thank you to everyone who turned in livestock entries!

For those exhibitors who ordered broiler chicks, they will be available at the 4-H Office on January 5th and I will update with a timeframe when they can be picked up . If you are showing exhibition poultry or broilers at the upcoming livestock shows please read the important Poultry Show information in this newsletter.

Recently, we received a Junior Livestock Show Agreement form from the State 4-H Office to be signed by our livestock families. The form is available below. It must be signed and returned to the St. Landry 4-H Office ASAP to participate in the livestock shows.

Lastly, if you are a new exhibitor or showing a new specie, you must complete the Quality Assurance Ethics Certification (QAEC) on the LSU AgCenter website. Please complete this training at www.qaec.lsuagcenter.com and turn in certificates to me before the shows. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

The 4-H Office will be closed December 24th - January 1st. We will reopen January 4, 2021.

 

COVID-19 Statement

All exhibitor families will be expected to abide by whatever statewide mandates/guidelines are in place at show time and/or as established by the LSU AgCenter/Show Management, including social distancing and wearing masks. Exhibitors and parents, please be aware that the LSU AgCenter is a statewide governmental entity funded through federal, state, and local governments. As such, unlike privately funded shows (La. State Fair, breed association shows, jackpot shows, etc) we have no other option but to follow government mandated guidelines and regulations. Our current choices are to (a) conduct 2021 AgCenter shows following required guidelines, or (b) cancel these shows. If we are to provide our 4-H/FFA livestock shows as educational experiences for our young people in 2021, it will only be with your help and understanding. Your cooperation will be both appreciated and expected.

Given the health concerns with COVID-19 there is no guarantee that livestock shows will occur as advertised. With that in mind all livestock show participants and families should note that purchase and/or validation of animals is at their own risk and financial investment.

 

Dates to Remember

December 4, 2020 - Breeding Swine Possession Deadline

December 4, 2020 - Commercial & Market Swine Validation Deadline

January 5, 2021 - Broiler Chick Pick Up

January 11, 2021 - Exhibition Bird Blood Testing

January 18, 2021 - Deadline to submit State Premier Exhibitor Contest registration

January 22-23, 2021 – St. Landry Parish Livestock Show, Opelousas

January 25-30, 2021 – Acadiana District Livestock Show, Lafayette & New Iberia

February 13-20, 2021 – LSU State Livestock Show, Gonzales

 

Health Papers

This is just a reminder to be sure to have your health papers for the Parish, District, and State Shows. All exhibitors must have health papers (except rabbits) and are required to get their own health papers. Health papers will be checked at the Parish Show during check-in.

 

Market Animals

Please be sure that you are working on securing a sponsor/buyer for your market animal(s). Remember that the purchase agreement/buyer slip must be submitted to me at the end of the Parish Show, January 23, 2021. Purchase agreements/buyer slips will not be accepted after the Parish Show.

All sponsorship monies (does not include donations) received for market animals must be handled by the 4-H Agent. The sponsor will write a check and mail to the Extension Office (make check out to St. Landry 4-H Livestock). The exhibitor will receive the check once the 3% commission is paid and a copy of the thank you note(s) to the sponsor(s) is received by the 4-H Agent. Exhibitors of market animals will not be paid until the sponsor pays the association and a copy of the exhibitor’s thank you note to the sponsor is received by the 4-H Agent.

April 1st is the absolute last day to have commission paid and a copy of the exhibitor’s thank you note to the sponsor(s) in the Extension Office. A penalty fee of $25.00 per week, or $5.00 per day after April 1st will be issued if submitted after April 1st deadline.

Once buyer slips are received at the end of the Parish Show, a billing letter will be sent to those sponsor(s). Please see the 2020 – 2021 Livestock Show Informational Packet for details.

 

Parish Livestock Show Pen Request

Due to the 2021 Parish Livestock Show being "show and go" pens will only be setup by request. The only exception will be swine. If you will need a pen for your sheep or goat(s) please email mrobnett@agcenter.lsu.edu or call 337-948-0561 by January 15, 2021. When making a pen request please only request the minimum amount you would need. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Poultry Show Information

NPIP Blood Testing and Health Papers

All exhibition birds and broilers must have health papers. Only exhibition birds need the NPIP Blood Test for all the shows. We are offering a day for exhibitors with exhibition poultry to come out and have the blood test done and receive leg bands (if needed). Once this is done, you will need to go to your local veterinarian office and have your health papers done. If you are not available to bring your exhibition bird(s) you are still required to have your blood test done prior to the show. Please contact the 4-H office if you will have a conflict.

Exhibition Bird Blood Testing

Monday, January 11, 2021

9:00 am – 11:00 am

St. Landry 4-H Office, 1065 Hwy 749, Opelousas, La 70570

Poultry Leg Bands

All Exhibition poultry must be leg banded with either a band provided by the exhibitor or a tamperproof band provided by the 4-H Office. Broilers must use leg bands provided by the 4-H Office. Contact the 4-H Office is you will need leg bands.

 

Premier Exhibitor Contest

Parish Premier Exhibitor Contest

The Parish Premier Exhibitor Contest is open to all St. Landry livestock exhibitors and doesn't require pre-registration. Exhibitors will complete a written test (multiple choice questions) and a skill-a-thon. Questions from the written test will only come from the study guide provided, which has general information on all species. Skill-a-thon questions will also come from the study guide and be split into five stations (animal ID, feed ID, equipment ID, anatomy ID, and meat ID). The exhibitor’s showmanship score will also be calculated into the overall score. Awards will be presented to the Junior (9 to 13 years old) and Senior (14 to 19 years old) participant with the highest overall score.

District Premier Exhibitor Contest

The District Premier Exhibitor Contest for 7th-12th graders will have separate specie specific contests for Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, and Dairy exhibitors. Exhibitors must have pre-registered to compete in the District Premier Exhibitor contests. Forms were due November 23, 2020.

State Premier Exhibitor Contest

The State Premier Exhibitor Contest is for 9th – 12th graders only and will be held at different dates during the State Livestock Show depending on the chosen specie(s). Along with an in-depth written test, skill-a-thon, and showmanship scores, the state contest also includes a resume score (application) and an interview score for the top ten individuals. Applications are due to the St. Landry 4-H Office by January 18, 2021.

For those participating in District and/or State Premier Exhibitor Contests, we will try to hold a Premier Exhibitor Workshop to help you practice and prepare. Information will be sent out once a date and time has been set.