Youth Livestock Project

Dodge County Junior Fair Market animals will be identified through tagging, DNA collection, and the 2021 Google Exhibitor/Family registration form.

For the 2021 youth livestock project year, the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale Committee will be identifying Junior Market Beef, Sheep and Swine projects with ear tags, DNA samples, and a Google Exhibitor/Family Registration form.  ID packets (ear tags, DNA envelopes, specie paperwork) will be available for pick up at the Extension office starting April 12th and will be due back to the Dodge County Extension office by the end of business on May 7th. Letters for Beef, Sheep, and Swine exhibitors will be released later, containing information that is more detailed.

  • You will be required to request your Identification packets with the Dodge County Extension office prior to their pick up at 920-386-3790.

**New this year, we will also be identifying Feeder Beef projects with ear tags. This will be in place of a weigh-in (NO FEEDER BEEF WEIGH IN), feeder beef identification will occur at the same time as Beef, Sheep and Swine (starting April 12 and due back to the Dodge County Extension office by the end of business on May 7) **

BEEF PROJECT

2021 Junior Market Beef Identification | Dodge County Fair | Monday, April 12th – Friday, May 7th 

To request tags, please call Extension Dodge County at 920-386-3790. 

SWINE PROJECT 

2021 Junior Market Swine Identification | Dodge County Fair | Monday, April 12th – Friday, May 7th 

To request tags, please call Extension Dodge County at 920-386-3790. 

SHEEP PROJECT 

2021 Junior Market Sheep Identification | Dodge County Fair | Monday, April 12th – Friday, May 7th 

To request tags, please call Extension Dodge County at 920-386-3790. 

 

2020-2021 LIVESTOCK PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

Livestock Project Activity Card (Orange Cards) – Orange card completion will continue to be required for participation in the Meat Animal Sale with the following adjustments:

  • Educational points earned between August 13, 2019 and August 17, 2021 will be accepted. This includes attendance at the 2019 Post Sale meeting. With the EXCEPTION of YQCA (Youth for the Quality Care of Animals). Your YQCA certification must be current and valid at the time of the Dodge County Fair. YQCA certifications are only valid for one year after completion with the exception of the test out option.
    • YQCA certification is available for completion at yqca.org. At this time, no instructor led courses are planned in Dodge County.
  • If you complete a virtual livestock project activity, please complete the Event/Education Verification Form and return to the Dodge County Extension office.

 

DODGE COUNTY YOUTH LIVESTOCK PROJECT EDUCATIONALS

♦ MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2021 | 7:00 PM | ZOOM; Getting Ready for the Show Ring (Beef Focused)

Fair supplies, show ring etiquette, and more. Presented by Lexi Bird.

♦ MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2021 | 7:00 PM | ZOOM; Health Maintenance-Presented by Dr. Ralph Stowell
♦ MONDAY, MARCH 15, 2021 | 7:00 PM | ZOOM; Anatomy & Physiology-Presented by Drs. Chris Haase & Ralph Stowell
♦ MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 | 7:00 PM | ZOOM; Trivia Night

Species breakouts; starting with your own species, and changing breakout groups several times.

♦ MONDAY, MAY 17, 2021 | 7:00 PM | ZOOM; Getting Ready for the Fair!

Herdsmanship, slogan contest, etc.

 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED-REGISTER IN ADVANCE FOR ONE OR ALL MEETINGS.

 

 

WISCONSIN YOUTH LIVESTOCK PROGRAM EDUCATIONALS (Count for Dodge County MAS points)

The Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program (WYLP), in connection with the University of Wisconsin Madison Animal & Dairy Sciences Department, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and Division of Extension, are excited to offer these LIVE Virtual Zoom educational programs for the winter/spring of 2020-2021.  These current topics are for youth and adults alike and occur on the 2nd Thursday of the month from January through May.  Each session begins at 7 p.m. CST with a presentation followed by Q&A.  You must register in order to receive the connecting information through email.

For more detailed information of each presentation and to register for any or all of the events, please go to:  https://go.wisc.edu/r3x8lh.  On this webpage you can also complete an educational verification form and turn it into your county fair and or livestock committee to verify your participation.  These activities can serve as “county educational requirements”.

♦THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2020 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | UW-Madison Meat Science Building Tour-The Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program, in connection with the University of Wisconsin Madison Animal & Dairy Sciences Department, College of Agriculture and Life Science and Division of Extension, will host a LIVE Virtual Zoom Tour of the brand-new Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery Building.  The tour begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 3rd, via the Zoom platform.  Please register by going to https://go.wisc.edu/6z663y to sign up for this event.  The connection information will follow through email after you register. YOUTH WILL NEED TO FILL OUT THE ABOVE EVENT/EDUCATION VERIFICATION FORM FOR EDUCATIONAL POINTS.
♦THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | Roaming the Rumen– Join this session to learn more about the ruminant stomach’s compartments and how it’s different from other digestive systems. We will work with a cannulated cow to see how feeds are digested and utilized by animals.
Speakers:  Eric Ronk and Dr. Luiz Ferraretto, UW Madison Animal & Dairy Sciences.
Register for this event
♦THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | Feeding & Caring for Swine without Ractopamine–Join this session to gain perspective on how Ractopamine can be managed in your swine project; cleaning facilities, alternative feeding opportunities, knowledge of show policy.
Speakers:  TBA
Register for this event
♦THURSDAY, MARCH 11, 2021 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | Lamb Live & Carcass Evaluation; Lamb Culinary Products–We will pre-record the live lamb evaluation and review those same lamb carcasses in the NEW Meat Science & Animal Biologics Building.  We will fabricate the carcass into cuts and other products.
Speakers:  Todd Taylor, Bernie O’Rourke, and Jeff Sindelar, UW Madison Animal & Dairy Sciences.   Cody Hiemke, Niman Ranch Lamb Program Manager
Register for this event
♦THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 2021 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | Artificial Intelligence in Animal Sciences using Sensors & Cameras– We can’t wait to share some of this technology currently being done at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Animal & Dairy Sciences Department, that helps predict livestock traits in livestock production systems by using the technology of cameras and sensors.
Speakers:  Dr. Guilherme J.M. Rosa and Dr. Joao Dorea, UW Madison Animal & Dairy Sciences
Register for this event
♦THURSDAY, MAY 13, 2021 | 7 PM VIRTUAL | Meat Science Cookery– It should be spring/summer in Wisconsin, and looking forward to firing up the grill to make brats, burgers, and other products.
Speakers:  TBA
Register for this event

 

For more information visit https://go.wisc.edu/r3x8lh or contact Bernie O’Rourke, UW- Madison Extension Youth Livestock Specialist at (608) 263-4304 or borourke2@wisc.edu.

For more information go to the Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program.

Website – https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/youthlivestock/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1mPVKo63rmBr5s3kFyvX9g

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/wisconsinyouthlivestock/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wiyouthlvstk/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/wiyouthlvstk

 

 

YQCA – YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS

Online training only for youth livestock participants.

 

 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE MAS AUCTION YOUTH

 

Swine Health Rule: Swine Requirements for Entry into and within Wisconsin Changing – Effective February 1, 2018

MADISON – Swine moving into and within Wisconsin will have to meet new testing requirements beginning Feb. 1, State Veterinarian Dr. Paul McGraw announced.

The new requirements are intended to help control the spread of two diseases: swine enteric corona virus disease, known as SECD, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, or PRRS. Both have caused significant hardship in the swine industry. Neither is a human health threat.

Like all animals, swine entering Wisconsin must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection, or CVI, signed by a veterinarian who has examined them in the past 30 days and found them to be apparently healthy. In addition, the CVI must now include:

  • A report showing that they came from a herd that has tested negative for the two diseases in the past 90 days.
  • A veterinarian’s statement that the animals showed no signs of either disease when they were examined.
  • A statement from the event veterinarian, if they came through an out-of-state sale or exhibition where they were mixed with swine from other herds, that all the herds tested negative and that none showed signs of either disease.

Swine that don’t meet these requirements can enter Wisconsin with a CVI and import permit from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. However, they will be quarantined until a Wisconsin veterinarian has developed a herd plan addressing testing and biosecurity, and DATCP has approved the plan.

If the swine go directly to slaughter or to a veterinary clinic for treatment, or if they are returning from an out-of-state veterinary clinic, they do not need to be tested. Exhibitors who move swine into and out of the state for fairs or other exhibitions must notify DATCP. If their animals are potentially exposed to swine from positive herds at the events, they will be quarantined on return until they have a herd plan approved. They can get a herd plan approved before leaving the state, which may avoid a quarantine.

Swine moving within Wisconsin must now also test negative for PRRS and SECD within 90 days of movement, unless they’re going to slaughter, either directly or after a terminal fair or show. 

For more complete details, visit https://datcp.wi.gov and search “swine movement.”

Frequently Asked Questions
 About the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale – For Buyers

Thank you for your interest in, and support of, our county livestock youth and their meat animal sale!

Our sale is Thursday evening, during our county fair. A Pre-Sale Buyers Luncheon and Awards and Recognition Announcements precede the sale,. The sale begins promptly at 7 p.m.

Our sale order is: 25 beef, 14 sheep, 25 hogs then repeat rotation again with 25 beef, 18 sheep and 25 hogs. Champions will sell at the beginning of the first rotation as that specie comes to the sale floor.

If you registered as a buyer at last year’s sale, we will send you a mailing around early August with details for the evening of the sale, including free tickets to enter the Fairgrounds. If you have not attended our sale, but would like to, please contact the Dodge County UWEX Office at 920-386-3790 to be added to our mailing list.

Learn More About the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale (PDF, 3 pages, 34 KB)

About the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale – For Youth
  • Review the Dodge County Junior Fairbook , located at the Dodge County Junior Fair webpage, for all Junior Livestock Show and Sale Rules.
  • The Dodge County Meat Animal Sale  is held at 7 p.m., on Thursday night of fair week.
  • To be considered for the Meat Animal Sale, animals must be identified in spring (January for market beef, and May for market lambs and hogs).
  • At Online Fairy Entry time, livestock animals must be entered in the correct market class to be considered for the sale.
  • Youth (or their parents) must attend either the Pre-Sale meeting (usually in June) or the Post-sale meeting (usually in September). These are the only meetings which parents may attend for their children.
  • Youth who wish to participate in the sale must meet MAS educational requirements (explained below). Youth must attend the event to earn the educational point – parents may not earn educational points for their children.
  • Swine Project Youth must have current Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification.
  • Meeting attendance is recorded on the Livestock Project Member Activity Card (see below).
  • All required paperwork must be turned in during check-in time at the county fair, or before. Required paperwork includes:
    • Completed Livestock Project Member Activity Card, including Premise ID, for each youth.
    • A completed & signed County of Origin Labeling (COOL) Form for sheep- both purchased and homebred.
    • For swine, completed and signed health papers.
Educational Points as Required by the MAS Committee
  • Pre- and Post-Sale Meetings, Educational Meetings, and YQCA classes are listed on our Dodge UWEX Calendar. Be sure to review the 4-H Calendar and call the Dairy and Livestock Educator with any questions at 920-386-3790.
  • “4” points are required and can be obtained by attending educational livestock events. 
  •  AT LEAST 2 of the points need to be earned at a county or state educational event.  For some youth who have no means to have “local club” learning events, it is always possible to have all 4 or more points obtained from county or state events. 
  •  If an “out of county” event is where a point will be obtained, use the back of the card to explain the event AND obtain a signature that can be identified, and a phone number, so a call may be given if the committee has questions. 
  • No educational event may give a youth more than 1 educational point (even if another county’s youth obtain 2+ points for such an event).
  • Youth attending college may obtain a point for agricultural events attended by obtaining approval from the MAS committee.
  • Livestock Project Member Activity Card (orange card) (PDF, 1 page)
Livestock Project Information
Beef Feeder Replacement Project Information
  • NOTE: The Beef Feeder Replacement Project is good for younger members to gain experience working with a bucket calf and showing younger beef animals. This is NOT a market animal.
  • Beef Feeder Replacement Project – Project Booklet 
    After clicking this link, scroll down to “Record Books” and “Livestock – Feeder Beef” to find project booklet.
Where to Find Out About Scheduled Events
Wisconsin State Fair (WSF)
  • Wisconsin State Fair Junior Livestock Information is posted when available at the Wisconsin State Fair website. Check there often for current deadlines and detailed information.
Livestock & Meats Judging
  • Practices start in fall and are a great opportunity to learn more about your livestock project animals through judging!
  • Educational Carcass Show Judging Videos
    After you click the above link, click on the YouTube icon on the upper right of the page.  This will take you to the Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program channel where you will find the beef, lamb and swine ultrasound videos. These videos, each about 10 minutes, will help you follow up with what carcass data means and how it coincides with what actual carcasses look like and where measurements are taken. The beginning part of the video narration is the same in each video, the differences come in when the carcass data is explained.
Livestock Quiz Bowl & Skillathon
Livestock Resources

About the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale (MAS) Committee

Purpose, Bylaws and Members

  • To provide 4-H members, FFA members and Dodge County Youth Organization members an opportunity to have market livestock projects evaluated.
  • To provide incentive and to encourage greater participation in livestock feeding and production projects.
  • To recognize Youth Project Members who do quality work in selecting, feeding, and showing livestock projects.
  • To teach a greater understanding of meat animal evaluation, animal husbandry, ethical care and treatment of animals, and showmanship.
  • To establish rules and enforce compliance of regulations for participation in the Dodge County Meat Animal Sale.
  • To examine and act upon issues and concerns expressed by Youth Project Members and people affiliated with a Dodge County 4-H, FFA or Youth Organization.
  • MAS Bylaws (PDF, 4 pages, 292 KB)
  • Dodge County Meat Animal Science Committee 2020-2021 (PDF, 1 pg)
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