Far West Texas Lamb, Goat and Swine training targets youth exhibitors/families
Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, s-byrns@tamu.edu
Contact: Chase McPhaul, 325-884-2335, pcmcphaul@ag.tamu.edu
Raymond Quigg, 432-693-2313, r-quigg@tamu.edu
Rebel Royall, 432-354-2381, r-royall@tamu.edu
BIG LAKE – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a district-wide Quality Counts and showmanship clinic for all 4-H youth and their parents beginning at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 23 in the Reagan County 4-H Building, 1430 N. Ohio St. in Big Lake.
The training is being conducted by the AgriLife Extension offices in Reagan, Upton and Glasscock counties and is open to all youth in the agency’s 22-county Far West District, also known as District 6. The day’s activities are free and include a sponsored lunch, but those planning to attend should RSVP by calling any of the three AgriLife Extension offices conducting the training by Nov. 15.
“The Far West Texas Lamb, Goat and Swine training is intended to provide a hands-on educational opportunity for new or experienced 4-H families participating in a livestock project,” said Chase McPhaul, AgriLife Extension agent in Reagan County. “The main purpose is to teach the basic principles of livestock management as they relate to facility maintenance, selection, nutrition, animal health, handling, showmanship and transportation.”
McPhaul said Quality Counts is designed to teach young people the importance of displaying good character and also helps them learn the importance of using proper livestock management practices so that food quality and safety are preserved.
“We also want to encourage all parents and leaders to remember that livestock projects, regardless of species, are to be used as tools in the process of youth development,” he said. “Our youth are not only learning skills, but also important values that will impact them throughout their entire lives and ultimately everyone around them.”
McPhaul said because the training will emphasize hands-on showing skills, all exhibitors are urged to bring their livestock project or projects to participate in the showmanship clinic that’s planned after lunch.
“If a child doesn’t have a project, please contact me or either of the other two participating AgriLife Extension agents in advance to allow us time to find a project so your child can fully participate,” McPhaul said.
Program instructors will include, Jay Waller, former high school agricultural instructor and now school superintendent at Ira; Rebel Royall, AgriLife Extension agent in Glasscock County; and Van Gaskins, an adult 4-H volunteer leader from Howard County.
For more information, contact McPhaul at 325-884-2335, pcmcphaul@ag.tamu.edu; Raymond Quigg, AgriLife Extension agent in Upton County at 432-693-2313, r-quigg@tamu.edu ; or Royall at 432-354-2381, r-royall@tamu.edu.
To learn more about Quality Counts go to: http://agrilife.org/qualitycounts/about-2/ .
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