1. Review the Animal Science Identification Requirements and Animal Owner Requirements.

• Market animals may NOT be leased.
• After November 5, 2024, the MNBAH updated their livestock exhibition ID requirements to comply with the new USDA APHIS identification rule. Refer to the 2025 4-H Beef Identification Requirements to see more specific situations.

2. Check out the Animal Science Updates for 2025 - Beef Project Updates and the Beef Information Sheet 2025

• 💥 There are LOTS of changes for this year - especially in Beef Cattle - so please read through CAREFULLY! 💥
• Please note that Cloverbuds do NOT need to identify Market Beef animals in 4-H Online; however, these animals do need to follow MNBAH ID exhibition requirements: Cloverbud Animal ID Letter

3. Purchase ear tags at the WOTC 4-H Extension Office: Ear Tag Information

• Tag your animal(s) appropriately no later than Tuesday, February 18.
• Tags cost $2.00/each
• There are taggers available for you to check out and use for a deposit of $20.00, which will be refunded to you upon return of the tagger to the WOT Extension Office.

4. Worksheets are a good way to collect data before you put it into 4-H Online. Please feel free to utilize:

• Market Beef ID - Steer & Heifer - Worksheet
• Dairy Steer ID Worksheet

• If animal IDs are not submitted into 4-H Online by Tuesday, February 18 there are consequences that will occur.

For ALL animal identification information, visit the UMN Extension animal ID page!

All 4-Her's competing must be currently enrolled in 4-H Online for the 2024-2025 year.

We'll see the teams who have registered for bowling on February 16th - BEST OF LUCK!

Money raised from fruit sales helps support 4-H in many ways:

⭐Scholarships for local, regional and state 4-H events

⭐Transportation for youth to 4-H events

⭐Trucking of livestock to State Fair

⭐Supplements the cost of events including Big Splash, Bowling, and the County Fair

All orders MUST be paid for online at the time of purchase using the student code.

🚚The delivery date is Wednesday, March 26. You must be available to pick up your fruit when it arrives OR find someone to pick it up for you - NO EXCEPTIONS! Fruit will not be brought back to the office for later pickup, so please plan ahead!

Highlights of what was accomplished at the January meeting:

• Working on educational pieces for all youth involved in the Horse Project.
• Applying for State Fair bonus trips in 2025.

You can view Horse PDC information by clicking on the "Horse PDC Public Folder" below.

• Applying for State Fair Bonus Trip(s) in 2025 for Swine.
• Further information will be available for other species later this spring with a deadline of June 1st.
• Present demonstrations for 4-H'ers and the general public at the 2025 WOTC Fair.
• Facilitate "Prepare for the Fair" event in June 2025.
• WOTC Fair Preparation Updates.

You can view Livestock PDC information by clicking on the "Livestock PDC Public Folder" below.

1. Review the Animal Science Identification Requirements and Animal Owner Requirements.

• You may choose to LEASE the following animals: Horses, Dogs, Llamas/Alpacas, Breeding Beef, Prospect Calves, Dairy Cattle, Breeding Goats, Breeding Poultry, Breeding Rabbits, Breeding Sheep, and Breeding Swine. Market animals may NOT be leased. A Lease Information Form must be uploaded into 4-H Online by Thursday, May 15 as well.

2. Check out the Animal Science Updates for 2025 and necessary information sheets listed below.

• There are LOTS of changes for this year - especially in Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, and scrapies clarification - so please read through CAREFULLY!

3. Purchase ear tags at the WOTC 4-H Extension Office: Ear Tag Information

• Tag/tattoo your animals appropriately no later than Thursday, May 15.
• Tags cost $2.00/each
• Taggers are available for you to check out and use for a deposit of $20.00, which will be refunded to you upon return of the tagger to the WOT Extension Office.

4. Worksheets are a good way to collect data before you enter it into 4-H Online. Please feel free to utilize these as they are listed under the information sheets below.

• If animal IDs are not submitted into 4-H Online by Thursday, May 15 there are consequences that will occur.

BEEF CATTLE: Beef Information Sheet 2025

• 2025 4-H Beef Identification Requirements
• Cow/Calf ID Worksheet
• Prospect Calf ID Worksheet
• Breeding Beef ID Worksheet

DAIRY CATTLE: Dairy Cattle Information Sheet 2025

• Dairy Cattle ID Worksheet

DAIRY GOATS: Dairy Goat Information Sheet 2025

• Dairy Goat ID Worksheet

DOGS: Dog Information Sheet 2025

• Dog ID and Vaccination Form

HORSES: Horse Information Sheet 2025

• Horse ID Worksheet

LLAMAS/ALPACAS: Llama/Alpaca Information Sheet 2025

• Llama/Alpaca ID Worksheet

MEAT GOATS: Meat Goat Information Sheet 2025

• Market Goat ID Worksheet
• Meat Doe ID Worksheet

POULTRY: Poultry Information Sheet 2025

• ONLY Pigeons & Doves must be entered into 4-H Online by Thursday, May 15: Pigeon & Dove ID Worksheet.
• All other Poultry entries must be included in the 2025 WOTC Fair registration process via Fair Entry - which opens Friday, May 23 - for stalling/penning purposes.
• Hatch dates that are more accurate to the 2025 WOTC Fair will be published in our Premium Book.

RABBITS: Rabbit Information Sheet 2025

• Rabbit ID Worksheet

SHEEP: Sheep Information Sheet 2025

• Sheep ID Worksheet

SWINE: Swine Information Sheet 2025

• Premise ID Information
• Swine ID Worksheet

CLOVERBUD ANIMALS:

• Cloverbuds may show their own animal or another 4-H'ers identified animal.
• Please note that Cloverbuds do NOT need to identify Market Beef animals in 4-H Online; however, these animals DO need to follow MNBAH ID exhibition requirements: Cloverbud Animal ID Letter
• Cloverbud entries must be included in the 2025 WOTC Fair registration process via Fair Entry - which opens Friday, May 23 - for stalling/penning purposes.

For ALL animal identification information, visit the UMN Extension animal ID page!

Congratulations to Madison P. for being invited to attend the Extension Day at the Capitol on February 4 in St. Paul! This experience, facilitated by the Extension Dean's Office, brings together staff, advisory groups and constituents to learn about issues facing Extension in the upcoming legislative session. They will work together to increase awareness of Extension initiatives around the state and will be provided an opportunity to visit elected officials from their home districts to discuss and promote Extension!

Extension is excited to bring you our next training in our Growing Minds, Growing Skills Academy Virtual Series this winter! The Babysitting for All Abilities series goal is to provide opportunities for babysitters to learn more about caring for youth with disabilities. This series will take youth into a deeper dive on how to be a Superhero babysitter!

Dates: February 11, 18, & 25 from 6pm- 7:30pm.

Registration deadline is February 6. There is no cost for the event. Click here for more information or to register.

Extension development and Minnesota 4-H offer several scholarships for 4-H youth who are pursing post-secondary studies at accredited colleges and universities.

We encourage eligible 4-H youth to visit the Extension 4-H scholarship website for detailed information on the applications, deadlines (most deadlines range from late February to early April), letters of recommendation needed, and amounts awarded.

Questions can be directed to mnextdev@umn.edu with "Attn: Scholarships," or call 612-624-7971.

🌟SAVE THE DATE:

June 12-13 for Junior Camp at Faith Haven!

⭐ Registration through 4-H Online will open on February 3 and close on May 9 ⭐

4-H Junior Camp at Faith Haven is a two-day, one-night camp that provides an introduction to 4-H camp so youth and their families can get a first look at a traditional overnight experience that is safe and close to home. Youth will get to participate in games, songs, educational programs, a reflective campfire and more.

This camp is open to youth currently in grades 3-6.

Camp will begin at 10 AM on June 12 and end at 3 PM on June 13.

Cost is $120.00.

Youth in grades 7 through one year post-high school are welcome to attend!

YELLO includes educational workshops, group networking experiences, inspiring messages from speakers, field trips, and opportunities to contribute to the local community through service projects.

Event Location: The majority of activities will occur at the University of Minnesota Morris (600 E 4th St, Morris). Youth will stay in a residential hall and eat in the dining hall on campus. There will be some offsite activities where bussing will be provided.

This year's theme is COMING SOON!

⭐ Registration through 4-H Online will open on February 1! ⭐

($300.00: Early Bird registration, Feb 1- Mar 31)

Spring is almost here and 4-H outdoor learning adventures are calling your name!

Grades 3–13 will rotate through exciting educational sessions related to map reading, EcoConnections, kick sledding, team building, and campfire cooking. There will be a 4-H WHEP (Wildlife Habitat Education Program) activity in the afternoon. Shooting sports participants are encouraged to participate to gain their wildlife hours.

The SW MN 4-H Wildlife Day 2025 will be facilitated and supported by several 4-H staff and wildlife volunteers.

Register in 4-H Online by March 19th!

More information can be found on the Extension Website.

Hello West Otter Tail 4-H Families!

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Mallory Bergem, and I am the Interim 4-H Program Assistant. I’ve been involved with West Otter Tail 4-H for about 15 years, first as a 4-H’er, then as a volunteer, summer intern, and now in my current role. I’m so excited to be a part of this wonderful community and look forward to working with all of you in the coming months!

I’m already in the process of planning a summer day camp and project days, so keep an eye out for more details soon! I can’t wait to connect with everyone and make this a great experience for our 4-H’ers.

If you have any questions or just want to chat, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at my email: ber00260@umn.edu.

Looking forward to a fantastic year!

Jessica Mohagen - Extension Educator:

• mohag150@umn.edu

Mallory Bergem - Interim 4-H Program Assistant:

• ber00260@umn.edu

Brianna Bischof - Administrative Specialist:

• bbischof@ottertailcounty.gov

View past newsletters HERE!

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