Virginia 4-H and FFA Youth Swine Weekend

Livestock Update, February 2004

Scott Greiner, Extension Animal Scientist, Sheep, VA Tech

Virginia Tech's Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (TAREC) in Suffolk, VA invite youth (grades 6th ­ 12th) to attend the Virginia 4-H and FFA Youth Swine Weekend on March 26 and 27, 2004. The objective of the event is to teach youth about hogs and swine production and management, and to expose young people to potential careers in the swine industry. Please plan to attend this educational, exciting and fun-filled weekend.

The event kicks off at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 26th with an Open House of the TAREC Swine Research Unit. Participants will tour the research facilities with stops in the breeding and gestation barn, farrowing house, nursery, and grower-finisher barn. Included will be educational information and "hands-on" learning activities. (To protect your hogs and those housed at the TAREC facilities, please wear freshly laundered clothing and footwear suitable for passing through a footbath. After leaving the swine unit, be sure to re-launder clothing and disinfect footwear before making contact with other swine.)

At 6:30 p.m. there will be a barbeque dinner. Following the meal, participants will hear speakers that address a variety of topics that have relevance to swine production and management. Mr. Ryan Horsley, a Virginia Tech graduate student and local swine farmer will speak on careers in the swine industry. Dr. Allen Harper, Virginia Tech Extension Animal Scientist, will cover the topic "Commercial market hogs and champion show pigs: Are they the same?". Finally, Dr. Mark Estienne, Virginia Tech Swine Research Physiologist, will address exciting new reproductive technologies in the swine industry.

At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 27th, the 56th Annual Smithfield Junior Market Hog Show will be held at the TAREC Hare Road Research Farm. 4-H and FFA youth (from Suffolk, Isle of Wight County and Surry County only) will compete in the longest, continuously running youth hog show in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

After lunch and beginning at 1:00 p.m. there will be a Swine Quadrathalon Competition. Three- or four person teams of youth will test their knowledge of swine production and management in a competition that involves a written test, an oral presentation, a laboratory practicum and a quiz bowl. At 4:00 p.m. the weekend concludes with a Quadrathalon Awards Ceremony.

Registration forms are due March 12th, 2004. Additional information can be obtained by contacting: Dr. Mark J. Estienne
Virginia Tech-Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Phone: 757-657-6450, extension 114
Fax: 757-657-9333
e-mail: mestienn@vt.edu

Virginia 4-H and FFA Youth Swine Weekend
March 26th and 27th, 2004
Registration Form
(Each youth and adult leader or chaperone must register)

Registration forms are due by March 12th, 2004

Name _____________________________________________________

Check one:

_ Youth Participant: Age ______ _ Leader or chaperone

Address _____________________________________________________

City _____________________________________________________

State _____________________________________________________

Zip ________________ Phone: _____________________________

For planning purposes, please indicate below which of the weekend events you will be attending:

_ March 26th - Swine Research Facilities Open House

_ March 26th - Dinner and Educational Program (There is a $10.00 per person charge for dinner. Make checks payable to: Western Tidewater Stockmen's Club)

_ March 27th - Smithfield Market Hog Show (The market hog show is open to youth from Suffolk, Isle of Wight County and Surry County only. For market hog show rules and entry forms contact Ms. Billie Jean Elmer, Surry County Extension, PO Box 205, Surry, VA 23883; Phone: 757-294-5215).

_ March 27th - Swine Quadrathalon Competition (3 or 4 person teams)

My quadrathalon team members will be: ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

My quadrathalon team name is: ____________________________

By March 12th, 2004, please send registration forms and checks for dinner (made payable to Western Stockmen's Club) to:

Dr. Mark J. Estienne
Virginia Tech-Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center
6321 Holland Road
Suffolk, VA 23437
Phone: 757-657-6450, extension 114

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