4-H Families and 4-H Volunteers,
Thank you for your understanding as we all adjust to the impacts of COVID-19 in our communities. As of today, March 25th, Purdue University Travel and Event Restrictions are in place until May 18, 2020 which means there are no face to face extension programs, including 4-H meetings, to be held until that date. Additionally Governor Holcomb has issued a “stay at home” order through April 7th. You should have received an email communication from the Indiana 4-H office on updated the Animal ID deadline and tagging procedures. As a follow up to that message I have outlined how these procedures will take place in our county. The Brown County Animal ID/Tagging Day scheduled for May 3, 2020 has been cancelled and the 4HOnline ID Deadline, normally May 15th, has been moved back until June 1st. Our fair and the Indiana State Fair are still scheduled to take place which means that our animals must still be identified.
What does this mean for our livestock exhibitors?
How will this work?
Indiana State Fair Information
ISF has extended its deadlines to accommodate 4-H members as well. The initial entry deadline is July 1st. New this year is a DNA Hair sample requirement for all livestock heading to the Fair. When scheduling your appointment to pick up your tags please indicate your intention to compete at the state fair so I can include a DNA Hair sample collection envelope, additional tags if necessary, and instructions.
Instructional Resources on How to Tag your Animals
Below I have complied videos from extension services and tagging companies to assist 4-H members in tagging their animals. While the tags might not look exactly the same in these videos the position in the ears and processes are the same. Contact your leaders or the extension office for further instruction or advice on properly tagging your 4-H animals.
Tagging Requirements
4-H tagging requirements for Brown County and the Indiana State Fair are listed on page 60 of your 4-H Handbook which can be accessed on our website or picked up at the extension office. Updated State Fair requirements are included in the attached document below.
Our top priority is the health and safety of our community. While the Purdue Extension-Brown County office is still closed to the public we are working remotely and continue to offer quality 4-H programming during this time. Virtual programming like the Virtual Area 1 Performing Arts Contest and the Indiana 4-H Animal Science Web Series (Tuesdays at 3 pm, coming soon) are a few of the options I have been part of developing. 4-H leaders and members are encouraged to use virtual methods of communication during this time. Zoom is great (free) option for virtual meetings. Contact me if you need help setting up online meetings for your club or group. A list of at home activity guides is also available on Indiana 4-H’s website.
Thank you for working with us as we adapt and make changes to our 4-H Program to keep everyone safe. If you have any questions about the 2020 Animal ID process this year please contact me, the 4-H Youth Educator, Britt Copeland at copelanb@purdue.edu.
Sincerely,
Britt Copeland | Extension Educator- 4-H Youth Development
copelanb@purdue.edu | (812) 988 5495