4-H?ers trained on good production practices April 29

Seventeen million pounds of meat are produced by Iowa 4-H?ers each year. They are significant contributors to the food industry. As a 4-H food producer, it is important they follow good production practices which leads to healthy animals which leads to safe food for consumers.

Washington County 4-H requires all members who show livestock that may enter the food chain to participate in a Food Safety and Quality Assurance training. Saturday, April 29, 66 4-H?ers paraded the Washington County fairgrounds attending 6 different educational sessions. Tom Miller, ISU Swine Specialist, focused on treatment records and youth practiced completing a treatment record for a mock animal treatment situation. Stephanie Sexton, 4-H/Youth Committee member, displayed the many ways to temporarily or permanently I.D. an animal. Participants matched the correct I.D. technique with the correct species. Gene Mohling, ISU Region 15 Director, shared several different scenarios and youth had to decide if they were ethical or unethical situations. Jodi Ebert, 4-H Youth Committee member, led a science session on drug residue. Youth experimented with several types of chocolate milk and how many rinses it took to remove all the residue from the glass. Dr. Rachel DeSotel from Schlapkohl Vet Services in Kalona shared about the veterinary career and how to foster good vet/client relationships. She answered several questions on animal care and medicines.

At the end of the morning of hands-on sessions, youth also had the option to attend a livestock sessions of their choice led by 4-H volunteers and youth Logan Sieren, Clara Schmitz, Ellie Todd, Ruchel Hiller and Stephanie Sexton.

Washington County 4-H?ers who still need to be trained can participate in the online Youth for Quality Care for Animals (YQCA) training online through yqca.org and get the completion certificate to the Extension Office by June 1.