Sheep

 

Sheep Information can be found here to help you with participation in the 4-H/FFA Sheep Project.  Events will be posted in the workshops section as well as details for the annual lamb identification and weigh in information for the Green County Fair.  If you have any questions regarding the sheep project, contact the Extensoin Green County office at 608-328-9440.

YQCA jpgYouth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Certification

 

Wisconsin required the YQCA program, a youth education certification program on the issues of animal welfare, food safety and character education.

For 2021, this certification will be required of:

  • Green County Fair Animal Exhibitors (Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Poultry & Rabbits) – must complete and submit certification number as part of Green County Fair entry process.
  • SPECIAL WAIVER IN 2021 — If you completed YQCA Certification in 2020, your certificate number will be honored in 2021 for the Green County Fair. If you are a NEW exhibitor, you will need to do the online training. (If you exhibit in other fairs, you will need to check their YQCA rule requirements) You must enter the Certificate Number on your Online Fair Entry. 
  • WI State Fair Junior Animal Exhibitors (Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Poultry & Rabbits) – please check their website for requirements.

YQCA gives families more flexibility in gaining this required certification, by offering them two different learning methods:

If you need to do the certification, all 2021 YQCA Training options MUST be registered and paid for online at https://yqca.learngrow.io

Option A – Web-Based Online Training (60-90 minutes) – Available 24/7 which allows exhibitors flexibility to take course at their convenience; Will contain 3 modules, tailored to youth age categories (ages 8-11, 12-14, 15-18 & 19-21); Each module will conclude with a 10 question quiz, with opportunities to go back into the modules to find the correct answers or retake the quiz after 1 hour; Must register online at a cost of $12/person/year for the online training and MUST be paid online.

Option B – Test Out – Youth ages 12($36), 15($48), and 19($36) may choose the test out option. Youth must score 80% or better and you will only be charged if you pass the test. If you don’t pass, you will be instructed to take the web-based training. If you pass, you will need to retest when you reach the next age split.

Steps for Getting Your YQCA Certification: 

Click here for Step-By-Step directions with pictures.

Create An Account—Go to: https://yqca.learngrow.io

  • 4-H Exhibitors—Please sign in using the “4HOnline” option. This will save you re-entering all of your contact info.
  • FFA Exhibitors—Please sign in using the “Independent Sign In” option.

Select a Course—it is IMPORTANT to select the correct course for the youth’s age, as of Dec. 31, 2020.

Purchase a Course—Select the state, and then select Web-Based ($12).  MUST pay online for the course. Keep a copy of your receipt/confirmation.

Submitting Certificate of Completion—Once the training is complete, return to the course menu screen to download a PDF of the Certificate of Completion with the youth’s unique certificate number. Certificate numbers must be submitted as part of the Green County Fair online entry process.

For more information, print the YQCA Flyer 2021 or please contact the Extension Green County office at 608-328-9440 with any questions.

Green County Market Lamb Identification 

All Market Lambs will be given official USDA 840 tags and again for 2021 will also require scrapie tags for the spring identification process. Families will need to pick up a Lamb ID Kit between April 19th-May 3rd at the Extension Green County Office. You will need to know how many lambs you will be tagging when you pick up your kit. Kits will include, USDA 840 tags, a tagger (if needed and must be returned), rules for exhibiting lambs, YQCA flyer, Lamb ID Forms, Picture tagging guide, and auction entry forms. After receiving your packet, tag all market and carcass lambs and take a head shot photo clearly showing the USDA 840 tag in the lamb’s ear, as well as the scrapie tag in the ear. (Note-for flock Scrapie tags, call 1-866-873-2824 to order the scrapie tags) Mount the lamb photo on the Lamb Id Form, fill in the appropriate information and return the form to the Extension Green County office by 4;30 pm on May 3rd.  (Note- photos need to be as clear as possible)
Print the Green County Market LAMB Exhibitors Rules 2021 page for a complete list of requirements!!!
To summarize a couple changes:
  • Exhibitors will be required to self-identify ALL fair MARKET LAMBS. Each exhibitor may identify a maximum of 5 MARKET LAMBS. Two MARKET LAMBS can be identified on each LAMB Identification Form.
  • Picture Identification:  All MARKET LAMBS being ID’d for the fair need to have a scrapie tag AND a USDA RFID tag. If you already have scrapie tags for your farm, you can use those. If you don’t have scrapie tags, they can be purchased by calling 1-866-873-2824.  RFID tags are free and must be picked up from the Extension Green County Office.  You must provide a count of the Market Lambs you are identifying when picking up the tags. After you receive the tags, you must complete your LAMB ID form with the Scrapie Tag Number, the RFID tag number, and a photo of the LAMB being identified. (Keep track of the ear tag  information as you will need it for your online fair entry) One ID picture needs to be taken; a front view that clearly displays the scrapie tag and the RFID tag. Use the included form to mount the picture on and fill in the information pertinent to that lamb, including if it is a home born lamb on your farm.
  • Return the Picture ID Form to Extension Green County by May 3rd!
    Picture ID Forms must be returned to Extension Green County office before 4:30 PM on May 3rd to exhibit market lambs at the 2021 Green County Fair. Picture ID forms can list family youth, including all siblings, within the immediate family.  Lamb Picture ID Forms must be postmarked/returned to Extension Green County by May 3rd, and can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off at the Extension Green County Drop Box in our front lobby. 
  • YQCA Certification MUST BE DONE ONLINE this year and the certificate number information will be required to do your online fair entry!
  • Fair Entries & Auction Entry Forms: Fair Entries need to be completed online by June 1st and Auction Entry Forms are due to the Extension Green County Office by 4:30pm June 1st. No Exceptions on either of these!
  • Market Lambs must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds to be eligible to sell in the Auction and will be paid up to a maximum of 150 pounds, provided all auction requirements have been met.

Only lambs that are identified will be eligible for exhibition in the market lamb classes and to sell at the Green County Fair Meat Animal Auction.

All carcass lambs are required to be identified for the carcass competition also. Carcass lambs will no longer be harvested and will be allowed to exhibit in both the carcass class and the lamb market classes. Overall carcass lamb placing will be based on 60% carcass and 40% rate of gain.

Market lambs will be tagged with official USDA tags AND also need to have scrapie tags at the fair.  All breeding sheep will still be required to have a USDA Scrapie tag before the animals are allowed onto the fairgrounds this summer also.  The only exception to this is for breeding animals that have breed registration papers and a breed tattoo.  If sheep exhibitors plan to exhibit breeding stock they can order their own free scrapie tags by calling 1-866-873-2824.  These tags should be ordered early since it usually takes several weeks before they are received from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Only Green County Fair market lambs need to be pre-identified by May 3rd.  Market lambs for the Wisconsin State Fair will not be identified this way. Please consult the Wisconsin State Fair requirements for lambs to be showed there.

Auction record books and other show information will also be distributed to exhibitors online, in their Lamb Identification Kits, or at the Extension Green County office.  Contact the Extension Green County office, at 608-328-9440 for more information.

Sheep Resources

American Sheep Industry                                                                     Equity Livestock Sales Coop
US Sheep Breeders Online Directory                                                Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill
Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative                                             Sheep! Magazine
List of Sheep Breeds-Wikipedia

Green County Sheep Producers

This organization supports and sponsors youth in various sheep areas through trophy and award sponsorships.  Contact Evelyn Crooks at 608-897-2041 for more information