Local Youth Attends Event on Bovine-related Information

SOUTH BURLINGTON – Ryan Holbrook of Hardwick, was among the 4-Hers attending the Bovine Bonanza, Nov. 5. The event was open to youths, ages 8-18, enrolled in the 4-H beef, dairy and working steer projects. It was designed to share information on a number of bovine-related topics in a fun, non-competitive way.

Seventy-three 4-Hers gathered at the Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center at the University of Vermont (UVM) to learn about biosecurity and zoonotic diseases; bovine nutrition and fistulated cows; breeding, lineages and genetics; calving and calf care; and milking parlors. Participants were divided into age groups, and rotated through the five sessions, which were taught by students in the UVM Animal and Veterinary Sciences Department’s Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management (CREAM) program.

The event was organized by Wendy Sorrell, UVM Extension 4-H livestock educator, with assistance from Dr. Stephen Wadsworth, a Franklin County dairy veterinary practitioner and CREAM advisor.

To learn about 4-H livestock programs in Vermont, contact Sorrell at (802) 651-8343, ext. 513, or wendy.sorrell@uvm.edu.