|
2009 4-H Essay Contest Announcement
--Carol Beckman
"The Dance Language of Bees" is the topic for the 2009 4-H Essay Contest. If you have interested 4-Hers in this national contest, contact Carol Beckman at beckmanc@wsu.edu.
Malignant Catarrhal Fever in Fair Cattle in WA
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
The Washington Department of Agriculture's office of the state veterinarian is in the middle of an investigation of Malignant Catarrhal Fever in cattle the state. They have identified at least 15 head of cattle ranging in age from 4 months to 6 years that have died as a result of this viral disease. The cattle are from a number of different locations in the state. The most likely source, which the Department is still investigating, is from close contact with young lambs during the last 5 days of the Puyallup Fair, September 17-21, 2008. Confirmatory tests have been done by the WSU diagnostic laboratory, WADDL.
The incubation period for this disease is (on average) about 50 days, which is why there has been some lag period between the date of the fair and the investigation. The number of head of cattle affected is unusual, so more information is being gathered to understand the circumstances of exposure and transmission. Private veterinary practitioners, WADDL, Veterinary Medicine Extension, and others have been working with the state veterinarian on the investigation and providing information to producers.
For your information and use, Veterinary Medicine Extension has put together a fact sheet on the disease, testing and prevention strategies that is intended for producers and veterinarians.
If you have any questions about the outbreak itself, we are referring people to the Department of Agriculture (URL on the fact sheet). For testing information, see the WADDL website (on the fact sheet). If you have questions about the disease itself or have suggestions for additional outreach efforts, please let Veterinary Medicine Extension Veterinarian VetExtension@vetmed.wsu.edu know. We would like cattle producers (beef and dairy) to be aware of this disease and contact their veterinarian if they see any of the clinical signs. We would also like the information to reach the fair boards.
We will update you and others on the outbreak investigation with a Veterinary Extension newsletter feature article with additional details as they are revealed.
4-H Foundation Letter Mailed to Current Donors and 4-H Families
--Pat BoyEs
This letter has been sent to all current 4-H donors to the 4-H Foundation and to our currently enrolled 4-H families. Know that the letter has been mailed and that it was sent out via bulk rate so it is at the discretion of the local postmaster to decide when it gets delivered which will cause some variability as to its local arrival. The intent of the letter is to offer donors and potential donors the opportunity to contribute to 4-H in an easy form. If you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to me at boyesp@wsu.edu.
Now Accepting Programs of Distinction Peer Reviewer Applications - REMINDER!
--Submitted by Pat BoyEs
National 4-H Headquarters is now accepting applications for Programs of Distinction PEER REVIEWERS.
Applications and two letters of recommendation for each applicant are due Tuesday, December 16, 2008 at POD@csrees.usda.gov.
Visit http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ to access information and the application form under the heading, “National 4-H News.”
National 4-H Headquarters is seeking peer reviewers who are able to:
- Review manuscripts and submit feedback in a timely manner—within 2 weeks
- Make recommendations based on how well the submission meets established criteria
- Provide specific, constructive comments that will be returned to the author
- Serve as a peer reviewer for a minimum of 1 year (maximum of 2 years)
- Participation in a 2-hour web-based training
If you have questions about at the Programs of Distinction, see “Programs of Distinction” under the Quick Links tab at http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/ and/or write to POD@csrees.usda.gov.
Just a Reminder!
When you have new Extension staff that will be working in some capacity with 4-H, please let Nancy in the State 4-H Office know. They will be added to mailing lists, added to the 4-H Talk list serve, sent a 4-H Welcome Packet, and be assigned a state 4-H staff person as a point of contact, as appropriate. 4-H News is sent via the 4-H Talk list serve each week. Archived copies of previous weeks “Tuesday 4-H News” are available on the 4-H web site: http://4h.wsu.edu/. Please send submissions by Friday of each week to Tiffany Boswell, State 4-H Office, tiffany_boswell@wsu.edu. Detailed event information and registrations forms can be found on the 4-H web site.