4-H livestock and other animal exhibitors must have owned and personally cared for their project from the latest starting date for the project. Listed below are the animals and their latest starting date.

• Beef, Performance Cow - January 1
• Dairy, Cows - January 1
• Goats, Milking Doe - January 1
• Beef, Steer - February1
• Goats, Kids & Yearling - May 1
• Horse & Pony - May 1
• Poultry - May 1
• Rabbits - May 1
• Sheep, Wethers - May 15
• Beef, Heifers - June 1
• Dairy, Calves - June 1
• Sheep, Breeding - June 1
• Swine, Barrows - June 1
• Swine, Breeding - June 1
• Swine, Gilts - June 1

4-H'ers must be enrolled in the appropriate project by no later than April 1, 2010, and have their animals in their own possession by the deadlines listed above. If you have questions, please contact the Extension Office.

Horse Bowl is a team competition focusing on horses. It is similar to college bowl experiences. A team of 4 individuals competes against another team of 4 to answer questions related to horses and horse science. Horse Bowl and Hippology are great opportunities to learn more about horses and the science of horses … the nice thing is you don't have to own or even ride a horse to participate!

Kane County 4-H will be sponsoring a senior, junior, and junior-junior horse bowl team this year. To participate in this event, youth must be currently enrolled in 4-H and a horse project. Youth must also meet the following age requirements:

• Junior-Junior Team participants must have reached their 8th birthday but not their 10th birthday as of January 1, 2010.

• Junior Team participants must have reached their 8th birthday but not their 14th birthday as of January 1, 2010.

• Senior Team participants must have passed their 14th birthday but not their 19th birthday as of January 1, 2010.

All three teams have begun practicing in preparation for the spring 2010 contest. They meet on Saturdays from 10 a.m. till 12 noon at the home of Deb Jenson. If you are interested in participating or learning more, contact Deb Jenson at 630/587-2301.

A special thanks to Deb Jenson, Melissa Daufenbach, and Amber Wesner who will be working with these teams this year!

Horsemen's Council of Illinois is bringing its successful Equestrian Lifestyle Expo to the Chicagoland area November 21-22, 2009. This year's event is sponsored by Purina Feeds and will move to the spacious new Lake County Fairgrounds' Expo Center in Grayslake, Illinois.

The all breed equestrian trade show will present products and services for current horse owners and future horse owners. Vendors will include those with English and Western tack and clothing for all breeds and disciplines; feed, supplements, and health care products; and facilities, equipment and stable supplies, such as barns, stalls, fencing, generators and gators. With only 30 days until Christmas when the show happens, there will be a special emphasis on holiday gifts, including jewelry, art, books, stationery and home/barn/lounge accessories.

Appealing to folks interested in becoming part of the equestrian lifestyle will be the clubs and associations representing breeds and disciplines. HCI member clubs will qualify for reduced exhibitor rates. Complete exhibitor and attendee information will be posted as it becomes available at www.horsemenscouncil.org For information, contact Joy Meierhans at (630) 557-2575 or JM@TheMeierhans.com

Each year, the DeKalb-Kane Cattlemen's Association sponsors an open show class for locally bred and raised calves at the Kane County Fair. To be eligible for this class, the calves must be locally bred and raised by a member of the DeKalb-Kane Cattlemen's Association and shown by a junior showman 18-years old or younger prior to September 1, 2009. The calves also must be nominated by the breeder who raised the animal. Local breeders participating in this program include:

Dan Carson, Maple Park, 815/827-3302 – Crossbred & Hereford calves

Dave Erickson, Shabbona, 815/739-6105 – Shorthorn calves

Karl Faivre, DeKalb, 815/758-5201 – Crossbred calves

Derek Fleming, Shabbona, 815/824-2073 – Angus, Crossbred & Hereford calves

Chip Foster, Maple Park, 815/827-3120 – Crossbred calves

Scott Horton, St. Charles, 630/584-4812 – Shorthorn calves

Mark Johnson, Lee, 815/824-2210 – Shorthorn calves & heifers

Dave Kearns, Waterman, 815/264-3468 – Crossbred & Shorthorn calves

Mark Male, Malta, 815/825-2807 – Angus & Shorthorn calves

Allan Prestegaard, Steward, 815/824-2159 – Angus, Crossbred, Maine-Anjou & Shorthorn calves

Kurt Sanderson, Sycamore, 815/751-6024 – Crossbred calves

For more information about this program, contact the DeKalb County Farm Bureau office (815‑756‑6361) or Scott Horton (630‑365‑1444).