Watch the county website for information about 4-H Livestock Barn work times. Postcards will no longer be mailed. If you have questions about the work days, please contact the Superintendent.

Every 4-H'er whose animal for a project is at a location other than their home address must have this form on file at the Extension Office for the current 4-H year. Reminder – All animals are to be owned by the 4-H'er.

If the animal is purebred, only the 4-H'ers name should appear on the registration papers.

A Sheep Superintendent and Assistant Sheep Superintendents are needed for the 2008 4-H Sheep Judging Events. Please contact the Extension Office for an application or download an application from the county website. You must also have current Volunteer Applications on file. Superintendent responsibilities include: preparing sheep barn – clean-up and set-up for judging events; assisting with 4-H Carcass Shows (on-the-hoof- and on-the-rail); check-in and check-out at show time; working with judge in 4-H Show; recording ratings for premiums, and recording Special Award winners; handing out ribbons; collecting 4-H Livestock Auction Fees; helping out on auction day; and making sure that everything runs smoothly.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture has rescinded the "mandatory" requirement for Premises Identification Numbers for the 2008 Illinois county, 4-H, FFA, and State Fairs. The requirement is now voluntary.

If you are unable to read your tattoo, please contact the Extension Office at 815/933-8337.

Kankakee County Requirement – All Kankakee County 4-H market wether lambs must be tattooed by June 5 of current 4-H year.

The topic for the Senior Division (age 15-18 by Sept. 1, 2007) will be "Why Has the Government Required the Premise ID?" The topic for the Junior Division (age 8-14 by Sept. 1, 2007) will be "Why I Show Beef Cattle."

The completed type-written essay must be turned in by Sunday, August 3 at the conclusion of the pizza party. If you do not have access to a computer to complete your essay, please call the Extension Office to reserve a time to use a computer.

First prize in each age division will be a $250 scholarship and second prize will be a $100 savings bond for each winner.

The Beef Youth Team strongly recommends that each member complete the essay along with a complete set of records, in addition to exhibiting at the Kankakee County Fair.

For further information, contact Steve Courville.

The 4-H Livestock Auction Committee has been busy planning for the 2008 4-H Livestock Auction. It will be held on Saturday August 2 at 1:00 p.m. Please remember: (1) You must sign up to sell and pay your fee immediately after you show – see the superintendent or designated person to sign up. (2) The buyer must call the Extension Office and give permission to release the check to the 4-H'er.

There are 4 options that your buyer can choose from this year: (1) Buyer purchases an animal and wishes to have it delivered to the Papineau Locker. Buyer will write a check to the 4-H'er for auction selling price. Buyer will be responsible for all processing charges and will pick up the processed meat. (2) Buyer purchases an animal and wishes to sell it back to the 4-H'er at market price. Buyer will make out the check for the difference between the auction selling price and the posted market price the day of the auction. The 4-H'er retains ownership of the animal. (3) Buyer purchases an animal and wishes to give it back to the 4-H'er. Buyer will write a check for the auction selling price and the 4-H'er retains ownership of the animal. (4) 4-H'er has a reservation on the animal. Buyer writes a check the day of the auction based on option 1, 2 or 3. 4-H'er/Seller is responsible for arrangements following the reservation period.

You should be aware of your buyer's intention before you leave the auction.

4-H'ers interested in participating in livestock judging need to contact Dan Hamilton, Dale Hummel, or the Extension Office.

The health and well being of our 4-H members and volunteers is a priority for University of Illinois Extension. We would like to remind everyone that it is very important to wash your hands after handling animals. Recent news concerning children becoming ill after participating in petting zoos, emphasizes the importance of proper sanitation. Another important topic is that children should always be supervised at the Kankakee County Fair. Please don't drop your children off at the fair assuming they are supervised. Make arrangements for rides and supervision. When we are all careful, we have more fun.

4-H/FFA members who plan to exhibit in the Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Show must have completed the required Quality Assurance and Ethics Certification on the website. This only needs to be completed one time. Youth must be 10 years of age by September 1 of current 4-H year to exhibit at the Illinois State Fair Junior Livestock Show.

This must be completed by exhibitors in Beef, Sheep, Swine, Dairy, Goats, Horses, and Poultry (new this year).

All exhibitors except horse exhibitors must complete the certification no later than July 1. Horse exhibitors must complete certification before June 9.

The website is: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/. If you do not have access to a computer, contact the Extension Office to make an appointment to use a computer. Please call ahead!

Questions about website and the certification process should be directed to Dave Seibert at 309-694-7501, extension 224.

Do you have a collection? Have you made a project in school or for a special event, that you feel is really good? Enter it in the Open or Junior Department at the 2008 Kankakee County Fair. You will receive a premium and might even win a special award! Call the Kankakee County Fair Office, 815-932-6714, for entry information.