Ag Center hosts state's largest rabbit show, Saturday, April 10

The Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center will host the 39th Annual Rabbit Show, Saturday, April 10, at the M.A. Edmond Livestock Arena, on Highway 61N in Alsen.

Show activities begin at 8:30 a.m.

With competitions in 16 sanctioned rabbit breeds, this show is the largest in the state. Organizers anticipate more than 250 youth exhibitors showcasing their rabbit. Participating youth represent FFA chapters, 4-H Clubs, and other school groups. The annual event that teaches leadership skills, character development, and entrepreneurship skills.

The Rabbit Show is sanctioned by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, and is co-sponsored by the Louisiana Rabbit Breeders Association.

For more information, contact Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director, (225) 771-2242 ext. 330 or renita_marshall(at)suagcenter.com

All events are free and open to the public.

West Feliciana high wins 3rd livestock quiz bowl

Five teams of future farmers participated in the 3rd Annual Livestock and Poultry Quiz Bowl last November at the SU Ag Center. The teams included FFA Chapters from Clinton, West Feliciana, Church Point, Northwest and North Central high schools.


Each team consisted of four players and an alternate who answered questions about livestock management, business, and terminology. The teams competed in several rounds, but Clinton and West Feliciana high schools dominated the championship round. West Feliciana was named this year's champion after three intensive rounds of questions. West Feliciana team was coached by Jason McCray a graduate of Southern University A&M College.


"The contest is growing every year, and we look forward to it every year,” said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director.


West Feliciana High—1st place winner (pictured above)
Clinton High—2nd place winner

Annual Livestock & Poultry Quiz Bowl scheduled

The 3^rd Annual Livestock & Poultry Quiz Bowl will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 9am in the Southern University Ag center studio. Teams will travel from North Central High, Church Point High, Clinton High, Northwest High, Port Barre High, and West Feliciana High schools. Contact Renita Marshall DVM, livestock show programs director, (225) 771-2242 ext. 330 or renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

Fall Horse Clinic scheduled for Nov. 14

Area horsemen are invited to bring their herd to the Southern University Ag Center's Fall Horse Clinic on Saturday, November 14, 8 am -  noon, at the M.A Edmond Livestock Arena in Alsen, Louisiana.

Staff from the Livestock Show Programs Office and Center veterinarian Renita Marshall will administer vaccinations, Tetnus shots, micro-clipping, and Coggins exams.

"This is an affordable opportunity for our herdsmen to take care of their horses and to insure that the herd stays healthy this winter," said Christie Monroe, assistant director, livestock show programs.

Contact Monroe at (225) 771-2242 ext. 328 or christie_monroe@suagcenter.com for more information on registration and fees.

Marshall joins national swine flu discussion

Southern University Ag Center’s director of livestock programs, Renita Marshall, DVM, joins national Webinar discussion on H1N1. Marshall is also associate professor in the College of Agricultural, Family and Consumer Sciences at the Southern University A&M College.

When:
August 25, 2009 • 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Audience:
EDEN delegates and state-selected Extension specialists and educators

What:
With the prediction of a second wave for the novel H1N1, EDEN is hosting a Webinar to address available resources, the potential role of Extension educators, and effective methods for getting information and educational resources out to target audiences. In addition, presenters will address questions that are brought up during the Webinar.

Agenda:
· Introduction of the issues and EDEN Response Team Members for Novel H1N1 – Abigail Boron, EDEN

· Current Human Issues of novel H1N1 – Tanya Graham, South Dakota State University

· Current Swine Issues with novel H1N1 – Renita Marshall, Southern University

· H1N1 Resources and Pandemic Preparedness Resources available through EDEN – E. Kim Cassel, South Dakota State University

· Risk Communication before, during and after a pandemic – Dave Filson – Penn State University

· Invitation to join team – Dave Filson – Penn State University

· Questions and Answers

Outcome:
EDEN delegates and state-selected Extension specialists and educators will be better informed of EDEN’s resources and the EDEN Novel H1N1 Response Team. They can use this Webinar as a stepping point to provide more information to their own system and public audiences. The session will be recorded for future use and made available on the EDEN Web site.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Renita Marshall at (225) 771-2242 ext. 330 or renita_marshall@suagcenter.com

North Central High School wins quiz bowl

The winners of the Second Annual Livestock Quiz Bowl were North Central High School students: (L to R) Kristen Casse, 11^th grade; Brittany Taylor, 12th grade; (Back Row) Preston Bryant – 12 grade; Matthew Stelly, team coach – North Central High School; Daleonne Smith, 12th grade. The team received awards from Gina Eubanks, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, at left,  and Renita Marshall, DVM, director,  livestock show programs. Photo by Christopher Rogers.

Livestock show gets interview with local media

For two consecutive days, Southern University Ag Center's Livestock Show was the talk of two local media outlets in Baton Rouge. WAFB Channel 9 announced the event Thursday and WRKF 89.3FM (Louisiana's National Public Radio station) launch the Friday morning Jim Engster Show with the activities of the 66th annual show.

Dr. Renita Marshall, livestock programs director and assistant professor, was interviewed by both stations and the Louisiana Agri-News Network which is a radio news network for farmers. The later segment will air next week. Announcements of the show are also appearing on local websites, community calendars, and community newspapers.

Watch the Channel 9 interview here: http://www.wafb.com/global/Category.asp?C=151146&clipId=&topVideoCatNo=89761&topVideoCatNoB=92715&topVideoCatNoC=151875&topVideoCatNoD=89780&topVideoCatNoE=89943&clipId=3463940&topVideoCatNo=undefined&autoStart=true&activePane=info&LaunchPageAdTag=homepage&clipFormat=flv

Listen to The Jim Engster Show here: http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wrkf/local-wrkf-821900.mp3

Congratulations Dr. Marshall for great interviews. Congratulations also to the Livestock Show team Christie Monroe, Brenda DeRouen, Joyce Tubbs, and Lisa Gray for their hardwork preparing for next week's activities.

Ag Center in the News

Last week, the Ag Center garnered the attention of two newspapers for three separate events:

1. The Advocate reported on the Center's Communities of Color Network "Wake Up Louisiana!" seminar at the Southern University J.K. Haynes School of Nursing. There, scientist Victor DeNoble, Ph.D., relayed his experience as a researcher in the tobacco industry where he learned how the industry intentionally lied about the dangers of nicotine. Read about it at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/features/39292137.html

2. The Shreveport Sun reported on a local farmer's trip to Tennessee for the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group's 18th Annual Practical Tools and Sustaining Family

 Farms Conference. Shreveport farmer Jonathan Jackson credited LSU and Southern University ag centers and our agents for continued assistance throughout his farming career. 

3. The Advocate columnist Smiley Anderson shared a note from Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock programs director, on the opportunities to purchase meat for the upcoming livestock show. Read it at: http://www.2theadvocate.com/columnists/smiley/39354127.html

Ag Center to appear on This Week in Louisiana Agriculture

Tune in to "This Week in Louisiana Agriculture" Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday, Feb. 15 to see a segment on agricultural science program at Capitol High Academy. Southern University Ag Center's specialists and researchers are introducing Baton Rouge inner-city youth to agriculture through plant science and research. The class recently harvested greens and held a school market selling their produce to the community just in time for Thanksgiving. "This Week in Louisiana Agriculture" air time varies by location, so please review the listing below:

In Baton Rouge:
COX 4 Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m
WAFB-TV 9 Sundays at 5 a.m.
KPBN-CH. 22 Monday-Thursday at 9 a.m.

St. Francisville:
Weeknights at 8 p.m. on Ch 21

Lafayette:
COX 4 Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m.
KATC-TV3 Sundays at 6:30 a.m.

Alexandria:
KALB-TV5 Saturdays at 5:35 a.m.

Shreveport:
KPXJ UPN 21 Saturdays at 5 a.m.

Lake Charles:
KPLC Saturdays at 5:30 a.m.

Monroe
KNOE-TV Sundays at 5:30 p.m.

Opelousas
KDCG-TV 22 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30 a.m.

Hammond
Southeastern Ch 13
Mondays at 6:30 p.m.
Thursdays at 6:30 a.m.
Sundays at 8 a.m.

For more information on this project contact Renita Marshall, DVM, Owusu Bandele, Ph.D., Dawn Patin Ph.D., or LaShounda Anderson Ph.D. at 225-771-2242.

66th Annual State Livestock Show starts February 27

Young farmers and ranchers from across the state are gearing up for the 66th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show hosted by the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

They are grooming, weighing, and even breeding their champion animals in preparation for the February 27-28 competition to be held at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Show Arena on James C. Archie Drive in Baker off of Highway 61N. School groups and families are invited to attend this free event. Prize meats (beef, lamb, pork, and goat) are available for sale.

"This culminating event not only showcases the showmanship of Louisiana's young herdsmen, it also shows the hardwork, dedication, and financial investments they and their families have made in raising the livestock," said Renita Marshall, DVM, livestock show programs director. According to Marshall, proceeds from the meat sales go directly to the youth.

The show features animals that have been showcased or have won in parish competitions. During the two-day event, judges will name the state champions in various breeds of beef and dairy cattle, hogs, sheep, lamb, and goats. The all-time favorite mini-farm, featuring a variety of small farm animals, will open Friday, February 27, 9 am. Tour guides will discuss different animals, their food sources, farming and how agriculture affects everyone's lives. The show will also have livestock and poultry quiz bowl, face painting, food, craft booths, and the Hall of Louisiana Agriculture, until 1 pm Friday for local school groups.

The Southern University Ag Center has hosted the competition as a means to "develop champion youth," said chancellor Leodrey Williams. Youth, age seven to 19, whose animals successfully weigh-in will be judged on showmanship and the animal's grooming. Winners will receive premiums, rosettes, ribbons, and silver platters. An awards presentation for exhibitors of champion market animals in the show will be held Saturday, February 28, at 8 am and will be immediately followed by the Junior Auction Sale at 10:30 am. Meat buyers, who have not pre-purchased their meat, will be on hand to bid for show livestock meat.

To pre-order meat or register a group, call the livestock show office at (225) 771-2242 or emailing Marshall at renita_marshall@suagcenter.com