Important Information Needed to Complete PROJECT ANIMAL CHART on page 4

Transcription

1 Important Information Needed to Complete PROJECT ANIMAL CHART on page 4 In the PROJECT ANIMALS chart on page 4 of the form you are asked to supply a dollar amount representing the "value of animals that you still have at close of record" (last column in chart). Since you will not be selling your market hogs until after the record form is due (at Market Hog Project Evaluation on Sunday of fair week), you will instead need to come up with an estimate of the "true market value" of your hog at the close of your record. Obtain the estimated value of your hog by doing the following: 1. Weigh (if you have "on farm" scales) or estimate the weight of each of your market hogs the week before fair starts. Do not hesitate to ask your leader or parents to help you estimate weights if needed. 2. Next, call one of the local livestock markets to find out the price per pound you could expect to receive for your hogs if you sold them at market that day. Remember the potential price per pound will depend on the weight (in this case the estimated weight) of your market hogs. So be sure to provide the contact person at the livestock market with the range of weights that you estimate your hogs fit into (i.e lbs.), as the weight will influence the price per pound you can expect to receive on each individual hog. For example, hogs weighing lbs. may "top" the market that day at $.42/lb., while hogs weighing lbs. might bring a discounted price of $.39/lb. because their lighter weight makes them less desirable in the marketplace. These varying prices for varying weights of animals are often called "price breaks". 3. Next, multiply the estimated weight times the appropriate price per pound (as determined using the method outlined above) to come up with the estimated "true market value" of each project animal (the value of your hog if sold on the open market versus selling it in the Large Animal Sale), and "plug in" the values in the column marked "value of animals you still have at close of record". Note: Since you will be obtaining a final weight on the one or two hogs you take to the fair, you may want to adjust the "true market value" of these animals if the real final weight (obtained at weigh-in on the first Saturday of fair) varies enough from the estimated weight to affect the price per pound you could expect to receive at the local market. Final note regarding completion of record form: While accuracy is important in record keeping, don't worry if you do not have exact information on feed costs, "other" expenses, final weights, etc. Where necessary, be comfortable with giving "best estimate" of the value(s) required. What is important is that by completing the record form, you are able to determine (with a reasonable degree of accuracy) whether you would make or lose money on your market hogs if you sold them on the open market. This is the "bottom line" information that the evaluator will be most interested in when you participate in 4-H Market Hog Project Evaluation on Sunday of fair week. If you "lost" money on your project, be prepared to share with the evaluator what you will do differently to help increase your chances of making a profit on your market hog project next year. Please do not hesitate to call the St. Joseph County MSU Extension office if you have questions regarding the record form at

2 Advanced Level 4-H Market Hog Project To be completed by 4-H Swine Project members years old by January 1. Name Club Name No. of years completed in this project Project Leader Birth Date / / Age as of January 1 of the current project year Street/PO Box No. City Zip Date record started / / Date record closed / / This record is a part of your 4-H Market Hog Project work. By keeping your records up-to-date you will be able to see how much progress you make as you set goals and work to accomplish them. Write neatly and clearly. If you need help, ask your parents and leaders to work with you. Why keep records? Keeping records on your project can be interesting and fun. Good records will: help you learn about your hogs, their rate of growth, the feed they require and their behavioral habits improve your management practices let you know if you made or lost money and how much provide you with a record of your project activities for future use help you plan future projects. Keep this record as part of your Members Personal 4-H Record, the record book which provides you with an organized system for keeping track of all your 4-H projects and activities on a year-to-year basis. This information is very helpful if you ever apply for 4-H awards or a 4-H scholarship. Remember records are no better than what you put into them. 2

3 Project Planning This page should be completed at the start of your project. 1. Set at least two goals for yourself this year. 1.) What do you want to learn? 2.) What new activities do you want to try? 2. What factors will you consider when selecting your market hog project (breed, age, size, price)? 3. Where will you get your project animal? List your reasons for selecting that breeder or farm. 4. How will you pay for your project animal? 3

4 Project Animals Record information on all the market hogs you eartagged and registered for the project. Maximum of four (4) hogs. Identification of animal (a) Sex Date of Birth Date purchased (b) Purchase price or value at start of project (c) Died Sold Kept Value of animals that you still have at close of record (d) Totals (1) $. (2) $. (a) 4-H eartag number (b) Applies only if you purchased the animal. If you raised the animal, leave blank. (c) If you purchased the animal, list the price. If you raised the animal, list the value (For example, if you had the buy an animal of similar quality, what would it cost?). (d) List the value of those animals that you have at the close of record. If the animal died, it should be considered a loss. Weight Record Date of Beginning Weight is the date your hogs were weighed at the start of the project. The date of Final Weight is the day your hog(s) will be weighed in at the fair (first Saturday at fair week). Use the official fair weight for the hogs you are entering at the fair. Estimate the weight of your additional hog(s) that remain at home, and enter the weight(s) in the appropriate column. Calculate each individual hog s average daily gain once final weights have been determined/ estimated. Identification of animal (a) Beginning weight Final weight Total lbs. of gain (b) Date of beginning weight Date of final weight Days on feed (c) Average daily gain (lbs./day) on each individual animal (d) Totals (3) lbs. (4) Days (a) 4-H eartag number (b) Final weight - beginning weight = total lbs. of gain. (c) Days on feed = number of days between date of beginning weight, and include the day the final weight was determined. (d) Total lbs. of gain days on feed = average daily gain 4

5 Expenses and Values The estimated market value of my hog(s) is as follows: Ear tag number Approximate ending weight* Current market price/lb. and date obtained Name of market where price was obtained Total market value per hog (ending weight x price/lb.) NOTE: Contact a local livestock market during the week before fair to find out the current market price/lb. for hogs (price will vary with the weight of the hog). * Your best estimate of what your hog(s) weighs on the day you call the market to find out the current market price/lb. Questions 1. If applicable, compare this year s expenses to last year s expenses. Which year had higher expenses, and why? 2. What could you do differently next year to help control costs? 5

6 Feed Tag Information 1. What production level or type of animal is this feed designed for? (Ex. market animal, lactating animal, growing animal, maintenance, etc ) 2. What is the Crude Protein level of this feed? 3. What is the main ingredient in this feed? 4. What is the medication in this feed? 5. What is the purpose of the medication? 6. Is there withholding time, if so, what is it? 6 Rev Dec 09