March 31, 2021 Issue, Page 4 of 5

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Agriculture March 31, 2021 A backwards calf will need assistance at birth By Donald Stotts Do not pull too forcefully STILLWATER, Okla. - Cow- because that potentially can calf producers should review crush a calf’s ribcage. row to help their livestock If the calf is large, it may chrough a difficult calving take more than one person or deforehand, said Oklahoma a mechanical puller to deliver 3tate University experts. Most the animal. Two average-size salves are born headfirst with men is all the pressure that their front feet extended, butshould be applied, Whitworth a few are positioned backward said. A mechanical puller can and might not survive without put a lot of traction on acalf so relp. care must be taken not to pull “A cow that is in early labor too fast, especially when first along time or one that fails to easing the hips through. >rogress to hard straining may Some backward calves might seem dead at birth, with glassy 2e signaling that the calf is po- sitioned wrong,” said Dr. Barry eyes and a blue tinge. Feel be- Whitworth, OSU Extension hind the front leg on the ani- veterinarian and food animal mal's left side to check for a quality and health specialist. heartbeat. Stimulate cough- “The issue must be corrected ing by sticking a clean piece of sefore the cow is in labor too straw up one of the calf’s nos- ong and the calf is dead.” trils. If the animal is uncon- In a normal posterior posi- scious, blue and will not cough, sion, the calf’s hind feet often artificial respiration may be orotrude from the vulva. Oc- needed. sasionally, a frontward calf will “Artificial respiration may ve upside down or sideways keep the calf alive; put enough with their legs twisted. An ex- oxygen into its system to re- perienced individual should vive the animal,” said Dr. confirm the calf’s presentation Rosslyn Biggs, OSU Extension defore pulling. veterinarian and director of Keys to helping with a back- continuing education for the Getting a healthy calf on the ground is theficsof calving season. Cattle are the largestagelculenral eoutodieyyeoduced in ward calf include: university's College of Vet- Oklahoma, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Pull gently until the hips erinary Medicine. “Clear any Services) are free and the ribcage is safe- mucus from the calf’s nostrils, y through the cow's pelvis. and lay the animal on its side but steadily, blow a full breath Keep breathing for the calf un- calving are available as an on- about best calving manage- ‘Once hips are clear of the with the head and neck out- into the other nostril until the til it can breathe for itself. line video segment through the ment practices are available vulva, hurry the calf out, but stretched.” chest wall rises. Then, let the Information about OSU Ex- agricultural television show online and through OSU Ex- aot so quickly as to risk injury Hold the calf’s mouth closed, air escape on its own before tension workshops providing SUNUP. Fact sheets detailing tension county offices. :0 the cow. cover one nostril and gently, blowing in another breath. insight and practical tips about research-based _ information Food, Fun, 4-H gets kidsin the kitchen By Trisha Gedon register for the program will Fun, 4-H brought families to- STILLWATER, Okla.~ A pro- gether over the dinner table receive a kitchen utensil kit re- gram intended to keep 4-H’ers lated to that month’s recipes, where they were more actively connected while they were along with other informational involved in sharing conversa- forced to stay socially distant material. Youth must prepare tion,” Allen said. during the COVID-19 pandem- at least two of the recipes in ‘This summer's program will ic was so successful it’s making the packet and complete a be a great way for participants areturn this year. post-lesson report. Partici- to learn more about the world. Oklahoma 4-H Youth De- pants also are asked to submit The packets will contain in- velopment’s Food, Fun, 4-H two photos - one of them pre- formation about a particular program, operating in 55 paring the dish and another region. It’s a great way to con- classrooms statewide from of the family unit sharing the tinue the educational process May through August, also will meal. This qualifies them to re- over the summer. broaden its perspective with ceive the next month's utensil 4H programming has fo- an emphasis on international kit. cused on learning by doing for cuisine. Allen said there have been more than a century. Food, Cathy Allen, 4-H curriculum many requests from Exten- Fun, 4-His just another way to coordinator with Oklahoma sion educators in other states honor the roots of the world’s State University Extension, and the program is open to largest youth development said the organization's original Audrey and Luke Allen, Logan County 4-H’ers, enjoy participating together in Food, Fun, 4-H. anyone. Families who are not program. target goal was 100 members, (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services) involved in 4-H are still eligible Fun, Food, 4-H has been but it ended up much larger positive youth development,” as fair entry ideas.” Club, said she likes cooking, to participate and receive the highlighted by the National with 727 participant families, Allen said. “Our program In addition to promoting especially with her friends. monthly recipes, educational 4-H Council and is sponsored “We were so excited to have engaged youth from third- kitchen and cooking skills, “T really liked trying the dif- materials and family activities by a Walmart Healthy Habits so many families participate in graders through high school Food, Fun, 4-H also teaches ferent foods we made. It gives via email, but are not eligible Grant. the inaugural program. Dur- seniors with monthly packets youth how to be smart con- me a feeling of accomplish- for the kitchen utensil kit. For more information about ing the time in which families containing themed recipes, ed- sumers through planning, time ment,” said Audrey, who has “One thing we learned Food, Fun, 4-H, or to enroll were sheltering in place, our ucational skills lessons, a fam- management and budgeting. been cooking since she joined through participants’ feedback in the summer program, con- club members and other par- ily physical activity and dinner Audrey Allen, a member of 4H several years ago. was they shared more meals tact Allen at 405-744-8892 or ticipants were engaged in fun, conversation starters, as well the South Logan County 4-H Oklahoma 4-H families who together as a family. Food, [email protected]. Gardens to Go kit teaches youth about all aspects of horticulture By Trisha Gedon plants and their uses, said Shel- about the Gardens to Go activi- hands-on and fun, especially the exception of a few craft sup- is an opportunity to spend qual- STILLWATER, Okla. - On its ley Mitchell, OSU Extension as- ties. ity time together as a family do- when some camps and schools plies such as crayons, glue and surface, horticulture may seem sistant specialist, 4-H Youth De- “ve done some gardening, ing fun activities at home. are still operating virtually,” she scissors. like just some seeds, a little dirt velopment. and I think it’s fun because I get “I want Kaitlyn to learn more said, “The activities in the kit are Mitchell said the kits are avail- or a few flower and vegetable “This is a great way to get kids to spend some time close to na- about plants, horticulture and a lot of fun and a great way for able to 4-H groups, schoolteach- plants, but thanks to Oklaho- interested in gardening and ture,” Moss said. “I like helping the fun of growing plants around ers and the general public. There families to spend time together. ma State University Extension, helping them understand where my mom water the flowers in the home and garden,” he said. ‘They'll learn about plants, bugs, is no shipping fee if the kits are youth across the state soon will our food and fiber comes from. our yard, and I've helped grow “Gardens to Go is very hands-on what grows in a rainforest and picked up in Stillwater, Okla- have an opportunity to learn the ‘The educational lessons in the cantaloupe and carrots.” and interactive and is something even the lifecycle of a butterfly.” homa. science behind horticulture. kit will teach them about plant Some of Moss’ interest in hor- fun that we can do together.” ‘The kit is available for $25 plus For more information about Gardens to Go is a kid-sized anatomy and life processes,” ticulture may be inherited from Mitchell said Gardens to Go $11 shipping and comes with 18 Gardens to Go, contact Mitchell project that comes packaged Mitchell said. “While it is plant- her father, Justin Moss, who also is a great way to create a per- educational lessons. There’s even at 405-744-5755 or via email at in a handy lunchbox, designed based education, it goes beyond serves as head of OSU's Depart- sonal classroom in nature during a miniature greenhouse in which [email protected]. for youth in first through fifth gardening” ment of Horticulture and Land- the pandemi children can grow their own ‘Additional gardening informa- grades. Gardens to Go educates Kaitlyn Moss, 9, has a little scape Architecture. He’s excited “This project is an effort to do herbs. All materials needed for tion is available on OSU Exten- children about _ horticulture gardening experience under her to share the educational project distance learning that’s more the activities are included with sion’s website. in general, as well as different belt already, and she is excited with his daughter because it also $50 S75 6 Months 1 Yea Add the e-paper to a print subsoryation for of per meortle “EikCituNews Kaitlyn Moss and her father, Justin Moss, work on one of the fun horticulture activities in- cluded in the Gardens to Go kit. (Photo by Todd Johnson, OSU Agricultural Communications Services)