Breeding and Market Beef

Our 4-H youth can work with breeding & market beef, breeding & market sheep, breeding & market swine, and/or dairy cattle. These projects help them to learn about agriculture and helps them develop an appreciation for the livestock industry. When a child owns and works with their animals, they learn about selection, care, feeding of livestock, animal health, and importance of good record keeping and this information will help them do well in their project. All livestock projects require the youth to take the Meat Quality Assurance (MQA) training that is provided each year.

Have you ever wondered what it takes for a calf to become a blue ribbon heifer or steer?  The 4-H Beef project is an excellent way to learn about an important industry in Colorado and the rest of the nation. Through this project, you can learn about all aspects of the beef industry, either by caring for a calf or building your own herd.  Breeding Beef and Market Beef projects are for member's ages 8-18 years old.

Starting Out, Beginner Jr./Int./Sr.

Starting Out, Beginner

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn about beef cattle
  • How to identify the parts of a calf
  • Identify breeds of cattle
  • Different types of feeds
  • Evaluating different beef animals
  • Purchase, feed and care for animals
  • Evaluate project with leader
  • Learn about goal setting
  • Learn how to keep records
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Learn how to assume responsibility

 

Learning More, Intermediate, Jr./Int./Sr.

Learning More, Intermediate

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn about nutritional requirements for beef cattle
  • Learn about a cow’s digestive system
  • Identifying common cattle diseases
  • Learn about goal setting
  • Gain knowledge of sound management practices
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Develop sportsmanship
  • Develop public speaking skills

 

Exploring Depth, Advanced, Jr./Int./Sr.

Exploring Depth, Advanced

Inspiring youth to:

  • How to deal with current issues relating to raising beef
  • Gain leadership skills by helping others learn about cattle
  • Explore career opportunities in the beef industry
  • Investigating technology's impact on beef production
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Build lifelong friendship