Beef
In the 4-H beef project you can select from a breeding animal or a market animal. Breeding animals allow you to start your own herd while market animals produce meat products for people.
- Learn basic principles of animal science by owning, caring for, and keeping records on one or more head of livestock.
- Demonstrate knowledge of sound breeding, feeding, and management practices.
- Learn value of scientific research in its influence on animals and the meat industry.
Ideas for Project Area Learning!
- Train you calf to lead
- Learn about all of the different beef by-products
- Recognize a healthy animal
- Ramp up your judging and meat grading skills
- Understand medication uses, storage, how to administer the medication and how it relates to food safety.
- Learn the appropriate handling techniques and appropriate housing for beef cattle.
- Learn about EPD's and select a sire for your animal.
- Balance a beef ration and understand feed quality.
- Learn about breeding and reproductive techniques.
Iowa 4-H Contact
Celine Beggs
Share What You Learn With Others!
Communication
- Teach someone the important traits in selecting a breeding heifer.
- Create a poster showing the beef cuts and how to prepare them.
- Share a presentation on the importance of following drug labels.
Citizenship
- Volunteer to do beef promotion presentations during May beef month.
- Provide beef taste testing at a grocery store to promote local food.
- Volunteer to help at the county fair weigh-in.
Leadership
- Arrange a tour of your farm.
- Start a beef livestock judging team with help of an adult.
- Lead a beef grooming and showmanship clinic for other 4-H members.
Exhibit Ideas
Participate in the 4-H beef show at county or Iowa State Fair.
- Breeding heifer
- Market beef
- Showmanship
Consider an exhibit, notebook or display showing what you've learned in a beef-related topic.
- Feeding rations
- How to tattoo
- Video of fitting a steer or heifer
- Preventative vaccinations
- Daily routine in care of animals