What's New With The Dairy Steer Club!
Well, The calf distribution went very well with the participants going directly to the dairies to pick up their calves. This was a great experience! The 4-H members were able to get a first-hand look at dairy facilities and most were able to talk to the Dairymen face-to-face. This also made for much healthier calves since they only had to go from the dairy to their new homes. We have 21 participants this year (2010) and so far we have had fantastic attendance at our first 2 meetings. Wayne and Joanne Yarbro have taken the helm this year as our new volunteer leaders. The Yarbros have a lifetime of experience in the cattle business and are fitting in very well in the 4-H volunteer leader business. At our next meeting, we are going to make rope halters for our calves and work on and hopefully complete a Community Service Project. We are going to make Valentines and distribute them to some local retirement establishments. This should be a very rewarding project!
Dairy Steer Project - The Beginning
Purpose: This project provides an opportunity for Youth in Cleveland, Rutherford, Gaston, Lincoln and Burke counties to develop important life skills through their involvement in a long-term, hands-on livestock activity. These life skills include: Responsibility, Decision-making, Time management, Teamwork, Follow-through on commitment, Record-keeping, Communication, and Sportsmanship. The project also helps participants develop basic animal husbandry skills and a greater appreciation for production agriculture.
Eligibility: Youth in Cleveland and surrounding counties ages 9 to 18 are eligible to participate, provided they meet certain criteria and agree to project requirements. Participants will be assigned to either the junior or senior age division based on their age as of January 1, 2010. Project Overview: Participants are responsible for bottle-raising a dairy bull calf from shortly after birth through weaning. Thereafter, they are responsible for feeding the calf to 10 months of age (approximately 550 pounds); keeping and submitting a project record book; participating in 4-H Dairy Steer Club meetings; workshops and clinics; exhibiting their animal at the Cleveland County Fair, and selling their calf at auction. Participants in both the Junior Division (ages 9-13) and the Senior Division (ages 14-18) will compete, being ranked by a panel of evaluators on their accomplishments in the following four areas: Accuracy and completeness of record book, Steer growth & performance. Class placing in Fitting & Showmanship Contest, Active participation in workshops and clinics.
Requirements:
Facilities: Participants must provide a suitable environment for raising their calf. An enclosed area is required for keeping the calf safe (a fenced barnyard, lot or large dog kennel will suffice). Shelter (a barn stall, shed, or portable hutch) to protect the animal from wind and rain is also a must.
NC Cooperative Extension can provide plans for building a calf hutch, if needed. The 4-H Dairy Steer Project Committee will conduct an on-site inspection of the proposed calf-raising facility prior to distributing calves to participants.
Support: Since the project requires a significant commitment of time, money and travel, youth participants will need the support and assistance from a parent or other caring adult. Local farmers are donating the calves. Participants should be prepared to spend an estimated $300-$400 during the course of the project for feed, hay, medication, and other supplies if additional sponsors cannot be secured. The Project Committee will provide assistance in castrating, dehorning, vaccinating, and de-worming calves. They will also provide a set of recommendations to guide youth in the proper feeding and care of calves during the course of the project and will coordinate workshops to aid youth in halter-breaking, fitting, and showing their steers. The Committee will also make pre-scheduled on-site assessments, and should be contacted promptly in the event of animal health emergencies.
December 6, 2008 was our distribution day for our Dairy Steer Project. The weather was cold and cloudy but for the most part, it went off without a hitch! Everyone got their calves home safely. Due to illness, 2 participants lost their calves, but they were able to replace them and a couple of the calves have had some health issues but all seem to be doing well now.
Many thanks go out to everyone who helped with the dispersal and transportation on Saturday. Thanks again to all our sponsors and all the volunteers who are making this project possible.
Orientation meeting at Extension Center on November 17, 2008.
Great crowd! Everyone was there.
Inside the livestock barn at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds we had a short refresher course on the care and feeding of our calves, then 4-H Extension Agent, Ashley Lee explained the lottery process for the drawing of our calves.
4-H Extension Agent, Ashley Lee gives final instructions on the calf lottery.
Jakob takes a deep breath and pulls a number!
A sample of the lottery tickets our members drew.
Each calf had an numbered ear tag and each participant drew one of these numbered tickets.
They then went to the calf pens to find their calf!
Here are some happy 4-Hers with their new calves!
