Beef Projects for the 4-H

4-H members learn about the beef cattle industry, record keeping and decision-making by completing a beef project. The students develop life skills such as responsibility and patience. Market beef and breeding heifer projects are the two primary types of 4-H projects. However, in some counties, a bucket calf project is also available.

  1. Market Beef Project

    • Weaning-age beef calves are purchased by 4-H members to start the project. They usually purchase steer calves weighing at least 400 lb. The calves are fed to reach 1100 to 1250 lb. by 15 to 18 months of age. The calves reach market weight at the time of a local, county or state fair. The 4-H members train and show the market steers. Often the steers sell at a junior livestock auction.

    Breeding Heifer Projects

    • 4-H members purchase weaning-age heifer calves for a breeding heifer project. They raise the heifers to enter a breeding herd. The heifers reach 600 to 800 lb. at 14 to 15 months of age and calve at about 2 years of age. 4-H members show the heifers at fairs and shows, but do not sell the animals. The members sell or raise the calves that the heifers produce.

    Types of Heifer Projects

    • 4-H members raise commercial or purebred heifers. Commercial heifers represent any beef breed or are crossbred. Purebred heifers are registered in the official herd book of the breed. The herd book is maintained by the association representing one of the recognized beef cattle breeds. The offspring of purebred heifers usually enter a breeding herd. 4-H members raise commercial heifer offspring for beef or retain them in a breeding herd.

    Bucket Calf Projects

    • With a bucket calf project, 4-H members purchase newborn to week-old calves. The sex and breed usually doesn't matter. Within a few hours after birth, the calves must consume colostrum. 4-H members feed their calves milk replacer by bottle or bucket for four to eight weeks. Gradually, grain and good-quality hay replace the milk. The 4-H members exhibit bucket calf projects at the fair. These projects are suitable for young 4-H members because the calves are small at birth and shown when young. 4-H members sell bucket calves after the fair, raise them for beef or add them to a breeding herd.