Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Project Summary 2

Skill Builder 1: Responsible Handling

3

Skill Builder 2: Selection

6

Skill Builder 3: Nutrition

12

Skill Builder 4: Training

15

Skill Builder 5: Health

18

Skill Builder 6: Judging

21

Showcase Challenge

25

Portfolio Page 27

- Draft 2010 -

Introduction

Over 8000 years ago cattle were domesticated to be used for meat, milk, and labour. Horses replaced cows as the main animal used for labour about 2000 years later. Today, cows are still used for meat and milk. This project focuses on raising cattle for meat. With this guide you will learn how to select and care for a 4-H beef animal. Record keeping, health, nutrition, judging, and training your calf will also be explored. Pull your boots on and get ready for another exciting 4-H year.

Learning is 3D!

To help you get the most out of your learning, each project

meeting has the following parts: Dream it! Plan for success

Do it! Hands on learning Dig it! What did you learn?

Do It

Dig It

Dream It

More Cowbell!

This More Cowbell box will appear throughout the manual. Check out the great website link ideas wherever you see More Cowbell. These links will lead you to fun online content to help you with your 4-H project.

Meet Bobby!

Bobby is ready to discover 4-H beef along with you! Bobby will share neat and

important information throughout your manual.

4-H Beef Series

Discovering Beef 1: Here’s The Beef

What Skills Will You Learn? Each section or Skill Builder (or Builder) in this project has activities that will help your project group learn to do by doing while learning new skills and having fun!

To complete this project, you must: Complete the activities in each Builder OR a similar activity that focuses

on the same skills, as you and your leader may plan other activities. Plan and complete the Showcase Challenge. Complete the Portfolio Page. Participate in your club’s Achievement (See the inside back cover for more

information about 4-H Achievements).

Members will be able to... Activities Page

Skill Builder

1

Responsible Handling Know how to treat animals humanely Explain how to handle animals Illustrate the flight zone of cattle

Fight or Flight Basic Instinct Code of Conduct

3 4 4

Skill Builder

2

Selection Pick a 4-H calf and CCIA tag it Know how to calculate Average Daily Gain Understand the importance of records

What’s Important? ADG Spree Breaking Records My 4-H Calf/Calves

6 7 8 9

Skill Builder

3

Nutrition Understand what cattle need to digest feed Know where nutrients are found Calculate rations

Feed Tub Smashin’ Rations Nutrient Hunt

12 13 14

Skill Builder

4

Training Halter break a calf Teach a calf to lead Understand showmanship procedures

HALT! Walk on Show time

15 16 16

Skill Builder

5

Health Explain how cattle herds may get sick Use proper vaccination methods Understand the importance of records

Immunity Challenge SubQ vs. IM Healthy Records

19 19 20

Skill Builder

6

Judging Compare and contrast steers Compare and contrast heifers Correctly fill out a judging card

Steer in the Right Direction Heifers Carded

22 23 23

When you successfully complete your builders, you will showcase what you have learned.

Showcase &

Portfolio

Explain success in using the skills listed above Showcase Challenge My Portfolio Page

25 27

Skill Builder 1: Responsible Handling

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Know how to treat animals humanely

Explain how to handle animals Illustrate the flight zone of cattle

Dream it! 20% of all hospitalized farm injuries are from animal related trauma. What kind of situations will cause cattle to harm humans? Are these preventable? If so, how?

Do it! Fight or Flight

Cattle have a personal space bubble around them called the Flight Zone. The calmer the animal, the smaller the flight zone. Once you enter the flight zone, the cow might decide to take off and find a new spot where their flight zone is empty. Flight zones can also be helpful when trying to move cattle. By placing continuous slight pressure on the edge of the flight zone, you can peacefully direct the animals where you need them to go. Flight zones can vary from nothing (completely quiet animals) to 25 metres or more . Genetics, illness, past history of handling, and excitement can all increase an animal's flight zone. Label each line in the circle as either: A: point of balance B: position to start movement C: position to stop movement D: blind spot Hint: There should be two of each letter.

Bobby Says….

Cattle have different behavior patterns than humans. In this builder you will learn how to safely work with cattle.

Important words

Watch for these important words

throughout this builder: Flight Zone, Instincts,

Responsible

3

Situation Is this preventable? How?

B

C

4

Code of Conduct

The following describes general responsibilities of ___________________ in the proper care and handling of their animal(s). To provide food, water and care necessary to protect the health and welfare of my animal(s). To provide a safe and healthy environment for my animals that is clean, well ventilated, and

provides ample space. To provide a well-planned disease prevention program to protect the health of my herd. To use humane and sanitary methods when it becomes necessary to dispose of my animal(s). To insure proper handling techniques are used to eliminate any undue stress or injury when

manual manipulation is necessary. To provide transportation for my animal(s) that avoids undue stress or injury caused by

overcrowding, excessive time in transit, or improper handling when loading or unloading. The willful mistreatment of my animal(s) or the mistreatment of any animal will not be

tolerated. In cases of mistreatment, I will notify the proper authorities. To make management decisions based on scientific fact and to consider the welfare of my

animal(s).

I have read, understand and commit to the above statements. _______________________________ 4-H Member

_______________________________ 4-H Leader

_______________________________ Parent/Guardian

Adapted from:

Ohio Farm Animal Care Commission, Box 479, Two Nationwide Plaza Columbus, OH 43216-0479

Instinct Reason Challenge Cow’s Reaction Safe Handling

Safety from predators

Singling out an animal

Anxious, lonely depressed

Limit alone time Keep herd nearby

Safe personal space Movement towards something

Move away from you

Don’t enter too deeply

Feel comfortable Bulls dominate

Moving animals to a different place

Protects territory (bulls)

Leave animals alone at feeding time

Comfortable routine

Changing routine Frighten or agitated

Maintain routine

Cows protect young

Separating a calf from a cow

Aggressive kicking or charging

Do not go between a mother and calf

Adapted from: Ohio Farm Animal Care Commission

Bobby Says….

Over 95% of agricultural injuries and fatalities are predictable and preventable.

Basic Instinct

Cattle have several instincts that affect their behaviour. In order to understand how cattle act, we need to remember these instincts while working with them. Five main instincts are herding, habitual patterns, the flight zone, territorial, and maternal. Complete the chart with the five instincts listed above.

Dig it! Many people are hurt by cattle in preventable accidents. What are some steps that you will now take to prevent yourself from getting hurt?

If a friend from the city came to your farm and didn’t know anything about the behaviour of cattle, what would you tell them to keep them safe?

Practice working with cattle by using the following methods of movement from Dr. Temple Grandin’s website:

What’s next?

Now that you know how to treat cattle, it is time to figure out how to choose a 4-H calf. The next Builder looks at selection of market animals and heifers. Average daily gain and record keeping are also explored.

More Cowbell!

For more information on handling cattle: www.cchsa-ccssma.usask.ca/ahsn/pubs/Cattlehandlingblk.pdf

Sheep behave like cattle. To practice herding go to: www.sheepgame.co.uk/launch.php

5

Bobby’s Fun Facts!

Dairy bulls tend to be more aggressive than beef bulls because they are taken from their mothers and raised in isolation. By allowing bulls to be raised by their

mothers, they learn natural herd behaviour patterns.

Skill Builder 2: Selection

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Pick a 4-H calf and CCIA tag it Know how to calculate Average

Daily Gain Understand the importance of

records

Dream it! Draw or paste in a picture of your ideal 4-H calf and label 5 things that make it perfect. Does sex, breed, or colour matter? If so, indicate what your calf is in each of the three categories.

Do it! What’s Important - Market Animal?

Have your parents or leaders help you find a group of three calves to pick your 4-H animal from and put them all in one pen. Rank the animals in the following areas to help you make your decision.

I choose _______________________ for my 4-H Market Animal.

Important words

Watch for these important words throughout this

builder: Average Daily Gain, Target Weight, Mature Weight, Age

Verification

Bobby Says...

Animal selection is really judging. Do you remember what to look for in a steer or heifer?

Trait # 1 # 2 # 3

Confirmation: Loin/Rump

Growth Capacity

Balance

Health

Temperament

6

I choose _________________ for my 4-H heifer.

ADG Spree

ADG stands for Average Daily Gain and is the amount of weight that your animal must put on per day in order to reach a target weight you have selected for achievement. ADG helps you figure out how much you need to feed your 4-H animal every day. Complete the following calculations in the Imperial system (pounds or lbs).

Market Animal

A) Target Weight (Show Day) ________

B) Starting Weight (Weigh Day)________

C) Total Gain (A — B) _________

D) Days on Feed _________

E) ADG (C/D) _________

Heifer

A) Target Weight (Breeding Date) _________

B) Starting Weight (Weigh Day) _________

C) Total Gain (A — B) _________

D) Mature Weight _________

E) Breeding Weight (D * 0.65) _________

F) Days on Feed _________

G) ADG (C/F) _________

Bobby Says….

Ask your leader what a mature weight for your heifer would be. Different breeds are different sizes. Here are some breed averages: Limousin 1450 lbs Gelbvieh 1300 lbs Hereford 1400 lbs Salers 1250 lbs Angus 1250 lbs Blondes Aquitaine 1300 lbs Charolais 1450 lbs Simmental 1400 lbs Maine Anjou 1600 lbs Shorthorn 1400 lbs

7

What’s Important? — Heifers

The purpose of heifers is to breed and have a calf every year for as long as possible. Look at three heifers and rank them according to the following traits.

Trait # 1 # 2 # 3

Soundness

Volume

Balance

Health

Temperament

Femininity/Udder

Project Animal Market Animal Heifer Continuation Heifer

Birth Date

Breed

Breed of Sire

Breed of Dam

Tattoos/Brand

Birth Weight

Comments: Breeding Date

Type of Breeding

Sire

Preg. Check Date

Birth Date

Calf Birth Weight

Sex

Tag/Tattoos/Brand

Tag

Project Start Weight

Project Finish Weight

Breaking Records

Record keeping is an important part of looking after and keeping track of cattle. Fill in the chart below. My 4-H Animals for the Year ______________________

Bobby’s Fun Facts

The average lifespan of a beef cow is 7 years. The oldest cow ever recorded was Big Bertha. She reached 48 in 1993. Big Bertha also holds the record for producing 39 calves.

Dig It The next three pages are for you to include pictures of your animals. Make sure to include the animals’ CCIA tag numbers. Since September 1st, 2006, all cattle need a Canadian Cattle Identification Agency Radio Frequency Identification Tag in order to be sold. Once your achievement is over, you may add in your results on these pages too.

8

From Farming

History…

The first purebred

herd registry was in Britain in

1822 for the

Shorthorn Breed.

My Beef Animal

CCIA Number:_______________________

Achievement Results: Selling Price:

More Cowbell

To learn more about the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, visit their website at www.canadaid.ca

or phone them toll free at 1(877)909-2333.

9

My 4-H Calf/Calves

In this picture: ______________________________________________________________ I want you to notice: _________________________________________________________

To make sure the CCIA tag stays in place: Step 1: Ensure the back of the tag matches

the front. Step 2: Use the correct tag applicator for the

brand of tag you are using. Step 3: Read the tag manufacturers directions

and apply in the ear as seen in the picture at left.

My Heifer:

CCIA Number:_______________________

Achievement Results:

10

In this picture: ______________________________________________________________ I want you to notice: _________________________________________________________

Age Verification

Age verification is the process of associating a birth date with an individual animal using and identification tag. Only animals born on your farm can be age verified. The main reason for

age verification is to access markets in Canada and internationally. To prove your animals have been

age verified, certificates can be printed.

My Cow & Calf Pair

CCIA Numbers: _________________________________ Achievement Results:

11

What’s next?

Skill Builder 3 examines what and how much to feed your calf. You will create a ration to record what you have been feeding your animal. A ration is like a menu.

In this picture: ______________________________________________________________ I want you to notice: _________________________________________________________

12

Dream it! Cows need to digest nutrients. Can you name some foods that can provide your 4-H animal with it’s essential nutrients? Work with a friend and search on the internet to help.

Do it!

Feed Tub

Fill in the blanks with the words from the box. _________________________ should always be available. A ______________ ration is used to accustom animals to the feed to prevent digestive problems. A ____________ ration is used to grow out the animal so the calf does not fatten at a light weight. _____________ rations are usually 80% grain and 20% roughage to get the calf ready for slaughter. Dark cutters are animals with ___________ that is darker than normal and has a shorter shelf-life. ________________ or concentrates are important for market animals to gain muscle mass. Excess _____________ on a carcass devalues the carcass, so overfeeding the animal is an expensive mistake.

Important Words

Watch out for these important words in

this builder: Microbes, Forage,

Ration

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Understand what cattle need to digest feed

Know where nutrients are found Calculate rations

Bobby Says….

Beef is served more often in restaurants than chicken and pork combined. What we feed our calves, can make a big difference in how the meat grades and tastes.

Nutrient Foods that Contain that Nutrient

Water

Energy

Protein

Vitamins

Minerals

Fat Finishing Grain Growing Muscle Starting Water

Skill Builder 3: Nutrition

If you have another 4-H animal you can fill this chart out for them.

Smashin’ Rations

When you multiply your calf’s weight by 0.03, you will know how much to feed your calf per day. If you add the numbers from Grain and Forage in each time period they should equal the amount of food you need to give your calf. To approximate the next time period’s start weight multiply the ADG from last builder by the number of days in the last time period and add it to the last start weight. Ask a parent or leader for help if you need it. Multiply the number of days in each time period by the amount of grain per day and place in row A. Find out the price/unit and place in row B. Multiply A x B and put this in the row C. Add up all the numbers in the row C. This is your total cost. The first two lines are an example.

Time Period Start Weight Weight x 0.03 Grain Forage Mineral/Salt

A) Total Feed

B) Price

C) A x B = Cost

It costs me $ ______________ to feed my 4-H calf.

Dec.2-Jan.5: 35 Days 750 lbs 22.5 10 12.5 Trace

Jan.5-Feb.9: 34 Days 840 lbs 25.2 11.2 14 Trace

13

Time Period Start Weight Weight x 0.03 Grain Forage Mineral/Salt

A) Total Feed

B) Price

C) A x B = Cost

It costs me $_______________

to feed my ________________

Dig it! Do you think your 4-H calf will gain weight like you hope?

If not, what might prevent this?

What’s next?

Training a calf takes a lot of time so we’ll start early by beginning the process in the next builder. Halter breaking, leading, grooming, and showmanship are topics that we will explore.

Bobby’s Fun Facts!

Cows eat for 6 hours a day and chew their cud for another 8 hours.

Your 4-H calf will eat about 3% of it’s weight in feed every day.

The rumen (one of the four stomachs) can hold over 50 gallons.

14

Nutrient Hunt

Across

1. What a cow chews for eight hours a day

3. Unprocessed feed like grass and hay

6. This + Forage = 3% of your calf's body weight

8. Bacteria and protozoa that break down food in a cow's stomach

11. Keeps your animal healthy and helps it grow

13. The average amount of weight your animal needs to gain every day

14. A fixed portion of food 15. Keeps an animal warm

Down

2. The process of breaking down feed 4. An animal with four stomachs 5. Can come from a well, a sand point, a dug out, or be

hauled in 7. One of the main building blocks of the body 9. Calcium, salt, phosphorous, and potassium are important

ones 10. A and E are examples that should be regularly

supplemented 12. The number of stomachs a cow has

Dream it! Training a calf for show takes a lot of time and effort. Fill in the dates by when you would like to have each of the goals accomplished.

My achievement date is _______________________

Do it!

HALT!

To halter break an animal, you should use a good rope halter that is not frayed. The first few times, it will be easiest to put the calf in the chute to put the halter on. Comb and talk to your animal so that it can relax and come to enjoy having the halter on. Make sure to use a quick release knot to tie the halter to a sturdy post. See your Exploring Beef book or ask someone for help if you forget how. Never leave your calf unattended while halter breaking. Draw a halter on the calf’s head in the right position.

Important Words

Watch out for these important words in this builder: Quick

Release Knot, Blower, Fogger, Clipper

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Halter break a calf Teach a calf to lead Understand showmanship

procedures

15

Bobby Says….

The earlier you begin working with your calf, the calmer it will be for the show. You will also be more confident in your calf and be calmer too!

Date Goal

Halter Broke

Willing to Lead

Used to Grooming Procedures

Used to Show Cane

Used to Neck Tie

Used to Leather Halter

Used to drinking out of a water pail and eating out of a feed tub

More Cowbell!

Want more help with tying a quick release knot? Follow these links for more information: http://horses.about.com/od/basiccare/ss/quickrelease.html and

http://www.gaitedhorses.net/QRKnot.html

Skill Builder 4: Training

16

Show Time

There are lots of rules for showing cattle so the more you practice, the better you will do. Enter the ring going to your left (clockwise) and keep about one animal’s length between you and the calf in front of you. This will help you keep an eye on the judge and ring person for any directions they give you. If the calf in front of you stops, give it a tap or twist it’s tail to get it moving. The ring person will come over to help if it still won’t move. Do not pass an animal unless the judge or ring person tells you to. Make sure to set your animal up correctly with it’s feet squarely underneath and head alert. When showing a heifer, the udder should be shown off by having the back leg on the judge’s side to be back a little bit. When switching positions there are correct procedures to follow. Talk with your leader about them and draw on the diagrams below. Note: The numbers are at the animal’s head.

Walk On

When you begin leading your calf, lead it to places it might want to go, like food or water. Walk at a normal walking pace and don’t let the calf always lead you. When the calf is walking well you can introduce the show stick. Hold the show cane vertical while walking unless you need it to be horizontal to hold back your calf. The show stick has a variety of uses in the show ring. See if you can unscramble them.

TSE PU EFET __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ LULP UP LEVAN __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ CHATCRS TREBISK __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ TRACCHS YELLB __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ LUPL LAIT WOND __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ LOWS FALC NOWD __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 3 4 5 6 Move from 4th to 2nd

Your calf is restless and gets out of place, reset your calf in 3rd.

4th and 5th switch positions.

Think about this builder and the activities you did…

Review the skills checklist on page 15. What skills have you developed? Do you need more practice?

What’s next?

Good health is very important to ensure your calves can do what they are supposed to do (produce meat or breed). Vaccinations, disease, and health records will all be discovered in Skill Builder 5.

17

Date Achieved

Willing to Lead (Does not fight or spin in circles)

Used to Grooming Procedures (combing, blowing, fogging)

Used to Show Cane (Does not kick at it or jump away)

Used to Neck Tie

Used to Leather Halter

Used to drinking out of a water pail and eating out of a feed tub

Halter Broke (Does not fight with halter)

Dig it! As you actually achieve each of these goals, write in the date. Were your predicted dates from the Dream It! Section reasonable goals? If you didn’t get the goals accomplished as predicted, why not? Will you make any changes for next year?

Bobby’s Fun Facts!

One cowhide can produce enough leather to make 20 footballs or 18 soccer balls or 18 volleyballs or 12 basketballs.

From Farming History…

Cattle were extremely valuable to the pioneers in Canada. They were used for meat, milk, butter, and cheese. Their hides were used for leather. In 1677, there were about 3000 cattle in New France. Twenty years later, there were 10000.

Skill Builder 5: Health

Dream it! Fill in the chart below with what you already Know and Want to Know about keeping

cattle healthy. In the Dig It! Section, you will fill in the Learned column.

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Explain how cattle herds may get sick Use proper vaccination methods Understand the importance of records

Bobby’s Fun Facts!

Cattle are considered to have a fever when their temperature is above 39.1°C. You are considered to have a fever when your temperature is above 38.3°C Over 100 medicines used by humans come from cows.

Bobby Says….

Cattle can get sick with illnesses just like humans. Some of these are pink eye, pneumonia, ring worm, foot rot, and coccidiosis. Most illnesses are prevented by vaccines and proper management, but others need to be treated as they occur with medicines. Keep an eye on your herd for illness.

Important Words

Watch out for these important words in this builder:

Quarantine, Vaccinate, Immunity, Subcutaneous,

Intramuscular

18

When in a pasture, cattle should be rotated as to reduce overgrazing. Prevent animals from standing in the water to keep the water clean and healthy.

Know Want to Know Learned

Fun Facts!

19

Do it!

Immunity Challenge

The best way to keep your animals healthy is to prevent them having contact with diseases. Decide whether these statements are True, Sometimes True, or False. 1. New cattle should be vaccinated when they arrive on your farm. T ST F 2. New cattle should be quarantined for a month when they arrive. T ST F 3. Cattle cannot catch disease while at 4-H shows. T ST F 4. You should change your chore clothes and shoes before and after visiting another farm. T ST F 5. Rodents are the only animals that carry diseases to cattle. T ST F 6. If an animal is sick you should: A. put it down T ST F B. leave it with at least one other cow T ST F C. give it food, water, bedding, and shelter T ST F D. call the vet T ST F E. monitor it closely T ST F

SubQ vs. IM

Vaccinations expose people and animals to a harmless form of the disease so that the body can build immunity to it and prevent the disease. All injections go in the neck. Make sure to sterilize your supplies before and after vaccinating. When giving a vaccination, you should read the label carefully and check: How to give the vaccine (subcutaneous or intramuscular)

The expiration date

How to store it (most need to be kept in the refrigerator)

I am best at giving __________________ needles.

Intramuscular

Means “in the muscle” Put straight into the neck Practice with an orange by putting the needle right into orange.

Subcutaneous

Means “under the skin” Pull back skin (tent) and stick needle under skin Practice with rubber glove on orange Needle goes through rubber but not into orange.

What you will need: A needle, syringe, orange, rubber gloves

Healthy Records

Every time you give your animal some medicine, you should record it to make sure that you don’t give your calf too much or too little. It’s also good to keep track in case your animal gets sick so you know what it can and can’t be. An example is given in the first line.

What’s next?

Judging is part of most shows and the last builder will help you practice judging heifers and steers.

Dig it! Think about your Learning...

Review the Skills Checklist on page 18. What skills have you developed? Do you need more practice? Go back to the Dream It! Section and fill out the Learned column with what you have learned while doing this builder. Did you get all your questions answered from the Want to Know part? If not, ask your leader or research it until you find all the solutions.

20

Date Steer, Heifer,

Cow/Calf

Procedure or Disease Prevented

Medication, Treatment, Vaccination

Dosage

Route

Site

Withdrawal Time

Oct. 9

Steer Heifer

Blackleg Vaccination 5 cc SubQ Neck 60 days

Cost

$0.50

21

Skill Builder 6: Judging

Important Words

Look out for these important words in this

builder: Carcass, Comparative Form

Dream it! Create a mind map or web with whatever words come to mind about judging. Feel free to use pictures too. Include at least 10 bubbles. The web has already been started for you.

Bobby Says….

Judging beef is looking at live animals to compare and rank them. Feedlot owners judge animals to decide which ones are ready to sell. Order buyers judge animals to decide which ones to buy. It takes practice to know which animal will produce the best carcass.

A judge must “undress” the steer with their mind to see the meat below.

SKILLS CHECKLIST

Compare and contrast steers Compare and contrast heifers Correctly fill out a judging card

Judging

Steers Heifers

Ribs

Heart Girth

Fore flank Rear Flank

Round (Quarter)

Pins (Pin Bone)

Hooks (Hip Bone)

In order to judge 4-H animals, we

need to know the parts of their

body. Fill in the missing parts with the words below. Back Bridge of

Nose Dewclaw Dewlap Forehead Hock Hoof Jaw Loin Muzzle Neck

Pastern Point of

Shoulder Poll Rump Sheath Stifle Switch Tail Throat Top of

Shoulder

Brisket: If the brisket is deep and full, it is full of waste fat. Too much fat in the brisket usually means there will be waste fat in other parts of the carcass. Forearm: The forearm is all muscle and bone. If the forearm is bulging and muscular, it is a sign that the animal has well developed muscles all over its body

Flank: The flank contains no muscle, meat or bone. If the flank looks very full, it is full of waste fat Rump: A thick, round, full rump usually means the carcass will have lots of meat. A flat or square rump is an indicator of excess fat

Twist: An overly full looking twist is an indicator of waste fat

Next, use your hand to feel the animals rib area. There should feel like about 1 cm of fat over the ribs. Now feel the shoulder blade, there

should only be a thin layer of fat over this bone.

Now it’s time for you to be the judge. Compare four different market animals for finish. Were any of them over-finished? Under-finished? When looking for finish, I placed this group of market animals ____ ____ ____ ____ .

Steer in the Right Direction

An animal is “finished” when it has a good amount of fat covering throughout it’s body. If an animal is under-finished, it needs more time and feed. An over-finished animal has too much fat and this can lower it’s grade. To see if an animal is finished, we check the brisket, flank, twist, rump, and forearm for fat and muscle.

22

The Ideal Steer From the front: stands wide and shows trimness in the brisket and neck. From the rear: has a rounded top with the widest point through the stifle. The legs stand wide apart and the twist shows evidence of muscle development From the side: the brisket and neck are trim, the top line is long and straight, the flanks and middle are trim. The animal looks balanced.

Heifers

In order for heifers to breed and have several calves, soundness is a key factor. Good feet and legs are required for mating and grazing in pasture. Volume, balance, muscling, udder development, and femininity are other aspects to consider when judging females. Label which set of legs are bow-legged, correct, and cow-hocked.

Carded

In the judging class, you will be asked to place 4 animals and give reasons for why you placed them the way you did. You will be asked to give two reasons for why you picked your first place animal over your second place animal, then why you chose your second place over your third, and your third over your fourth. Finally, you will be asked why you placed your last place animal last. The only time you are allowed to give a negative reason is when you are asked to write down why you placed your 4th place animal last. Pick four of anything (teddy bears, cake, tea cups, …) and fill out this practice judging form:

23

Name: _________________________________ Age: __________________________ Class: _________________________________ Club: _________________________

1st: _________ 2nd: ____________ 3rd: ____________ 4th: __________ I place _________ over __________ because: _____________________________________ I place _________ over __________ because: _____________________________________ I place _________ over __________ because: _____________________________________ I place _________ last because: _________________________________________________

Bobby Says…

To make sure you are using the comparative form when describing the body parts, use “er” words like “longer,” “wider,” “deeper,” “stronger,” “straighter,” “smoother,” “thicker,” “stronger,” “trimmer,” or “meatier.” Do not use “better” or "best."

Create some reasons for judging heifers.

What’s next?

Now that you have finished all the builders in this project, it is time to think about and plan for the Showcase Challenge on page 25, which will help prepare for your 4-H Achievement. Page 27 is your Portfolio Page, where you can make sure your Discovering Beef Project Skills Chart is complete. There will also be space for you to write down some thoughts and reflections on the project (what you liked, didn’t like, etc.).

Thinking about this builder and the activities you did…

Review the skills checklist on page 21. What skills have you developed? Do you need more practice? What skills did you use to make this project a success?

Record it . . .

Discuss what you have learned with your leader so that the information can be recorded on your portfolio page.

Apply it . . .

How would you explain to others the steps you need to take to have a successful project?

Dig it! Use the comparative form of words (page 23) and different body parts (page 21) to create some phrases you might use while in a market animal judging class. Think about the important body parts. For instance, "I place 3 over 2 because 3 has a deeper loin than 2" is a good reason.

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More Cowbell!

To do some cyber judging, check out: www.ca.uky.edu/agripedia/agmania/livestock/

Now that you have finished this project, it is time to think about how you will share your experiences and knowledge with others. You may put your new skills to work by helping at a community event or at your club Achievement or teach-ing others about your topic. The goal of the Showcase Challenge is to help high-light your new skills and help you understand how you can use them. It can be an opportunity to receive feedback from others on your project. So go back through your manual and find some highlights of your learning (what you are proud of) and think about how you will “showcase” it.

Showcase Challenge Bringing it all together!

Demonstrate something you made or learned about

Make a scrapbook

Act out a play Make a video or slideshow

Give a speech Write a report

Use your new skills to help with the Club Achievement plans

Or come up with your own idea. It is up to you and your leader!

Dream It!

Here are some Showcase Challenge Suggestions:

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My Showcase Challenge Plan My showcase idea: __________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

What materials and resources do I need? _________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Who do I need to help me? ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

When do I need to have things done by? _________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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Do It! Insert or attach your finished product or a photo of you sharing your skills in your Showcase Challenge.

Dig It! Now that you have showcased your project skills; How did your Showcase Challenge go?

What would you do differently next time?

How will you use your new skills in the future? (in different situations?)

Name: __________________ Date: _____________ Year in 4-H: ____ Club: ____________ Hours Spent on 4-H: ___(Project and Other 4-H Activities)

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Discovering Beef 1: Here’s The Beef Project Skills Chart To be completed by the leader and the member based on observations and

conversations throughout the project.

Skill Builder

Members will be able to… Each Skill Builder had a Skills Checklist which

identified the skill you will learn.

We know this because… Identify activities completed and record

observations and information from discussions about activities.

1

Know how to treat animals humanely Explain how to handle animals Illustrate the flight zone of cattle

2

Pick a 4-H calf and CCIA tag it Know how to calculate Average Daily

Gain Understand the importance of records

3

Understand what cattle need to digest feed

Know where nutrients are found Calculate rations

4

Halter break a calf Teach a calf to lead Understand showmanship procedures

5

Explain how cattle herds may get sick Use proper vaccination methods Understand the importance of records

6

Compare and contrast steers Compare and contrast heifers Correctly fill out a judging card

Additional Comments/Activities:

Showcase Challenge

Explain success in using the skills listed above.

My 4-H Portfolio Page

Leader Point of Praise!

I am most impressed by… I acknowledge that the member has completed the 4-H project requirements. Leader’s Signature: _______________________________

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Member Point of Pride!

What I learned… What I need to improve on… What I want others to notice… Member’s Signature: _______________________________

Above and Beyond! In addition to project skills, 4-H also increases skills in meeting management, communications,

leadership, community involvement through participation in club, area, or provincial 4-H events or activities. List below any activities you participated in this year in 4-H.

(Some examples include Executive Positions Held, Workshops, Communication, Community Service, Rally, Bonspiels, Conferences, Judging, Camps, Trips, Awards, Representation to Area or Provincial Councils, etc)

________________________________ ___________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________________

_______________________________ ___________________________________

________________________________ ____________________________________

________________________________ ___________________________________

________________________________ ____________________________________

**Feel Free to add additional pages that include awards, certificates, new clippings, photos or other items that describe your 4-H involvement.

Point of Praise! Another’s perspective on your achievements in 4-H. (community professionals, MAFRI staff, 4-H club head leaders, 4-H Ambassadors, friends of 4-H)

I am most impressed by… I believe that you have learned… In the future I encourage you to… Signature: _______________________________

4-H Achievement

4-H Achievement is… a 4-H club celebration when members have completed their projects. Achievements are planned by the club to give recognition to members and leaders for their accomplishments in their 4-H projects and club activities.

A 4-H Achievement can take many different formats: from choosing a theme, to member project displays, to members using their new skills for the event (entertainment, food, decorating, photographer, etc.), to members presenting their project to the whole group, the options are endless and open to the creativity of the members and leaders in each club! Clubs may also plan their Achievement to promote 4-H to the community or to recognize sponsors and others who have helped the club. Members and leaders - be sure to check your project books for the project completion requirements, so you will be ready for your club’s Achievement celebration!

For more information about 4-H and the many 4-H opportunities available please visit

http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/4-h/

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions for this or other 4-H projects contact:

Manitoba 4-H Projects

Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives 1129 Queens Avenue

Brandon, MB R7A 1L9

Email: 4h@gov.mb.ca

Phone: 204-726-6613 Fax: 204-726-6260

This manual is for educational use only and is not intended as professional advice.

4-H Motto

“Learn To Do by Doing” 4-H Pledge

I pledge, My HEAD to clearer thinking, My HEART to greater loyalty, My HANDS to greater service, My HEALTH to better living, For my club, my community, and my country.

What is 4-H?

4-H is an international youth organization involving more than 7 million members in 80 countries around the world. In Canada, 4-H began in 1913 in Roland, Manitoba as a community-based organization dedicated to growth and development of rural youth. Today’s 4-H program reaches both farm and non-farm youth across Canada. The motto of “Learn to Do by Doing” is embodied in the program, as 4-H focuses on skill development as well as personal development of life skills such as communications, leadership and citizenship.

4-H Quality Equation Principles

Quality People Promote responsibility, respect, trust, honesty, fairness,

sportsmanship, citizenship, teamwork and caring. Quality Experiences

Provide members with personal development and skill development experiences.

Quality Projects Promote and value quality effort. Promote high quality, safe food production within industry standards.

Manitoba 4-H project material is developed by

Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI)