There are many opportunities for youth to learn about animals and to explore different types of livestock with the 4-H Animal Science programs. There are also many great reasons to be a part of livestock clubs! These clubs and programs help build self-confidence, teamwork, leadership skills, and more! Several of the projects are short-term and can be done with a large yard! You can do Quizbowl, Skill-A-Thon, and Judging; without even owning animals. Livestock projects are open to youth ages 9 – 18. Participants must enroll in 4-H. For more information about any of these projects: Contact the Lauderdale County 4-H Office (256-766-6223)
Heifer Show: http://offices.aces.edu/lauderdale/4-h-heifer-show/
Alabama National Fair: https://alnationalfair.org/livestock/
Junior Beef Expo: JrBeefExpo.com (validation & registration due November 1)
Beef It Up!
Participants raise a steer of their choosing, then bring the steer to a show. The steer can be shown on a halter or in a pen. Registration is due by November 1, 2017.
Project requirements:
- Enroll youth in 4-H through 4HOnline, select Beef It Up! Club
- Register steer(s) at validation site in your area (Cullman County on October 14 is the closest for us!)
- Record keeping
- Poster presentation
- Enter steer in state show
Beef It Up! State Show – Regional workshops will be offered to help members prepare for the state show, which is April 7, 2018, in Autaugaville.
Full project guidelines: http://offices.aces.edu/lauderdale/wp-content/uploads/sites/98/2017/02/Beef-It-Up-rules.pdf
Pig Squeal
The 4-H Pig Squeal Project teaches young people recommended management practices for growing and raising swine:
Important project dates:
- October 30, 6p – project kickoff meeting
- November 17 – registration and program fee due
- November 27, 6p – project training (required to receive pigs)
- January 13 – pick up pigs at Lauderdale 4-H Barn
- February – schedule a home visit with your 4-H agent
- March 3 – showmanship clinic at the Fairgrounds (Muscle Shoals)
- April 28 – NW Alabama 4-H Pig Squeal show and auction
Full program guidelines and registration form: http://offices.aces.edu/lauderdale/wp-content/uploads/sites/98/2017/02/Pig-Squeal-guidelines-2017-18.pub_.pdf
Chick Chain
With Chick Chain, 4-H’ers will receive 10 birds to raise through the summer. Participants bring 2 to the show and auction and keep the rest.
Project requirements:
- Attend project meetings
- Record keeping
- Chick Chain show
Project timeline:
- Monday, February 26, 2018 – project meeting, 6p, Lauderdale 4-H/Extension Office
- Monday, March 19, 2018 – project training, 6p (location to be announced)
- Thursday, April 5 – project meeting and chick delivery (alternate date, April 6; based on delivery)
- Tuesday, May 8 – project meeting
- Summer – home visits
- June 25-29 – State Poultry Events
- Saturday, August 18, 2018 – project training: showmanship
- September – show, and auction
Market Lamb
The 4-H Market Lamb project is designed to teach 4-H members recommended management practices for growing and raising beef. Your participation in the 4-H Market Lamb project will help you:
- Develop sheep management skills
- Learn to produce a healthy finished lamb product
- Develop an awareness for business management
- Develop record keeping skills
- Realize the pride of accomplishment
NOTE: This project is a stand-alone Lamb project; not connected with the previously established Alabama Show Lamb Project.
How the Market Lamb project works:
- Participants must enroll in 4-H and pay a program fee.
- In early May 2018, youth will receive one market wether, approximately 2 months old. The lamb will come from a reputable farm and will be properly vaccinated. Participants will care for this lamb for approximately 5-6 months.
- Lambs will be selected by the participant through a random drawing on delivery day.
- Each participant will be required to schedule a home visit with his or her Extension Agent(s) during the project.
- At the end of the project (around September), participants will bring the lamb to the Alabama 4-H Market Lamb Show. Lambs will be shown by weight on the day of the show.
- Average Daily Gain will be calculated using the animal’s weight at delivery compared to the weight at show weigh-in.
- Record books will be an integral part of this project. Completed record book and a knowledge test will be a significant portion of the youth’s overall showmanship score at the Alabama 4-H Market Lamb Show.
Livestock Judging
Livestock judging is developing evaluation and decision-making skills using animals and animal products as tools. For Skillathon and Quizbowl, participants showcase knowledge through a team activity and through solving and analyzing real-world livestock issues. The fun includes…
- Learning the parts and purpose of livestock (cattle, lamb, swine, goat)
- Developing your public speaking strategies and skills
- Build analysis and organizational skills
Some regional workshops will be offered, but most project work is done on your own.