Upcoming Events

4-H Livestock Projects

Posted on by Janet Lovelady

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 logo, market steer project

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 logo

Pig Squeal

The 4-H Pig Squeal Project teaches young people recommended management practices for growing and raising swine:

swine management, healthy hogs, business management, record keeping, pride of accomplishment

Important project dates:

  • October 30, 6 p.m. – project kickoff meeting
  • November 17 – registration and program fee due
  • November 27, 6 p.m. – 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 21  – 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: 

  • Thursday, April 5 – Mandatory Project Meeting, Lauderdale County Extension Office
  • Tuesday, May 7 – Pick Up Day, Muscle Shoals Fair Grounds
  • Summer – Home Visits
  • June 25-29 – State Poultry Events
  • Saturday, August 18- project training: showmanship
  • Tuesday, October 2 – Show and Auction, Muscle Shoals Fair Grounds (Time TBD)

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:

  1. Participants must enroll in 4-H and pay a program fee.
  2.  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.
  3.  Lambs will be selected by the participant through a random drawing on delivery day.
  4.  Each participant will be required to schedule a home visit with his or her Extension Agent(s) during the project.
  5.  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.
  6.  Average Daily Gain will be calculated using the animal’s weight at delivery compared to the weight at show weigh-in.
  7.  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.

Market Lamb Timeline:

Monday, May 14 5:30 p.m. – Mandatory Meeting, Lauderdale County Extension Office

 

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.