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Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance

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mtrim

04-05-2006 06:19:25

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My son will be taking on a Dairy Feeder Calf for a 4H project this year. This is all new to us and I'm looking for some guidance, secrets, etc., on the following:

1) selecting a calf at a sale...what to look for
2) feeding regimen - all grain? grazing?
3) tips for handling - showmanship

The sale is April 22nd and the Fair/show will be the second week in August.

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phillip d

04-05-2006 17:07:00

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

Hi mtrim,what age calf is your son able to show?Try ro find a full age calf if you can,ex.mar. 1st june 1st sep 1st ar dec 1st.It will likely be almost impossible to find one born on the first,but try to find the sharpest one you can born as close to the 1st and NOT BEFORE THE FIRST ie feb 28.The reason for this is that those are the ages that the cut off dates are for each class,the oldest calf can a few days less that three months older than the youngest,it is very hard to get attention in the ring with an off age calf besause they grow so fast.Look for a calf that is long and tall and sharp at the shoulder,wide rump and a strong loin,with a nice slight slope from hip bone downword to the rump,high pins are very undesiareable,so avoud those ones.Pedrigree is abousolutely unimportant untill you go to sell her.Look for a deep chested calf with a long neck,wide muzzle and walks smooth.It may sound like a tall order but i hope that these pointers may help as that is what the judge is looking for.Feed her all the starter she can eat untill she is four months old,than move her to a 20%ration with rumensin(gives her stretch and shine)feeding her about 6-7pounds per day.Once she is 2 months old,feed her all the nicest dry hay you have she can possibly eat,this will give her septh of rib.Also have your son train her to lead often,a wild heiffer in the ring is almost always overlooked.The day before show day,if your son is not required to clip her homself,have someone who is experienced at show fitting,it will make ALL the difference in the world.She will need to be washed about 3 hours before show time to give her time to dry and get her "top done" before the show.On show day,as soon as she is washed,give her about a pound of beat pulp every 2 hours mixed with abit of ration for taste and hay.Pour the pulp pellets into a bucket and soak level with water and let sit for 2-3 hours.Sounds like alot of work,but thats half the fun.Good luck and enjoy.phill

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barnrat

04-05-2006 15:19:33

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

I showed dairy cows in 4H for many years. What the other post said was good advice, especially for showing in the open shows. For the 4H shows the project quality and effort is much more important then the animal quality. 4H judges are more concerned about how well the animal was taken care of, how well it was showed(groomed and handled) and the general knowledge of the handler. A "typey", or fancy animal is not neccessary for your first 4H project.

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mtrim

04-05-2006 12:32:46

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

The sale is held by one farm, known for good genetics - not really an auction. The calves will be off milk replacer - February born, I believe. Thanks for all the responses.

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Farmall_Ryan

04-05-2006 09:38:35

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

I agree with John about trying to buy direct from a known farm rather than from the local auction. The exception to this would be if its some sort of a hosted auction through the cooperative extension or a breed club. Each May the local Junior Holstein club hosts a consignment auction to help raise money for the kids. Local farmers are very generous about sending good solid animals to this auction. Many of these animals are bought by youngsters to begin showing at the local fair.

As far as what to look for in a calf, it can be difficult to tell at a young age without having some clue as to its pedigree. You'll want one that seems healthy and eager to eat. If there are many calves around the same age, you can do some comparisons to see if any seem to have a better frame and overall size compared to the others.

What age calf will you be looking to buy? Around here the common calf ages for showing would be ones born in September, December & March. Calves born in the beginning of these months are at the oldest possible age within their classes. That can help lead to a slightly larger size when being compared against other calves by the judge.

As cowman said, the main concern is to have fun with your son whether you place well or not.

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Chad Franke

04-05-2006 08:17:11

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

Don"t know much about dairy cows, but do know that what is "desirable" changes year to year, judge to judge. I showed beef in 4H, one year, judge liked big shoulders, next year judge liked more balance...

Your 4H club will have a dairy leader to give advise. If your club doesn"t have a knowledgable leader for dairy, contact your extension service locally, they can give some guidance. Talk to parents of kids who have shown before.

As far as handling, practice early and often. Get the calf used to a lead rope and halter. We used to tie calves up to the MD and walk them (4 at a time, tied to F10 loader cross brace on back) 1 mile a day. When a person then pulled the rope, they followed because they were trained that they didn"t have a choice.

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John51

04-05-2006 08:10:28

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

I agree with Cowman, but can you buy a calf direct from a farm rather than at an auction? Remember auctions have sick calves mixed in with the others, and it's easier to start a calf that comes straight from a clean farm.

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Nebraska Cowman

04-05-2006 07:33:40

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Re: Dairy Feeder - 4H Project - need guidance in reply to mtrim, 04-05-2006 06:19:25

First thing is that it is more important that the child feels they are doing a good job in raising their calf, promotes self esteem, good work habits etc. Don't worry about pushing the calf or the boy. Lots of time spent with the calf and feed it all it will eat and they will do well. Is this a calf that will be started on milk? If so get it eating grain and hay as soon as it will, then when you statr taking the miljk away give it all the grain it will eat. Replace uneaten grain and hay with fresh at least twice a day and have fresh water avaiable at all times. I'm no showman and probably could'd do well at the fair but I can make animals grow.

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