Animal Science
4-H Dairy Cattle Project
The Colorado 4-H Dairy Cattle Project helps youth gain knowledge and hands-on experience in raising and managing dairy cattle.
Members learn about animal selection, nutrition, health, reproduction, genetics, and record keeping while exploring how to build a profitable enterprise. Participants also study consumer awareness and quality assurance, practice grooming and showing their animals, and develop an understanding of animal well-being and the dairy industry’s role in the food system.
Livestock contests 4-H youth may participate in are Livestock Judging, Livestock Quiz Bowl, and Livestock Skill-a-Thon.
Project Overview
Unit 1
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Explore the possibility of expanding to make a profitable enterprise
- Learn:
- Selection and Judging
- Record Keeping
- Nutrition
- Health
- Reproduction and Genetics
- Quality Assurance
- Competition
- Consumer Awareness
Show Animal & Industry Knowledge
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Increase awareness about issues of animal well-being and the assurance of quality products from dairy cattle
- Learn how to groom and show your animal and how to win and lose graciously in the show ring
- Better understand how dairy products enter the food chain
Selecting & Raising Your Animal
Designed for members 8-18 years old.
Inspiring youth to:
- Learn which characteristics to look for in a modern dairy animal
- Learn about the costs associated with feed, equipment, and birth or purchase of an animal
- Understand the nutrition requirements for dairy cattle at all stages of production and how to balance for maximum production
- Learn about common diseases and parasites of dairy cattle and what to do to prevent them
- Learn about reproductive systems of dairy cattle and how traits are passed from parents to offspring
Official Project Materials
Materials & Curriculum
Member Resources
Find Your County
Counties play a crucial role in 4-H by providing a platform for young people to learn and grow.
Counties facilitate the delivery of 4-H programs that are of particular interest in their area and qualified, compassionate adult leaders run local clubs to support our youth 4-H members.
To find out if this project is supported locally, contact your local extension office.
Upcoming Events
Currently there are no events scheduled at this time associated to this page. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Project Tips
- Water is the most important nutrient. Always provide access to fresh, clean water to your animal.
- House your animals in an area where you can readily observe them to best monitor feed, water, and their health.
- Provide fresh, high-quality feed.
- Feed a balanced ration that will allow the calf to develop adequately and at the right body condition.
- Holstein heifers should gain, on average, 1.7-1.8 pounds per day from birth to the day they calve.
- When selecting a heifer, keep in mind that March, June, September, and December are age breaks used at most shows. An animal born on March 1st, for example, would have almost three months advantage over an animal born on May 30th.
- Before starting a dairy project you should consider that it may have a sizeable investment, often exceeding $2000. You should develop a cash flow budget and be sure that you have adequate funding for this project.
Careers
Herdsman
Oversees all activities that go into breeding, milking, and maintaining dairy cattle
Veterinarian
There are veterinarians that work specifically with dairy cattle
Food Inspector
Public health professional who ensures the safety of food products processed in private plants
Embryologist
Responsible for the study of embryos, their development and use with in vitro fertilization
Breed Association
Representative
Person who presents, sells and supports products and services for dairy farmers and businesses
Feed Sale
Representative
Sells livestock feed to dealers, farmers and production facilities
Calf Barn Worker
Individual works with dairy calves to prepare them to be introduced into the herd
Hoof Trimmer
Person who trims the hoofs of cattle