Objectives
Livestock projects enable members to gain skills in animal husbandry and responsibility. There are numerous types of livestock projects for members to choose from. Below is a list of the projects and the objectives for each.
Beef
- select, feed, and house a market steer
- select cattle based on breed characteristics
- fit, show, and market a steer
- feed, breed, winter, fit, and show cattle
- evaluate a carcass
- manage a herd
Goat (Dairy, Meat, Utility, Novelty, and Pygmy)
- demonstrate proper goat management and practices
- develop goat fitting and showing skills
- promote goat products and the goat industry
- select a quality project animal
- feed care for an animal properly
- select animals suitable for their use in harness or as pack animals
Llama/Alpaca
- select, feed, and care for a llama
- fit and show a llama
Sheep
- select, feed, and house a market lamb
- select, care for, fit, show, breed, and market sheep
- fit and show a lamb
- evaluate a carcass
- control insects and parasites
Swine
- improve swine care and management by following good health, nutrition, and handling practices
- educate youth about the relationship of food safety and animal well-being
- prevent drug residues
- ensure a wholesome pork product
- promote consumer confidence in the swine animal well-being and pork products
Helpful Links
2024 Memo to Sheep, Goat, & Swine Members (PDF)
2024 Spring Memo to Livestock Members (PDF)
Livestock Judging Contest Results
Practice Livestock Judging Card (PDF)
Animal Feed Lesson Plan: See, Touch, Do – US Food & Drug Administration
This activity explores animal nutrition and the relationships between feed ingredients in livestock diets.
Practice Animal Parts
Practice Cost Sheets
Calculating Pig Gain and Fair Weights (PDF)
Livestock Judging Resources
- Judging Beef Cattle and Oral Reasons 101
- Judging Meat Goats and Oral Reasons 101
- Judging Sheep and Oral Reasons 101
- Judging Swine and Oral Reasons 101
- Learning Through 4-H Judging Leader Guide
- Teaching 4-H Oral Reasons
- Livestockjudging.com – contact our office if you would like an account to access classes of all species to judge.
2023 Carcass Contest Results
Carcass Analysis BEEF 2023 (PDF)
Carcass Analysis GOAT 2023 (PDF)