Twenty-one youth have completed the final phase of a 4-H livestock project that has demanded much of their time and attention during the past 10 months. These members of the Cleveland County 4-H Dairy Steer Club exhibited their Holstein steers at the Cleveland County Fair on Saturday, October 2 and sold them at a live support auction the following day.
Each 4-H club member received a two-day-old dairy bull calf in early November 2009. They were responsible for bottle feeding the calf twice daily for about three months and continuing to care for it until show time. Five local dairies donated the calves, and the local Southern States Cooperative provided enough milk replacer and feed to get them off to a good start. Club leaders Wayne and Joann Yarbro met with youth monthly, teaching them about the beef industry and how to care for their animals properly. Cleveland County’s 4-H Youth Development Program coordinated required health care and animal husbandry practices and provided workshops that taught members how to halter break their calves and prepare them for show.
The Grand Champion steer was exhibited by Charlie Greene of Lawndale, who received a cash award from Mitchem’s Kitchen. Caroline Bumgarner of Shelby exhibited the Reserve Champion steer and was also named Showmanship Champion. She received a cash award from Rhodesdale Farm. Eight year-old Regan Mitchem received an award from Midstate Mills for raising the heaviest steer, “Bolt”, who gained nearly 1,000 pounds under her care and weighed in at the Fair at 1,095 pounds!
The award-winning 4-H Dairy Steer Project will begin its third year this month, when another group of youth receive their calves. Through their involvement in this long-term, hands-on livestock project, youth will develop stronger interdependence and collaboration with their parents and establish collaborative relationships with volunteer club leaders and other positive adult role models. Participants will also develop and apply a range of essential life skills, including responsibility; decision-making, time management, teamwork, follow-through on commitment, record-keeping, communication, and sportsmanship.
The Cleveland County 4-H Youth Development program is also in the process of developing a similar project that will allow youth to raise and exhibit meat goats beginning in the spring of 2011. For more information contact the County Extension Center at 704-482-4365. |
