Youth Livestock

The 4-H Youth Livestock program is designed for those youth with interest in livestock and livestock events. It is the largest animal science project area enabling youth to develop their interest in beef cattle, sheep, swine and meat goats in their 4-H projects.

The 4-H Youth Livestock program is educational, activity-oriented, and fun for those who become involved. The 4-H youth learn about selection, care, and feeding of livestock along with animal health and the importance of good record-keeping all of which focus on life skills development.

The 4-H Youth Livestock program includes programs for those youth who own/have access to livestock and those who do not but still want to learn about the science of livestock selection, care, and management. This program offers competitions such as livestock judging contests as well as livestock shows at the county, district, and state levels.

Beef

The beef project is an excellent way to learn about raising, caring for and managing beef. Begin with a calf or build your own heard as you learn about the beef industry.

Things to learn/do in the project:

Ages 7-9

Identify breeds of beef cattle
Learn the parts of a calf
Compare animal differences
Halter break a calf

Ages 10-13

Learn about cattle feeds and how they are digested
Judge beef cattle and present oral reasons
Show a calf and learn showing techniques

Ages 14 and Older

Use performance data to make breeding decisions
Evaluate beef carcasses and identify meat products
Explore the impact of technology and career opportunities in the beef industry

Educational Materials

Breeds of Cattle

Meat Goat

The 4-H meat goat project is designed for members who are interested in learning more about raising meat goats. The meat goat project is quickly growing with an increasing demand for meat products. Learn how to select, raise and care for a meat goat.

Things to learn/do in the project:

Ages 7-9

Identify parts of a meat goat
Identify meat goat breeds
Learn how to fit and show meat goats

Ages 10-13

Recognize meat goat diseases
Work with a veterinarian
Learn how to keep records for meat goats

Ages 14 and Older

Select breeding stock
Learn key components in developing a goat herd
Evaluate feed ingredients

Educational Materials

Sheep

Learn how to select and care for a market or breeding lamp or building a breeding flock. The sheep project can be an avenue for learning about the sheep industry. You will learn how to manage a market lamp or build your own breeding flock. 4-H members can enroll in either market or breeding.

Things to learn/do in the project:

Ages 7-9

Learn the parts of a sheep
Identify breeds of sheep and their uses
Manage and train sheep for show

Ages 10-13

Learn safety procedures and management practices for maintaining a flock
Identify symptoms, causes, and treatment of common diseases
Study the nutritional requirements for various ages of sheep

Ages 14 and Older

Learn reproduction and genetics of sheep
Study technology's impact on sheep production
Explore career opportunities in the sheep industry

Educational Materials

Swine

Want to learn about raising, caring and managing a market or breeding hog? Enroll in the swine project where members learn to select, manage and show animals for meat production. Learn about an important industry in Kansas and the mid-west.

Things to learn/do in the project:

Ages 7-9

Identify parts of a hog
Name different swine breeds
Learn types of feeds

Ages 10-13

Purchase, feed and care for a market hog
Identify symptoms, causes and treatments of swine diseases
Study pork production from farrow to finish

Ages 14 and Older

Learn effect of genetics on reproduction
Study breeding systems and performance data
Explore career opportunities in the swine industry

Educational Materials

swine

Horse

UPDATED GUIDELINES (Covid-19)

Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA)
You MUST use your 4-H Online sign-in for the Extension Office to access your records.
7 yr olds are able to take an on-site class. They CANNOT complete the online course.

2020 Youth Livestock Nomination Information

Nomination Forms:
- Commercial Breeding Heifer Nomination Form
- Market Beef (Market Steer/Heifer) Nomination Form
- Market Lamb/Commercial Ewe Nomination Form
  Extra Market Lamb/Commercial Ewe Form
- Meat Goat & Commercial Doe Nomination
  Extra Meat Goat Form
- Swine Nomination Form
  Extra Swine Form

Additional information and examples for filling out forms available at
http://www.asi.k-state.edu/research-and-extension/youth-programs/nominated-livestock/

Kansas Junior Livestock Show

Clinton Laflin

Livestock Production Agent
309 S Fossil
Russell, KS 67665
785-483-3157
cllaflin@ksu.edu