4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Record

March 26, 2012

To: Bucket Calf Project Members

Fr: Diane Brooks Becki Petersen

Bucket Calf Superintendent 4-H County Youth Coordinator

Re: Muscatine County Bucket Calf Project Record, Fair Year: 2012

The purpose of this project is for you to gain knowledge and responsibility in raising a calf. During fair week, you will demonstrate your knowledge in the written records and a personal interview, while you will prove your responsibility on the fairgrounds and in the show ring. For the 2012 fair, changes have been made to the score areas and written records.

Overall, the judge will be looking for:

·  How much you have learned in this project area

·  Your knowledge of raising a calf – including costs

·  Your experience – including challenges of raising a calf

·  Your ability to manage a calf on the fairgrounds and in the ring

The project score will be based upon these areas:

Written records (Bring to Interview) 80 points

Personal interview (Monday of fair week) 80 points

Ring Showmanship (Friday of fair week) 80 points

Management of the calf while on the fairgrounds 60 points

Total 300 points

Bucket Calf Interviews will be held on Monday, July 16th, during the 4-H exhibit judging in the 4-H Building on the fairgrounds. Interviews will be scheduled in coordination with your club judging time. FFA members will be scheduled as needed. Notification of the interview schedule will be mailed in early July.

Your written records should include: (minimum of 3 pages, stapled or placed in a folder)

·  Member and Calf Identification page provided

·  Cost of Raising a Bucket Calf page provided

·  Written record which you create based on the page provided

·  Photos to document the management and growth of your calf prior to fair

Remember:

·  4-H Bucket Calf Identification Report - must be submitted online by Tuesday, May 15

·  Health Papers are due at check-in on fairgrounds- your calf must be checked by a Veterinarian within 30 days of your arrival at the fair. You will not be allowed to show your calf without health papers.

Important Dates to Remember:

Feb. 1-May 10 Calf must be born and in your possession

May 15 Bucket Calf Identification Form must be submitted online to Extension Office

June Fill out livestock cards; pay calf and stall fees; obtain health papers from Veterinary

July 16 Bucket calf interview at the fairgrounds during exhibit judging

July 18 Calf Check-in on fairgrounds

July 20 4-H Calf Show

July 21 Calves released at 12 p.m. (except if in Hall of Champions)

MEMBER'S NAME: GRADE: AGE:

CLUB/CHAPTER: YEARS IN PROJECT:

CALF’S NAME: CALF EAR TATOO/TAG:

MARK ONE: / PURCHASED From Where:
BORN at your FARM
OTHER Please Describe:

DATE PURCHASED/SELECTED (The date the calf came into your possession):

CALF’S BIRTH DATE (Actual or Estimated): AGE AT FAIR:

COLOR OF CALF BREED OF CALF:

svsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvsvs

WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL FOR THE BUCKET CALF PROJECT?

WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED?

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE CALF AFTER FAIR?

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO IN THIS PROJECT NEXT YEAR?


COST OF RAISING A BUCKET CALF

Pounds / Cost per pound / Total
Feed / Milk Replacer / $ / $ (a)
Starter Feed / $ / $ (b)
Hay / $ / $ (c)
Grain / $ / $ (d)
Other / $ / $ (e)
$ / $ (f)

Bedding

/ Type Used / Quantity / Cost per bale / Total
$ / $ (g)
$ / $ (h)

Medication

or
Supplements / Name of items used / Quantity / Cost / Total
$ / $ (i)
$ / $ (j)
$ / $ (k)

Veterinary Charges (please explain) $ (l)

Other Supplies (please explain) $ (m)

Total Cost for Calf Management (add A through M) $ (n)

Purchase Cost of Calf $ (o)

Total Invested in Bucket Calf Project (add N and O) $


Your written records will depend upon your grade at the time your calf came into your possession. ANSWER ONLY WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR GRADE. Please read the following areas carefully and create a written record to include this information, plus photos as you would like to document the management and growth of your calf before fair.

Juniors: Grades 4-6

Written records & Photos:

Create a paragraph narrative describing how you raised your calf. Possible ideas to include: how you got your calf; where your calf was housed; how you fed your calf before and after the calf was weaned; and if you had any problems.

Intermediates: Grades 7-8

Written records & Photos:

1.  Describe any challenges you had raising the calf.

2.  What do you believe are the most helpful pieces of equipment in raising and managing a calf? Explain.

3.  Describe how and when you transitioned the calf from milk to grain to hay.

4.  Describe measures taken in the care of your calf in regards to:

a.  Prevention (what did you do in hopes to prevent illness or problems)

b.  Reactive (what did you do after an illness or problem occurred)

5.  Describe the time required for the following areas:

a.  Feeding

b.  Management

c.  Training for Fair

Seniors: Grades 9-12

Written records & Photos:

1.  Describe any challenges you had raising the calf.

2.  Describe what behaviors you would see if a calf was sick or healthy and at what time you would decide to call the Vet.

3.  In your experience, when is a calf more likely to become ill?

4.  What causes stress in a calf?

5.  What is your procedure for bottle feeding?

6.  Describe normal or abnormal behavior of a calf when bottle feeding.

3/2012