4-H Livestock Projects Create Quality Products for Consumers

Much of what most people see when they see a livestock project is at the jr. fair. The project at this point is almost to its end, ready for market and for the consumer. For many youth, their project has been a long journey, many starting over again right after the fair.  Youth participate in educational sessions, record every detail, and work countless hours to reach the point where they proudly show their animal to the county (or what often feels like to the whole world).

This past spring members gathered for what we call Livestock Quality Assurance. We often refer to this simply as QA. This training simply said is our way of preparing youth to give quality care to animals. Through 10 Good Production Practices we give youth information about proper veterinary plans and relationships, proper identification, medication dosage, and how to read feed tags. These youth producers are given hands-on activities to  guide them through the production practices in a way that is not overwhelming but allows them to apply what they have learned. Any youth producer planning to exhibit a market animal at the jr. fair must complete this training.

From the moment youth take possession of their livestock they are expected to maintain daily care of their animal. They document what equipment is needed to house the animal, and keep record of feed purchased and medications administered. Through their record book they are able to explore and learn about their project ranging from the different breeds of their animals, part identification, and what parts of the animal become marketable. For many youth exhibitors they continue their learning through Black Inc. projects by exploring further and presenting their findings to a judge. Aside from the book and daily care, youth must also begin working with their animal by walking it, grooming it, and learning how to properly handle the animal to be as comfortable as possible. Animals like humans have many characteristics that help them to be trained, which youth are able to explore and adapt to.

In order to complete a 4-H project, members must go through interviews with a judge. They are asked basic questions about their project, quality assurance questions, and the judges looks over their records kept for their animal. In addition to completion through interviews members are also able to exhibit their project at the jr. fair. Youth compete in market, breeding, and showmanship shows to exhibit their animal as a marketable product with a consumer (in this case the youth) that has carefully cared for the animal.

Youth who exhibit market projects are able to sell their product to producers (and supporters) at the jr. livestock sale at the completion of the fair. The end of many youth’s project is soon after as the animal leaves for a new home, or to be processed for human consumption. The training, records, and hours spent are all important in the end product for the consumer. While many youth may never be a commercial producer livestock projects help them to gain an understanding of how a producer creates a quality product.

In a month we will all begin to gather at the fairgrounds to celebrate the many accomplishments of our youth. I encourage anyone to walk through the barns and watch youth as they beam with pride for the animal that they have watched grow, and cared for. Feel free to ask any member about their project, what they have learned and what they have fed it.  4-H members are creating quality animals, which in turn helps us to create quality youth for a successful future.