The 4-H Beef Project allows you to learn about breeds, selection, grooming, production, management, showmanship, marketing and careers through a breeding or market animal.

Beginner

• Identify different beef breeds
• Learn proper feeding of cattle
• Prepare a project animal for show by leading it and setting up its feet
• Learn how to groom a beef animal
• Identify common beef cuts of meat
• Identify how a healthy calf looks and acts

Intermediate

• Learn the appropriate handling techniques and housing for beef cattle
• Explore the difference between yield grade and quality grade
• Learn the various methods of cooking different beef cuts
• Explore a ruminant digestive system

Advanced

• Balance a beef ration
• Learn how to manage a cow and newborn calf
• Learn about Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs)
• Explore the technological impacts to beef breeding and reproduction
• Properly identify and learn to treat common cattle diseases

• Tour a beef ranch or visit a livestock auction
• Interview a livestock fence supplier to find out more about animal care and safety
• Learn about different brands in Wisconsin
• Visit a local feed mill and see how feed ingredients are mixed, weighed and blended to make a complete ration
• Visit a local meat locker or local grocery meat case to observe preparation and packaging
• Job shadow with a local beef producer or veterinarian to learn about animal management and health
• Attend a cattle show to listen to a judge give oral reasons and witness the differences in judging cattle
• Participate in a livestock judging workshop or be on your county 4-H Livestock Judging Team at the Wisconsin State Fair
• Discover different uses for beef products and by-products
• Exhibit or attend local, regional or national beef shows and conferences

Applying Project Skills to Life

Enhance Your Communication Skills

• Teach someone the important traits in selecting a breeding heifer
• Design a poster demonstrating how to prepare beef cuts
• Participate in a judging contest giving oral reasons
• Share a presentation on the importance of following drug labels.

Get Involved in Citizenship and Service

• Complete a beef promotion presentation during May, Beef Month
• Provide beef taste testing at a grocery store to promote local food
• Lead other 4-H members in participating in local beef producer events
• Start a beef livestock judging team with the help of an adult volunteer
• Prior to the county fair, lead a beef grooming and showmanship clinic
• Volunteer to do beef promotion presentations during May Beef Month Provide beef taste testing at a grocery store to promote local food Volunteer to help at the county fair weigh-in

Learn about Leadership

• Lead other 4-H members in participating in local beef producer events
• Arrange a tour of your farm your farm in your area
• Start a livestock judging, meat judging, or livestock skill-a-thon team with help of an adult volunteer
• Lead a beef grooming and showmanship clinic for other 4-H members

Showing What You’ve Learned

• Participate in the 4-H beef show at county fair or the Wisconsin State Fair
• Consider an exhibit, notebook or display on what you’ve learned in a beef-related topic
• Nutritive value of beef
• Beef meat cuts and proper preparation
• Feeding rations
• Preventative vaccinations
• Photos of different beef breeds
• Daily routine in caring for animals
• Grooming techniques
• Developing a foundation beef herd
• Best care techniques for newborns
• Beef by-products
• Impact of local foods on local economy
• Display of feeds or ration contents or analysis
• How to Tattoo or Research how beef check-off dollars are used
• Video on fitting a steer and/or heifer lo