Market steers take first official trip over the 4-H scales
courtesy photo
Halle McVicker walks her 4-H steer down the alley after weighing him.
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News from Montana State University Lake County Extension Office
LAKE COUNTY — Mid-January marks the beginning of the 4-H market beef project for Lake County members who have elected to raise and care for a steer during the next seven months. Calf weights are recorded along with breeder information. Growth rates will be measured this July in time for the Lake County Fair.
Many 4-H members select their calf when steers are weaned in the fall, using a scientific approach that identifies the most desirable traits for the show arena and the consumer. During the project, 4-H members learn and apply humane-husbandry skills through a curriculum of quality assurance that includes comfortable housing, complete nutrition, health care and environmentally sound issues. Members also train their steers to exhibit in the show arena to display traits breeders select to produce quality nutritional beef.
4-H Youth Development offers many other projects for members to gain education in life skills, such as leadership, community service, science, engineering, photography, shooting sports and so many more. MSU Extension Lake County administers the 4-H program, however volunteer leaders are the backbone of the program and are key to its success in outreach and impact for hundreds of youth in Lake County.
