ANS96-009B

Beef Exhibitor's Project Guide
(7 - 8 Years of Age)

Matthew C. Claeys
Extension Livestock Specialist

Sharon B. Rogers
Extension Livestock Technician

General Knowledge Information

Taking part in a 4-H Livestock Project can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Through the beef project you are given the opportunity to learn about taking care of an animal, working with other young people, and developing sound judgment skills. When beginning with any new project or activity it is a learning experience for all involved, but remember the more you practice and participate the more you will develop the necessary skills to be a success.

Below are the most important aspects that you should know about your project animal to make your learning experience complete. These items will expand your knowledge above the five and six year old level into new and more challenging areas.

Items to Learn and Know

• Basic information from the 5 - 6 year old Beef Exhibitor's Project Guide (ANS-96-008B)
• Differences between forages and concentrates
• Products produced: cuts of beef - T-bone steak, Ribeye steak, Hamburger, etc.
• Ruminant digestive system - with its 4 compartment stomach: rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum
• Physical strengths and weaknesses of animal exhibited

Species terminology:	Bull - male	Steer - castrated male
	Cow - mature female	Heifer - immature female

 

Body Parts to Know
Hock  Pins  Hooks  Quarter  Loin  Shoulder  Pastern  Stifle

Basic Equipment to Know
Blocking chute	Tattoo pliers	Blower	Neck rope
	Ear tagger

Beef Showmanship Danish Standard for 7 and 8 Year Old Exhibitors

Showmanship provides the opportunity to show an animal to the best of your ability. You are judged on how well you show your animal. Judging for showmanship does not include the conformation of the animal. Practice and planning will help you improve your showmanship skills. "Beef Cattle Showmanship" fact sheets (ANS 95-002B) and a "4-H Market Steer Manual" are available from your county Cooperative Extension office for more in depth coverage of showmanship styles and care of the project animal.

Below are the showmanship standards for 7 and 8 year old youth. These standards are established to provide youth with guidelines of the more important aspects of developing showmanship skills.

Showmanship Skills to Develop

1. Be able to perform all the tasks required for five and six year olds. (ANS 96-008B)
2. Lead and control animal with proper technique.
3. Ability to display animal so that the judge has the best view of the animal at all times.
4. Be aware of the surroundings and show process. Watch the judge, your animal, and the other exhibitors.
5. Be courteous and helpful to the other exhibitors.
6. Answer age-appropriate questions.

Reviewed by: Ralph E. Blalock, Jr., Edgecombe County, Darwin G. Braund, Ph.D., and Raymond W. Harvey, Ph.D., Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University.