A teenager shows her market animal at the fairThe Beef project is open to youth age 8-18. Your involvement in this project allows you the opportunity to develop and use new life skills by caring for a market animal or building your own herd. 

The Larimer County Beef Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care. Youth in the Beef project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship. Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Why Participate in a Beef Project:

  • Opportunity to learn about raising a market animal
  • Build budgeting skills
  • Learn about accurate record-keeping

Special Considerations:

Before starting a beef project, you should consider that it may have a sizeable investment in excess of $2,000. You should develop a cash flow budget and be sure that you have adequate funding for this project.  You can contact our office if you have questions about the equipment and materials needed.

2024 - 2025 Year Project Orientation

Date: November 15h, 2024 
Time: 6:30 p.m. 
Location: Cobank Building at ARDEC (E County Rd 56, Fort Collins, CO 80524)

This is a great opportunity to learn about different aspects of the beef project and how to be successful with your project animal.

 

Starting Out - Beginner

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn about beef cattle
  • How to identify the parts of a calf
  • Identify breeds of cattle
  • Different types of feeds
  • Evaluating different beef animals
  • Purchase, feed and care for animals
  • Evaluate project with leader
  • Learn about goal setting
  • Learn how to keep records
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Learn how to assume responsibility

Learning More - Intermediate

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn about nutritional requirements for beef cattle
  • Learn about a cow’s digestive system
  • Identifying common cattle diseases
  • Learn about goal setting
  • Gain knowledge of sound management practices
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Develop sportsmanship
  • Develop public speaking skills

Exploring Depth - Advanced

Inspiring youth to:

  • How to deal with current issues relating to raising beef
  • Gain leadership skills by helping others learn about cattle
  • Explore career opportunities in the beef industry
  • Investigating technology's impact on beef production
  • Exhibit an animal on tour, achievement day or at the fair
  • Build lifelong friendship

4-H E-Records were previously known as Record Books. Each project has its own Record book that members are required to complete each year. We recommend downloading and starting your record book right away. All record books should be kept in a 3-ring binder. The front cover should have the 4-H'ers name, unit number, and project.  

2025-2026 Livestock Record Book

Excel Version (255.29 KB)

Printable PDF (461.9 KB)

Fillable PDF (713.71 KB)

 

Need help filling out your Record Book? Talk to your club leader, project leader, or visit our Record Book help page.

To print all upcoming events, select "Agenda" and then "Print"