Animal Science Academy - Beef

This booklet will have general information for Cloverbuds, general animal science rules and requirements, dress code for shows, and each species will have its own resource page.

See the power point below. This animal selection information can be applied to cattle, sheep, goat, and swine

• Animals and Livestock - University of Minnesota - Link to more information here
• Feeding Beef Cattle - Pennsylvania State University - Link to more information here
• Of Cows and Children - Beef Animal Nutrition - Youth friendly activities - Link to more information here

• All About Livestock - University of MN Extension - Link to more information here
• Animal Health and Biosecurity - Link to more information here
• Daily Show Care Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yWadsor5EM
• How to clip posters here

• Animal ID - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Leasing an animal in 4-H - Minnesota 4-H - Link to more information here
• Lease Form - Minnesota 4-H - Link to form

Several Video's include adds or are from a company selling product. The education is the focus in the videos and we are not promoting one company or product over another.

Halter Training:

• How to Halter Break you Calf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgtoPfndvMg
• Halter Training a Calf - The Gentle Method Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qnJ72AMTkY (Quilted Farm)

Training General Information:

• Training Process for your 4-H Beef Project Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvTkSDBxY9Y (Texas A&M)
• Ring Procession Coaching Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx4AfFHNzV0 (Weaver)

Show Stick Training:

• How to Introduce the Show Stick Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y58GTXQcgzc (BioZyme Inc)
• How to Hold A Show Stick Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1YcwdeAncc (Weaver Livestock)

Showmanship Training:

• Showmanship: The Right Way to Hold a Halter Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We-XS9q0v9Q (Weaver Livestock)
• Showmanship: The Right Way to Set Up A Calf Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhNgcLjx_10 (Weaver Livestock)
• 5 Tips for Showmanship Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoDloIORKXI
• Showmanship: What is the judge looking for? Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeq-d3r8YmE
• Showmanship Tips from Nasco/CD Show Cattle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmjLJ0R8Ceo

Grooming and Fitting Resources/training:

• Grooming: Fitting and Showing, Part 1 (Jr Angus Association): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCyJ0mKCiUU
• Grooming: Fitting and Showing, Part 2 (Jr Angus Association): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f51j5CWUn4
• Grooming: Fitting a Calf's Tail Video (Weaver): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXsiaBdhAdA
• Grooming: How to Comb Your Calf the Right Way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZubmmzG_q1I (Weaver Livestock)
• National JR Angus Association Fitting: https://www.angus.org/pub/showing.pdf

Show Season:

• How to prepare your livestock for show season video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txse_lacHNk&t=10s
• Weaver Pro Tips Multiple Videos: https://www.weaverlivestock.com/pages/cattle-protips
• Sullivan's Stock Show U Online Multiple Video and Webinars to get you starting in showing cattle: https://www.sullivansupply.com/stock-show-u/online/

Rules/Policies:

• Show Ring Code of Ethics: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S2Mx-MZopHOiH2pE855O1KbLZmkqqmTD/view
• MN 4-H State Fair Premium Book (2024): Review for rules specific to species

What is livestock judging contests? MN 4-H Information

4-H'ers can create a team and participate in Livestock Judging at the MN State Fair. Individual or team entries are accepted. Sign up with the MN 4-H State Fair registration forms.

4-H'ers interested in dairy, general livestock (beef, meat goat, sheep and swine), horses, poultry and rabbits can become good judges by knowing:

• The parts of the animal and their locations.
• Which parts are most important for meat and breeding stock production.

• Making keen observations.
• Comparing the animal to the ideal.
• Weighing the good and bad points of each animal.

Livestock Judging Tips Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqZw_r3lXis (Alabama Extension)

Cattle Judging (2014) Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-H_-46NiUY

Online Livestock Judging Class Video 1 (Nebraska 4-H): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pZHY25cq1I (video taken during covid online training)

Online Livestock Judging Class Video 2 (Nebraska 4-H): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTtnVp4Ycaw

Online Livestock Judging Class Video 3 (Nebraska 4-H): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqF-BvKOFEE

Example of Market Steer Oral Reasons Video (Ohio 4-H): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50bZZ5QxEJE

Example of Breeding Heifers Oral Reasons Video (Ohio 4-H): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk8T8XvlyZw

The resources found here are good tools for youth to gain a better understanding of your project area. Consider using this information to create a beef animal science project to exhibit at the county fair.

• Minnesota Ag in the Classroom - Beef Education Resource - Youth friendly activities - link is here
• MN 4-H Beef Project Page - University of MN - Link to more information is here
• Minnesota Beef Council - Link to more information
• SLCO Jr. Livestock Steer Quizlet: Link to more information is here

1. Premium Book

• General Projects / animal science, vet science, exploring animals, and more - link is here
• Animal Science / all species - link is here

2. Fair Entry - Project Registration to show at county fair.

• Redwood County 4-H Fair Entry
• This is the program used to register what projects members are planning to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.
• Use your 4honline.com account information to log in
• Fair entry link is here

3. Showmanship

• All youth are expected to participate in Showmanship Class for their age group.
• Register for showmanship in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair.

4. Interviews

• All youth are expected to participate in interviews.
• Register for interviews in Fairentry.com when you are registering your projects to exhibit at the Redwood County Fair. Interview judging occurs during the Redwood County Fair.
• Sign up for your interview time with the Barn Superintendent. Typically, sign ups happen along with the barn meeting.
• The interview will happen prior to your show and age group winners are awarded during your animal species show.
• Dress code for interviews:
• Clean clothing, shirts should be without sponsorship,
• No hats, no holes
• Show clothes are not expected

Sample and practice livestock interview questions:

• Sample Livestock interview questions - Montana State University - Montana Extension Services
• Practice questions - animals - beginner, intermediate, and advanced - Ohio State University
• MN 4-H State Fair Interview Process - Link and information are here

5. Pre and Post Fair Clean Up

• Pre-Fair - July 8, 2026 - youth exhibiting animals at the fair are expected to attend pre-fair clean up. Clean up begins at 6 pm.
• Post Fair - Load out can begin at 7 pm on Sunday of the county fair. All youth must fully clean their area and stalls and remain on the fair grounds until their species building is clean and/or the species superintendent releases 4-H members to go.
• Note: Sunday morning of the Redwood County Fair from 7 am - 9 am youth may remove tac and other items no longer needed. Trailers must be off grounds by 9 am.

6. What is a show box, equipment needed, and what to bring? Things to consider...........

• Show box to keep equipment/tack in/grooming products
• Registration Papers
• Feed
• Water pail and hose and Feed pan

• Broom, fork, wheelbarrow

• Bedding - discuss what, if any, additional bedding is needed with your species superintendent. 4-H provides woodchips.

• Fans, extension cords, zip ties, pliers, scissors, and grooming chute (optional)

• Clean rags, livestock soap, allowable grooming products - adhesives/foams & adhesive remover (optional)

• Rice root brush, curry comb, scotch comb, blower (optional), electric clippers

• Show Stick

• Halters - Beef: Cable halters may only be used as a show halter in the show ring. Cable halters may not be used to tie cattle in the barn or in the tie-outs.

Want to build your own show box? Here is a set of plans - University of Maine - make a great 4-H Shop Project as well!

7. Clothing Suggestion: Show Clothes

Bring proper show clothes to change into. Youth may use the changing station provided for use during the fair. The preferred show wear includes:

• long pants/jeans without holes
• button-down or polo shirt
• boots/closed-toed shoes - no exceptions
• No sponsorships may be included on the clothing, No hats, and no holes
• Harnesses, pins, or magnets may be used to display exhibitor numbers on the exhibitors back. Redwood County 4-H will provide the back tag number and safety pins. Members wanting to use harnesses or magnets should provide their own.
• Youth should carry a show stick, and have a comb in their pocket. It is preferred that animals have a leather or cable show halter.

We recommend saving your county fair t-shirt for the Ribbon Auction held Saturday morning of the county fair. More information on the auction and participation requirements are typically mailed by May.

8. Animal Check in at the fair - Redwood County 4-H Process

• Animals must be checked by the county fair veterinarian prior to entering the fairgrounds per MN Board of Animal Health Rules.
• The vets are available the Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning of county fair and located in the grass parking area across from the northern most fairgrounds gate.
• Details are available in the 4-H premium book
• Cloverbuds bringing their own animal must also comply with the vet check during our county fair animal science check in.

9. Truck/Trailers:

• Trailers may come onto the fairgrounds to off load your supplies and animals to their respective barns
• Trailers must be off the fairgrounds by 10 am Thursday of county fair
• Park trailers on the grass parking lot across from the northern most fairgrounds gate. Near the ball field.
• DO NOT set hitches onto the walking path
• DO set hitches on wood or similar barrier and place on the grass to prevent the hitch from digging into the ground.
• DO Lock your trailers.

10. Animal Exhibit Release during county fair:

• Cloverbuds may take their animal home following their species show.
• All other animal science exhibits and projects are required to remain on fairgrounds through the end of the fair.
• Exhibit dismissal is 7 pm Sunday of the county fair.

• State Fair - Youth must have completed 6th grade to participate in the MN State Fair 4-H competitions.
• We host a state fair orientation during the Redwood County Fair.
• We will host question and answers session during the Redwood County Fair and have staff and superintendents to help you get started in the process.
• General State Fair Information - https://extension.umn.edu/4-h-minnesota-state-fair/4-h-state-fair-exhibitor-resources
• MN State Fair Livestock Exhibitor Resources - MN 4-H - University of Minnesota

• Redwood Area Cattlemen's Association
• Minnesota Beef Council
• Minnesota Cattlemen's Association

If you or a 4-H participant need disability-related or other accommodations to participate in this program or have questions about the physical accessibility of the event location, please contact Stacy J at 507-637-4025 or email skjohnso@umn.edu at registration or at least 2 weeks prior to the program or event. Late notice may limit our ability to provide requested accommodations.

Thank you to all who shared information to help create this resource.

Redwood County 4-H Volunteers: Paige Netzke, Cathy Hoffbeck

4-H Extension Educators: Rebecca Paulson, Cora Rost, Nikki Priebe, Caitlyn Krueger