Introduction to the New Hampshire 4-H Beef Project
The 4-H Beef project will open the door to many learning and fun-filled experiences. When you enrolled in this project, you became part of one of the largest livestock enterprises in the United States.
In the 4-H beef project, youth that would like to show an animal begin by selecting a steer (castrated male) or heifer to work with. Youth will care for, feed, and train the animals for show. The 4-H beef program is based on industry expectations. Steers are raised to eventually enter the food chain, and heifers are raised to become breeding stock.
Each summer and fall 4-H steer shows are held. Around this time, steers should be approaching the desired market weight (950-1100 lbs.) and grade (choice) typically when the animal is 14 to 18 months of age. 4-H members show and market them as finished beef steers. The steer, when purchased, should be the right age to be shown and marketed at one of these events (typically born in the late winter or early spring months of the year prior).
The 4-H beef heifer project emphasizes growing, developing, and showing a heifer, for breeding stock. This could result in a long-term investment. 4-H members should consider farm conditions for future expansion before committing to a beef heifer project.
- Required Participant Age: 8-18 as of January 1 of the current year
- Required Animal Age: 4 months or older
- Animal Vaccination Requirements: Rabies vaccination (recommended vet administered) 30 days and not more than one year prior to the date of the show. Animal must originate from a non-quarantined, tuberculosis-negative herd. Certificate of veterinary inspection may be required by some events and is required to bring an animal outside the state of NH.
- Required Animal Identification: Permanent ID – Ear tag (preferred) or legible tattoo.
- Beef project animals must be entered into a 4-H member’s ZSuite account by June 1 (including a copy of the animal borrowing/ sharing form if applicable) to be eligible to show at NH 4-H shows.
- Youth 12 and older as of January 1 of the current year are eligible to show their beef project animals at The Big E as part of the NH 4-H Beef Team. Learn more at NH 4-H Animal at the Big E.
- Youth wishing to partake in this team need to complete the qualification criteria found in the NH 4-H Qualifying for ESE form.
- Market Steers with intentions to enter The Big E 4-H Beef Auction need to be entered into ZSuite by February 1.
- Beef Heifers with intentions to enter the 4-H Beef Show at The Big E need to be entered into ZSuite by May 1.
- Additional animal criteria and requirements can be found at: https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/4-h.
- The Big E Competition Packets
- Fryeburg Fair: September/October, Fryeburg, ME
- Fryeburg Fair Market Steer Information
- NH 4-H Animal Science Bonanza
- NH 4-H Agri-Science Quiz Bowl (Livestock Division)
- NH 4-H Beef and Dairy Field Day
- NH 4-H Livestock Auction
- NAILE
