Young people ages 8-12 learn to care and nurture a newborn calf with bottles or bucket. Those who have had their 13th birthday by Jan. 1 of the current year would be ineligible. Acquire a calf within two weeks of its birth between March 1 and June 1 of the current project year. If shown, calf should be at least 90 days old. Calves born in late May or June 1 may not be old enough to show in county fair. Check with your local MU Extension center for local requirements.

Resources for all levels

VIEW CURRICULUM

VIEW RESOURCES

BC135 Bucket Calf Project

Young people ages 8-12 learn to care and nurture a newborn calf with bottles or bucket. Those who have had their 13th birthday by Jan. 1 of the current year would be ineligible. Acquire a calf within two weeks of its birth between March 1 and June 1 of the current project year. If shown, calf should be at least 90 days old. Calves born in late May or June 1 may not be old enough to show in county fair. Check with your local MU Extension center for local requirements.

Curriculum

To exhibit your livestock project at a fair, you must be a member in good standing in 4-H. To maintain your good standing, you must comply with the 4-H Food Quality Assurance Policy.

4-H Food Quality Assurance Policy

Online tutorial available

Objective: To increase the knowledge and awareness of Missouri youth about food quality issues related to animal production.

Who should take SMQA: All 4-H members enrolled in food animal projects (including beef, sheep, swine, dairy cattle, meats, meat and dairy goats, rabbits, and poultry) must complete the appropriate level of Missouri Show Me Quality Assurance (MSMQA) certification to be considered 4-H member in good standing in that project. Additionally, members must complete their MSMQA program by June 1 to participate in the Missouri State Fair. Other county good standing guidelines may also apply. Check with your local 4-H youth specialist for current local guidelines.

The Program: The Show Me Quality Assurance Program consists of two parts. The information presented is different in each part. Most counties alternate which part is presented each year; this is why it is required to take it two consecutive years in a row.

One part covers information on daily care and management; animal handling; farm/animal identification (Premise ID); reading feed labels; withdrawal times; and biosecurity (disease prevention).

The other part provides information on HACCP; animal health products; proper injection locations; carcass quality; and carcass value.

A refresher course is required when the 4-H member turns 14. After that is completed, the 4-H is certified through age 18.

Definitions of terms:

  • "Qualified to Show" means the member has participated in Missouri Show Me quality Assurance training within the current 4-H program year.
  • "SMQA Conditional Certified" for youth age 8 to 13 by January 1 of the program year certification is conditional. To obtain the conditional certification status a member age 8 to 13 by January 1 has participated in two consecutive years of training. Once they obtain a conditional status they do not have to take a refresher course until they are 14 by January 1 of the program year. Upon completion of the refresher course they would be SMQA Certified for the remainder of their youth exhibition career in 4-H.
  • "SMQA Certified" Youth in 4-H who attend one training after they have turned 14 by January 1 of the program year will be considered SMQA Certified and no further training will be required for the remainder of their 4-H exhibition career.

For more information contact your local county Extension office or Dr. Marcia Shannon.

Missouri State Fair showing guidlines.