Selection and Management of 4-H Market Lambs

I found this for Jessica and Hunter they are member of my 4-H club that raise Market Lambs.
this article just for you. Check It out It is good stuff.


This is a great must Read for the first year, or like me someone who know nothing about raising market lambs.



By Mike Neary Extension Sheep Specialist Purdue University      To read the full article click this link 


Choosing what breed or breeds you want to raise is an important decision. You need to keep in mind that every breed has strong points, as well as weak points. Therefore, match up breeds with your particular situation. commercial white-faced and black-faced can also be used for market lambs. Make sure you know something about the breed character and traits of whatever breed you are choosing. Contact your state or national breed association for information about breeds you are interested in.
When choosing a producer to buy lambs from some important points need to be considered. Primarily, is the breeder an honest, respected person that will truthfully answer questions and assist you should a problem arise? Good producers back their product and help 4-H participants with their questions and offer advice.
When selecting lambs, keep in mind the final objective; production of a lamb with a high quality, lean, muscular carcass that is practically and economically produced. Most lambs should be slaughtered in a weight range of 105 to 130 pounds. Ideally, lambs should be slaughtered when they have from .1 to .2 inches of external body fat. This fat thickness range ensures that carcass quality is adequate, with minimal amounts of excess fat trim. Therefore, the final weight achieved when lambs are finished will vary depending on breed, frame size and nutrition.
A common fault in selecting market lambs is to select lambs that are of an extreme in a particular trait. Single trait selection for any type of livestock can quickly lead to decreased usefulness when other traits are measured. Therefore, lambs should be selected that are "well rounded" or complete. these lambs would be above average in all respects, rather than exceptional in one trait and below average in all others.
What is a complete lamb? A complete lamb is one that is above average in muscling, of adequate frame size to have economical gains and finish at a market acceptable weight and is structurally correct.
When evaluating a young lamb to predict future muscle thickness, you need to keep in mind carcass economics. The highest priced cuts from a lamb come from the hindsaddle, or from the last rib back. Your lamb should show evidence of depth and width through the loin, fullness and length through the rump, with a full, muscular leg and stifle. Also, the forearm area of lambs and fullness behind the shoulders are good indicators of future muscle development. A lamb is born with all the muscle fibers it will ever have, feeding or exercising will not make a lamb into something it is not genetically capable of being.
Frame size in lambs is used to predict growth potential and to predict size (weight) when properly finished. Usually, lambs should be from average to large in frame size, for their breed, for economical gains. Very small and very large frame size lambs should be avoided, as they often finish at weights that are not market acceptable. Frame size is often thought of as just height, when actually it includes body length and body capacity. Frame size can be compared to a rectangular box, with height, length and total volume all making an equal contribution. Ideally, lambs should be long in the hindsaddle (loin and rump) region.
Structural correctness refers to several traits. Certainly, your lambs should have sound mouths, normal eyes, and be free of any abnormalities. Feet and leg placement should be square with normal width and straightness. Furthermore, lambs should have strong pasterns and no feet problems. Do not buy lambs that limp and if a producer has footrot problems in his flock, consider buying from someone else.
Balance or eye appeal is also desirable in your lambs. Eye appeal is a subjective measurement, but generally, lambs should be level in the top line, straight and square over the rump, and not have extreme coarseness through the shoulder, neck and brisket area.
When buying your lambs, make sure they are within a manageable weight range. They need to be at least two months old and heavy enough to attain their finished weight by fair time. Most lambs will gain from 0.5 to 0.75 pounds per day. However, do not make the mistake of buying lambs that are too heavy. Lambs that are held at maintenance too long get stale appearing. Ideally, your lambs should be within a weight range that will allow for normal growth to reach market weight by fair time.

What A Fun Project

Today I went to what I thought was a one day camp. It is not a one day camp it is a project. My family drive's teams of horses and I thought I would go and learn about the equipment and tack and how to hook up the horse's. I had so much fun I signed up for the Project. I think everyone else had fun too.

It is not to late if you would like to learn how to drive a team of horses call the Gooding County Ext. office at 934 - 4417or the Lincoln County Ext. office at 886 -2406 for more information and the time and date of the next meeting.

  This Project was cool the ages of the different 4-H members was from 8 to 17

there were members from Gooding County, Jerome County and Lincoln County

So if you would like to have fun and learn to drive a team of horses.

The next meeting is on the 19th of January in Shoshone

Stay cool keep it natural and I will see you at the next meeting.

Do Your own Ground Work with Your 4-H market Animal Project

We all what to be the Grand Champion Showmen and have the Grand Champion Steer or Heifer.
The Most important thing to remember is there can be only one Champion Showmen and Animal.
In three short years I went from a show ring nightmare to the top six in showmanship, when I stepped out of the ring I made the statement I won; Some thought I was nuts! That is because I had a personal goal to be in the top six.  This is why it is very important to set goals that you can realize. Of course I set my sights on Champion; REACH FOR THE STAR’S, but I will take that personal best win every time.

Tips for Mom and Dad
Teach us, show us, train us; but once we step in the ring we are on our own. Please don’t try to give us orders and tell us what to do. The judge wants to see what we know?  We can not hear the judge if you are giving us directions on what to do.  Believe me we are trying our best!

Safety
Teach us what to do when our steers are behaving badly. Let us do the groundwork and gain the trust of our animal.
Show us how to keep our cool so that we don’t get to nerves in the ring. This takes time and a lot of practice Our steers are BIG and that is the scariest thing.
Train us on how to keep our selves and the others in the ring from getting hurt. Show us what to do in the worst case of badly behaving steers.

To you who are showing the steers, no matter how bad it gets in the ring. If the Judge ask if you would like to leave the ring SAY NO! If the judge wants you to leave He or She will not give you the choice to stay.
This is the time to show that you did work with your steers, and what you have learned.

Below is my story that happened my first year.
My first year with beef project; I had every 4-h showman’s nightmare.

I worked with my calves everyday and everyday it was like they were never messed with, No matter what I did. I kept working and working for months.
So when show day came around I thought I was good to go. I wasn't!
After a couple of times around the ring in showmanship the calf name John Wayne; stepped on the edge of my right boot and tripped me, then he pinned me down by my pants leg. The Judge then came over and helped me up at that point the judge ask me it I want give up and leave the ring? I said NO! A couple of hours later I had to go back in the ring with John Wayne he did a little better this time. Not really!
By the way John Wayne was the gentle one, Now it is time to show Clint Eastwood.
Here it comes, Clint was the wild one a big pain in the neck. Clint didn’t stand still at all. First he kicked another showman's comb out of her pocket and then he came within an inch of kicking the judge. Thank Goodness no one got hurt, The judge tried to touch Clint but No luck he danced and danced around, even without being able to touch Clint the judge placed him 3rd in his weigh class.
Afterward I thanked the judge for not taking me out of the ring.
Now would you like to Know what I learned from this nightmare?
1 - Saler is not a breed for a beginner; I might try Saler again when I get more experience. One thing about Salers they are a GREAT Steak, good eating.

2 - The first year; learn all the safety rules and what to do when you steer acts up.

3 - Never give up; when you are asked if you want to leave the ring say NO.

4 - If you can’t touch them you can’t judge them.

5 - Everything that could go wrong did. I learned more from what went wrong than I ever could have if it would have went right.

No matter where you are from it seems that there is one person at the fair that has a bad time with their animals, never count them out for that person just learned more than any other person there.

One last thing! Don't wait until the last minute to start working with you animals, these are not pets. Remember if you give it your best, that is the best you can do and just keep working at your show ring skills.

Any way that is what I am going to do.

P.S.
This steers name was Clint Eastwood and the others steers name was John Wayne, Famous tough guys. I don't do that any more, because that is just what these two steers were tough guys.

The Six “C’s” for Success

I found this Artical while looking for information that might be helpful with my 4-H market animal project. So I thought I would share the Six "C" for Success with you, this artical was written by The University of Arizona.



The Six "C" For Success
1. CORRECT SELECTION
Select an animal not only with good conformation but with a personality you can work with.

2. CONSISTENCY
There are no shortcuts to success. A consistent program encompassing regular workouts will
accomplish more than a last minute flurry of activity two weeks before the show.

3. CALENDAR
Set calendar deadlines with ration changes, halter breaking, clipping and grooming, and practice
shows. Maintain a regular daily schedule of feeding, handling, and grooming your animal. Two weeks before the fair is not the time to start training your show animal.

4. COMPENSATION
Learn what your animal’s conformational strengths and weaknesses are so as to successfully
emphasize the positive and downplay faults. Similarly, if the show animal has a personality
flaw that will make showing difficult, plan ahead and compensate for this in the show ring.

5. CONFIDENCE
Show with confidence. Adequate preparation will allow you to show with a smile on your face. Be thoroughly familiar with rations, average daily gain, current weight, purchase weight, age, and breed of animal so you can answer questions from the judge. It is also important to be able to identify the different parts of the animal and the associated retail and whole sale cuts. You can help "psych" yourself up by rehearsing the show in your mind with good and bad things that could happen and how you would handle them. Performing in a practice show with members of your club or family acting, as a judge and announcer and ring steward is helpful.

6. CHARACTER
Demonstrate impeccable ethics in the preparation preceding the show and during the show itself. Be courteous to all other exhibitors, parents and leaders. The livestock show is the culmination
of the project year for many livestock participants and the community. Youth livestock exhibitors represent the livestock industry at fairs and shows to the public. A little courtesy (as well as a lot of honesty) goes a long way in relations with the public.

This is a great artical worth reading. check it out for yourself.just click the blue
The University of Arizona link.

Picking your Steers & Breaking Your Steers To Touch

The first year I started with my steer projects; I looked high and low for help on how to break them to touch.
I wanted a way to do it so that my Dad and I would not get kicked and be black and blue for weeks. The first year we were black and blue, But the second year I learned a way to break them with out bruise's or pain.

When you need to know something about cattle your best bet is to find an old Cowboy or someone with lots of  hands on experience. That is how I learned these little tricks.

 Pick your Cattle producer wisely. A quite ranch is one of the first thing to look for. Happy well fed cattle that do not make very much noise.









I like to pick my own steers. I make a list of the quality's that I like in my show steers. I also listen to my Dad and to the owner of the cattle. We actually go into the pen with the steers. This is why you need quite well fed and calm cattle. This takes a while; take your time buying a steer to show is a large investment.






Once you have chosen you steers, it is time to weigh and load them up. Once you have loaded and paid the cattle producer. You then need a brand inspection. Once this is all done you
are now a cattle owner.

It is now up to YOU.
A market 4-H animal project is a lot of work, you have to feed and water and do vet checks and keep records. The more you put into your project the better.

 
If possible put on the lead ropes before you load them, that makes it easier for you, just know that they can and will come off.

Now that I have my steers home. I like to let them get to know their new home for a few days and get use to the change in their feed and calm down from the ride. After a few day's it is time to break my steers to touch.

The first thing to do is put your steers into a small pen about a 12' X 12' so that no matter how hard they try they can not get away from you. You will also need a leaf rake.
The rake feels like your fingers.

and your arm just got about 5' longer.

My Dad goes in first; he takes it slow and starts to rub each steer a little at a time starting with the back of the steer. In the first few minutes your steers will move around but can never get away from you. After a while my Dad can rub them all over with the rake.

Now it is my turn, I rub their backs, neck, rump and legs.

I also make sure to rub their sides, under belly, and brisket. These places on the steer are very important; this is where you will be touching them with the show stick in the show ring.

Now it is time for me to keep using the rake and for my Dad to touch them with his hands. Now we just keep doing this until we no longer need the rake.
After about two hours my steers are broke to touch.
If your steers are not calm to start with breaking to touch can take hours and even days.

The halters came off my steers so we had to put them back on. To do this just take your time and move slowly so not to stress your steers out.

I now rub, and comb,  my steers everyday making sure to talk to them the whole time so they get use to my voice.

Check back in a few days and we will talk about breaking to lead.

Hey don't forget to start your record book the day you bring your steers home.
Record Books
Those simple words cause more stress between child and parent when it comes fair time.
Here is the best tip ever; go to the 4-H website and get your record books and save them to your documents. Then when you work on one of your projects just fill in the date, time, and what you did that day. This takes only a few minutes and when fair time rolls around your record book is complete you just print it out and your done. NO stress, NO tears, NO problem.

I do a lot of projects, and if I waited  until fair to work on my books; I WOULD FREAK OUT.

Staying calm and keeping it Natural 

My Vacation Is Over - The Steers are in Their Pen's

My vacation is over and the 2010 4-H season for me has started.

This means that my day just got longer, now I have to get up earlier, so that I can have time to do my chores between my school class.

I went and picked my steers on Sunday and got all the paper work in order so to be able to start keeping my books for this year.

I will start the ground work soon but for now my steers are getting use to their new home.

I will not  be posting any pictures of my steers at this time; I will post them after weigh-in.

For some 4-H is something you do in the summer but for me it is a year round lifestyle choice.

By the way I will be starting my other projects in the next few weeks.

Be sure to check in from time to time for updates, tips, and fun. Gee I love 4-H!

Of course the wether has changed and the wind is blowing with a chance of snow, fun fun fun!

Getting Ready for My 2010 4-H Market Beef Project

   This is the time of the year when I start to get ready for my new Steers. Before I can bring them home I must clean and repair the calf pens. When Cleaning my pens I remove all old poop clear down to the dirt; I like my steer to start the winter with a very clean pen.
   Last year was really cold and it snowed a lot. I was not quite ready for all that snow and had my hay stacked a long ways away from my calf pens. This year I have my hay right next to the pens to make it easier for me if it snows a lot this year. I also helped my Dad put tarps on all our hay to keep it dry so that we do not loose a lot of hay to mold.  I also helped my dad redo my calf pens and make them a little larger to give my steers more room this winter. 
   Next I check all the water hoses and place straw around our frost free water facet so if we have a lot of wind it won't freeze it up; this is just to be on the safe side.
   I have cleaned and repaired pens, good dry hay, I have winterized our frost free water facet and check all my hoses.

   I also make sure that I have a bloat kit on hand,  and set out mineral blocks.  
   Our horses are not a 4-H project; but I also helped  clean and ready them for winter. We stocked up on grain and gave them a mineral salt block.
   Well I think I am ready to go and pick my steers. I am sure my Dad will find something I forgot, just because that what Dad's do.
   I have already talked to the cattle producer that I get my steers from; Mr. Vos from the Clover Creek Ranch will call me when the calves are ready.
   Now the hard part; I wait for the call.