Dairy Cattle

Below you will find a list of resources for your dairy cattle project:

 RECORD BOOKS
Virginia 4-H Dairy Project Junior Record Book                            
Virginia 4-H Dairy Project Senior Record Book

 BASIC NEEDS

  • SPACE
    • 1-2 acres of pasture area/animal (500 lbs/acre)
    • Open front 3-sided barn, free-stall or enclosed stanchion barn, setback 50 ft
      • Enclosures should be sanitary, dry, well-ventilated, protected from drafts, with an area that provides protection from weather
    • Barbed, electric, or woven wire fencing
  • NUTRITION
    • 3 Basic Categories of Feed
      • Forages: baled hay, corn silage, haylage, stem and leafy parts of plants
      • Energy Concentrates: grain, beet pulp, fats and oils, high-energy liquid feeds
      • Protein Supplements: soy bean meal, corn gluten, oilseed meal, distillers grains, etc.
    • Heifers drink several gallons of water a day (even more on hot summer days)
      • Provide a source of water free of dirt, algae, manure, and debris
      • Check water several times a day even if using an automatic water source
  • HEALTH
    • Parasite control
    • Vaccinations and disease prevention
    • Dehorning if necessary
    • Be sure to check withdrawal dates before sales
    • Hoof trimming before shows
    • Maintenance of a clean living environment to prevent external parasites
    • Monitor animals for common bovine ailments:
      • Ringworm
      • Pink eye
      • Warts
See for more information:
    World of Dairy Cattle Nutrition Guide 
    Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle, page 31
    Suggested Vaccination and Health Procedures
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia

    SELECTING A PROJECT ANIMAL
    • There are several breeds of dairy cattle:
    • Consider the age class the animal will be shown in
    • An ideal heifer should be competitively sized for her class
    • The most important consideration in animal selection is overall physical correctness
    • The ideal calf:
      • Free of major faults
      • Well grown for her age
      • Long-bodied
      • Deep-ribbed and feminine
      • Desirable set of feet and legs
    See for more information and videos:
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 

    KEEPING RECORDS
    • Registration with the breed association
      • Registration may need to be transferred to the exhibitor's name
      • Eligible animals may need initial registration
    • If you don't own the animal:
      • You may need to complete a lease application through 4-H or the breed association
    • It may be a good idea to join the respective breed's junior association
    • Accurate health records
      • Vaccination dates, date of dehorning, application of parasite control
    • Keep a record of growth
      • Ensure the animal meets benchmarks for growth
    • Make a budget and document expenses
    See for more information:
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia

     DAILY CARE

    • Feeding recommended and adjusted amount for animal
    • Keep access to clean water at all times
    • Halter breaking

     PRE-SHOW PREPARATION
    • Halter break and train the animal to lead
      • Leading your heifer to and from the feed trough may be helpful
    • Train the heifer to set her feet
      • Stay on the animal's left side at an angle far enough away to see the stance of her feet and top line
      • The heifer's feet should be squarely placed with the leg closest to the judge posed slightly behind the others
      • The hind leg nearest the judge should be far enough ahead of the opposite hind limb to allow the judge to see the fore and rear udder
    • Exhibitors lead their animals around the rings, taking small steps to who their heifer to the best advantage
    See for more information:
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia

     HALTER BREAKING
    • Training ideally begins when the animal is young
    • Make training a positive experience
      • The animal should not feel like it is being chased
    •  Use an appropriately sized nylon halter for training
    • The adjustable side of the halter always goes on the left side of the animal's body
    • The nose piece of the halter should be appropriately positioned between the top of the nostrils and the eyes
    • Tie your animal for up to an hour the first few days with about five inches of slack in the rope so that the heifer can comfortably hold its head (tie the animal in a quiet, safe environment)
    • Tie using a quick release slip knot 
    • While the animal is tied, spend time brushing and petting her, working up toward the head

    See for more information: Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 

     TRAINING YOUR HEIFER
    • Begin training your heifer to lead once she can stand quietly tied
    • Always lead the animal from the left side
    • Pull the lead rope to get the heifer to walk forward and release the tension as soon as the heifer begins walking
    • It may be helpful to have someone walk behind the heifer (at a safe distance) to teach the animal to walk on
    • Place your left hand in front of the heifer's muzzle or use your right hand to apply pressure to the shoulder to tell the heifer to slow down
    • Never hit your animal, a tap on the nose or a tug on the halter is enough
    • Once the heifer is can be lead consistently on a halter, begin teaching her to carry hold her head at an appropriate level so she looks her best
    • Practice leading for about 20 minutes daily
    • Once the heifer can be led without too much tugging, introduce her to the show halter
    See for more information:
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia

     CLIPPING/FITTING

    • Clipping can take place weeks ahead of the show or the day of-if clipping is done well in advance it can be hard to fit the topline and blend it to the body
    • Heifers should be body clipped (head, neck, ears, complete body) with hair left on their belly and topline
    • Topline is the be well blended into the side and meet a 1 inch topline requirement (PDCA Show Ethics rule)
    See for more information and videos:
    "Clipping Techniques for Show Success"
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia


     SHOWMANSHIP
    • Showmanship is judged based on the appearance of the exhibitor and how well the animal is shown in the ring
    • Showmanship is not judged based on the correctness or conformation of the cow
    • Learn to watch the animal and the judge at all times
    • Keep animal between you and the judge at all times
    • Walk into the ring and make immediate eye contact with the judge (keep a confident/happy look)
    • Ensure the halter fits properly and is placed on the cow's head properly- a leather halter is recommended
    • Walk at a calm and steady speed
    • Prepare yourself to answer questions about the animal if the judge asks
    • Exhibitors may be asked handling questions from the judge
      • More advanced showmen may be asked about milk production, calving, and breeding relax, smile, and act naturally in the ring
    • Do not give up even after you have been placed because the judge may re-place the class
    • Be a good sport and congratulate fellow competitors no matter what the outcome
    Here is a list of general guidelines to keep in mind for showmanship:

    See for more information and videos:

    CORRECT FEET PLACEMENT IN THE SHOW RING
    • Heifers:
      • Front feet should be directly below the shoulder (shoulder width apart), as the animal would naturally stand
      • The back feet should be staggered standing naturally (hip width apart), with the leg farthest from the judge moved slightly forward
    • Cow:
      • Front feet should be directly below the shoulder (shoulder width apart), as the animal would naturally stand
      • The back feet should be staggered standing naturally (hip width apart), with the leg closest from the judge moved slightly forward
    • The top line should be as level as possible from the top to the rump

    ADVANCING IN SHOWMANSHIP

    See for more information and videos:
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle, page 28 

     FINAL SHOW DAY PREPARATIONS
    • Wash animal at least 2-3 hours prior to show time to ensure the animal has time to dry, eat, and make final grooming preparations
    • Offer your heifer plenty of fresh hay, feed, and water the day of the show so she looks her best with the proper fill in her stomach
    • Clean the inside of the heifer's ears with a baby wipe or cloth
    • Shine hooves and remove any debris or manure
    • Blow up the heifer's top line and use an adhesive to ensure it stays in place
    • Brush off any dust or straw
    • Untangle the tail, turn upside down, and brush downward to fluff the tail
    • Apply fly spray
    • Wipe the heifer's muzzle
    • Fit the show halter properly
      • Ensure the halter is neat and clean
      • Do not tie the animal in the show halter, and put it on just before heading to the ring
    See for more information and videos
    Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 
    Guide to Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle-University of Georgia

     RECOMMENDED ITEMS TO BRING TO THE SHOW 
    • Daily Needs
      • Buckets for drinking water and washing 
      • Feed pan, scoops, and feed (hay and grain)
      • Pitch fork and/or shovel, broom, wheel barrow
      • Bedding supplies: straw or shavings
      • Fan (if needed)
      • Rope halter, Neck tie
    • Show Needs
      • Show boxes and a large container for storage
      • Neck tie, rope halter, lead ropes
      • Water hose
      • Mild soap or detergent
      • Curry comb. soft brush, stiff brush
      • Clean rags or baby wipes
      • Fly spray
      • Oils, paints, adhesives, and any other hair products
      • Show halter, scotch comb
      • Optional items:
        • Blocking chute
        • Clippers, blades, and blade lubricants 
        • Blowers
    • People Needs
      • Thermometer and emergency medical supplies
      • Prep clothes and show clothes-clothes to get dirty when prepping the animal for the show
    • General
      • Health and registration papers
      • Extension cords
      • Various tools that may come in handy:
        • Duct tape, scissors, zip ties
      • Making a checklist can be a good idea


    APPROPRIATE ATTIRE
    • Wear a button-down or polo shirt, collared
    • Wear clean jeans, boots, and a belt
    • Tuck your shirt in
    • Shower, brush your teeth, and do your hair
    • Do not wear a hat, t-shirt, hoodie, tennis shoes, flip-flops
    • Do not come in with manure stains on clothing
    TIPS FOR CREATING BUYER'S LETTERS WHEN SELLING PROJECT ANIMALS 
    • A buyer's letter is prepared by a 4-H member to send out to potential buyers before a fair and livestock auction
    • A buyer's letter is written to introduce the 4-H member as well as the animal and to invite potential buyers
    • It is the responsibility of the 4-H members to get new and returning buyers to attend sales
    • In addition to previous buyers, letters can be sent to anyone who would potentially be willing to buy an animal
      • Potential buyer's could include: family friends, relatives, or local members of the community; places your family does business such as local feed stores, restaurants, etc. 
    • Elements to include in the letter:
      • Address the letter to the buyer's name
      • Name, age, and introductory information about the seller
      • Thank the buyer if they have made previous purchases
      • History/Story/Facts of the animal
      • A picture of the animal (the child may include themselves in the picture)
      • Sale date, time, and location
      • How the buyer can participate
      • Contact information for 4-Her, and fair
    • The buyer should be written personable and relative to the age of the 4-H member, with junior members telling the story of the animal and senior members continuing but adding more of a business edge

      See for more information and videos:
      Guide to Writing Better Buyer's Letters 

      AFTER THE SHOW
      • Thank the judge, superintendent, and show volunteers
      • Rinse your animal within 24 hours to remove products used for the show from the heifer's skin
      • Clean equipment and put it away to stay organized between shows
      • Record your showing placing for your own records
      • Keep in mind that organization and tidiness are important

      See for more information and videos:
      Showing Ready: A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle 




      Good luck showing your heifer!

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