Bucket Calf Project is Great for Beginners

    The 4-H Bucket Calf Project is one way younger 4-H members can learn more about and become comfortable with beef and dairy cattle projects.  A bucket calf is an orphan or a newborn calf purchased when it is one to ten days old.  The calves, which can be male or female, beef or dairy, are started on a bottle and nipple.  Allowing younger club members to gain the experience of working with a small, less intimidating animal makes them more comfortable with the project. 

   Calves should be purchased or home-raised prior to June 29th of 2006. Calves can be nominated to verify ownership by contacting the Extension Office.  When it is time to show calves, club members may show only one bucket calf.  Bucket calves are ineligible to be shown in any other class.  Bucket calf classes are judged primarily on personal interviews. The kind or quality of the calf is not a consideration in this judging class, however, the ability of the 4-H member to lead the calf and health of the calf are considered. 

   The calf should be clean, dry, and combed.  Rope halters are encouraged, but show sticks are not.  Participants in the bucket calf class present his or her calf to the judge individually.  Basically, the interview allows the judges to determine what the child has learned about caring for and managing the calf.  The 4-H'er should be able to talk about the purchase, management, housing, health, feeding and future plans regarding raising and showing livestock.  The older 4-H'er may be faced with questions that go into more detail.  For more information on this and other 4-H projects, contact Steve Beck at 375-3822.

The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, status as a veteran, or disability, and is an equal opportunity employer.