Minidoka County Extension
85 East Baseline
Rupert, ID 83350
436-7184
LIVESTOCK RECORD
BOOKS
MADE EASY
“Livestock Record Books Made Easy” is designed to help 4-H members, parents and leaders learn to keep
accurate records and provide the answers to commonly asked questions. Record book judges will also be
provided copies of this information, limiting the chance of judges and 4-H members receiving differing
information. Through 4-H, members are given an opportunity to develop the valuable life skill of keeping
accurate records. Leaders should show an interest in the member’s records and help parents to understand the
importance of encouraging their children. Don’t wait until the last minute. If there are questions leaders cannot
answer, please feel free to ask the 4-H staff at the Extension Office for help.
The 4-H project year is usually considered to start with your first project meeting or when you purchase your
project animal, whichever occurs first. Members with breeding projects on hand all year have year-round
projects. The 4-H livestock record keeping system can be divided into five components; the 4-H Livestock
Record Book, 4-H Involvement Report, Planning and Evaluation Inserts, Growth Charts, and Breeding
Production/Performance Records. Members must complete all of the sections. Any part of the record book
that does not apply to you should be marked as N/A, not applicable.
Livestock Record Book
Cover Page
At the beginning of the project year, members should be encouraged to complete all the information requested.
Decorations or artwork are not allowed on the outside covers of the record books. Any pictures should be
displayed following the story in the Record Book. Every year there are several questions as to whether record
books should be filled out in pen or pencil. It is recommended that older 4-H members use a pen and younger
members use a pencil. Whatever is chosen, it needs to remain consistent throughout the project. A 4-Her’s
record book is not complete until the member, the parent, and the leader sign it. If these signatures aren’t on
the book, it cannot be judged. When a leader signs a book, it means that he or she is satisfied that the 4-Her has
done the work his or herself and feels that it is complete. The lack of a leader’s signature indicates a problem
with the project or the 4-Her’s work. A note may be written by the leader and put into a project for the judge to
see. It will be removed at judging time, please write on the note that it should be removed by the judge.
-2Project Objectives, Requirements, Materials and Record Book Requirement Checklist
This section includes the objectives for the project and a checklist to ensure that members know what the
requirements are and what materials they will need. Bills of sale, Market Animal Agreement Forms
(contracts), feed tags, and health records are not listed as materials required and should not be included in
the record book. Please note the record book requirements for each age group. Refer to the Story page for
specific details on the length and format of stories as well as the number of photos to include. A story is
required for all projects and seniors are also required to include a 300-500 word report on an aspect of the
industry. All stories and reports have to be handwritten. A typed story or report may be included along with
the handwritten story if the penmanship is hard to read.
Personal Goals
Each member is asked to identify personal goals he/she wants to achieve during the project year. Juniors are
required to list at least one goal, intermediates at least two and seniors at least three.
Demonstration
This is a project requirement, no exceptions. List some of the key points covered in your demonstration or
illustrated talk in this section. The oral presentation must be related to the project taken.
Record of Meetings Attended
Each member must attend a minimum of six meetings each year. Record the date and what was done at each
meeting and indicate how many meetings were held and how many were attended. Youth who are members of
two or more clubs only need to meet the six meeting requirement in their primary club.
Planning and Evaluation Inserts
Planning and Evaluating Your Project
It is important to plan ahead and record planning information before the project starts. Information listed on the
first page is the animal tag number and name; this should be recorded at the time of purchase or at the county
weigh-in. Complete the space provided to identify and record planned and actual information about each
project animal. Calculate the difference between what was originally planned and what actually occurred.
Junior, Intermediate and Senior sections all request the same information.
Feed Ingredients/Feed and Ration Plan
Junior members should list the major feed ingredients used in the ration. Intermediate and senior members list
the various ingredients used in their rations, what type/classification of feed, and the amount fed daily at the
start (first day) and the end (last day) of the feeding period. Nutrient requirement sheets included in the senior
inserts are for information only; however older members should be able to read and understand the information
contained in these charts.
Vaccines
While junior members are simply asked to list the vaccines given, older youth need to identify specific diseases
or conditions that are targeted by the vaccinations administered to their project animals.
-3Equipment You Own/Inventory
Junior members must provide a list of all feed and show equipment that they own. Intermediate and senior
members list any items they use to complete their project. This includes equipment, supplies and any feed or
animals on hand at the start or end of the project. Project animals to be sold at the fair should not be included in
the inventory. Items should be worth 10% less money at the end of the year than at the beginning. Members
should assign a current value to everything listed at the beginning of the project and calculate a total beginning
value. At the end of the year anything still on hand is listed at its depreciated value and a total ending value
calculated. The difference in the beginning and ending values is the change in value. Next year’s beginning
inventory will usually be the same as the current year’s ending inventory.
Expenses and Income
Expenses and Income start the day the project begins and continues until there is a change of ownership, which
in most cases is sale day, the last day of fair. Any expenses incurred or income received related to this project
during the year should be recorded here. Be sure to list feed expenses in the appropriate column. Income from
the sale of any project animals should be included as income. Be sure to use the market prices provided by the
Extension Office to calculate the ending value of your market animal.
Financial Summary (not included in Junior books)
Refer to the total income and total expense from the Expense and Income section and transfer this figure to the
appropriate space along with the change in inventory. Using this information calculate your gross profit or loss.
Production Efficiency (Senior books only)
To calculate the average daily gain, figure the total weight gain (during the feeding period) by subtracting the
beginning weight (county weigh in) from the final weight (fair weigh in). The number of animals fed should be
the same as the number used in determining the total weight gained. Days on feed are the number of days from
the beginning weigh-in (county weigh in) to the final weigh-in (fair weigh in). Total weight gained is then
divided by the number of animals fed, then divided by the days on feed to determine the average daily gain. To
calculate feed consumed per pound of gain, members should use the total amount of feed purchased from the
Expense and Income page and divide this figure by the total pounds gained. Divide the actual feed cost by the
pounds gained to determine the feed cost per pound of gain.
Growth Charts
Growth Charts
Growth charts have been developed to estimate the growth of market projects and compare this with their actual
growth rate. Adjustments in the feeding and management programs can be made to meet the desired goals.
Members should plot the estimated growth rate and actual growth rate of each animal from the beginning of the
project, (date of purchase) until sale day (same as the planning page).
Progressive Project Weight Record
Periodic weighing of market animals is essential to determine if they are growing at a desirable rate. If
members don’t have access to a scale, weighing tapes or girth measurements can be used. Weight measurement
charts are included in all record books. ADG, or average daily gain, is calculated by dividing the pounds gained
since the beginning (county) weigh-in by the current days on feed. Be sure to calculate the actual number of
days from beginning (county weigh in) to final weigh-in (fair weigh in) for the final weight, this is the actual
days on feed.
-4Breeding Production/Performance Records
Starting in 2002 all breeding project records will be in a separate record book. Members with market and
breeding projects will complete two record books. Guidelines for the previous two components, 4-H Livestock
Record Book, and Planning and Evaluation Inserts, apply to both market and breeding record books.
Additional sections in the breeding record books are, Breeding Project Planning and Evaluation Supplement
and Individual Animal Production Record.
Breeding Project Planning and Evaluation Supplement
This section prompts members to prepare a basic inventory of breeding animals they have at the start of the
project year or to determine when they plan to purchase animals. Members then need to answer the questions
found in the tables according to their respective age divisions. Planning discussions held at the beginning of the
project year can be the most educational; don’t wait until the end of the project year to fill out this section.
Individual Animal Production Record
It is important that members keep all their vital information about each breeding animal in an organized manner.
Members should complete one of these forms for each breeding animal in their herd. Forms are designed so
members can record information about each animal on the same form year after year. If you have a young
breeding animal that has not yet produced, you still need to complete the record. Hopefully, you will have
production information to add in the following years.
A Word About Dairy Projects
There are three types of market dairy projects, March calf, Yearling heifer and Springer heifer.
Each of these categories has its own record book. Breeding production and performance pages are not used for
these projects because they are considered market, not breeding animals. Lactating cows or non-sale dairy
projects of different ages will be considered breeding projects and members must complete the corresponding
records. Guidelines included in “Livestock Record Books Made Easy” also apply to all dairy record books.
Due Dates and Judging
Livestock record books are due into the Extension Office on the Monday prior to fair week, before 4:00 P.M.
These books may be turned in sooner, but they will not be accepted any later. Books will not be accepted
unless the member, parent and leader have signed them. Books may not be left at the Extension Office for
leaders to come in and sign at a later time. Members are responsible for making copies of the 4-H Involvement
Report prior to handing in their livestock book. Members completing more than one record book per species
(i.e. breeding projects) will have the scores for all the books averaged for their overall record book score. Any
member who receives a white ribbon on their record book will not be able to show their animal in the quality
classes or sell it at the livestock sale. Showmanship is a project requirement so members are still required to
show in showmanship classes. Every effort is made to make 4-H record keeping a learning experience and
judges are selected who will take the extra time to be thorough and fair. Please remember record book judges
are human and there will be inconsistencies. Contact the superintendent or Extension Office with concerns.
To enrich education through diversity the University of Idaho is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer and educational institution.
April 23, 2010