Muscatine County
1514 Isett Avenue
Muscatine, IA 52761-4629
563-263-5701 or
1-800-992-0894
FAX: 563-263-5707
www.extension.iastate.edu/muscatine
May 21, 2014
To:
Bucket Calf Project Members, FFA Advisors
Fr:
Diane Brooks
Bucket Calf Superintendent
Re:
Muscatine County Bucket Calf Project Record, Fair Year: 2015
Becki Petersen
4-H County Youth Coordinator
The Bucket Calf Project is a unique project giving members an opportunity to utilize all of their best skills. This hands-on
project gives members a chance to take responsibility for raising a calf, while offering the occasion to gain knowledge for
keeping financial and management records. Each member will need to have a big heart for their calf as they must raise a
healthy animal for fair.
Whether you have been in this project area several years or this is your first, please know each calf is a new project with new
prospects to learn within the project area. While most of your work will take place from the time your calf is in your possession
until fair, please be mindful of what is your goal for the project area. The Bucket Calf Project is set up so that a judge is able to
return for two years. During the first year the judge has the opportunity to look at all members for the first time and during the
second year a judge looks for how much members have grown within the project area. Think about increasing the difficulty of
your goals as you grow and truly consider what you would like to gain from this project area. Ultimately in July, the judge will
be looking for:
 How much you have learned in this project area
 Your knowledge of raising a calf – including costs
 Your experience – including challenges of raising a calf
 Your ability to manage a calf on the fairgrounds and in the ring
Your written records should include: (minimum of 3 pages, stapled or placed in a folder,
neatness counts; write legibly or type records using the online version located at
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/muscatine/page/muscatine-county-fair-4-h-information .
 Member and Calf Identification page provided
 Cost of Raising a Bucket Calf page provided
 Written record which you create based on the page provided(give to judge during your interview)
 EXTRA MATERIAL: Photos to document the management and growth of your calf prior to fair
Weighted equally, the Muscatine County Bucket Calf Project scores are based upon the following areas:
Written records (Given to the Judge during personal interviews)
75 points
Personal interview (Monday of fair week)
75 points
Ring showmanship (Friday of fair week)
75 points
Management of the calf (While on the fairgrounds)
75 points
Total
300 points
Remember:
 4-H Bucket Calf Identification - must be submitted in 4hOnline by May 15.
FFA members fill out enclosed ID form and give to FFA advisor before May 15.
 Fair entry must be made in the new FairEntry database from June 1-21.
 Health Papers are due at check-in on fairgrounds- your calf must be checked by a Veterinarian within 30
days of your arrival at the fair on July 15. You will not be allowed to show your calf without health papers.
 Bucket Calf Interviews – are scheduled in coordination with your 4-H club judging time held in the Community
Center (4-H Exhibit Building) on the fairgrounds on July 13; FFA members are scheduled as needed.
Notification of the interview schedule will be mailed in early July.
There’s more 
Iowa State University and U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, or disability.
5/2015
Important Dates to Remember:
Feb. 1-May 10 Calf must be born and in your possession
May 15
Bucket calf identification must be entered into your records in 4hOnline or if in FFA, paper copy
June 1-21
Make your fair entries through the online program FairEntry and pay entry fees
June/July
Obtain health papers from Veterinary within 30 days of July 15
July 13
Bucket calf interview in the at the fairgrounds during exhibit judging
July 15
Calf check-in on fairgrounds
July 17
4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Show
July 18
Calves released at 12 p.m. (except if in Hall of Champions)
4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Worksheet
This page is available online for typing at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/muscatine/page/muscatine-county-fair-4-h-information
MEMBER'S NAME:
GRADE:
CLUB/CHAPTER:
YEARS IN PROJECT:
CALF’S NAME:
MARK ONE:
AGE:
CALF EAR TATOO/TAG:
PURCHASED From Where:
BORN at your FARM
OTHER Please Describe:
DATE PURCHASED/SELECTED (The date the calf came into your possession):
CALF’S BIRTH DATE (Actual or Estimated):
COLOR OF CALF
AGE AT FAIR:
BREED OF CALF:

WHAT WAS YOUR GOAL FOR THE BUCKET CALF PROJECT?
WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU LEARNED?
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN FOR THE CALF AFTER FAIR?
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO IN THIS PROJECT NEXT YEAR?
COST OF RAISING A BUCKET CALF
Cost per
pound
$
$
(a)
Starter Feed
$
$
(b)
Hay
$
$
(c)
Grain
$
$
(d)
Other
$
$
(e)
$
$
(f)
Pounds
Milk Replacer
Feed
Type Used
Quantity
Cost per bale
Bedding
Medication
or
Supplements
Name of
items used
Quantity
Total
Total
$
$
(g)
$
$
(h)
Cost
Total
$
$
(i)
$
$
(j)
$
$
(k)
Veterinary Charges (please explain) ................................................. $
_____________ (l)
Other Supplies (please explain)......................................................... $
_____________ (m)
Total Cost for Calf Management (add A through M) .......................... $
(n)
Purchase Cost of Calf ....................................................................... $
(o)
Total Invested in Bucket Calf Project (add N and O) ........................ $
4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Record
Your written records will depend upon your grade at the time your calf came into your possession.
ANSWER ONLY WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR YOUR GRADE. Please read the following areas
carefully and create a written record to include this information, plus photos as you would like to
document the management and growth of your calf before fair.
JUNIORS: GRADES 4-6
Written Records & Photos: Create a paragraph narrative describing how you
raised your calf. Possible ideas to include: how you got your calf; where your calf
was housed; how you fed your calf before and after the calf was weaned; and if
you had any problems.
INTERMEDIATES: GRADES 7-8
Written Records & Photos:
Describe any challenges you had raising the calf.
What do you believe are the most helpful pieces of equipment in raising and managing a calf? Explain.
Describe how and when you transitioned the calf from milk to grain to hay.
Describe measures taken in the care of your calf in regards to:
a. Prevention (what did you do in hopes to prevent illness or problems)
b. Reactive (what did you do after an illness or problem occurred)
5. Describe the time required for the following areas:
a. Feeding
b. Management
c. Training for Fair
1.
2.
3.
4.
SENIORS: GRADES 9-12
Written Records & Photos:
1. Describe any challenges you had raising the calf.
2. Describe what behaviors you would see if a calf was sick or healthy and at what
time you would decide to call the Vet.
3. In your experience, when is a calf more likely to become ill?
4. What causes stress in a calf?
5. What is your procedure for bottle feeding?
6. Describe normal or abnormal behavior of a calf when bottle feeding.