4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Record
March 26, 2012
To:
Bucket Calf Project Members
Fr:
Diane Brooks
Bucket Calf Superintendent
Re:
Muscatine County Bucket Calf Project Record, Fair Year: 2012
Becki Petersen
4-H County Youth Coordinator
The purpose of this project is for you to gain knowledge and responsibility in raising a calf. During fair week, you
will demonstrate your knowledge in the written records and a personal interview, while you will prove your
responsibility on the fairgrounds and in the show ring. For the 2012 fair, changes have been made to the score
areas and written records.
Overall, 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
The project score will be based upon these areas:
Written records (Bring to Interview)
Personal interview (Monday of fair week)
Ring Showmanship (Friday of fair week)
Management of the calf while on the fairgrounds
Total
80 points
80 points
80 points
60 points
300 points
Bucket Calf Interviews will be held on Monday, July 16th, during the 4-H exhibit judging in the 4-H Building on the
fairgrounds. Interviews will be scheduled in coordination with your club judging time. FFA members will be
scheduled as needed. Notification of the interview schedule will be mailed in early July.
Your written records should include: (minimum of 3 pages, stapled or placed in a folder)
 Member and Calf Identification page provided
 Cost of Raising a Bucket Calf page provided
 Written record which you create based on the page provided
 Photos to document the management and growth of your calf prior to fair
Remember:


4-H Bucket Calf Identification Report - must be submitted online by Tuesday, May 15
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. You will not be allowed to show your calf without health
papers.
Important Dates to Remember:
Feb. 1-May 10
May 15
June
July 16
July 18
July 20
July 21
Calf must be born and in your possession
Bucket Calf Identification Form must be submitted online to Extension Office
Fill out livestock cards; pay calf and stall fees; obtain health papers from Veterinary
Bucket calf interview at the fairgrounds during exhibit judging
Calf Check-in on fairgrounds
4-H Calf Show
Calves released at 12 p.m. (except if in Hall of Champions)
3/2012
4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Record
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?
3/2012
4-H/FFA Bucket Calf Project Record
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) ........................ $
3/2012
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.
3/2012