Beef Cattle Clinic: Revamping the Youth Animal Project
4-H and Youth Programming
Cassidy Dossin
Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent
UF/IFAS Extension
Green Cove Springs
Abstract
In Northeast Florida, beef projects are a popular activity for youth to become involved in agriculture and participate in livestock shows across the state. Through raising steers and heifers, youth can learn about animal agriculture, become involved in their communities, and develop professional skills such as responsibility, setting goals, and decision-making. However, these opportunities for growth can be blurred and overshadowed as youth participate in their projects over multiple years and go through the motions. With an established livestock community in Northeast Florida, many youths show animals from a young age and become burnt out and lose sight of the purpose of livestock shows. This trend has been observed through a decreased participation in livestock clinics and workshops. The North Florida Beef Clinic was a collaboration of Clay and Bradford livestock and 4-H agents to provide a semiannual, hands-on, engaging educational workshop to re-inspire youth and their intentions with their animal projects. Industry experts were brought in as guest speakers to present a more advanced perspective on topics in the show world, such as grooming, nutrition, and showmanship skills. The clinic was held biannually in December after initial weigh-ins and in the spring before fairs beginning in December of 2021, and continuing into 2022 and 2023. Extension agents, industry representatives, and other speakers covered a variety of topics at these events, where participants were encouraged to bring their animals for individualized guidance and hands-on instruction. Since the first clinic in 2021, attendance has consistently improved. 134 youth participated in the Beef Clinics over 5 total events. 78% increased their knowledge in a variety of topics and 81% of participants intended to use the knowledge and skills gained to inform their feeding, grooming, and management program (48 survey responses). Participants were well represented in show and showmanship champions in the Bradford and Clay County Fairs from 2022 to 2024. Utilizing hands-on, advanced education in youth beef cattle projects has helped re-engage youth in their animal projects and revamp the development of skills that animal projects offer youth in Northeast Florida.
Authors: Cassidy Dossin, Lizzie Whitehead
-
Cassidy Dossin Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Clay County, Florida, 32043
-
Lizzie Whitehead Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, UF/IFAS Extension Bradford County, Florida, 32091