Northwest Michigan 4-H Livestock Council
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Dairy Beef and Dairy Feeder


Species Chair: Greg Bancroft
Phone Number: 231-313-8063 * Email: [email protected]
Assistant Species Chair: Rick Tallieu
Phone Number: 231-631-7539 * Email: [email protected]
Administrative Species-Chair: Andrea Bedrick
Phone Number: 231-499-0570 * Email: [email protected]

DAIRY BEEF IMPORTANT DATES

 

DAIRY BEEF IMPORTANT INFO

Registration

January 20, 2025

 

Minimum Weight @ Fair

1,000 lbs

Birth Date

After January 1, 2024

 

 

 

Possession

January 1, 2025

 

Record Book Due

September 8, 2025

Tagging

TBD

 

Thank You Note Due

October 6, 2025

 

DAIRY FEEDER IMPORTANT DATES

 

DAIRY FEEDER IMPORTANT INFO

Registration

March 3, 2025

 

Minimum Weight @ Fair

350 lbs

Birth Date

After December 1, 2024

 

 

 

Possession

January 1, 2025

 

Record Book Due

September 8, 2025

Tagging

TBD

 

Thank You Note Due

October 6, 2025

 


2025 Dairy Beef Registration is Closed

2025 Dairy Feeder Registration is Closed


2025 Dairy Beef Policies and Procedures
File Size: 204 kb
File Type: pdf
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2025 Dairy Feeder Policies and Procedures
File Size: 251 kb
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2025 Dairy Beef Record Book - 13 - 19 years
File Size: 541 kb
File Type: pdf
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2025 Dairy Feeder Record Book - 8 - 19 years
File Size: 495 kb
File Type: pdf
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2025 Dairy Feeder Record Book - Cloverbud
File Size: 281 kb
File Type: pdf
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2024 Dairy Beef Health Record
File Size: 196 kb
File Type: pdf
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2024 Dairy Feeder Health Record
File Size: 195 kb
File Type: pdf
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2024 NWMI Fair Animal Health Plan
File Size: 177 kb
File Type: pdf
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Dairy Farms
Don Bugai
7101 E Hoxie Road
Leelanau County
(231) 947-0287

Terry Lautner
13718 S. Bugai Rd
Traverse City MI
(231) 946-4623

Bob Plummer
7385 N Long Lake Rd
Traverse City MI
(231) 941-5753

Ardis Dairy Farm
5200 W Davis Rd
Lake City MI
(231) 839-2385

Winkel Dairy Farms
1970 E Meyering Rd
Mcbain MI
(231) 825-2565
ernstadt Dairy
18330 205th Avenue,
Big Rapids, MI
(231) 796-8523

Aris Dairy Farm
15704 20 Mile Rd,
Big Rapids,MI 49307
(231) 796-8086

Cnossen Dairy Farm
6100 S 9 Mile Rd
Falmouth, MI
(231) 826-3561

Veddler Dairy Farm
7295 Hibma Rd
Marion MI
(231) 825-2340

Eisenga Brothers Dairy Farm
20889 70th Ave
Marion MI
(231) 878- 4034

CATTLE SHOWMANSHIP
Showmanship is more than entering the show arena during the fair or livestock show! It includes all the hard work that exhibitors put into their project from the day they purchase their animal. Showmanship is defined as the ability to present your animal to the best of it’s genetic ability. Many factors enter into the equation for a successful showman, including proper nutrition, halter-breaking, and daily care and grooming. All the hard work done throughout the project will pay off on show day! 

AT HOME TRAINING
Successful showman start early! Showmanship begins the day you purchase your calf. Halter-breaking and leading need to be taught early to ensure that your animal is ready for the show. If you are bringing in your calf from an outside source, give your animal time to adjust to the new surroundings. Spend time with the calf initially, to get the calf used to you. A good way to do this is during feeding, just sit or stand in the pen while your animal eats. Here are some helpful hints to assist the gentling and halter-breaking process: 

Fair Expectations and Tips.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday before Fair.
  • Locate your stall
  • Lay a board about 4x7 with holes drilled in it for drainage, and prepare with sawdust.
  • Decorate your Stalls (much easier to do before the calf arrives)

Requirements to unload your calf.
  • RFID tag must be in the ear and Livestock tag
  • Completed Health record.
Saturday (Unloading Day!)

  • Bring your clean calf to fair between 7a—11am. You will enter through Gate 4 (Pit Gate) off of the main parking lot unload in the front of the barn and exit through gate 1 ( old gate 3). (Only calves are to be unloaded at this time no decorations or tack, we need to keep traffic moving.
  • Unload calf and put in stall make sure you have your nylon neck tie with you.
  • Give your calf water.
  • Sign up for barn duty in front of barn.
  • Be at your stall approximately 2pm for weigh in. Jr Beef will follow steers then Dairy Feeders.
  • Attend required barn meeting at 5:30p in the barn.
  • Attend mandatory meeting in the Grandstands at 7:30
  • Make sure your green and white cards are up before the barn closes at 10p.
Every day during Fair Week.
Mornings:
  • Tie your calf in wash rack area (Calves can be fed at this time).
  • Clean your stall (stalls do not need to be scraped down every day just remove the wet and soiled areas and replace with fresh sawdust).
  • Give your calf fresh water.
  • Make sure your calf is clean and presentable for visitors walking through the barn.
  • Make sure barn and in front of barn are swept.
  • Pens cleaned and animals fed by 9am. (Stay with your calf while they are eating so you can remove the dish right away)

Throughout the day:
  • Check on your calf every 2-3 hours. Change water make sure pen and animal are clean.
  • Take your calf out to wash rack for walks to stretch their legs they are not used to being tied up all the time.
  • Keep calf cool (may need to take your calf out and wet down throughout the day) make sure when washing and cooling down your calf that you start with their feet and work your way up.
  • Spend time in the barn with your calf talking with the public and potential buyers.
Night Time:
  • Night time feeding is between 5 & 6:30. (stay with your calf while it is eating so you can remove the dish right away).
  • Make sure you check on your calf before the barn closes at 10p. Make sure your calf has water and pen is clean for the night (This will help keep your calf clean).
Show days Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Make sure your calf is clean and groomed for show.
  • Be on time for your class (times on the green fair schedule) If you miss one of your classes you will not be able to sell your calf at auction.
  • Make sure you are clean and dressed appropriately. Jeans with no holes, collared button shirt or polo with no writing and boots.
  • Everyone needs to help keep barn clean during and after the shows.  
Tuesday – Market:
  • Class will be determined by weight of the calf.
  • Know your calf’s weight, breed and what you feed them.
  • Lineup will be in the steer wash rack.
  • After weight classes everyone will go back in the ring for auction line up so DO NOT go back to the barn until after this.
Wednesday – Showmanship:
  • You will be judge on how well you show your calf and your project knowledge.  
  • Cloverbuds this will be your day to show!!!!!!


Auction Day Thursday
  • Spend some time in your stall talking with potential buyers and sitting in the stands cheering on fellow 4hers.
  • Keep an eye on the sale so you are ready to go on time.
  • Wear your club shirt or show shirt whatever you prefer.
  • Have all your ribbons and banners ready to go.
  • Sell your calf!!!!
  • Get your picture taken in the steer wash rack after you exit the auction ring before you put your calf away.
  • Go thank your buyer right after you put your calf away
  • Immediately after thanking your buyer, go back to the barn and write your buyers name on your green and white card.
  • Help clean the barn.
  • Make sure your calf has fresh water.
Last Saturday and Sunday
  • Saturday after the awards Leaders can pick up trucking slips.
Sunday Loading Day!
  • Trucks start arriving at 5:35am you need to be in the barn at this time.
  • Leave green and white cards up until your animal is loaded.
  • Make sure to check with the Specie Chair before you load your animal.
  • Clean out pens completely including washing off the bars on the stalls.
  • Take boards home or place outside the barn on the pallets for storage.  
  • Take down all decorations. ​

Dairy Feeder Showmanship Tips
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Cattle Body Parts
File Size: 246 kb
File Type: pdf
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Home

Fair

Copyright © 2019
  • Home
  • Council Info
  • Meeting and Finance Information
    • NWMI 4-H Livestock Council Board
  • Species-Specific
    • Dairy Beef/Dairy Feeder
    • Dog
    • Goat
    • Horse
    • Junior Beef
    • Lamb
    • Large Beef
    • Llama & Alpaca
    • Poultry
    • Rabbit & Cavy
    • Swine
  • Policy Books
  • Education
  • Auction
  • Scholarships & Awards
  • Tanner Building and More
  • Leaders Corner
  • Differently Abled Program