Dairy Beef Club

The Lancaster County 4-H Dairy Beef Club was established in 1999 and consisted of 20 members. The vision of the leaders was to educate youth about raising, caring for, fitting, and marketing dairy beef feeder cattle. These goals are still central to the club today, along with incorporating youth development skills.

All members are encouraged to participate in club and county activities and community service projects. There is something for everyone, from club officer positions to hosting club meetings and making club presentations.

What Is Involved in Raising a Dairy Beef Steer?

The dairy beef cattle that the 4-H club members raise, and sell are dairy steers. Members' project animals must be born between January 1 and February 28. Members must have full possession of the animal by February 28. The calves are then cared for and raised by the members throughout the project year. Members show and sell their project animals at the 4-H Round Up at the local community fairs. The calves starting weight is usually between 75 and 100 pounds. When the steers are sold, they will weigh approximately between 500 and 950 pounds.

With the help of parents and leaders, members are responsible for selecting their project animal and providing housing, hay, feed, and water to their animal. Each animal must also be ear-tagged for identification and be seen by a veterinarian for proper vaccinations and health certificates.

As a club member, you are expected to attend the club meetings, participate in club fundraisers, and complete a record book for your project animal.

Tuesday, February 20^th – 7:00 p.m. – Farm and Home Center – Training Room                                                           

• Program: 4-H Opportunities and Club Information
• Important Club and Fair Information
• First Year Members Sign Ups for Hanging Name Signs for Showing

 Tuesday, March 12^th - 7:00 p.m. – Farm & Home Center- Basement Training Room                                                             

• Program: Nutrition & Jeopardy
• Record Book Expectations
• Ownership Forms are DUE!

 Saturday, May 18th – 10:00 a.m. – Rohrer’s 2115 Rohrer Road, Manheim, Pa                                                           

• Farm Tour

 Thursday, June 13^th– 6:30 pm– Kreider’s 761 Spring Valley Road, Quarryville, Pa                               

• Preshow Workshop - Essentials before the Show Ring – health papers, packing your show box,

  livestock sale procedures, what the judge is looking for, showmanship etc.

• This workshop is a club meeting and counts toward the Elite Rookie Award

 Monday, July 15 – Deadline for Entry- Round-Up                                                                                   

• Entry forms and Guidelines will be emailed in June
• All entries received after July 15^th will pay a $10/head late fee

 Saturday, July27 - West Lampeter Fairgrounds                                                                                  

• 4-H Dairy Beef Round-up

   Weigh In – 1030 a.m. Show – 1:00 p.m. or immediately following the beef show

 Sausage & Ham Loaf Stand Fundraiser

The club’s fund-raiser is held in conjunction with the Manheim Farm Show, October 7-11. 

Sign Up Genius will be used to register to help in the stand

Please be ready and willing to serve a shift to help support our clubs’ activities and awards.

Tuesday, November 12– 7:00 p.m. – Farm and Home Center – Training Room                                                         

• Project Books Due!!!
• Skillathon
• Elect Officers for 2025

Friday, February 7^th, 2025- 6:30 p.m. - Farm & Home Center Auditorium                                         

4-H Livestock Banquet

• Recognition of 4-H Club Members

MEETINGS:   New for 2024 – members are required to attend a minimum of 3 club meetings which includes round up.  Members who do not attend at least 3 dairy beef club meetings/round-up will not be able to join the following year.

• All meetings will start promptly. If you arrive late, it is your responsibility to see the secretary so he can record your attendance.
• Each member must attend 3 meetings to be eligible for any end-of-the-year awards, including round-up premiums, Golden Scoop award, project book awards, etc.
• Round Up will count as a meeting,

CALVES:   

• An ownership form must be completed and signed by the seller of the calf, the 4-H member and the member’s parent/guardian. Ownership Forms will be given to Sandy Musser at either the Feb. or March Meeting
• Members may only exhibit one 4-H calf.

PROJECT BOOKS: 

• 4-H member is required to submit a completed project book and hand it in during November You must complete a project book to be eligible for round-up premiums and to participate in next year!
• For fairs other than the 4-H Round-up, check the community fair guidelines.

2024 Community Fair Dates

Elizabethtown Fair – Aug 19-24

Denver Fair – Sept 9-13

Solanco Fair – Sept 18-20

Ephrata Fair – Sept. 24-27

West Lampeter Fair – Sept. 25-27

Manheim Farm Show – October 7-11

Dairy Beef Leaders

Denver/Ephrata Area: Trenton Martin

Manheim Area: Gerry Kready

Mount Joy Area: Gary & Judy Zurin & Sandy Musser

Penn Manor, Lampeter/Strasburg Area: Lori Lefever

Solanco Area: Ellis Kreider