SAE:

 Raise Dairy Heifer for Show

Description:

Raising a dairy heifer for show is usually a short-term project utilizing a leased dairy heifer from a local dairy farm. However, heifers are also purchased and this enables the student to go a step further than simply the show ring. Owning the dairy heifer enables the student to breed the heifer and offer it for sale as a bred heifer or place it in the family diary herd. Dairy heifers are normally started from 1-3 months of age and fed dairy replacement milk, hay and grain. Normally the heifer is fed to gain 1-1 1/2 lbs. per day. Students are usually paid on a cost per lb. of gain by the diary farmer from whom the heifer is leased. One of the advantages of a dairy heifer project is all of the clipping and fitting can easily be done by the student with some instruction. Also dairy heifers are extremely docile, easy to handle and show. 

Factors To Consider

Ranking:
1 = lowest
10 = highest

Time required

 6

Investment

 5

Equipment needed

 5

Skills required

 5

Facilities required

 5

Land required

 5

Labor Intensity

 5

Potential for income

 4

Transportation required

 5

Expansion possibilities

 10

Expertise needed

 7

Advertising needed

 4

Susceptible to disease

 7

Susceptible to insects

 7

Suitable for residential areas

 2

Other (specify)

Length of production cycle

 Fall to Spring

Regional

 Statewide

When to start project

 August - October

Notes:

The dairy heifer project can be a leased animal from a local diary farm with the local dairyman responsible for all expenses. However, it offers the opportunity to not only exhibit the animal but to also maintain ownership through the production stage.

Attached also is 4-H/FFA Dairy Heifer Lease Agreement.