Cleveland County Cattlemen's Association is pleased to announce the 2025 Dairy Steer Project in partnership with Cleveland County 4-H, local agribusinesses and dairies, and veterinarians.

The intensive hands-on livestock project helps kids develop knowledge, responsibility and life skills by raising a newborn dairy bull calf for about 7 months and keeping records over the course of the project. Participants bottle-feed their calf twice daily for about three months, closely monitor the animal's health, help it transition to a solid diet of grain and forage, halter-beak the calf and prepare for a competitive livestock show at the Cleveland County Fair later this fall, where they earn premiums and ribbons.

Each youth receives a project guide and is matched with an experienced cattleman that serves as a mentor to answer questions and provide guidance along the way. Volunteer veterinarians will also be on hand to address animal health issues. Workshops and other activities are available to support the learning process.  Calves will be sold through our local livestock yard the end of the Fair, and kids get the proceeds plus some additional money from project sponsors.

Cost to participate is $350, which provides the calf, 1-2 bales of straw for initial bedding, 2 bags of milk replacer, a calf bottle, thermometer, 2 bags of starter feed, a rope halter, and vaccines.

Participants must be ages 8 to 18 on January 1, 2025, and only 15 youth will be selected to participate.

The online application is due Friday, February 21.

For complete details, please read the Cleveland County Dairy Steer Project Rules.