4-h calf & heifer project story
Cornell University Cooperative Extension Oneida Cou nty
My 4-H Dairy Project Record Book
Member Name: _____________________________ Birth Date: ___________ Street Address: _________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________ Phone: ____________ Name of 4-H Club: _______________________________________________
1
Your 4-H Dairy Project Record Book Introduction This Dairy Project Record Book has been created specifically for 4-H members enrolled in the 4-H dairy cattle project. Keeping a record book is an important part of the project. It will help you set goals for the project year, record your accomplishments, and provide a place to keep important records on your dairy cattle.
What is a 4-H project? A project is a subject or topic that you learn about in 4-H. In this case, your project is a dairy cow, heifer, or calf. You learn about your project by attending club meetings and educational workshops, and working with adult leaders and other 4-H members. You can also learn from field trips and by participating in shows and competitions.
Why complete a record book? A record book is not meant to be a chore. Instead, it is a way for you to learn about your project, as well as other valuable skills such as setting goals, collecting information, evaluating information, tracking costs and expenses, organization, and others.
Completing your 4-H Dairy Project Record Book. At the beginning of the 4-H year, you should select one of your dairy animals to be your 4-H project animal for the year. Then begin recording all of the relevant information on your animal in your record book on a monthly basis. It is important to keep your record book up to date, so that completing it doesn’t become a chore at the end of the year. Take a glance through the record book so that you can see how it’s organized. As you can see, there are pages that pertain only to heifers and calves, and there are pages that pertain to milking cows, such as calving records and milk production summaries. You only need to complete the pages relevant to your project animal. But you should complete all of the relevant information for the year. The only page that must be completed by all 4Her’s each and every year is page 4, the “Project Goals” and “Summary of Accomplishments.” The record book has been three-hole punched so that it may be easily kept in a 3-ring binder. Your 4-H dairy records should be accumulative – meaning that you keep and add to your records from year to year, keeping them all in a 3-ring binder or portfolio. You can organize your notebook however you choose. Some 4-Hers may anticipate having the same project animal for more than one year. In this case you might choose to organize your notebook by project animal and will simply continue to add information and pages to your 2
records for that animal over the years. Then when you change project animals, you just start a new section in your notebook, with a new set of records for your new project animal. Others may choose to organize their notebooks by year, with tabs dividing one year from the next. In this case, if you have a new project animal from year to year, then you will simply begin a new set of records for your new animal each year. If, however, you have the same project animal from year to year but you still want to organize your notebook by year, you can simply make a photocopy of your completed records from the previous year and then insert them into your notebook under the current year and add any new and updated information to them to bring your records up to date. These are just a couple of examples of ways that you might organize and present your 4-H dairy project records. But, remember – these are YOUR records and part of the goal for completing them is that you use your imagination and be creative in how you develop them. The idea is that at the completion of your 4-H career, you will have a compilation of records that shows your progression in your project from year to year.
Awards and Recognition One of the goals of many 4-Hers is to earn a County Medal at the end of the 4-H year. In order to be eligible for a Dairy County Medal, 4-Hers must meet the following criteria: • Be enrolled in the 4-H dairy project area for at least 2 years. • Given a public presentation. • Participated in 4-H County-wide fund raising. • Submit a 4-H Projects Summary Booklet (Summarizes all of your 4-H experiences, not just your dairy project.) • Submit up-to-date Dairy Project Records. These are to be accumulative and progressive.
All 4-Hers who complete and submit a 4-H Dairy Project Record will receive a Project Completion Certificate, regardless of whether you receive a county medal.
3
Each year, out of all the 4-Hers that receive a dairy county medal, a High Dairy Medal of Honor will be awarded. The 4-H Livestock Committee will select this individual based upon the 4-Her’s level of involvement and accomplishment in their dairy project. This information will come from the 4-H Projects Summary Booklet, as well as the Dairy Project Records.
SO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT YOUR 4-H DAIRY PROJECT!
Project Goals (at start of project))
Year ______
* To be completed every year by all 4-Hers in the Dairy project area
This is my ________ year doing a 4-H Dairy Project. State at least three goals at the beginning of your 4-H project year. Tell the things you want to learn from your 4-H dairy project. Please discuss these goals with your parents and your 4-H leader. Example Goals:
Train a calf for show Learn 15 parts of a dairy cow Learn to give reasons in dairy cattle judging
Learn how to clip my calf for show Learn to care for a newborn calf Participate in Dairy Quiz Bowl Serve as a 4-H club officer
1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
Member Signature _____________________ Leader Signature __________________
Summary of Accomplishments (when record book is due) What goals have you accomplished? If you have not accomplished one or more of your goals, please explain. What have you learned? Describe your experiences this year. (Attach an additional page if needed.)
Member Signature _____________________ Leader Signature __________________
4
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
PROJECT ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION & GENETICS Name of animal:___________________________________ Birth Date: __________________ Reg. Number:__________________ Tattoo: _______________ Eartag No. _______________ Do you own your animal? Yes_____ No_____ If not, owner’s name: _______________________________ (Attach a copy of lease) Name of Breeder or Previous Owner: ______________________________________________ Address of Breeder or Previous Owner: ____________________________________________
PEDIGREE
Paternal Grandsire: Name & Reg. No. Sire: Name & Reg. No. Paternal Granddam: Name & Reg. No.
Maternal Grandsire: Name & Reg. No. Dam: Name & Reg. No.
Maternal Granddam: Name & Reg. No.
Attach a photo of your project animal.
5
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
4-H CALF & HEIFER GROWTH RECORD *See the appendix for more information on how to weigh and measure your calf/heifer. Measure and weigh your project animal every month and record and plot on the charts below. Age in Months
Your Project Animal Height Weight
Age in Months
2 4 6 8 10 12
Your Project Animal Height Weight
14 16 18 20 22 24
* Helpful Hints: Pounds 1500
Use - - - - - - to track height
Use _______ to track weight Inches 62
1400
59
1300
56
1200
60
1100
57
1000
54
900
51
800
48
700
45
600
42
500
39
400
36
300
33
200
30
100
27 Age in Months
0 2 6
4
6
8
10
12
14
24 16
18
20
22
24
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
Project Experience MYMy PROJECT EXPERIENCE •
Use this sheet to record what you do with your calf, heifer, or cow. Start another sheet if you change project animals.
Other than taking your animal to fairs and shows, what other dairy related activities have you been involved in? ACTIVITY/EVENT
Example: Gave a county presentation
7
DATE & LOCATION
March 15, 2005 Town Hall
WHAT I DID.
I gave a presentation on how to teach your calf to lead.
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
MY PROJECT EXPERIENCE – Page 2 MY PROJECT EXPERIENCE Describe how and from whom you obtained your project animal. Explain why you chose this particular animal.
Record of Fairs & Shows Date
Name of Show
# In Class
Placing & Ribbon
Entry Fee
Insert a picture of you and your animal here.
8
Premiums
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
VETERINARY & HEALTH RECORD Record routine management procedures such as vaccinations, dehorning, tattooing, hoof trimming, extra teat removal, etc. Also include times your animal was sick, veterinary services, medical supplies, etc. Date Example 12/15/05
Illness, Vaccination, Procedure Dehorned
Type of Treatment
Cost
Dehorning Paste
$ 5.00
Total Veterinary & Health Expenses:
9
$_________
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _________
Animal Name: _____________________________
CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD * See appendix for more information on how to complete this record.
Did your calf receive colostrum in the first 6 hours after birth?
Yes ____ No ____
Age of Calf in Months 1 Month
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
(ie. Jan.,Feb., etc)
Feed Used Whole Milk (lbs) Milk Replacer (Dry Wt. in lbs.) Calf Starter (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Hay (bales) Silage (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Minerals/Vitamins (lbs) Other: TOTAL COST:
Age of Heifer in Months
Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months heifer was on pasture. Other:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents and/or quality of the feed(s) that your calf/heifer received.
10
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _________
Animal Name: _____________________________
COW FEEDING RECORD *Each of the following charts has space to complete one year’s worth of feeding records. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
________ Year
Month
(ie. Jan., Feb., etc)
Total Used
Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months cow was on pasture. Other:
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents or quality of the grain and forages you fed to your cow.
________ Year Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months cow was on pasture. Other:
Month
(ie. Jan., Feb., etc)
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents or quality of the grain and feeds you fed to your cow.
11
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ ________ _______
Animal Name: _____________________________
BREEDING & CALVING RECORD *Each of the following charts has space to complete 4 years worth of breeding and calving records on one cow. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
How did you choose the bull that you bred your heifer to?
Breeding Record
1st Calving 2nd Calving 3rd Calving 4th Calving
Date in heat before breeding
Date in heat before breeding
Date Bred
Date Bred
Date Bred
Date Bred
Breeding Fees *
Service Sire, Name or I.D.
Date Due
Total Breeding Fees:___________ * In Breeding Fees, include semen costs, technician fees, synchronization expenses, breeding supply expenses, etc.
Calving Record
st
1 Calving 2nd Calving 3rd Calving 4th Calving 12
Date of Calving
Male or Female
Calf I.D.
Calf Name
Comments (sold, calving difficulties, calf description, etc.)
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _______ ________
Animal Name: _____________________________
OTHER PROJECT EXPENSES *The following chart has space to complete 5 years worth of other expenses on one cow. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
Use the chart below to record other expenses for your calf, heifer or cow. Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Other: Bedding
Other:
Show supplies
Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other: Bedding
Show supplies
Bedding
Show supplies
Bedding
Show supplies
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other:
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other:
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other: Bedding
Other:
Show supplies
Year ____ Cost: To determine what you are spending for your animal alone, you can take the cost for the entire herd and divide by the number of animals in the herd. e.g. Bedding: $200/month for a load of sawdust 200 ÷ 60 cows in herd = ~3.50 per cow/month = $42 per year
13
Total Cost
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
MILK PRODUCTION SUMMARY *See appendix for more information on how to complete this record.
•
Use the chart below to record your cow’s milk production and then chart her lactation curve on the graph on Page 15. Use a new sheet for each year that she’s your project animal.
Breed ________________ Date of Birth ___________ Freshening Date _________________
Month
Average Daily Milk Produced (lbs)
Total Fat Produced for Month (lbs)
Total Milk Produced for Month
(Multiply ave. daily milk x # days in month)
Average % Fat
(Multiply total lbs milk x fat %)
Average % Protein
Total Protein Produced for Month (lbs)
(Multiply total lbs milk x protein %)
Average Monthly Somatic Cell Count
Yearly Totals
Price used to determine the value of milk = $______________
This value is your cow’s Total Milk Income for the year!
What type of housing and feed management system are you using for you cow? (freestall, tiestall, rotational pasture, seasonal herd, etc.) What type of milking system is being used? How many times per day is the herd being milked? 14
Total Monthly Value of Milk
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
LACTATION CURVE * Use the values form the “Total Milk Produced for Month” column on the previous chart and plot them on the graph below. Use a new sheet for each year that this cow is your project animal.
Average pounds milk per month
120 115 110 105 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 1 Month: _____
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Numbers correspond to the month post-calving, i.e. “1” = first month after calving, “2” = second month, etc.
15
4
11
12
_____ ____
Typical Lactation Curve
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
INCOME & EXPENSE SUMMARY * Use a new “Income and Expense Summary” sheet for each year of your project. Date
Description of Income or Expense Income Value of milk sold * Value of calves sold** Premiums Other
Income
Expense
Total Income & Expenses
TOTAL INCOME Expenses Feed costs*** Veterinary/Health costs**** Breeding expenses***** Entry fees – Fairs/shows Other expenses****** Other
TOTAL EXPENSES
Profit/Loss for the Year
$___________
(Total Income minus Total Expenses)
* From “Milk Production Summary”, total yearly value of milk sold ** From “Calving Record”, if calf was sold *** From “Feeding Record”, use total cost for current year only. (You should complete a new “Income & Expense Summary” for each year.) **** From “Veterinary & Health Record”. Use expenses for current year only. ***** From “Breeding Record.” Use expenses for current year only. ****** From “Other Project Expenses” record. Use expenses for current year only.
16
APPENDIX
Helpful Hints and Examples CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD
It is important to know what, and how much your animal is eating to be sure that she is being fed adequately. A feed record will also show you a major cost of raising your heifer. On the CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD, record the total amount of each feed used by your animal in each month. This can be calculated by multiplying the amount of each feed fed daily by the number of days in the month that she was fed this amount. Block out any squares that do not apply, e.g., milk and calf starter would not be fed to calves after about 3 months of age. Then to look at what it costs to feed your heifer, first find out the costs of the different feeds. Then multiply the cost per pound of feed by the number of pounds of that feed eaten by your calf or heifer. Age in months
80
360
$35.00
2
14
$35.00
1000
1000
$20.00
500
$30.00
7 SEPTEMB
$52.50 $30.00
6 AUGUST
70 100
5 JULY
17
$3.00
4 JUNE
TOTAL COST:
20
3 MAY
Feed Used Whole Milk (lbs) Milk Replacer (Dry Wt. in lbs.) Calf Starter (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Hay (bales) Silage (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Minerals/Vitamins (lbs) Other: Pasture, lbs
2 APRIL
(Jan.,Feb.,
1 MARCH
Month
etc)
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
20 20 10
30 30 1
20 60 2
100
100
4
5
80
500
8
9
10
11
12
$205.50
MILK PRODUCTION SUMMARY (B)
Multiply average daily milk (A) times the number of days in the month.
(A)
This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test you can do the following: Weigh the milk that your cow gives at each milking one day per month and add them together (should be about the same day each month). Enter that total here.
68 lbs x 31 = 2,108 total pounds in January
(E)
This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can use the herd’s average protein test from milk company samples.
(C) This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can use the herd’s average fat test from milk company samples.
(B) Total Milk Produced for Month
Month
(A) Average Daily Milk Produced (lbs)
(Multiply ave. daily milk x # days in month)
(C) Average % Fat
JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG.
68 77 75 72 70 68 66 65
2,108 2,156 2,325 2,160 2,170 2,040 2,046 2,015
Yearly Totals
491
17,020
(D)
Multiply total pounds of milk produced in the month (B) times the average fat test (C). 2,108 x 3.65% = 76.94lbs Butterfat in January
(D) Total Fat Produced for Month (lbs)
(F) Multiply total pounds of milk produced in the month (B) times the average protein test (E). 2,108 x 3.2% = 67.45 lbs. Protein in January
(F) Total Protein Produced for Month (lbs)
(Multiply total lbs milk x protein %)
(G) Average Monthly Somatic Cell Count
(H) Total Monthly Value of Milk
3.2 3.2 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.20 3.21 3.21
67.45 68.99 73.94 68.90 69.44 65.28 65.68 64.68
150,000 152,000 152,000 154,000 155,000 155,000 155,000 152,000
$322.95 330.30 356.19 330.91 332.44 312.53 313.45 322.49
3.199
544.36
153,125
$ 2,607
(Multiply total lbs milk x fat %)
(E) Average % Protein
3.65 3.63 3.62 3.62 3.64 3.64 3.65 3.65
76.94 78.26 84.16 78.19 78.99 74.26 74.68 73.55
3.638
619.03
(H) (E) This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can skip this column.
Take the average value of your milk from your herd’s monthly milk check. (e.g. $15.32 per hundredweight) Multiply this by the total hundredweight of milk your cow produced in the month. (Hundredweight = total milk ÷ 100) e.g. 2,108 ÷ 100 = 21.08 cwt. produced in January $15.32/cwt x 21.08 cwt = $322.95 total value of milk in January
18
LACTATION CURVE
Average pounds milk per month 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Month: _Jan__ _Feb_ _Mar_ _Apr_ _May_ _June_ _July__ _Aug_ _____ _____
CALF & HEIFER GROWTH Measure your calf’s weight with a weight tape. Place her in a normal standing position. Draw the tape snugly around the heart girth, just behind the front legs and shoulders.
19
Measure your calf's height at her withers. To locate your calf's withers, draw a line from just behind her front legs up to her back
11
12
_____ ____
Average Height and Weight by Breed
Age in Months At birth 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn, and Guernsey Inches Pounds 27 70 32 130 37 230 41 320 44 400 45 505 46 600 48 680 50 770 51 860 52 910 53 1050 54 1150
Holstein and Brown Swiss Inches Pounds 29 96 34 170 39 270 44 370 46 500 48 600 50 700 51 800 52 900 53 990 54 1050 55 1175 56 1300
Inches 26 30 34 39 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51
Jersey Pounds 55 115 195 275 385 460 520 575 630 730 800 875 960
Your Project Animal Inches Pounds
Pounds 1500
Inches 62
1400 1300
59 Average HEIGHT curve, Holstein & Brown Swiss
1200 1100
56 Average HEIGHT curve, Jersey
57
1000 900
Average HEIGHT curve, Guernsey, Ayrshire, MS
x
x
800
x
500
x
x
x
48 Average WEIGHT curve, Jersey
400
42
36
Average WEIGHT curve, Guernsey, Ayrshire, MS
x
33
Average WEIGHT curve, Holstein & Brown Swiss
200 100
30 27
Age in Months
0 4
45
39
x
2
54 51
x
x
600
20
x
x
700
300
60
6
8
10
12
14
24 16
18
20
22
24
21
My 4-H Dairy Project Record Book
Member Name: _____________________________ Birth Date: ___________ Street Address: _________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________ Phone: ____________ Name of 4-H Club: _______________________________________________
1
Your 4-H Dairy Project Record Book Introduction This Dairy Project Record Book has been created specifically for 4-H members enrolled in the 4-H dairy cattle project. Keeping a record book is an important part of the project. It will help you set goals for the project year, record your accomplishments, and provide a place to keep important records on your dairy cattle.
What is a 4-H project? A project is a subject or topic that you learn about in 4-H. In this case, your project is a dairy cow, heifer, or calf. You learn about your project by attending club meetings and educational workshops, and working with adult leaders and other 4-H members. You can also learn from field trips and by participating in shows and competitions.
Why complete a record book? A record book is not meant to be a chore. Instead, it is a way for you to learn about your project, as well as other valuable skills such as setting goals, collecting information, evaluating information, tracking costs and expenses, organization, and others.
Completing your 4-H Dairy Project Record Book. At the beginning of the 4-H year, you should select one of your dairy animals to be your 4-H project animal for the year. Then begin recording all of the relevant information on your animal in your record book on a monthly basis. It is important to keep your record book up to date, so that completing it doesn’t become a chore at the end of the year. Take a glance through the record book so that you can see how it’s organized. As you can see, there are pages that pertain only to heifers and calves, and there are pages that pertain to milking cows, such as calving records and milk production summaries. You only need to complete the pages relevant to your project animal. But you should complete all of the relevant information for the year. The only page that must be completed by all 4Her’s each and every year is page 4, the “Project Goals” and “Summary of Accomplishments.” The record book has been three-hole punched so that it may be easily kept in a 3-ring binder. Your 4-H dairy records should be accumulative – meaning that you keep and add to your records from year to year, keeping them all in a 3-ring binder or portfolio. You can organize your notebook however you choose. Some 4-Hers may anticipate having the same project animal for more than one year. In this case you might choose to organize your notebook by project animal and will simply continue to add information and pages to your 2
records for that animal over the years. Then when you change project animals, you just start a new section in your notebook, with a new set of records for your new project animal. Others may choose to organize their notebooks by year, with tabs dividing one year from the next. In this case, if you have a new project animal from year to year, then you will simply begin a new set of records for your new animal each year. If, however, you have the same project animal from year to year but you still want to organize your notebook by year, you can simply make a photocopy of your completed records from the previous year and then insert them into your notebook under the current year and add any new and updated information to them to bring your records up to date. These are just a couple of examples of ways that you might organize and present your 4-H dairy project records. But, remember – these are YOUR records and part of the goal for completing them is that you use your imagination and be creative in how you develop them. The idea is that at the completion of your 4-H career, you will have a compilation of records that shows your progression in your project from year to year.
Awards and Recognition One of the goals of many 4-Hers is to earn a County Medal at the end of the 4-H year. In order to be eligible for a Dairy County Medal, 4-Hers must meet the following criteria: • Be enrolled in the 4-H dairy project area for at least 2 years. • Given a public presentation. • Participated in 4-H County-wide fund raising. • Submit a 4-H Projects Summary Booklet (Summarizes all of your 4-H experiences, not just your dairy project.) • Submit up-to-date Dairy Project Records. These are to be accumulative and progressive.
All 4-Hers who complete and submit a 4-H Dairy Project Record will receive a Project Completion Certificate, regardless of whether you receive a county medal.
3
Each year, out of all the 4-Hers that receive a dairy county medal, a High Dairy Medal of Honor will be awarded. The 4-H Livestock Committee will select this individual based upon the 4-Her’s level of involvement and accomplishment in their dairy project. This information will come from the 4-H Projects Summary Booklet, as well as the Dairy Project Records.
SO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY LEARNING ABOUT YOUR 4-H DAIRY PROJECT!
Project Goals (at start of project))
Year ______
* To be completed every year by all 4-Hers in the Dairy project area
This is my ________ year doing a 4-H Dairy Project. State at least three goals at the beginning of your 4-H project year. Tell the things you want to learn from your 4-H dairy project. Please discuss these goals with your parents and your 4-H leader. Example Goals:
Train a calf for show Learn 15 parts of a dairy cow Learn to give reasons in dairy cattle judging
Learn how to clip my calf for show Learn to care for a newborn calf Participate in Dairy Quiz Bowl Serve as a 4-H club officer
1. _________________________________________________________________ 2. _________________________________________________________________ 3. _________________________________________________________________
Member Signature _____________________ Leader Signature __________________
Summary of Accomplishments (when record book is due) What goals have you accomplished? If you have not accomplished one or more of your goals, please explain. What have you learned? Describe your experiences this year. (Attach an additional page if needed.)
Member Signature _____________________ Leader Signature __________________
4
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
PROJECT ANIMAL IDENTIFICATION & GENETICS Name of animal:___________________________________ Birth Date: __________________ Reg. Number:__________________ Tattoo: _______________ Eartag No. _______________ Do you own your animal? Yes_____ No_____ If not, owner’s name: _______________________________ (Attach a copy of lease) Name of Breeder or Previous Owner: ______________________________________________ Address of Breeder or Previous Owner: ____________________________________________
PEDIGREE
Paternal Grandsire: Name & Reg. No. Sire: Name & Reg. No. Paternal Granddam: Name & Reg. No.
Maternal Grandsire: Name & Reg. No. Dam: Name & Reg. No.
Maternal Granddam: Name & Reg. No.
Attach a photo of your project animal.
5
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
4-H CALF & HEIFER GROWTH RECORD *See the appendix for more information on how to weigh and measure your calf/heifer. Measure and weigh your project animal every month and record and plot on the charts below. Age in Months
Your Project Animal Height Weight
Age in Months
2 4 6 8 10 12
Your Project Animal Height Weight
14 16 18 20 22 24
* Helpful Hints: Pounds 1500
Use - - - - - - to track height
Use _______ to track weight Inches 62
1400
59
1300
56
1200
60
1100
57
1000
54
900
51
800
48
700
45
600
42
500
39
400
36
300
33
200
30
100
27 Age in Months
0 2 6
4
6
8
10
12
14
24 16
18
20
22
24
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
Project Experience MYMy PROJECT EXPERIENCE •
Use this sheet to record what you do with your calf, heifer, or cow. Start another sheet if you change project animals.
Other than taking your animal to fairs and shows, what other dairy related activities have you been involved in? ACTIVITY/EVENT
Example: Gave a county presentation
7
DATE & LOCATION
March 15, 2005 Town Hall
WHAT I DID.
I gave a presentation on how to teach your calf to lead.
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
MY PROJECT EXPERIENCE – Page 2 MY PROJECT EXPERIENCE Describe how and from whom you obtained your project animal. Explain why you chose this particular animal.
Record of Fairs & Shows Date
Name of Show
# In Class
Placing & Ribbon
Entry Fee
Insert a picture of you and your animal here.
8
Premiums
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
VETERINARY & HEALTH RECORD Record routine management procedures such as vaccinations, dehorning, tattooing, hoof trimming, extra teat removal, etc. Also include times your animal was sick, veterinary services, medical supplies, etc. Date Example 12/15/05
Illness, Vaccination, Procedure Dehorned
Type of Treatment
Cost
Dehorning Paste
$ 5.00
Total Veterinary & Health Expenses:
9
$_________
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _________
Animal Name: _____________________________
CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD * See appendix for more information on how to complete this record.
Did your calf receive colostrum in the first 6 hours after birth?
Yes ____ No ____
Age of Calf in Months 1 Month
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
(ie. Jan.,Feb., etc)
Feed Used Whole Milk (lbs) Milk Replacer (Dry Wt. in lbs.) Calf Starter (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Hay (bales) Silage (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Minerals/Vitamins (lbs) Other: TOTAL COST:
Age of Heifer in Months
Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months heifer was on pasture. Other:
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents and/or quality of the feed(s) that your calf/heifer received.
10
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _________
Animal Name: _____________________________
COW FEEDING RECORD *Each of the following charts has space to complete one year’s worth of feeding records. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
________ Year
Month
(ie. Jan., Feb., etc)
Total Used
Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months cow was on pasture. Other:
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents or quality of the grain and forages you fed to your cow.
________ Year Feed Used Hay (lbs) Silage (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Check box for months cow was on pasture. Other:
Month
(ie. Jan., Feb., etc)
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
TOTAL COST:
Describe the contents or quality of the grain and feeds you fed to your cow.
11
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ ________ _______
Animal Name: _____________________________
BREEDING & CALVING RECORD *Each of the following charts has space to complete 4 years worth of breeding and calving records on one cow. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
How did you choose the bull that you bred your heifer to?
Breeding Record
1st Calving 2nd Calving 3rd Calving 4th Calving
Date in heat before breeding
Date in heat before breeding
Date Bred
Date Bred
Date Bred
Date Bred
Breeding Fees *
Service Sire, Name or I.D.
Date Due
Total Breeding Fees:___________ * In Breeding Fees, include semen costs, technician fees, synchronization expenses, breeding supply expenses, etc.
Calving Record
st
1 Calving 2nd Calving 3rd Calving 4th Calving 12
Date of Calving
Male or Female
Calf I.D.
Calf Name
Comments (sold, calving difficulties, calf description, etc.)
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year(s) ________ _______ ________
Animal Name: _____________________________
OTHER PROJECT EXPENSES *The following chart has space to complete 5 years worth of other expenses on one cow. If you change project animals, start a new sheet, with your new animal’s name at the top.
Use the chart below to record other expenses for your calf, heifer or cow. Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Purchase or lease fees
ID/ Registration/ Transfers
Other: Bedding
Other:
Show supplies
Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other: Bedding
Show supplies
Bedding
Show supplies
Bedding
Show supplies
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other:
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other:
Other: Total Cost
Year ____ Cost: Other: Bedding
Other:
Show supplies
Year ____ Cost: To determine what you are spending for your animal alone, you can take the cost for the entire herd and divide by the number of animals in the herd. e.g. Bedding: $200/month for a load of sawdust 200 ÷ 60 cows in herd = ~3.50 per cow/month = $42 per year
13
Total Cost
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
MILK PRODUCTION SUMMARY *See appendix for more information on how to complete this record.
•
Use the chart below to record your cow’s milk production and then chart her lactation curve on the graph on Page 15. Use a new sheet for each year that she’s your project animal.
Breed ________________ Date of Birth ___________ Freshening Date _________________
Month
Average Daily Milk Produced (lbs)
Total Fat Produced for Month (lbs)
Total Milk Produced for Month
(Multiply ave. daily milk x # days in month)
Average % Fat
(Multiply total lbs milk x fat %)
Average % Protein
Total Protein Produced for Month (lbs)
(Multiply total lbs milk x protein %)
Average Monthly Somatic Cell Count
Yearly Totals
Price used to determine the value of milk = $______________
This value is your cow’s Total Milk Income for the year!
What type of housing and feed management system are you using for you cow? (freestall, tiestall, rotational pasture, seasonal herd, etc.) What type of milking system is being used? How many times per day is the herd being milked? 14
Total Monthly Value of Milk
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
LACTATION CURVE * Use the values form the “Total Milk Produced for Month” column on the previous chart and plot them on the graph below. Use a new sheet for each year that this cow is your project animal.
Average pounds milk per month
120 115 110 105 100 95 90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 1 Month: _____
2
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ ______ _____ _____ _____
Numbers correspond to the month post-calving, i.e. “1” = first month after calving, “2” = second month, etc.
15
4
11
12
_____ ____
Typical Lactation Curve
Year started as project animal __________
Current Year __________
Animal Name: _____________________________
INCOME & EXPENSE SUMMARY * Use a new “Income and Expense Summary” sheet for each year of your project. Date
Description of Income or Expense Income Value of milk sold * Value of calves sold** Premiums Other
Income
Expense
Total Income & Expenses
TOTAL INCOME Expenses Feed costs*** Veterinary/Health costs**** Breeding expenses***** Entry fees – Fairs/shows Other expenses****** Other
TOTAL EXPENSES
Profit/Loss for the Year
$___________
(Total Income minus Total Expenses)
* From “Milk Production Summary”, total yearly value of milk sold ** From “Calving Record”, if calf was sold *** From “Feeding Record”, use total cost for current year only. (You should complete a new “Income & Expense Summary” for each year.) **** From “Veterinary & Health Record”. Use expenses for current year only. ***** From “Breeding Record.” Use expenses for current year only. ****** From “Other Project Expenses” record. Use expenses for current year only.
16
APPENDIX
Helpful Hints and Examples CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD
It is important to know what, and how much your animal is eating to be sure that she is being fed adequately. A feed record will also show you a major cost of raising your heifer. On the CALF & HEIFER FEEDING RECORD, record the total amount of each feed used by your animal in each month. This can be calculated by multiplying the amount of each feed fed daily by the number of days in the month that she was fed this amount. Block out any squares that do not apply, e.g., milk and calf starter would not be fed to calves after about 3 months of age. Then to look at what it costs to feed your heifer, first find out the costs of the different feeds. Then multiply the cost per pound of feed by the number of pounds of that feed eaten by your calf or heifer. Age in months
80
360
$35.00
2
14
$35.00
1000
1000
$20.00
500
$30.00
7 SEPTEMB
$52.50 $30.00
6 AUGUST
70 100
5 JULY
17
$3.00
4 JUNE
TOTAL COST:
20
3 MAY
Feed Used Whole Milk (lbs) Milk Replacer (Dry Wt. in lbs.) Calf Starter (lbs) Grain Mixture (lbs) Hay (bales) Silage (lbs) Special Feeds (lbs) Minerals/Vitamins (lbs) Other: Pasture, lbs
2 APRIL
(Jan.,Feb.,
1 MARCH
Month
etc)
Total Used
Total Cost or Value
20 20 10
30 30 1
20 60 2
100
100
4
5
80
500
8
9
10
11
12
$205.50
MILK PRODUCTION SUMMARY (B)
Multiply average daily milk (A) times the number of days in the month.
(A)
This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test you can do the following: Weigh the milk that your cow gives at each milking one day per month and add them together (should be about the same day each month). Enter that total here.
68 lbs x 31 = 2,108 total pounds in January
(E)
This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can use the herd’s average protein test from milk company samples.
(C) This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can use the herd’s average fat test from milk company samples.
(B) Total Milk Produced for Month
Month
(A) Average Daily Milk Produced (lbs)
(Multiply ave. daily milk x # days in month)
(C) Average % Fat
JAN. FEB. MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG.
68 77 75 72 70 68 66 65
2,108 2,156 2,325 2,160 2,170 2,040 2,046 2,015
Yearly Totals
491
17,020
(D)
Multiply total pounds of milk produced in the month (B) times the average fat test (C). 2,108 x 3.65% = 76.94lbs Butterfat in January
(D) Total Fat Produced for Month (lbs)
(F) Multiply total pounds of milk produced in the month (B) times the average protein test (E). 2,108 x 3.2% = 67.45 lbs. Protein in January
(F) Total Protein Produced for Month (lbs)
(Multiply total lbs milk x protein %)
(G) Average Monthly Somatic Cell Count
(H) Total Monthly Value of Milk
3.2 3.2 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.20 3.21 3.21
67.45 68.99 73.94 68.90 69.44 65.28 65.68 64.68
150,000 152,000 152,000 154,000 155,000 155,000 155,000 152,000
$322.95 330.30 356.19 330.91 332.44 312.53 313.45 322.49
3.199
544.36
153,125
$ 2,607
(Multiply total lbs milk x fat %)
(E) Average % Protein
3.65 3.63 3.62 3.62 3.64 3.64 3.65 3.65
76.94 78.26 84.16 78.19 78.99 74.26 74.68 73.55
3.638
619.03
(H) (E) This can be taken from DHI test records. If not on test, you can skip this column.
Take the average value of your milk from your herd’s monthly milk check. (e.g. $15.32 per hundredweight) Multiply this by the total hundredweight of milk your cow produced in the month. (Hundredweight = total milk ÷ 100) e.g. 2,108 ÷ 100 = 21.08 cwt. produced in January $15.32/cwt x 21.08 cwt = $322.95 total value of milk in January
18
LACTATION CURVE
Average pounds milk per month 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Month: _Jan__ _Feb_ _Mar_ _Apr_ _May_ _June_ _July__ _Aug_ _____ _____
CALF & HEIFER GROWTH Measure your calf’s weight with a weight tape. Place her in a normal standing position. Draw the tape snugly around the heart girth, just behind the front legs and shoulders.
19
Measure your calf's height at her withers. To locate your calf's withers, draw a line from just behind her front legs up to her back
11
12
_____ ____
Average Height and Weight by Breed
Age in Months At birth 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Ayrshire, Milking Shorthorn, and Guernsey Inches Pounds 27 70 32 130 37 230 41 320 44 400 45 505 46 600 48 680 50 770 51 860 52 910 53 1050 54 1150
Holstein and Brown Swiss Inches Pounds 29 96 34 170 39 270 44 370 46 500 48 600 50 700 51 800 52 900 53 990 54 1050 55 1175 56 1300
Inches 26 30 34 39 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51
Jersey Pounds 55 115 195 275 385 460 520 575 630 730 800 875 960
Your Project Animal Inches Pounds
Pounds 1500
Inches 62
1400 1300
59 Average HEIGHT curve, Holstein & Brown Swiss
1200 1100
56 Average HEIGHT curve, Jersey
57
1000 900
Average HEIGHT curve, Guernsey, Ayrshire, MS
x
x
800
x
500
x
x
x
48 Average WEIGHT curve, Jersey
400
42
36
Average WEIGHT curve, Guernsey, Ayrshire, MS
x
33
Average WEIGHT curve, Holstein & Brown Swiss
200 100
30 27
Age in Months
0 4
45
39
x
2
54 51
x
x
600
20
x
x
700
300
60
6
8
10
12
14
24 16
18
20
22
24
21
