FLORIDA 4-H
FIRST PROJECT CALF FLAGSHIP MOMENT FOR MANY 4-H MEMBERS
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Written by: Christopher Decubellis
flagship moment for many 4-H members is when they pick out their first steer, breeding heifer or even a dairy heifer. And lots of young people save up their money for months—maybe even years— in order to purchase that first project calf.
To have a successful project, the new bovine owner has to do several things correctly. Included are having a proper nutrition program, as well as properly controlling internal and external parasites. However, acclimating the animalto-human interaction and halter breaking the animal are imperative for youth to be able to safely interact with and exhibit their animals. This article offers tips to help young people initially gentle down and halter break their calves. Keep in mind that the younger the calf is at the time of halter breaking, the easier the process. It is important to have a solid and secure pen or paddock in which to work. It is best
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F LO R I D A C O U NTRY D e c e m b e r | J a n u a r y 2 0 2 1
if the youth (with parental oversight and supervision) is the one who feeds and cares for the animal daily. This will allow the animal to become comfortable with the youth’s presence. A good training halter and lead is necessary to control the animal. Always make sure the halter is properly positioned high on the bridge of the animal’s nose so it won’t cut off air flow if the animal balks. Check the fit of the halter daily—these animals grow fast! Tying cattle to a post, tree or something solid will go a long way in teaching the animal to lead, because it learns to respect the rope. But a person should never get between an animal and a fence until the animal has learned to be calm and no longer afraid of its handler. Never tie an animal to something that is rickety, loose or easy to break. Tie animals high—about 3 feet to 4 feet off
