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Requirements September 1958 until June 1972

1. Name three beef breeds and show or explain markings and other characteristics for which each breed is noted.

2. Select a breed of beef cattle that would be your choice for your locality and give reasons for your choice. Give the history of the breed you choose.

3. Visit a farm or ranch and interview a farmer who produces beef cattle under any of these systems: (a) feeding market cattle for slaughter; (b) producing feeder cattle for sale to commercial cattle feeders; (c) producing purebred cattle for sale as seed stock to other breeders. Tell how the cattle were handled, what rations were fed, weight gains, time on feed, and other items emphasized by the farmer.

4. Explain fully what is meant by “baby beef production.”

5. Submit to your counselor an actual (of typical) cost accounting record for a specific cattle feeding program. Include (a) date, price, weight, and grade of cattle when bought; (b) total feed consumed and value of feed; (c) miscellaneous expenses such as veterinarian’s bills; (d) date, weight, price received, and grade of cattle when sold; (e) profit.

6. Sketch either a plan of a feed lot, hay and grain storage facilities, and loading chute for thirty or more fattening steers, or a corral plan with cutting and loading chutes for handling fifty or more beef cows and their calves at one time.

            This merit badge may be earned as a 4-H’er by completing a club project in that subject or as an FFA member by meeting these requirements through the FFA supervised program.