Animal Science
Boulder County 4-H Dairy Cattle Project
The Dairy Cattle Project guides youth in learning how to raise and care for dairy cattle while building responsibility, goal setting, and record-keeping skills.
Members learn about animal selection, nutrition, health, reproduction, genetics, and record keeping while exploring how to build a profitable enterprise. Participants also study consumer awareness and quality assurance, practice grooming and showing their animals, and develop an understanding of animal well-being and the dairy industry’s role in the food system.

Project Information & Resources
Visit the 4-H State Website to access manuals and e-record book links.
4-H Record Books are also called e-Records. Each project has its own record book that members are required to complete each year. Record books have a few times to be checked on progress throughout the year:
- In June, your 4-H leader will be sure your books are started and up to date.
- Prior to showing at the Boulder County Fair, your record books will be checked by your superintendent to be sure they are up to date and complete as can be in order to participate and show at the fair.
- Final livestock record books are due to be received at the Extension office by the second Thursday in September. (Please note: your 4-H leader may need an earlier deadline for review and signatures.)
We will be tagging and identifying Market Beef and Dairy Steer projects on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Barn C. Animals must be halter broken and have a halter on to smoothly go through the identification process.
Please review available slots and select one slot per trailer for up to three head of cattle. If you have more than three heads, you must select another adjacent time spot. Example: 6 steers in one trailer = 30 minutes reserved together. Sign up with your full name and the number of animals. Please be on time. If members arrive late, they may have to wait on site for an open slot.
Reminder: Bring $5 cash per animal tag.
Checklist of steps to prepare for tag-in:
- Obtain a brand inspection of your animals in the 4-H member’s name. Even if the animal was born on your property, you need to have a brand inspector write a brand paper for you in your 4-H member’s name (not a parent’s name).
- Download, print, and fill out the State Fair Nomination Form that we use for all Boulder County Market Beef.
- Get a Colorado Premise Identification number (LID#) where your animal lives. Each member must have a Premise identification number or Colorado Location Identification Number to participate in the Boulder County Fair. This is the location where your animal is housed. Obtain a premise ID or call 303-869-9130.
- If you have miniature beef cattle, have the miniature breed verification form completed by your breeder and bring it with you.
All project manuals are received through the Extension office. These will be distributed to 4-H members through their organizational leaders (club leaders) after enrollment is complete.
Related Events
Currently there are no upcoming events scheduled. Please check back for the latest events as they are scheduled.
Contact the Dairy Cattle Project Team
We are ready to help and support you in your 4-H livestock journey.
Boulder County Fair Dairy
Project Superintendent
4-H Youth Development Livestock & Animals County Specialist