Rules and Guidelines
The purpose of the program is to provide youth with an opportunity to:
- Learn how to select a dairy heifer that has potential to be a good producing cow.
- Learn how to raise a good quality animal, demonstrating approved management
principles. - Offer for sale a top quality dairy replacement animal at the end of the program.
- Give nondairy members an opportunity to gain valuable experiences in dairy husbandry
and the dairy industry.
The Boulder County 4-H Agent, St. Vrain Valley FFA Advisor and Dairy Cattle Fair Superintendent will assist in managing the program.
ELIGIBILITY
- Any actively enrolled Boulder County 4-H or St Vrain Valley FFA member is eligible to
participate in this program. - The participant must enroll, or be enrolled in the Dairy Cattle project.
- The participant must nominate and enroll their project heifer(s) in the DHRP by last Thurs. in April of the project year. Nomination forms are available at the Boulder County Extension Office or St. Vrain Valley FFA advisor. The 4-H agent and FFA advisor will keep the original and send a copy of the nomination form and application to the dairy cattle superintendent.
REQUIREMENTS
Participant may nominate up to three (3) heifers each year, but are limited to showing and selling only one (1) heifer. Members must designate their DHRP heifer when entering in the Boulder County Fair.
The member must be the sole owner of the animal. A copy of the brand certificate or bill of sale, along with 2 photos of the heifer, one of each side, must be submitted with the nomination form
The animal must be:
- Born September – December of the prior year. (19-23 months old at Fair time)
- Preferred, from a registered sire. (AI or natural breeding)
- From a dam that is either registered or high grade that is at, or above herd average for milk production. A copy of production records must accompany the nomination form.
- Positively identified (both the heifer’s ear tag and brucellosis tag) by a 4-H leader, Extension Agent, FFA Advisor or Dairy Cattle Superintendent or verified, with heifer present, at the market beef tag in March (contact Extension office or FFA advisor for tag-in date). Nomination form requires a signature from the person verifying.
- A minimum of 40 days pregnant as of nomination. A certificate of pregnancy from a licensed veterinarian or other qualified individual must be turned in with the enrollment form. Heifers should not be bred to calve before September 1. (breeding dates between November 26th and March 1st)
- Any dairy breed is acceptable. Heifers must be bred to a purebred dairy sire (AI or natural) of their same breed. (Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, Holstein, Jersey, Milking Shorthorn are recognized as dairy breeds )
- Nominated heifers must be exhibited at the Boulder County Fair. A single designated heifer will show in the specific “Dairy Replacement Heifer” (DHR) class. All other nominated heifers may show in their regular aged dairy heifer class.
- Members are strongly encouraged to participate with their project heifer(s) at the Colorado Dairy Youth Extravaganza, held in June at Island Grove Park in Greeley to promote/exhibit their heifers (promoting may aid in the sale of your heifer).
SALE GUIDELINES
- All designated heifers will be allowed to sell at the Boulder County Livestock Market Sale at
the Boulder County Fair if requirements are met. All Market Sale Rules will apply. (only one
(1) animal regardless of species may sell from a member) - Heifers will be inspected and pregnancy checked at the Boulder County Fair check in, and/or
prior to the sale. - Ownership brand papers for the DHRP heifer must accompany every heifer in the sale. If the
heifer is registered the registration papers must be in the members name by Animal ID
deadline and must also accompany the heifer at the sale. - Heifers will NOT be eligible to sell if heifer is:
a. less than five (5) months or at least 150 days pregnant.
b. unhealthy, or in poor condition according to breed standards (size and condition for
their age and stage of pregnancy at time of check-in). - Participants will adhere to all Boulder County Livestock Market Sale Rules. A sale intent form
will be required and turned in to the dairy superintendent by the end of show day. - Prior to receiving the sale check you must turn in your buyer’s thank-you (s) into the Extension
Office by second Thursday in Sept. Failure to submit the letter(s) by the second Thursday in
September will result in a $100.00 fee being deducted from the exhibitor’s check. This late fee
will be contributed to the Market Sale Scholarship fund. - Members are encouraged to contact several potential buyers for their animals