The 2024 WNC Dairy Feeder Calf Program is off to a great start and has 19 youth participants from 8 counties. The kids have had their calves for a week and a half now and have completed the following:

• In-depth orientation
• Program Application
• Hands-on Training and calf pick up
• 1 Zoom Check In
• Bottle Feedings twice a day
• Daily care and chores

Other tasks to come in the following weeks / months include:

• Weight check in’s using their weight tapes
• Workday (calves will be vaccinated, dewormed, dehorned, castrated, weighed)
• Halter training
• Showing at Junior Beef RoundUp in August and Mountain State Fair in September

Dr. Stephanie Ward, NC Extension Dairy Specialist, helped us with our hands-on training and provided the participants with a great start to learning how to care for their calves. The education from the training and the support of program sponsors help make this project even more impactful for the participants.

Calves are drinking lots of milk and gaining weight every day! We are super proud of these kids and are excited to see how much they learn this year! Follow along to see their success over the next few months as they raise and show these calves!

Calves will be sold in lots after the Mountain State Fair, contact Abby at 828-255-5522 if you are interested in supporting this youth livestock project.