Dairy Cattle Management and Evaluation

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Purpose

The purpose of the FFA Dairy Cattle Management and Evaluation Career Development Event is to provide a competitive event for agricultural education students, which emphasizes skills in dairy cattle management and evaluation.

 

Objectives

1. To provide a practical experience to students enrolled in agricultural education with an interest in dairy cattle to help prepare for industry positions or the management of a modern dairy herd. 
2. To develop students’ skills in observation and analysis as it pertains to the dairy industry standards. 
3. Present accurate and logical oral reasons to defend placing's of animals. 
4. To encourage agriculture instructors to seek assistance from various resources in the dairy industry. (Examples: dairy breed associations, artificial breeding associations, state extension dairy specialists, state dairy herd improvement associations, dairy equipment manufacturers, local dairy farmers and breeders, etc.)

 

Event Rules

1. The most current and updated information will be used as industry standards change. 
2. Computer score sheets will be used in the event to record all responses. These forms must be completed within the time allotted for each section of the event. No additional time will be permitted to transfer responses to computer scoring sheets. Responses that are not correctly recorded on the computer score sheets cannot be considered due to the large number of participants’ responses that must be processed. 

 

Event Format

Team Make-Up

Each school may enter one team composed of three or four members. The three high scores will be considered the official contestants. Teams comprising of less than three members will still be scored as individuals and eligible for individual awards.

Equipment

1. Materials student must provide 
   
   1. A clean, free of notes clipboard 
   2. Two sharpened No. 2 pencils 
   3. Steno notepad to record information for reasons. 
2. Materials provided by the contest superintendent 
   
   1. Universal Form A- 705A-12 (Scan Sheet) 

Individual Activities

Evaluation and Selection - (300-400 points)

1. Six to eight classes of four dairy animals will each be placed on type. Classes will be selected from the recognized breeds of dairy cattle. The class selection committee, however, shall give priority to selecting quality cattle in the breeds available and not be obligated to having all breeds represented in the evaluation classes. Classes will consist of heifers, young cows or mature cows. 
2. Participants will be permitted to view the animals from all angles but will not be permitted to handle them. 
3. The handlers/cattle will wear numbers which identify the animals or be marked by numbered ear tags. 
4. Each class is worth 50 points maximum for a correct placing. 
5. Participants will have 12 minutes to place each class. For classes on which oral reasons will be given, participants will be given 15 minutes. 

Oral Reasons - (150 points)

1. Oral reasons will be required on three classes. These three classes will be designated by the event superintendent prior to the actual evaluation of the class. 
2. Oral reasons will be given in another location immediately following the evaluation classes. 
3. Using notes while giving oral reasons is not illegal but it is highly discouraged.  If used, major deductions will be given by the reasons officials. 
4. Each class is worth 50 points maximum for each set of reasons. 
5. Participants will have 20 minutes to prepare each set of oral reasons. No more than two and a half minutes may be used to deliver the reasons before the judges. 

 

Scoring

Evaluation - 300-400

Oral reasons - 150

 

Total Points

Individual - 450-550

Team - 1,350-1,650

 

Tiebreaker

If a tie occurs, the following events will be used to determine award recipients: 

1. Individual 
   
   1. Oral reasons score 
   2. Evaluation score 
2. Overall Team 
   
   1. Total oral reasons score 
   2. Total evaluation score

 

Resources

This list of references is not intended to be all-inclusive. Other sources may be utilized, and teachers are encouraged to make use of the very best instructional materials available. The following list contains references that may prove helpful during event preparation.

• National FFA Core Catalog—Past CDE Material
• Hoard’s Dairyman - Judging contest and materials, youth tests and quiz questions
• Cornell University Department of Animal Science Dairy Resources
• CEV Multimedia, Inc.
• Holstein Association
• Dairy Herd Improvement
• 2009 Dairy Unified Scorecard
• PDCA_Dairy_Cow_Unified_Scorecard_2009update.pdf

 

Supplemental Materials and Forms

Dairy Cattle Scansheet (Universal A 705A-12)