It’s time to start working with your 4-H animal projects. We hope you find your projects both challenging and rewarding.
All 4-H animal projects will need to be identified, including breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs, prospect calves (steers and heifers), dairy, dairy goats, dog, horse, llama-alpaca, meat goats, poultry (doves and pigeons), rabbits, sheep and swine. Information on identifying 4-H horse and dog projects will be posted soon.
By May 15, 2023, you must own your animal, apply the appropriate ID, and enter the animal information into 4-H Online.
Read the Dakota County Animal ID letter for more details and to order ear tags.
Identification steps
- Read through the appropriate information sheet for the animal(s) that you will be identifying and the Minnesota 4-H AnSci Updates for 2023. These documents include information for identification, animal project rules, classes, state fair participation and more. You can find your species information sheet on the 4-H animal ID page. Note: Horse does not have an information sheet.
- Do you need a 4-H ear tag? If so, complete the ear tag order form. All market project animals, commercial animals and prospect calves will need a 4-H ear tag. If you're not sure an ear tag is needed, double-check the 2023 Minnesota 4-H Animal Science Identification Requirements table. Taggers are also available to check out for use; request to use an ear tagger when ordering ear tags.
- If your animal is leased, you must upload a completed Minnesota 4-H Lease Information Form into 4-H Online by May 15, 2023, with 4-H Online ID information. Note: Market animals may not be leased.
- Locate the appropriate species ID worksheet on the 4-H animal ID page to assist you in collecting the required ID information for entering your animal information into 4-H Online.
- Enter your animal identification information into 4-H Online by May 15, 2023. Note: All market beef should have been identified by February 15, 2023. Need help? Utilize the Animal ID’ing in 4-H Online guide. If you are unable to enter your information into 4-H Online, please bring your completed ID worksheet to the Extension Office for assistance in entering your ID information into 4-H Online by the end of business day on May 15, 2023.
Please contact Rachel Rezac (reza0027@umn.edu) or Jessica Beissel (reed0324@umn.edu) if you have questions.