Roseau County 4-H market beef ID details; ID animals by Feb. 17

It's time to start working with your 4-H market beef project. 

Key points 

• You will need to identify all 4-H market beef projects including market steers, market heifers and dairy steers.
• All market beef MUST be owned (not leased) and identified by February 17, 2026.
• Preferred ID is a MN 4-H RFID ear tag. Please refer to the 2026 4-H Beef Requirements sheet for more information.
• Breeding heifers, cow/calf pairs and prospect calves (steers and heifers) must be owned or leased, tagged or tattooed and identified by May 15, 2026. Please note that Cloverbuds do not need to identify beef animals in 4-H Online at this time. Contact the office with questions. 

 Beef project meeting 

• There will be an informational 4-H beef project virtual meeting on Sunday, January 25, 2026, 6:00-6:45 p.m. held via zoom. A zoom link will be emailed to families from 4HOnline. 

Identification steps

1. Read through the 4-H Beef Information Sheet and the Minnesota 4-H AnSci Updates for 2026 - these documents include information for identification, beef project rules, classes, State Fair participation and much more. For more detailed information visit: z.umn.edu/mn4hanimalID.
2. Get your 4-H tags and tagger from the ROSEAU Extension Office for your market beef projects. Be sure to call (218-463-1052) or email: [email protected] ahead to request the number of tags you will need and staff will get them ready for pick up. All market beef projects will need a 4-H RFID tag (including registered animals with breed tattoos).  There are taggers available for you to check out and use.  Please inquire about the return procedure.
3. Tag your animal and complete the Market Beef ID Worksheet  (market beef steers, market heifers, and dairy steers) to assist you in entering your market beef information into 4-H Online. Unused 4-H tags must be returned to the Extension Office within 2 weeks of the ID deadline to be in compliance with MN Board of Animal Health and USDA official tag tracking.
4. Enter your market beef identification information into 4-H Online by February 17, 2026.  Use the animal ID’ing tip sheet for ease in entering your animal information.  If you are unable to enter your information into 4-H Online, please bring your completed Market Beef or Dairy Steer ID worksheet to the Extension Office for assistance in entering your ID information into 4-H Online by the end of business day on February 17, 2026.
5. An after hours helpline is available for use if you are experiencing challenges with your identification process.  Please use these helplines during the available hours only.  All other calls for assistance should be directed to local staff at the Univeristy of Minnesota, Roseau Extension office during normal business hours.
   1. Helpline after hour dates and hours:
      1. Monday, February 16, 4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at 218-232-5174
      2. Tuesday, February 17,  4:30 p.m. - 11:59 p.m. at 507-369-6896

Remember, by February 17, 2026 you must own your market beef animal, have it tagged with a MN 4-H RFID ear tag, and enter the animal information into 4-H Online.  

Please contact Sandi Weiland, Extension Educator at 218-463-1052 or [email protected] with any questions.