Adopt an Animal Program

[mainecattlemother]

I dont know if this is the correct place to post this question, but our county would like to do an adopt an animal program where we would purchase an animal for a first time or inexperienced show person.  Our numbers are getting smaller and smaller in our county and we our thinking this may be a way to get those numbers up a bit and to get kids interested.  We are thinking of just our larger species: beef, sheep, swine, goat, and possibly dairy.  Does anyone out there have suggestions on how to work this program.  Please keep in mind our county educator knows absolutely nothing about the livestock projects, not to knock her character but if it is not something about sewing she has no interest so getting this program past our livestock commitee, that I am a part of, could be very difficult.  Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[PSC]

i think the reason number are going down in the beef is the cost it takes alot of money to feed one out its alot of work if done right  i myself wonder how many kid will be showing in 5 yr  we have showed for the last 15year next yr son last yr in some ways ill be glad but i known we will miss it it just takes alot money these days  are local cattle man used to sposer a chid buy calf and pay feed  but that may be inpossible these day

 

[MCC]

Do you have a bank or two that would be willing to take a young person under their wing and loan them the money for an animal and feed? They could then teach them about borrowing money while building their credit. Just a thought. It might teach them more than having an individual sponsor them.

 

[Dr Dean]

One of our local banks has a heifer project. The reciepient gets 5 bred heifers and at the end of 5 years they return 5 bred heifers. During the project the kids meet quarterly to go over records with the bank. Here's a link http://www.rollinghillsbank.com/heifer_project.htm

 

[mainecattlemother]

Thanks for the comments!  I really appreciate it!  Maybe I should be a little more specific.  We want to purchase something at close to market price to get the kids started.  I actually have someone in mind to purchase a hog from and she has had breed champs at our state fair.  She is willing to mentor the child throughout the spring and summer.  As a family we have a couple animals that are broke to lead they are not the best but are definately better than a run of the mill market animal or even better than a sale barn heifer and we would give at a cheap price.  We are very competitive when it comes to showing so something that we would not show still is going to be better than a sale barn calf.  Our family is willing to mentor the child throughout the program.  I also have a goat lined up.  What I would like to know is how a program like this should work.  Minnesota Beef Expo has a program that gives away 11 breed animals every year and my daughter was this years Simmi recipient but I dont know if I want to gear it around their program but something maybe similar.  Has anyone seen a program and how do they pick the recipients of animals?

 

[obie105]

I have heard of one where it is an essay contest to receive the animal. The other thing is to talk to farmers in the area. I was lucky enough when I started out to have a farmer that raised purebred cattle sell me 2 steers every year at market price. In turn I could usually make enough money to cover my expenses. He then did the same thing with a heifer. He also was nice enough to accept payments over the winter and spring so I could get a start. There are still good ole boys out there that want to see young people do well. I have also helped kids with there heifer projects now that I an too old to show but letting a 4her do the work but I pay for the feed costs and retain ownership of the heifer. Just ideas. 

 

[mainecattlemother]

Thanks for the response OBIE105.  This sounds something more like I was thinking.  Just not sure who we would have weed through the essays but maybe this is something that we could discuss more in our meeting.