Dairy Cattle Project

Project Description 

The Dairy Project is for members who want to learn more about dairy animals. If ownership is not possible, this project allows you to have a contract with a dairy to care for one or more animals. Members usually start with a heifer calf or yearling heifer. Older members may start with a producing cow. Keep milk production records on all producing cows, using Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) guidelines. This project also provides an opportunity to start with a calf and raise it to a producing cow.

Project Requirements

Project Books Required? No

Project books can be purchased here

*** Each enrolled livestock member will attend 3 workshops per specie (Beef, Sheep, Swine, Goat, Rabbit, Poultry, Dairy Cattle) to show/sell their animal at fair. These will be completed prior to June 1st when FairEntry opens up. These workshops will be attended in person in Lewis & Clark County.

what needs to be accomplished to move on to level 2?

• Attend 3 workshops a year
• 3 years in the project

What needs to be accomplished to move on to level 3?

• Attend 3 workshops a year
• 6 years in the project

What needs to be accomplished to move on to the next level?

• Attend 3 workshops a year
• 6+ years in the project 

Project age limit? 8 and up

What should new members know?

• You do not need to own the animal they exhibit. However, the training and grooming must be done by the member.
• All cows must be dehorned
• All members must have current Quality Assurance training
• Supplies needed for fair:
  • Show Halter 
  • Shampoo
  • Water bucket

Dates for the 2025-2026 4-H Year

• November 17th at 4:00 p.m. in the BHB - feeding a dairy cow
• January 11th at 4:00 p.m. in the BHB - Dairy products
• February 8th at 4:00 p.m. in the BHB - Milk processing/milk quality (open to the dairy goat and dairy sheep kids)
• March 7th time TBD at Dahl Ranch - Calving and newborn calf care
• April 6th 3:00 p.m. Milk components and fun with dairy products
• May 3rd 3:00 p.m. in the BHB - Hoof trimming and dairy cow spa day 
• May 17th time TBD in Augusta - Vet talks about metabolic issues

Project Superintendent Information

Dairy Cattle Superintendent: Marlee Johnson & Teresa Lane-Converse

Contact: mdahlranch@gmail.com or 406-465-7732 and 406-562-3362 or teresaconverse@hotmail.com
How will you be contacted? Email or text

Junior Superintendent: Rebecca Gruber & Alyssa White

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Montana State University and the Montana State University Extension Service prohibit discrimination in all of their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital and family status. Issued in furtherance of cooperative extension work in agriculture and home economics, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeff Bader, Director of Extension, Extension Service, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717