4-H Program Flyer
Author: Michigan State University Extension

Setting Goals for Your Livestock Project

Setting goals for 4-H livestock project is simply deciding what you want to learn and do. It is like a road map- helping you plan how to get where you want to go. Set and keep track of your goals.

Goals should have three parts
Action
(how you are going to do it)
Result
(what you are going to do)
Timetable
(when you plan to have it done)
You should have control over your goals
This is why the goal of "get a
purple ribbon on my exhibit" is not a good goal (the judge has this control not the exhibitor.) Set new, more challenging goals each year in a project. 4-H
project guides are an excellent source for goal and exhibit ideas.

SAMPLE GOAL STATEMENTS IN LIVESTOCK
Below are examples of possible project goals.
What you did to reach this goal should be reflected in your answer
learn how to lead my animal
master how to set up my cattle in the ring
learn and practice clipping my calf
identify and treat diseases
explore different beef breeds and learn their characteristics
learn the characteristics of different breeds and how it affect meat quality
learn the different meat cut for my species
explore what things affect the beef market and why
exercise my animal so I have a well-muscled sheep
learn how to clip sheep hooves
practice fitting sheep my animal
learn how ram selection leads to breed characteristics
identify the different breeds of pigs
research how pigs are grown and taken care of
learn how to show a pig
learn to pick my own pigs this year
get my pig to lead well when it is around other pigs
explore feed options to raise a lean, meatier hog
see how different pigs grow with different feed in each pen
how to judge a pig

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

Setting Goals for Your Livestock Project

SMART Goals
Meaningful goals are:
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and defined within a Timeframe
Here are some good examples:

Learn how to break to lead (or fit and groom) a beef animal from an older 4-H’er before county fair. Practice with my animal at least 2 time a week.
Study the different beef by-products (or wholesale or retail cuts) and create an educational display poster by July so it is ready for the fair.
Learn about scrapies and the steps to eradicate it including flock identification. Make a display board for my pen in June.
Study sheep by-products (or breeds, parts, retail cuts) and give a presentation to my club in January.
Interview a sheep shearer and learn about the sale of and uses of wool by June.
Learn how to read ear notches by the time I purchase pigs in March.
Research what to feed my animal for best gain before I purchase my animal in December. Explore ate least three options or ratios.
Give an educational presentation in January on how to vaccinate pigs.
Learn about three swine diseases and biosecurity to prevent the spread of diseases by fair time.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.