There are 2 Primary Cattle projects that students typically participate in, at Kenedy - Market Steers or Breeding Heifers.

*Cattle projects are typically not suggested to be a students 1st project if they do not have prior livestock experience*

Market Steers
Market steers are primarily for the production of beef products, and are raised with the intent to provide a buyer with a quality cut of meat. This is typically a 1 Calendar year project and it is a goal to earn a profit. Steers can cost a minimum of $1750+ and with today's market, $1750 is the minimum price point we suggest our students to prepare for, if interested in a Market Steer project.

Breeding Heifers 
Breeding heifers are primarily used for developing quality breeding stock, of a specific breed. Heifers are usually a minimum of 1 calendar year projects, but can be raised for up to 2+ years by a student, depending on the breed & project goals. It is typically NOT a goal to earn a profit with heifers, as they are geared more towards the experience of raising cattle through a breeding program. Typically, a student gets a heifer project with intentions of raising until they reach sexual maturity & then breeds them to a quality bull. The student then continues to raise the heifer throughout their pregnancy, and experiences the joy's of watching & raising a new born calf. Once the calf is of weaning age, the students are required to retire or sell their projects, as they choose.  Everything is up to the student & their family.

Student's are advised to expect a minimum purchase price of $2500 with heifer projects. Again, with heifers, price is also very breed specific. The Student should work closely with their Adviser to discover a breed of interest to them, and work out details & requirements of that breed. A good resource for breed information can be found on the Cattle Today website. 

Calf Scramble
Each of the major Rodeo shows in Texas (Houston, San Antonio & Ft. Worth), have a calf scramble every night of their show season, to provide students a chance at scholarship money that they can put towards a cattle project. 
If you would like to participate in a calf scramble, please see the Calf Scramble tab under scholarships, or contact one of our advisers. Click here to watch a video of the Houston Rodeo calf Scramble

Responsibilities 
As with all student raised animal projects, the students are required to cover all cost, care & maintenance of their animal as needed. These projects belong TO THE STUDENT and it is their Entrepreneurship SAE to be responsible for. 
 
Daily Care:
All Cattle projects are to be fed quality feed, TWICE a day. Cattle also require adequate exercise & time out of their stall. Cattle should be bathed regularly, and their stalls must be cleaned EVERYDAY. 
Many of our students work together to help out as need, like rotate morning feedings. It is absolutely UNEXCEPTABLE for any animal project to miss a meal. We have a strong support system and their is always someone who is able to help as needed. Please see the barn/project rules for details on consequences...  

Supplies: 
Students can buy as much or as little of supplies as needed. Our FFA chapter has a lot of start up items on hand to help anyone who might need it, but students should purchase their own basic supplies. 
Basic supplies for cattle consist of halters(both rope & show halters), feed bowls/troughs, water buckets, a show stick, bathing soaps & brushes, grooming brushes and sealed feed containers to store feed and/or hay. Students are advised to save up $100 - $250 to purchase most of their basic supplies for cattle. This does not include the cost of feed & hay. 

Feeding:
Students should work closely with their Adviser to establish a feeding program. Advisers will provide suggestions for feed and/or any supplements their animal might need, but it is up to the student to make the decisions regarding their animal projects. 

Chapter Supplies:
Advisers will typically have basic health care supplies on hand for any incidents that may happen, but will advise the students on how to care of issues as they come up (and they will happen...). 
The Chapter also has a plenty of Show boxes & Show team supplies for those who raise animals & attend shows. We never discourage a student from getting their own supplies, but the Chapter's supplies are certainly available as needed, and deemed necessary. 


Resources - 
For more information on what it takes to raise a cattle project, please utilize the links below or contact your advisor to set up a meeting. 

http://animalscience.tamu.edu

http://texasyouthlivestock.com/beef-cattle/