MSU Extension 4-H Animal Science

4-H Market Animal projects provide youth an opportunity to gain life skills such as record keeping, communication and self-responsibility through raising and selling a livestock animal. Market animal projects may include: beef, feeder calves, goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine or other animals raised with the intention of selling. Many county 4-H programs partner with their local fair to provide youth involved in the market animal experience a venue to exhibit and sell their animals through locally organized auctions.

Market animals put an entrepreneurial focus on a 4-H animal project and can be incorporated into the learning experience in any animal species. Entrepreneurial concepts learned through the market animal project and demonstrated through completion of the Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Book are highlighted below:

• Goal setting
• Identifying target markets and marketing strategies
• Distinguishing product features
• Communication strategy and sales pitch
• Record keeping
• Breakeven price and profitability

The Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Books provided here are a tool for county 4-H programs to help youth learn and document their understanding of livestock marketing concepts. The Michigan 4-H Animal Market Project Record Book has been developed at three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. The local county 4-H program has discretion of the ages assigned for each level and requirements for completion.