Beef Heifer

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The Beef Heifer project is designed to provide experience in selecting, growing, developing, breeding, and managing breeding animals. This project normally begins with choosing a heifer calf nine months old or less, and feeding, developing, and maintaining ownership of the animal. Many young people go on to start a cattle herd of their own. This is a long-term project, and there may not be any income for the young person’s efforts for several years. Record keeping is an important part of the Beef Heifer Project and the cattle business. Important records include birth date and weight and weaning date and weight. Records are kept on the weight gain of the heifer and type and amount of feed fed. Vaccinations and other herd health practices are noted and fertility and calving information are recorded. As with all the animal projects in the SEYF, a completed record book must be turned in for an exhibitor to show his or her animal.

How much does it cost to enter this show? $5 entry fee per head.

Is my child eligible? Any student 8 years of age and up, who is a member of a 4H club or FFA chapter, who lives in Marion County or attends a Marion County school may participate

Are there any special documents needed to enter? YES! Please see all links listed under the “Resources” to make sure all rules are followed. Please read all of the rules thoroughly!

2026 Winners

  • American Division
    Lightweight Grand Champion –     Emily Wall & Tilly
    Lightweight Reserve Grand Champion –     Peyton Woodard & Loretta Lynn
    Heavyweight Grand Champion –     Madison Wall & Miss Eleanor
    Heavyweight Reserve Grand Champion –     Emily Wall & Wrinkles
    Cow Grand Champion –     Jack Goodson & Pearl
    Cow Reserve Grand Champion –     Julia Hettinger & Gretchen
  • Commercial Division
    Lightweight Grand Champion –     Grayson Bird & Deena
    Lightweight Reserve Grand Champion –     Harper Russell & Super Nova
    Heavyweight Grand Champion –     Makayla Lowery & Miss K
    Heavyweight Reserve Grand Champion –     Lyla Huggins & Jolene
    Cow Grand Champion –     Aubree Baldwin & Miss Peaches
    Cow Reserve Grand Champion –     Ashlyn Wan and Adele
  • Showmanship
    • Junior – Harper Russell, Cross County 4-H
    • Intermediate – Halle Bird, Dunnellon Christian Academy FFA
    • Senior – Lyla Huggins, Trinity Catholic FFA
  • Record Book
      • Junior – Casen Hensley,  Kendrick 4-H
      • Intermediate – Addalyn Upton, Majestic Oaks 4-H
      • Senior – Brooke Sakuta, Caprine 4-H
  • Skill-A-Thon                                                                                              
    • Junior – Khloe O’Cull, Cross County 4-H
    • Intermediate – Olivia Walker, Southern Roots 4-H
    • Senior – Jaycee Wunner, Ft. McCoy 4-Leaf 4-H
  • Herdsman Award
    • Alyssa Skinner,Cross County 4-H
  • Premier Exhibitor
      • Olivia Walker, Southern Roots 4-H
  • Bertie Hill Award
    • Bailey Leitner, North Marion High FFA

Resources

Need a Premise ID for your farm? Apply Here!

Once you have your Premise ID number, you can call the Dept of Ag (Marion County office) to order an RFID tag! 850-509-8040

Beef Heifer Lease Agreement

2026 Mandatory Thank you Letter List (2027 to come later)

2026 Skill-a-thon Study Guide – Health Care (2027 to come)

Herdsman Rubric

Premise ID Information

RFID Information!

Scholarships / Special Awards

Bess Miller Award

Every year, Marion County Cattlewomen recognize a young lady in honor of Bess Miller. Bess Miller served as a working member of both the Marion County Cattlewomen and Florida CattleWomen Inc. She was a beloved member for many years, who was passionate about the youth of our county in the agriculture industry.

Bertie Hill Award

Every year, Marion County Cattlewomen recognize a young lady in honor of Bertie Hill. Bertie Hill was one of the most active and outstanding members of Marion County Cattlewomen. She was an encouraging role model of our youth participating in the Beef Industry.

Carey Robbins Award

The Carey Robbins Trophy sponsored by the Ocala Lions Club, has been given annually at the  Southeastern Youth Fair since its inception in 1983. This award was initiated to honor an outstanding FFA member who shows expertise in the Steer and Beef Program.  Members of the Ocala Lions Club knew Carey Robbins to be a longtime friend of agriculture and youth in Marion County. Carey died suddenly in 1975. He was, at that time, a director of the Southeastern Youth Fair, Florida Cattlemen’s Association, State Forestry Association, and the Florida Farm Bureau. He was past president of the Marion County Cattlemen’s Association and served as Assistant County Extension Agent for Marion County between 1948 and 1953.  Carey was a man who worked hard in all that he did whether it was family, work, or church activities. He involved himself in many youth activities and felt the main emphasis of 4-H and FFA to produce “Blue Ribbon Young’uns.”  He felt the experience gained in doing fair projects outweighed any monetary profit gained in the project. The projects were only good in so much as they developed the person involved. We thank the Lions Club for carrying on this important emphasis through the Carey Robbins Award.

Marion County Cattlewomen’s Scholarship

Premier Exhibitor Award

  • Award is given to an Intermediate or Senior exhibitor, based on place in Showmanship, Record Book Raw Score, and Skillathon Raw Score.

Herdsman Award

  • Contestants are selected on their knowledge of the beef cattle industry, leadership, showmanship and record keeping of their beef projects.

Cattlewomen Alumni Showmanship

  • This is a fun competition that any alumnus can participate in on the day of the Beef Heifer Show. It is a fun fundraiser for the Marion County Cattlewomen. The money raised goes to scholarships for our youth.

Rules

Show Coordinator

Samantha Dailey

352-615-3060

Thank You Beef
Heifer Sponsors

Baldwin Angus Ranch

Amy Perryman, Livestock Ultrasound

Blackstone Livestock Co.

Cheryl Friedman & Becca Falke

Colt Cattle & Land Company

Cone Farms

Crystal Waldron

Dr. & Mrs. Bill Freel

Edwards Auction Exchange, LLC

Edwards Cattle Company

Ginny Williams/Coon Hollow Farm

Glyn-Dale Builders

Integrity Site Development Inc

Kristine & Zachary Palfrey

LeFils Farms

Loury’s Land Service

M & M Cattle

Marilyn Grant

Marion County Cattlewomen

Mid-Florida Credit Union

Nails by Jessica at Polished

Next Level RV – Sean & Dianah Dunston

Nichole & John Hettinger

Ocala Family Medical Center

Pediatric Associates of Ocala

Richardson Brothers & Ray Smitherman

Robie Cattle Ranch, LLC

Russ & Priscilla Randall

Russell’s Western Wear

Southern Charm Aesthetics

Southern Pro Fence & Gate

Sunny Hill Cattle

Sylvia P. Leitner, Broker, Associate, Roberts RE FVR

The Hensley Family

Valerie Dailey – Showcase Properties

Sponsorship Opportunities

You Can Help

SEYF is a non-profit, and is reliant on help from the community in the form of donations of money, services and time. Click below to get involved and help us help the youth of Marion County.