Superintendent: Julia Plugge
Check-in and all bucket calves must be in stalls by: Thursday, July 31, Noon (Currency Pavilion)
Interviews: Friday, Aug. 1, 11 a.m. — Interview times vary based on number of entries (Livestock Office)
Show: Friday, Aug. 1, 3 p.m. (Currency Pavilion – Arena, East Side)
Open to 4-H members. An exhibitor may show 1 bucket calf (either current or second-year).
- Current-year bucket calves must have been born between Jan. 1 and June 1 of the current year.
- Second-year bucket calves must have been shown at the previous Lancaster County Super Fair and complete another record book for the second year.
Calves can be of any dairy or beef breed or any crossbred of those species. Entries in the bucket calf division cannot be shown in dairy or beef divisions; nor can entries in dairy or beef divisions be shown in this division.
See Grooming of Livestock Rules on page 54.
Substitute showmen not permitted in this division.
Bucket Calves require a bedding fee of $9 per head, due July 7. See page 54 of this Fair Book.
HERDSMANSHIP guidelines are on page 56.
Champion and Reserve Champion second-year bucket calves are eligible for the Purple Ribbon Market Livestock Premium Auction if the animal is specified as a market (steer or heifer) in the record book and interview.
Judging Criteria:
- RECORD BOOKS — All 4-H members must present their record book to the superintendent at check-in time. (25%)
- INTERVIEWS — The show judge will score each 4-H member on their knowledge and experience with the project. (25%)
- SHOW EVALUATION — The show judge will score each 4-H member on their animal handling skills in the arena. Animals must be washed and combed but not clipped. The health and thriftiness of the animal will be judged. Show sticks are optional. (50%)
🔎 RESOURCE: “4-H Bucket Calf Project Record Book” is available online at https://go.unl.edu/lan4h-livestock and at the Extension office. It is recommended to start the record book at date of birth or time of purchase.
- Premiums: Purple $7; Blue $6; Red $4; White $0
- Special Awards to Top Entries
G014001 Current-Year Bucket Calf — Junior Division (ages 8–10)
G014002 Current-Year Bucket Calf — Intermediate Division (ages 11–13)
G014003 Current-Year Bucket Calf — Senior Division (ages 14–18)
G014006 Second-Year Bucket Calf — Junior Division (ages 8–10)
G014007 Second-Year Bucket Calf — Intermediate Division (ages 11–13)
G014008 Second-Year Bucket Calf — Senior Division (ages 14–18)