1. The Larimer County Lease a Dairy Program (LAD) is sponsored by the Larimer County Dairy Enterprise Committee and generous other sponsors under the direction of the Larimer County 4-H Extension Office.
2. The Larimer County Extension Office, Larimer County Dairy Enterprise Committee and owner/management/sponsor and employees of participating dairy are not responsible for any accidents related with this program.
3. This project will begin January 1 of the 4-H year and will be completed September 1 of same 4-H year. Participation in Hoards Dairyman Contest is required for LAD members.
4. Project animals will be approved at the Sponsor’s discretion. Continuing to use the same project animal for the following year is at the discretion of the dairy/sponsor. Continuing working with said animals between September 1 and March 1 is also at the discretion of the dairy/sponsor.
5. Only members enrolled in Larimer County 4-H are eligible to enter this program. The LAD project member must satisfactorily complete all the requirements of the program (according to Larimer County Dairy Enterprise Committee) in order to participate in the program in the future.
6. LAD project members and their family must respect and abide by any and all individual rules that the dairy/sponsor sets. (Examples are: certain times allowed to practice with animal; areas that are “off limits” on property; number of people allowed to come with participant).
7. Dairy/sponsor reserves the right to change project animals due to their availability.
8. LAD project members must attend 75% of workshops, starting in January. (Lease-A-Dairy members can miss 1 meeting)
9. LAD project members must work with their chosen animal(s) on a regular basis for minimum of 4 hours per month, May – July, and record these dates in the LAD log sheet to be included in your project record book.
9a. LAD Project members must be available in March to choose their animals and be available to attend at least 2 of the 4 weekend dairy visits (weather permitting), April-May WITH A project leader. We generally meet on Saturday mornings at 9am for about 2 hours. Each member is encouraged to choose 3 animals from 2 different age groups and breeds to work with during the project year.
9b. 1st year LAD project members may bring 1 animal to the Greeley Dairy Extravaganza (optional) and the Larimer County Fair (required)
9c. 2+ year LAD project members may bring up to 2 animals to the Greeley Dairy Extravaganza (optional) and the Larimer County Fair (required)
10. LAD project members are required to prepare their animal(s) for the Larimer County Fair. This includes training, clipping, and cleaning. Arrangements to transport cattle will be made as needed. Those with reliable access to a truck and trailer are encourage to volunteer for transportation to and from Fair.
10a. LAD project members are required to “fit” (clip) their own animals prior to the Greeley Dairy Extravaganza (optional) and the Larimer County Fair (required) as arranged by the project leaders approximately a week prior to each show. Project leaders will provide assistance and the necessary supplies.
11. LAD project members will be required to care for their animal(s) during full duration (3-4 days) of the Larimer County Fair. This includes cleaning stalls, washing animal(s) and feeding.
12. LAD project members must complete the requirements of the Larimer County Meat Quality Assurance Program (MQA) offered by the county. All first year dairy project members and once as a junior member and once as a senior member must attend and pass this written test.
13. LAD project members must attend and show at the Larimer County Fair Dairy Show in their appropriate age class in both showmanship and breed show. Proper show attire will consist of black or white jeans and white shirt (This is REQUIRED!)
14. LAD project members must create a “Thank You” poster for the dairy/sponsor to be displayed at the Larimer County Fair. Requirements of this poster must include name(s) of sponsor, picture of you and your animal(s) with member and animal(s) name.
15. LAD project members must create an “Educational Dairy Poster” to be displayed and judged at the Larimer County Fair.
16. LAD project members are encouraged to create and participate in our dairy costume contest. (Optional)
17. LAD project members must complete the Larimer County Livestock e-record book and turn it in by September 15th to the CSU Extension Office. Record book must contain completed log sheet(s) and Animal Information page.
18. There may be some costs to the program. (example: animal bedding for fair, clipper blade replacement/sharpening)
19. Larimer County Dairy Enterprise Committee, and owner/management/sponsor of participating dairy, 4-H Extension Office reserves the right to terminate project participation for any member who mistreats the animal or does not abide by any or all of these guidelines. If the project is terminated, no allowance will be made for any related expenses for this project.
