Fair Steer?

[Appytrails]

I am looking into buying a steer as a project for 4-H/FFA, and then showing him at the fair. I have no idea what breed to get, what age, what to feed??? Where do I start, and can someone tell me what a good price is for a steer?? Thanks!!

 

[Hawk]

Your best source for information would seem to be your FFA teacher or your local 4-H leader, or perhaps the County Extension Agent. If this will be your first calf, you most certainly will need someone local to mentor you. I don't believe that you can learn what you need over the internet. You need someone there with you that you can look in the eye and get advice from right when you need it. Hopefully it will be someone that is both a cattleman and has a good bit of patience. Lots of good books out there that you can read, but nothing matches the knowledge that you can gain from someone that has been actually involved in raising show calves for a lot of years. Good luck on your calf.

 

[Bez]

Appytrails:

You listen to Hawk - those were good words of advice.

Have a good Christmas,

Bez

 

[Appytrails]

Thanks! Do you know of any sources I can look into before I join up with a 4-h leader. I want to have a little background knowledge before just leaping in head first. What if the leader, or advisor steers me in the wrong direction. (no pun intended)

Thank you!

 

[Dana Kopp]

If you want to do some preliminary research do a google (http://www.google.com) search for:
market beef
market steer
market steer 4-h
market steer (your state)

You'll get a lot of hits on the project from all over the US and Canada and many of the offices & colleges have PDF files of selection info, project tracking info, showing & fitting & livestock judging info that may help you.

Your best bet for your area is to contact a county Extension Agent or 4-H specialist who can direct you to the nearest 4-H club and hook you up with current project books for your state. There are usually weigh-in dates for market animals so daily weight gain can be calculated, age requirements (born after Jan 1 of prev. year...) etc - you might want to ask the Agent about that. He or she may also know some producers who have good quality stock.

Good luck!

 

[Appytrails]

Thanks so much! You're amazing!!

Casey

Happy Holidays!

 

[Appytrails]

I failed to mention that there is an auction right after the show is over. The 4-hers are allowed to auction their steers off right there.

I have been noticing that black and red angus are a common pick for the show steers here. Are these breeds good for excellent beef?? I mean I see angus everywhere in restaurants. Does angus usually go for a higher price at auctions??

Thanks again!!

 

[Dana Kopp]

The 4-H market sale is one of the lessons of the whole project. I am not aware of anywhere that the 4-H market animals aren't auctioned off. Here is the quick & dirty outine of a 4-H market steer project.

1. Buy steer in late fall or winter & halterbreak
2. Weigh in early spring (for the Western MT Fair weigh-in is Jan 8th)
3. Feed critter all spring & summer (rations & amounts vary depending on initial weight and target "finishing" weight)
4. While feeding also train him to lead, be brushed, "set up" and be handled and or touched everywhere (be careful), practice fitting him and get him used to show halter, show stick (for "setting up") also wash him and get him used to buckets, etc that you will use at fair.
5. At fair, they have the weigh-in for calculating weight gain and auction prices. You'll show the steer, usually broken down into weight catagories and then all purples show against each other for Grand & Reserve Champ. There may even be showmanship competitions. Then at the market animal auction all the market animals from rabbit to beef are auctioned off so that you may learn about the financial end of the project. Here if you get a red ribbon you cannot sell your steer in the auction. Prices are generally much better than market to support the local 4-Hers who put so much work into their animals.
6. Animals may be eligable for carcass evaluation and awards depending on how it is purchased and how your state is set up.
I can get into way more detail about the auction etc. but each sale may be slightly different.

As for breed - Angus, red Angus & Herefords are always popular, An AngusxHereford cross should do well, Limos, Simmental & Maine Anjou or crosses should do well. BUT feed and exercise can make or break you - too little or too much makes a big difference. It might not be a bad idea to find out what did well last year at the fair both in weight gain, ribbon competition and carcass results - the more you learn now the better off you'll be.