July 2009 Articles

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Youth Beef Profect Selection Tips

Youth Beef Project Selection Tips
Steve Jones, Associate Professor
The 4-H Beef Project allows youth to practice and demonstrate what they learn at numerous supporting activities like fairs, judging contests, shows and educational bowls and presentation contests. These programs also help youth become aware of career opportunities in animal agricultural industries.
These projects teach:
A. Responsible care and well-being of animals.
B. Life skills, like decision making and communication skills, through judging events and oral presentations.
C. Awareness of management practices in animal agriculture.
D. The safe and appropriate use of animal products.
E. Scientific principles.
It is important to have a plan and to set goals for the new project year before selecting the project(s). A few tips to keep in mind will help get the project year started on a good note.
1. Selection - Purchase animals that weigh 500 pounds (or more for steers) at seven months of age (weaning). Purchase from breeders who can tell you the sire, dam, date of birth and immunization history of their animals.
Breeding Animals (long-term project). Select for type, structural soundness, breed and sex characteristics. Use both pedigree and performance data (if available) to assist in selection. Animals can be exhibited up to two years of age.
Commercial Heifers (short-term project). Selection is basically the same as for breeding animals with the exception that heifers are crossbred animals. Heifers can be exhibited as long as baby teeth are intact.
Market Steers (short-term project). Select for type, muscling, finish, capacity, structural soundness, carcass merit, balance and style. Steers are castrated and dehorned at an early age and should grow out to 1,150-1,350 pounds and be 12-18 months old at show time.
2. Basic Equipment - Buckets, rope halter, clippers, scotch and curry combs, brush, scales (to keep track of weights) and show stick.
3. Shelter and Pen - House animals in a shelter that is draft-free in winter and cool in summer. Stalls should be at least 10' x 10'. Use sand, sawdust or straw for bedding. A lot 30' x 40' adjoining the shelter provides enough exercise space for one calf. Lot and shelter must be safely fenced and well drained.
4. Feeding - Be consistent in feeding. Give bulls and heifers an amount equal in weight to 2.5 percent of their body weights; allow half of this amount in roughage. Protein requirements range from 12.5 percent for the 544-pound calf to 9.3 percent for the 1,600-pound mature bull. Feed steers 3 percent of body weight per day of a 12-14 percent protein ration. Mineral supplements and water should be available at all times.
5. Disease/Parasite Control - Vaccinate (if not done by the breeder) for blackleg, malignant edema, IBR, PI3, leptospirosis and Pasteurella. Learn how to use chemicals that control grubs and lice; flies can be controlled by keeping stalls and lots clean. Control internal parasites with approved beef cattle dewormers. Follow manufacturer/veterinarian’s directions when using medicines or chemicals. Vaccinate calf for shipping fever before transporting to show.
6. Fitting for Show - Fitting includes getting to know your animal as well as washing, clipping, trimming hooves and performing other tasks that allow exhibition of the animal at its best. The most important part of fitting is halter breaking.
7. Other Hints - Keep good records on your project and know everything about your animal (birthdate, weight, breed, tag numbers). Watch for signs of illness and disease. If you plan to exhibit, study the rules and regulations for the shows you wish to attend.