There’s a lot you need to know if you’re going to raise beef cattle to exhibit at shows. Your first job is to decide what kind of beef project you want to undertake.
Commercial bull, heifer, and steer programs are outstanding beef training projects. The beef project teaches the fundamentals of the beef cattle industry by allowing youth to explore the areas of animal husbandry, livestock selection, health, and care, in addition to the showing of beef cattle at local, county, state, and national cattle shows.
A completed record book or summary sheet and a show sponsor thank you letter must be turned in for you to show your animal.
4-H members who are not 8 years old by 9/1/2023 CANNOT participate in this Project Area.
Entry Fee: $30.00 1st then $25.00/head
This is a long-term project, and there may not be any income for the young person's efforts for several years. The Beef Bull project is designed to provide experience in selecting, growing, developing, breeding, and managing breeding animals. This project normally begins with choosing a bull 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.
Entry Fee: $35.00
Raising steers to please today's consumers requires more than just providing feed and water. Beef producers must understand good conformation, growth patterns, breed differences, and genetic traits. The Fat Steer project is one that takes many months of hard work and dedication. Many exhibitors bringing their projects to a close for this year's Fair are already beginning the process of selection for next year's steer project. Most students begin handling and breaking their weaned calves over the summer. Exhibitors work hard to prepare their steers for the show ring.
Fat Steer Resale Procedures:
Market Fat Steers Gain In Weight Contest:
Designed to measures the exhibitor’s ability as a herdsman to select and feed an animal for economical gain. Steer committee will be responsible for weighing and certifying these weights to the sponsor. Any certified steer entry in the SRF, which meets contest rules, will be eligible to compete. Each steer must be identified at the time of weigh-in with an ear tag and EID provided by the association. The show classification weight will be used at the end of the feeding period weight. Awards will be given for the top 3 places.
Market Fat Steers Group Contest:
Group entries shall be submitted to the Superintendent of the show by noon prior to the start of the fat steer show. A steer group will consist of 3 entered animals selected from each club or chapter participating in the fair. Any club or chapter may enter only 1 group of steers. Groups selected should be uniform by conformation, size, and desirable carcass traits. Judging will be based on 50% uniformity and 50% carcass traits. Awards will be given for the top 3 groups.
Entry Fee: $35.00
Commercial steer programs are outstanding beef training projects. They teach youth about economic strategies to feed and develop animals for market or for commercial cow-calf production. These projects place more emphasis on feed costs, average daily gains, feed conversions, and management strategies such as dehorning, castration, and vaccination.
Entry Fee: $30.00 1st then $25.00/head
This is a long-term project, and there may not be any income for the young person's efforts for several years. 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.
Information on this page is for informational purposes only and does not imply a contest, event, or show will occur at the Suwannee River Youth Livestock Show and Sale. If you find a broken link please email: Holly Houghton