General Instructions: Market Beef
- GENERAL RULES-All general livestock rules (listed at the beginning of this department) apply.
- IDENTIFICATION-All market beef animals must have been tagged and identified with the County Extension Office by June 1. Market animals that do not weigh at an official weigh in day must provide a photo of the animal with ID tag in ear in addition to county ID form.
- HANDLING EQUIPMENT-No muzzles or similar devices will be allowed on 4-H beef animals at this show. Halters with throat straps, nose leads, barbed or studded show halter chain leads and other equipment determined to be distracting or severe to the animal by the division superintendent will not be permitted.
- BLOCKING CHUTES-Blocking chutes will not be allowed in the barn. Areas on each side of the barn will be designated for blocking chutes.
- DRESS CODE-Will be as required in General Livestock Rules.
- GROOMING-See General Livestock Rules.
- DISQUALIFICATION-Exhibitors shall not add materials, natural or synthetic, which extend body shapes beyond normal limits. These animals will be disqualified from competition. Additionally, animals showing signs of illegal drenching, injections, etc. will be disqualified from competition.
- YOUTH FOR THE QUALITY CARE OF ANIMALS (YQCA): Nebraska 4-H requires all youth enrolled in livestock projects to complete annual quality assurance training through Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA). This may be done through the YQCA online course, through a UNL Extension Staff taught course or by completing the Intermediate or Senior test out test (online only). Quality Assurance training/testing must be complete by July 1.
Division 10
—Rate of Gain—
Class G010900 Rate of Gain All Market Beef that were weighed-in will be eligible for the Rate of Gain award.
Division 11
—Market Beef—
Class G011900 Market Steers All market beef are required to be born on or after September 1, 2023. Market animals will be divided into classes at the time of fair weigh-in.
Class G011901 Market Heifers All market beef are required to be born on or after September 1, 2023. Market animals will be divided into classes at the time of fair weigh-in.
NUMBER OF MARKET BEEF THAT CAN BE SHOWN: Two (2) Market Beef
ONLY MARKET BEEF WEIGHED AT THE OFFICIAL WEIGH IN ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RATE OF GAIN
MINIMUM ANIMAL WEIGHTS FOR SALE ELIGIBILITY:
- Market Steers-minimum of 1000 lbs.
- Market Heifers-minimum of 900 lbs.
MARKET ANIMALS LIGHTER THAN MINIMUM WEIGHT MAY SHOW BUT MAY NOT BE SOLD
Division 23
—Breeding Beef—
Class G023900 Yearling Heifer Calved Jan 1 –Dec 31, last year.
Class G023901 Junior Heifer Calf Calved Jan 1-Apr 30 of current year.
—Cow/Calf Pair—
Division 24
Class G024900 Cow/Calf Pair Any Breed
This class is designed to be an extension of the breeding heifer project.
There are 2 Options for this Exhibit:
- Once a heifer has been shown at the county fair, she is eligible to be shown by the same exhibitor in the Cow/Calf class at subsequent fairs. The heifer must be identified on a county ID form at the County Extension Office by June 1 using an ear tattoo or family herd tag.
- A purchased Cow/Calf Pair may be exhibited by the 4-H’er providing the 4-H’er is enrolled in the Breeding Beef Project and the cow is identified on a county ID form at the County Extension Office by June 1 using an ear tattoo or family herd tag.
The Cow/Calf winner will be determined by the confirmation, quality and mothering ability of the cow in addition to the conformation and quality of the calf.
NUMBER OF BREEDING BEEF THAT CAN BE SHOWN: Three (3) Breeding Beef (Divisions 23 & 24 combined)
—Feeder Calf—
Calves to be exhibited in this division must be identified and recorded with the County Extension Office on or before June 1.
Division 25
Class G025900 Stocker Feeder Steer Calved Jan 1-Apr 30 of current year
Class G025901 Stocker Feeder Heifer Calved Jan 1-Apr 30 of current year.
Class G025902 Bucket Calf Exhibits will be judged on an interview basis and on how well the calf responds to the exhibitor when showing. Calves should be washed and combed only. Those exhibitors who have had their 13th birthday before Jan. 1 of current year are ineligible to show in this class. Bucket calves may not be shown in regular showmanship.
NUMBER OF FEEDER BEEF THAT CAN BE SHOWN: Two (2) Feeder Calves
NUMBER OF BUCKET CALVES THAT CAN BE SHOWN: One (1) Bucket Calf
—Showmanship—
Class G011902 Cattle Showmanship Includes Market Beef, Breeding Beef, Stocker Feeders and Dairy Cattle. Only one class may be shown for showmanship.