Extension initiates Advanced Youth Market Beef Program
by Marko Manoukian, Phillips County MSU Extension Agent
The current timing of county fairs is reflective of the cattle industry of the 1920’s and 1930’s when fairs were developed, yet the cattle feeding industry has experienced significant change over the last 30 years. Cattle today are weaned 200 to 300 pounds heavier than some years past, due to earlier breeding, cross breeding and selection for larger framed cattle.
The MSU Extension Service is proposing a new Advanced Youth Market Beef Project that is better aligned with current beef genetics and the cattle feeding industry of today. The main focus is to expand youth knowledge of animal science, consumer demands and the competitive cattle feeding industry.
Goals for this program are to provide advanced youth beef education in the following areas: Economics Genetic selection Nutrition Health Record keeping/data interpretation, and Beef Quality Assurance Students between 12 to 19 years of age are and the project requires a pen of three market Cattle must be weighed locally by Dec. 15, 2003.
Calves will be fed until June 1. Target weights should be approximately 1,100 to 1,300 pounds 0.4 inches of back fat (low Choice Quality Grade Yield Grades between 1 and 3).
Calves will be judged live, and youth are asked participate in the judging.
Calves will then be shipped to a commercial processing facility and sold on a quality and yield grade basis. Participants will be paid carcass value after all expenses are deducted.
Financial assistance is available through the Montana Department of Agriculture Junior Agricultural Loan. Extension agents and FFA instructors have information about the loan program
For more information about the Advanced Market Beef Program, contact Marko Manoukian at 406–654–2543 or talk to your local Extension agent.