Selecting

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Selecting Feeding 4-H Market Animals
Ron Torell, Area Livestock Specialist
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• Live animal shows identify one animal as the
  Grand Champion. This gives the impression that
  this particular animal is far superior to the
  remainder of the class. In reality, several of
  the animals in that class may have equal product
  value and yield the same eating experience.

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USDA Quality Grades
Prime
Choice
Select
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Beef
Quality Grades
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ield Grade and Expected Yield (Cutability)
Y
52.3
52.3-50.0
50.0-47.4
47.4-45.4
Yield
Yield Grades
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ield Grade Factors
Y
3/4 length of Longissimus Dorsi
Fat thickness measurement
Rib eye Area Measurement
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Rib Eye Area
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Fat Thickness _at_ 12 13 Rib
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Kidney, Pelvic Heart (KPH)
Carcass Weight
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Choice Y.G. 1 or 2
Adequate Marbling
0.2 to 0.4 fat thickness
10 to 14 square inch rib eye
1.0 to 2.5 KPH
600 to 850 Lb. Carcass
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Recognizing a Finished Steer Based on Fat
Deposition in 5 Key Areas
Tail Head
Ribs
Flank Cod Area
Brisket
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Under finished Choice minus steer
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1300 SE- Fat 0.20 15.8 Sq. Inch Y.G. 1.11
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1416 SE Fat 0.35 10.8 Sq. Inch Y.G. 3.35
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1365 C Fat 0.50 12.5 Sq. Inch Y.G. 3.06
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1185 C Fat 0.48 12.4 Sq. Inch Y.G. 2.63
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Tips For Selecting a Winner

• Correct Starting Weight and Age
• Disposition (gentle)
• Home Grown
• Likes Grain
• Medium Framed
• Genetics to Grade
• Conformation

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Calculate Correct Starting Weight
1. Estimate Finish Weight Based on
Frame, Breed, Age, Genetics, Ration
2. Determine Days on Feed (DOF)
3. Subtract Present Weight from Target Wt.
4. Divide Needed Wt. Gain / DOF
5. Is Required Wt. Gain Attainable?
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Estimating Target Weight (Steer)
1. Measure Hip Height Known Age
2. Determine Frame Score
3. From Chart Determine Target Weight
4. Adjust Target Weight For Breed Muscle
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Growth Chart
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Example Steer
Target Weight 1200 Lbs
7 Month feeding Period (210 days)
1200 Lb. Target - 600 Lb. Present Wt.
600 Pound Gain required / 210 days 2.85 Lbs./Day
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Put The Muscle Where The Money Is At !
Loin 7.99 / Lb.
Rib 7.50 / Lb.
Round 4.50 / Lb.
Chuck 3.30 / Lb.
Variety Meats 1.50 / Lb.
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Nutrition Tips

• Assume 3 body weight consumption
• Increase concentrate gradually (ring method)
• Weigh feed
• May have to limit feed roughage (hay)
• Weigh animal every 30 days and adjust ration
• Target weight - todays weight divided by days
  on feed
• 1200 Lb. TW 1000 Lb. 200 Lbs. to reach goal
• 200 Lbs. / 70 days 2.85 ADG required

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Nutrition Tips

• 1-70 days, 33 of ration concentrate more
  protein (starter or grower)
• 71-140 days, 50 of ration concentrate
• 141 210 days, 70 90 of ration concentrate
  more energy (finisher)

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Nutrition Tips

• Commercial feeds versus Mix your own?
• starter, grower, finisher
• Higher protein feeds early
• Higher energy feeds late
• Put on extra weight early
• Expect rapid gains early
• Expect slow gains last 60 days
• Better to over finish versus under finish
• Feed for finish wt. not fair maximum sale wt.

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Factors Affecting A.D.G.

• Genetics Breed
• Growth Stage of Feeding Period
• Type of Ration
• Experience of Manager
• Temperature Facilities
• Frequency Scheduling of Feedings
• Amount of Roughage in Diet
• Fed separately

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Nutrition Tips

• Commercial feeds are safest
• Age, frame, genetics time dictate nutrition
  program
• Oats is a holding feed
• Forget about hay belly

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Check Weights

• Weigh animal under same conditions each time
• Livestock scales, trailer scales, tapes, visual
  estimate
• Adjust nutrition program accordingly
• Do not weigh to often (second guessing)

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Keeping Animals Healthy at Fair Time

• Why do animals get sick???

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What are the challenges?

• Infectious diseases
• Bacteria
• Viruses
• Parasites
• Non-infectious diseases
• Feed
• Poisons
• Allergic reactions
• Injury
• Tumors

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RAISE THE RESISTANCELOWER THE CHALLENGE
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Tips on how to raise resistance

• Reduce stress on animal
• Feed water often at fair / avoid overfeeding
• Halter broke gentle well in advance of fair
• Radio, people and hauling
• Genetically gentle animal
• Temperature control
• Vaccinations
• Parasite control
• Apply common sense

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Tips on how to lower the challenge

• Sanitation
• Animal health checks by fair management
• Leave sick or infected animals at home
• Parasite control
• Do not share feed pans water buckets
• Do not share tack and equipment
• Keep animals separate from infected animals
• Apply common sense

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Become BQA Certifiedhttp//bqa.wsu.edu/

• Use only approved products
• Read and follow label directions
• All injections
• Under the skin in the neck region
• Clean, sharp needle
• Sanitary conditions
• Keep records
• Adhere to withdrawal times!!!!

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Minimum Recommended Health protocol

• 7-way (enterotoxaemia) expect local reaction
• Parasite control
• Fresh water
• Sound nutrition
• Protection from environment
• Sanitation
• Low Stress

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Challenges of Selecting Feeding Market Steers
for a County Fair

• Specific finished date V.S. physiological date
• Availability of feeder steers of correct age
• Novice showman
• Too much miss-information
• Time competition i.e. FFA, baseball games
• Competitive factor

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Calculate Breakeven Price
Total Expenses / Sale Weight of animal
1400 / 1200 Lbs. 1.17 / Lb.
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Insure Your Investment 20 to 30

• Country Companies
• Elko 738-3757
• White Pine 289-2886
• Humboldt 623-4860

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Reference Materials
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The End !