COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio youth enrolled in 4-H or FFA market beef projects will have the opportunity to participate in a program rewarding cattle for traits which determine their value beyond the feedlot and into the marketplace.
The Beef Performance and Carcass Quality Show will be added to the Junior Beef Show at the Ohio State Fair August 12, 2006. The show focuses on the combination of growth and carcass characteristics that determine carcass value gain per day on test, said Amy Radunz, Ohio State University Extension livestock youth development specialist.
"The program is an educational opportunity for youth to understand what it takes to produce and market high-quality beef for consumers," said Radunz. "Such efforts require a knowledge of nutrition, genetics, growth characteristics, and meat quality, and the ability to manage those traits to get the most gain in weight and carcass quality."
This is the first time such a show targeted at beef cattle has been implemented in Ohio. The show is similar to the Muscle Quality and Performance Barrow Show at the Ohio State Fair. Cattle will be shown in a separate live show prior to the Junior Beef Show during the fair. All cattle entered into the show will be harvested at a cooperating packer to be evaluated and ranked. Over $1,000 in prize money has been raised to date for premiums.
Cattle will be weighed and identified from Dec. 17 to Jan. 14, 2006 at the following sites around the state:
• Dec. 17, 2005: Lucasville Fairgrounds off SR 23 just south of Piketon; 8 a.m.-10 a.m.; contact Regina Kuhn at (740) 354-7879, or kuhn.484@osu.edu. Participants much pre-register by Dec. 16.
• Jan. 7, 2006: Ohio State Fairgrounds, Columbus; time TBA; contact Amy Radunz at (614) 292-7453 or radunz.1@osu.edu.
• Jan. 7, 2006: Henry County Fairgrounds, Napoleon; 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.; contact Laura Rohlf at (419) 592-0806.
• Jan. 14, 2006: Huron County Fairgrounds, Norwalk; 8 a.m.-10 a.m.; contact Rich Benich at (419) 935-0181, ext. 1081.
• Jan. 14, 2006: United Producers Livestock, Caldwell; 9 a.m.-11 a.m.; contact Nancy Snook at (740) 732-5681.
• Jan. 14, 2006: Coschocton County Fairgrounds; 1 p.m.-2 p.m.; contact Bob Buxton at (740) 202-0888 or gobux@coshocton.com.
Youth can enter either steers or heifers into the show. They can bring many as four animals to be initially identified. Exhibitors in the Live Champion and Reserve Champion shows will have the option of competing in the overall Ohio State Fair Junior Market Beef show.
More information about the Beef Performance and Carcass Quality Show can be found at http://4hansci.osu.edu/BPQC.htm, or contact Amy Radunz at (614) 292-7453 or radunz.1@osu.edu.
The show is sponsored by the Ohio State Fair, Ohio Simmental Association, Ohio Cattleman's Association, United Producers, and Allflex, Inc.
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