Virginia Cooperative Extension
A partnership of Virginia Tech and Virginia State University
Agriculture
and Life Sciences
College of
School of Agriculture
Virginia State University
Pittsylvania County Office
19783 U. S. Highway 29 South, Suite C
Chatham, VA 24531-5495
434/432-7770 or 656-6211, Ext. 7770
Fax: 434/432-7777
jnstowe@vt.edu
http://offices.ext.vt.edu/pittsylvania
TIPS FOR PROSPECTIVE STEER EXHIBITORS
Fall is here and thoughts have turned to selecting a show
steer. With that in mind, here are some tips and suggestions.
SELECTION
Pick a steer that is healthy and has the potential to grow.
Avoid steers that are extreme either by being too big or too small
in frame size. Extremely large framed steers will grow but may
be difficult to put into a choice grade by show time. A calf grading
“M1” (approximately a frame score 5 and hip height of about 50
inches) should be at low choice at 1150-1250 pounds. Buy right
so you can feed right so the calf will be ready show day. Past
year’s calves averaged gaining 2.75 lbs./day. Using these numbers
“M1” steers should weigh 650 pounds on October 1. Remember,
these are average numbers. Calves should weigh between 1050-1300
by show date and grade low choice.
UPON ACQUIRING YOUR CALF YOU NEED TO:
1. Treat for internal and external parasites.
2. Vaccinate for IBR, PI3, BVD Types I & II and 7-way clostridium. Treat for coccidiosis (talk to vet on this
one).
3. Implant your calf. This will help your calf grow approximately 12% faster and increase his feed efficiency
by about 7%.
STARTING YOUR STEER ON FEED
Start slowly! Give your steer a chance to settle into his new surroundings. Feed him good quality hay for
about a week. Always keep fresh water, hay and trace mineral salt available to the calf free choice.
Once the calf is settled into his new environment, begin feeding a pound of ration the first day, increasing
the amount fed by ¼ pound/day until it takes the calf about 30 minutes to eat all his feed at each feeding. At
www.ext.vt.edu
Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments.
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability,
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this point begin adding feed at about 1 pound every 10 days until your calf is on full feed. As a general rule,
your calf will be on full feed when he is eating about 2-2 ½ pounds of concentrate (grain and protein
supplement) for every 100 pounds he weighs. Don’t rush your calf or you may cause him to go off feed,
have digestive problems, etc.
Avoid fancy high price rations with very high protein levels, high powered magic additives, etc. A good,
sound feeding program will produce a quality steer at a reasonable feed cost per pound of gain. Protein
levels of your ration should be at 12 to 12.5% on an as-fed basis. Avoid fine-grinding of feed. Coarse
grinding or crimping of feeds is the most desirable. Keep your ration high in energy (grains) as that is what
puts a finish on the steers.
Don’t forget salt and trace minerals in the ration and/or free choice.
Wheat and/or barley can be substituted for up to 50% of your grain.
Whole shelled corn plus a pelleted protein supplement ration have looked good in the past and work
especially well with large framed steers that are difficult to finish. This ration also works well in a program of
feeding show steers where grinding equipment, storage, etc. are not readily available. Follow
manufacturer’s instructions for feeding these rations.
BEGIN NOW:
Gentle your calf down and get him halter broke. Don’t wait until spring and then drag the calf around the
farm behind a tractor. That’s not good for him or you. You should be leading the calf by New Year’s Day.
Get started now and avoid the trouble later. Your time and labor shows up in the show ring!
KEEP IN MIND:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Feed your steer twice a day.
Make sure he is cleaning up the feed he is receiving.
Never leave old feed in his bunk.
Always have plenty of fresh water available.
Prepared by: Jamie Stowe
Extension Agent, ANR (Animal Science)
Pittsylvania County
(November, 2011)
GENERAL RULES
1.
All contestants must be bonafide 4-H for FFA members, at least 9 years of age the day of the show.
All members are invited to participate.
2.
Animals must be brought to the show grounds on the day of the Show and Sale at the appointed
time.
3.
The responsibility for loss, damage, or injury to animals exhibited is the responsibility of the exhibitor
until sold.
4.
A contestant must exhibit his/her own animal in the show. However, if a contestant has more than
one animal to show in a class, he/she may ask another registered exhibitor to show his/her animal,
or otherwise the animal will be disqualified.
5.
The show manager and co-manager will have the authority to disqualify any animal or contestant
that is in violation of the rules and regulations or who in their opinion would be of danger to
contestants or spectators.
6.
Exhibitors are responsible for making sure entries are submitted to the show manager on time.
7.
Each exhibitor can only sell 3 animals in addition to any Champions and Reserve Champions.
Additional animals will be sold at packer price. Exhibitors will take the responsibility of having a
buyer or buyers for their animals well in advance of the sale.
8.
Junior/Senior division for showmanship classes will be made by the age of the contestant on show
day. Ages 9-13 will be placed in the junior division and ages 14 and up will compete in the senior
division.
9.
The Executive Committee reserves the right to not accept registrations from exhibitors who have not
attended a pre-show meeting.
10.
Nominations will only be accepted from youth who completed an “Intent to Show” form. Each animal
entry must be accompanied by a non-refundable $15 per animal entry fee that is to be paid by the
exhibitor. Entries must be received by their respective due dates. Entries received 1-10 days late
will be assessed a $15 per animal late fee. If forms are received more than 10 days after deadline,
the child and animal are ineligible to show.
2012 STEER SHOW RULES AND REGULATIONS
1.
All steers must be in the possession of the exhibitor and on feed by December 1, 2011.
2.
All steers must be officially nominated and registered with the show and sale manager on or before
December 21, 2011.
3.
All steers on voluntary performance record program must be weighed and registered on December
1. Any steer without a certified weight will not be eligible for steer performance awards.
4.
NO STEER MAY BE SUBSTITUTED WITH ANOTHER AFTER DECEMBER 1st.
5.
A limit of two steers per 4-H or FFA member may be entered in the show.
6.
Steers grading below Select Minus and/or weighing less than 900 lbs. at show time will be ineligible
for the sale. They will be eligible for show classes. All steers exhibited must be polled or de-horned.
7.
Steers entered to show but not to sell are ineligible to show for Champion of Class or Grand
Champion.
8.
Steers must be halter broken and manageable to be shown.
9.
Any product administered internally or externally to alter the conformation or disposition of an
animal for exhibition is strictly prohibited. All withdrawal times for feed additives, medications, etc.,
must be observed.
10.
A “Homeraised Beef” class(es) will be held for all steers and heifers that were born and raised on the
farm of the exhibitor’s immediate family.