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Growing Leaders
The goals of the Carcass Challenge are:
- to help young ICA leaders build relationships
- create educational opportunities
- have some fun
Every person involved in cattle production is interested in putting the best beef possible in front of the consumer. That’s measured by the quality of the carcass. Carcass quality is influenced by everyone who has a hand in the growth of the steer, from seedstock provider to cow-calf producer to backgrounder and feedyard manager, has some vested interest in that carcass.
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) is sponsoring the Carcass Challenge, which is being spearheaded by participants in the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program. The YCLP class will be meeting with their local and near-by county associations to explain the program and recruit donated steers that will go head-to-head in the competition. Their input will also be used to develop educational activities related to production and carcass quality.
Donate Today
Step up now to donate a steer, challenge a friend, and get the competition started! Don’t wait for a YCLP member to contact you.
The Carcass Value per Day on Feed formula will be used to determine the winning steer. The top three carcasses will receive cash prizes of $2000, $1500, and $1000.
Donors will be invited to all educational events, and will receive updates about the progress of their donated steers.
General Guidelines
Producer Requirements:
• Must be a member of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association for 2013.
• Reserve pen space on a commitment form by Oct. 1, 2012. If in the event that we do not have commitments for 80 head of steers, the contest may be canceled and all donors will be notified.
• Deliver steers on Monday, November 5 or Tuesday, November 6 to VanMeter Feedyard or designated area pick-up locations across the state and assign ownership of the steers to ICA.
Minimum Entry Requirements for Steers:
• Steers must be 2012 spring born calves that weigh between 650 pounds and 750 pounds.
• Receive all mandatory vaccinations, preferably with a modified live vaccine, prior to or during the suggested vaccination dates of September 7, 2012 to October 16, 2012 and be weaned for at least 21 days.
• Steers at any point in time that are unable to adapt to feedlot conditions or that encounter challenges while on feed may be sent to market prior to the group marketing. The donor will be informed of the animal being marketed.
Health & Vaccination Requirements:
• Steers will be allowed to enter a test only upon meeting the following requirements and being so certified by a veterinarian on a health form to be provided.
• Weaned at least 21 days before delivery to all test sites.
• Vaccinated for the following at least 21 days but no more than 60 days before delivery (preferably a month before delivery): BVD (Bovine Virus Diarrhea); IBR (Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis); PI3 (Para-Influenza 3); Pasteurella - New Generation Vaccine; Clostridium Chauvoeri, Septicum (Blackleg & Malignant Edema); Haemophilus Somnus (Shipping Fever) - Somnugen; & BRSV (Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus).
• Steers originating outside Iowa must conform to official interstate health regulations. All steers must have state health certificates upon delivery.
• Treated for worms and grubs prior to delivery.
• Free from evidence of warts, ringworm or mange.
• All calves must be dehorned and healed prior to delivery.
• No implants with the exception of calf implants. The feedlot will implant the cattle at arrival and 80 days prior to harvest.
• Steers will receive the following booster shots at delivery to the test station: Killed BVD, Nasal IBR, Haemophilus Somnus, BRSV, Pasteurella, Micotil, and Dewormer.
Performance Guidelines/Awards for ICA Carcass Challenge
• Steers may be marketed at two different dates as determined by the feedyard.
• The Carcass Value Per Day On Feed formula will be used to determine the winning steers.
• Retail Value per Day on Feed: ((HCW-(0.55 x start wt) x %RP X carcass price))/0.64/days on feed *where carcass price is determined by appropriate grid and start weight is taken on day 10 following arrival
• Retail Product (%RP): (65.69-(9.931 x back fat) + (1.2259 x ribeye area) – (0.013166 x carcass wt) - (1.29 x % KPH))
• Carcass contest will be based on the carcass value per day on feed formula above. The top three entries receive cash prizes of $2000, $1500 and $1000. The balance of the top ten will receive a jacket noting their placing.
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will:
• Help the ICA Young Leadership class solicit steers for test and assist in planning and developing an educational feedyard event in the spring of 2013 while the steers are on-feed.
• Send update reports to donors and interested parties following processing weights at delivery and implant time as well as the final report following harvest.
General Considerations:
• Calves should be accustomed to consuming a grain ration, i.e.: 5-6 pounds of grain with forage.
• Van Meter Feedyard is a state-of-the-art yard with a step-up feeding program and end point targeted feeding. They utilize new technologies and a complete implant program.
• Neither feeder nor ICA may be held liable for sickness or death loss of any steer.
• Steers will have fat thickness, loin eye area and percent fat in ribeye measurements taken at harvest. This information will be used in calculating the percent retail product and retail product per day on feed formulas.
If after thoroughly reading these official guidelines, you have questions regarding any of the information contained herein, please contact the ICA office at 515-296-2266.
Printable Forms
General Guidelines
Reservation Form
Brochure
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