GREENFIELD – Market beef weigh-in for Adair County 4-H and FFA members has been set for Wednesday, Dec. 27, at the Adair County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. All market steers and market heifers must be tagged and weighed to be eligible to exhibit at the 2018 Adair County Fair slated for July 18-22.
Each youth may weigh and identify up to six head of market beef for the lead competition. The lead competition includes separate classes for market steers, market heifers and returning market bucket/bottle calves. Youth planning to exhibit in the junior feeder pen division can weigh up to six head. If a youth is a member of both 4-H and FFA, they may identify that many head for each organization.
4-H’ers planning to show market beef at the Iowa State Fair or AKSARBEN must bring their animals to the weigh-in at the fairgrounds between 9 and 9:30 a.m. Youth wishing to nominate for either of these shows need to notify the Adair County Extension office by Dec. 26. FFA members and 4-H’ers that plan to exhibit at the county fair only will be able to weigh animals between 9:30 and 11:30 am.
There is a $1.50 charge to pay for the ear tag for each market beef animal. Market beef nominated for the Iowa State Fair and AKSARBEN must have a retinal image taken. Nomination fee for Iowa State Fair and AKSARBEN will be $5 per head (includes ear tag). DNA hair samples are no longer required for AKSARBEN nomination. AKSARBEN officials will accept retinal images.
The 4-H beef project provides an opportunity for youth to learn basic animal care and management and recordkeeping skills. All animals are weighed in December, so rate of gain can be calculated at the county fair. Rate of gain is one of the major factors in determining profitability in a beef enterprise.
For more information about the 4-H market beef project, the Live Beef Performance – No Fit Class, or the weigh-in, call the Adair County Extension office at 641-743-8412 or 1-800-ISUE399.