Fed Steer Challenge

The Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge is an opportunity for youth interested in learning more about the cattle industry and is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the Nebraska cattle industry.

The goal of the Fed Steer Challenge is to enhance the educational value of the traditional 4-H beef projects by providing an affordable option that rewards production merit and carcass value of the market animal, along with accurate and complete record-keeping, industry knowledge, and producer engagement by the 4-H member.

Contest Components

1. Raising a commercial steer
   • 4-H member selects and raises a commercial steer to finished market weight.
   • Utilize management and nutrition protocols similar to a commercial feedlot.
   • Maintain a detailed record book related to the management and feeding of the steer.
   • Exhibit steer in the 4-H Fed Steer Challenge class at the Nebraska State Fair where steers will be visually evaluated by a commercial cattle buyer representing a packer. 
   • Sell cattle on a Quality and Yield Based Carcass Grid.
   • Following the live exhibition, steers will be transported to a commercial packer, harvested and carcass data collected.
2. Evaluation of 4-H member's knowledge and interpersonal skills
   • Knowledge related to their project and the cattle industry as a whole
   • Accuracy and details related to a record book
   • Interview with representatives from the cattle industry

Expectations & Responsibilities of Participants

Youth interested in participating in the Nebraska 4-H Fed Steer Challenge must:

• Be an enrolled 4-H member and at least 14 years of age as of December 31 of the current year.
• Have the financial ability to purchase a market steer at the current market price in January (~$850) and obtain insurance for the market value of the steer.
• Source a steer on their own or select a steer from a pool of identified program producers.
• Obtain an official starting weight for their steer at a county 4-H weigh-in event. If their enrolled county does not have an official weight-in, youth may attend the weigh-in of any county.
• Provide adequate facilities and adhere to YQCA practices to ensure proper management and well-being of the animal.
• Actively participate in online and face-to-face educational programming offered by Nebraska Animal Science faculty. Must participate in a minimum of 90% of educational opportunities offered between January and December.
• Exhibit Steer in the Nebraska Fed Steer market steer class at the  Nebraska State Fair. At that time, steers will be harvested at a commercial packer and participants will be paid based on the current market value.
• Maintain accurate production records related to raising the animal, complete the record book, and submit immediately following the industry interview at the Nebraska State Fair.
• Complete an industry interview highlighting their project and knowledge gained to industry representatives.
• Additional educational and networking opportunities may be identified throughout the year and youth should make every effort to fully participate.

Awards

Recognition will include awarding the top three individuals in:

• Carcass merit and value
• Growth performance
• Record book
• Industry interview
• Overall program score

And the top five individuals in:

• Overall program score

Overall program scores include all points added from carcass merit, growth performance, record book, industry interviews, as well as State Fair placing and educational participation points.