With the Fair less than 3 weeks away, we’ll take this opportunity to respond to a question that’s been frequently asked, “How many local youth are showing market beef animals these days?” Many believe that it seems to have been decades since we had over 100 kids enrolled in the market beef project. Fact is, it’s only been 12 years ago. Here are the numbers and some history covering the last 20+ years.
In March of this year (2015), 42 Fairfield County 4-H and FFA members tagged in a total of 62 calves for next month’s market beef show. That’s an increase of 7 exhibitors over the number that tagged calves in 2014. Thirty eight of those 62 calves are eligible for the Fairfield County Bred, Born and Raised (BBR) show that spotlights market steers and heifers that were bred by a member of the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association, were born here in the county, and will be exhibited in the market beef show at the Fair.
Continuing, here are the numbers going back to 1993:
2015; 42 exhibitors tagged 62 calves in March (38 were BBR)
2014; 35 exhibitors, 50 calves (31 were BBR)
2013; 36 exhibitors, 46 calves (2 were heifers & 23 were BBR)
2012; 36 exhibitors, 54 calves (26 were BBR)
2011; 44 exhibitors, 58 calves (5 were heifers & 15 were BBR)
2010; 42 exhibitors, 59 calves (27 were BBR)
2009; 45 exhibitors, 61 calves (29 were BBR)
2008; 56 exhibitors, 75 calves (27 were BBR)
2007; 67 exhibitors (59 exhibitors completed the project in ’07, and exhibited in the live show that year) tagged 82 calves (30 were BBR)
2006; 76 exhibitors, 97 calves (38 were BBR)
2005; 92 exhibitors, 107 calves (38 were BBR)
2004; 99 exhibitors, 124 calves (22 were BBR)
2003; 109 exhibitors, 142 calves (47 were BBR)
2002; 113 exhibitors, 142 calves (19 were Bred, Born & Raised from the County, this was the first year for the BBR program that was initiated by the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association)
2001; 114 exhibitors, 147 calves
2000; 112 exhibitors, 162 steers
1999; 114 exhibitors tagged in 160 calves. Performance/Carcass steers were ultrasounded from this point on in order that every calf entered would have carcass data, and to eliminate the issues related to selling each of the carcasses. Connie and Stan Smith ‘Packer Bid’ the 15 Performance/Carcass entries in both 1995 and 1996 and sold the carcasses as freezer beef to individuals throughout the county. In 1997 the Performance/Carcass entries went to Falters Packing in Columbus for harvest, evaluation and marketing; and in 1998 they went to Mopac in PA. (unfortunately some of the carcass data was lost at MOPAC that year)
1998; 111 exhibitors tagged in 162 calves
1997; 110 exhibitors, 169 calves
1996; 109 exhibitors, 152 calves
1995; 101 exhibitors tagged 141 calves. The Performance/Carcass Steer Show was created by the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association in 1995, and the 15 entries were harvested at Bay packing in Lancaster. The 15 entries that were harvested were selected from a larger pool of 20 original entries based on visual appraisal. This was due to the space limit in the Packing House at the time. Dr. Ned Parrot, OSU Extension Meats Specialist, hosted the exhibitors and their families in the coolers at Bay Packing one morning during the week of the Fair, and reviewed the scoring process and explained the characteristics of a desirable beef carcass.
1994; 96 exhibitors tagged in 115 calves. Mandatory tagging, nose printing and weighing on the first Saturday in March of all calves was initiated in 1994.
1993; This as the first year of the Rate of Gain contest that was begun at the urging of the Fairfield County Cattlemen’s Association in an effort to highlight and reward cattle that had excellent performance. It was an optional contest then and only cattle that gained 2.5 or more pounds per day were eligible to be placed in the contest. No other calf identification was required prior to 1993. Thirty three youth weighed in 33 calves for the ROG contest in 1993.
The 2015 Junior Beef Show will be on Monday, October 12 beginning with Senior Showmanship at 8:00 a.m. The market beef animals will sell at auction on Thursday evening, the 15th, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Immediately prior to the sale, the winners of the Chili Cook-off with Beef will be announced. Those in attendance at the sale will have the opportunity to enjoy eating the top five placing chili’s!
Find the entire judging schedule for the 2015 Fairfield County Junior Fair linked here.