Many thanks to Fairfield Cattle Company for providing their facility for weigh-in!
Interest in Junior market beef projects remains strong in Fairfield County. Fifty FFA and 4-H youth recently weighed in a total of 86 market beef steers and heifers in anticipation of the 2025 Jr. Market Beef and Beef Performance and Carcass Quality shows, happening before and during the Fairfield County Fair. Also, this year, 11 youth weighed in 16 dairy beef animals in preparation for finishing them for the Finished Dairy Beef project.
In total, fifty nine (59) different youth weighed in a total of 102 feeder calves as their 2025 projects. Of those, 66 head were beef steers, 20 were market beef heifers, and 16 were dairy beef steers. Of the 86 beef steers and heifers, 49 were bred, born and raised (BBR) here in Fairfield County.
The average weight of all 102 calves was 792 pounds. The 66 beef steers averaged 816 pounds and 20 beef heifers weighed an average of 682 pounds. Sixteen dairy beef steers weighed in at an average weight of 831 pounds.
Participation in Fairfield County Jr. market beef projects grew steadily after 2014 when only 35 youth participated by weighing and tagging calves at the March weigh-in. Following are the numbers from the Junior Fair market beef weigh-in going back to 1993:
2025; 59 exhibitors checked in 102 calves. 48 exhibitors weighed in only beef calves, 9 weighed in only dairy beef calves and 2 weighed in both beef and dairy market calves. Of the 102 total calves 66 were beef steers, 20 were beef heifers and 16 were dairy beef steers for the Finished Dairy Beef Project that was begun in 2024. Forty nine of the 86 market beef animals are Bred Born and Raised in Fairfield County. Twenty six youth have applied for and will participate in the Beef Performance & Carcass Quality contest where their finished beef animals will be harvested and evaluated on the rail prior to the Fair.
2024; 60 exhibitors tagged in 96 calves. 55 exhibitors weighed only beef calves, 4 weighed only dairy beef calves, and one weighed both beef and dairy. Of the 96 total calves, 69 were beef steers, 20 were beef heifers, and 7 were dairy beef steers for this year’s newly created Finished Dairy Beef project. 51 of the 89 market beef animals are BBR in Fairfield County. Twenty two youth have applied for and will participate in the Beef Performance & Carcass Quality contest where the animals will be harvested and evaluated on the rail prior to the Fair.
2023; 68 exhibitors tagged in 101 calves (56 were BBR, 5 were heifers)
2022; 62 exhibitors tagged in 89 calves (46 were BBR, 5 were heifers)
2021; 68 exhibitors tagged in 98 calves (49 were BBR, 5 were heifers)
2020; 59 exhibitors tagged in 84 calves (33 were BBR, 5 were heifers)
2019; 53 exhibitors tagged 77 calves (42 were BBR, 7 were heifers)
2018; 43 exhibitors tagged 62 calves (31 were BBR, 6 were heifers)
2017; 45 exhibitors tagged 65 calves (38 were BBR, 7 were heifers)
2016; 51 exhibitors tagged 70 calves (37 were BBR, 3 were heifers)
2015; 42 exhibitors tagged 62 calves (38 were BBR, 6 were heifers)
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.