On Thursday, May 4, the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) team traveled to Gregory Feedlots Inc., in Tabor, Iowa, to check on the more than 70 head of Hereford and Hereford-influenced cattle entered in the 2017 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout program.

NJHA members from 11 states have individual and groups of three steers on feed at the yard. Feedlot staff, along with Craig Hays, UltraInsights Processing Lab, Inc., Maryville Mo., weighed, re-implanted and performed ultrasounds to determine rump fat, back fat, ribeye area, and intramuscular fat on each of the steers. These results will help Gregory Feedlots make marketing decisions as to when is the best time to harvest the cattle. They are predicting all the steers will be ready to harvest in late June.

“It has been neat to follow these cattle through the feedlot stage and see the progress they have made since we gathered DNA and processed the group in February,” said Amy Cowan, American Hereford Association (AHA) director of youth activities and foundation.

The NJHA Fed Steer Shootout is a great opportunity for junior members to gain valuable experience in cattle feeding. Participants have the opportunity to estimate feedyard performance and carcass merit, and compare that information to actual performance data after the steers are harvested. Members will also measure and compare the profitability of their animal at the conclusion of the contest.

An upcoming webinar series has been scheduled for program participants during the month of May. Webinar discussion points are centered around marketing, management, the roles genetics play in the feedyard, ultrasound and animal health.

“We are excited for the upcoming online educational sessions that will provide junior members with valuable knowledge on all segments of the cattle feeding industry,” Cowan adds. “It is our hope that through this process and at the end of the day junior members will have a better understanding of this part of the food chain and be able to relate what happens in the feedlot back to the Hereford genetics in their own programs back at home.”

Results of the shootout will be announced at the AHA’s Honorees Reception during the Annual Meeting on October 27 in Kansas City, Mo. Stay tuned to learn more about getting involved with next fall’s NJHA Fed Steer Shootout program at jrhereford.org.