Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
5/19/99
News Release
Contacts:
Joe Sellers, Animal Science Extension, (515) 774-2016,
x1seller@exnet.iastate.edu
Dan Morrical, Animal Science Extension, (515) 294-2240,
x1dgm@exnet.iastate.edu
Chuck Morris, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-1611,
x1morris@exnet.iastate.edu
Beth Minner, 4-H Youth Development, (515) 294-8617,
x1bmin@exnet.iastate.edu
Melva L. Berkland, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-2160, berk4h@exnet.iastate.edu
4-H Lamb Performance Classic Set For State Fair
A class for exhibiting carcass lambs will be open to 4-H'ers at the 1999 Iowa State Fair. The 4-H Lamb Performance Classic will evaluate the growth and live and carcass characteristics of the 4-H'ers' lambs.
4-H'ers will learn how to select lean lambs, how genetics affects the growth of lambs, which carcass traits are important for cutability, and the importance of lean meat to the livestock industry and consumers.
Young, fast-growing and lean lambs ideally will be the most successful in the contest, said Dan Morrical, Iowa State University Extension specialist in animal science. Lambs selected for this class should weigh between 75 and 90 pounds on June 12. A lamb nomination form is available at the ISU Extension county office and is due in the state 4-H Youth Development office on June 1. A fee of $15 per lamb or $35 for three lambs from one individual must accompany the form.
4-H'ers will deliver their lambs to a test site at Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, on June 12, between 1 and 4 p.m. The lambs will be weighed again in mid-July and at the end of the feeding trial.
The lambs will be fed a high-energy ration composed of whole corn, oats and pelleted protein supplement for the two-month feed test. Land O'Lakes donated the protein supplement to be fed to the lambs.
All lambs will be shipped as a group to the Iowa State Fair and shown live at the fair on Aug. 15. After the show, the lambs will be shipped to a processing plant to collect carcass data.
4-H exhibitors will receive newsletters that update the progress of their lamb(s) during the test. 4-H exhibitors will have the opportunity to work with their lambs when the lambs arrive at the state fair.
Lambs in the contest will be evaluated and ranked on a formula that incorporates live evaluation, rate of gain and carcass merit, with 20 percent emphasis on the live score, 40 percent on lean gain per day and 40 percent on boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts (BCTRC).
A total of $1,250 premium has been donated for the overall 4-H champion and 4-H reserve champion classic lambs. Both will be recognized at the Sale of Champions. The 4-H live champion and 4-H live reserve champion will be recognized with plaques and cash awards ($150, $100). Premiums will be prorated based on participation for open and FFA classes. The individual with the top group of three lambs, based upon overall placing, will receive $100. Exhibitors will have a proportionate feed charge deducted from their lamb check.
The 1999 4-H Lamb Performance Classic is sponsored by the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Iowa Foundation for Agriculture Advancement and their donors, Iowa Lamb Corporation, Iowa Sheep and Wool Promotion Board, the Iowa State Fair, Kimm Suffolks and Premier Sheep Supplies.
More Information is available at any county office of ISU Extension.
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