Extension Communications Extension 4-H Youth Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3630 (515) 294-9915

8/27/04

Contacts:
Dennis DeWitt, Iowa State University, (712) 336-3488, dewitt@iastate.edu
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 94-9124, remartin@iastate.edu

Butler County Youth Makes History by Winning Both Beef of Merit Shows

AMES, Iowa -- A Butler County 4-H'er is the winner of both the high quality grid market window and high cutability categories in the Iowa State Fair's Beef of Merit Show, the first to do so since the show's inception in 1993.

Matthew Johnson, a sophomore at North Butler High school, was presented with a ribbon during an award ceremony today at the Iowa State University Meats Lab. He is the son of Jim and Georgene Johnson of Allison.

Johnson's red/white-face, Simmental-sired steer was propelled into first place with impressive statistics, including an average daily gain of 4.26 pounds, average choice rating on quality grade, and a yield grade of 1.9. Most impressive, the steer gained $3.55 of retail value per day on feed.

Dennis DeWitt, co-coordinator of the show, points out the weight of Johnson's accomplishment. "This is the first steer to win both categories out of 662 entries over the show's 12-year history. Matt's success pleasantly surprised everybody."

The Beef of Merit Show, held annually at the Iowa State Fair, is a competition where 4-H youth enter and show cattle live in market-preferred windows, and then carcasses are evaluated immediately after the live show. For more information about the Beef of Merit Show, contact Dennis DeWitt at (712) 336-3488 or dewitt@iastate.edu.

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Editors: A black and white photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The fullsize photo is 324K. Caption: Matt Johnson of Allison (left) won the high quality grid market window and high cutability categories of the Iowa State Fair Beef of merit Show. Pictured with Matt are Chuck Morris, ISU Extension 4-H Youth program director (center) and Dennis DeWitt, ISU Extension livestock specialist and coordinator of the show (right).

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