Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
5/14/04
Contacts:
Beth Doran, ISU Extension Beef Field Specialist, (712) 472-2576, doranb@iastate.edu
Rachel E. Martin, Iowa Beef Center, (515) 294-9124, remartin@iastate.edu
Beef Carcass Show Allows Experimentation
ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa -- It is the 12th year for the Sioux County Cattlemen's Carcass Show, but nothing about this year's show is static. In fact, the Sioux County Cattlemen's Association and Iowa State University (ISU) Extension will offer area beef producers a chance to experiment with one of the newest methods of marketing and identification. Pens of cattle (eight head) can be delivered to Tri-State Livestock Auction in Sioux Center from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on June 3.
The cattle will be harvested at Iowa Quality Beef (IQB) in Tama and sold on their new grid. "Currently, most grids are based on a carcass price. However, this grid is based upon the boxed beef cutout and more accurately reflects the value a meat processor would receive," says Beth Doran, ISU Extension beef field specialist. The IQB grid is one of few grids in the U.S. that uses this method to price cattle for the producer.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, just announced that the USDA has received funding to proceed with National Animal Identification. One important component is the radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. Cattle in the Sioux County Cattlemen's Show are required to have the RFID tag that is supported by the Iowa Cattlemen's Association. Consignors to the show will have an opportunity to learn how this tag works and the kind of individual animal data they can receive.
Another benefit of the carcass show is that it allows a producer to experiment with eight head compared with the usual 40 head. While the rewards are limited, the risks are also greatly limited. Producers have the freedom to try a new grid without the fear of big financial risk.
The carcass show will consist of both a beef steer and beef heifer division. Eight head of one sex will comprise a pen. There will be cash awards within each division and overall. The contest is open to beef producers in Cherokee, Lyon, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth and Sioux County.
A follow-up meeting on the Carcass Show will be held on Wednesday, June 30, 6:30 p.m., in the basement of the Farmer's Coop Society in Sioux Center. The program will feature the results and awards from the show and a discussion of the past, present and future direction of IQB in Tama.
Feedlot producers interested in consigning cattle to this year's show are encouraged to contact Steve Rehder, show chairman, (712) 552-1517 or Beth Doran, ISU Extension beef field specialist (712) 472-2576 to obtain information about the rules, cost, forms and ear tags.
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