Released October 3, 2008
STILLWATER, Okla. – Cattle producers looking for a feedback program that allows for the opportunity to evaluate the genetic merit of the calves they produce for feedlot performance and carcass merit should look into the 2008-2009 OK Steer Feedout.
“The OK Steer Feedout is a vehicle for cattle producers to evaluate the genetic merit of their calves,” said Kent Barnes, Northeast District area livestock specialist. “Producers are commended for their efforts to discover the feedlot performance and carcass merit of the cattle they produce. We celebrate the educational value of this information feedback program and look forward to serving cattlemen for many years to come.”
This year the OK Steer Feedout will be at the Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard near Gage, Okla. Entry fee is $25 per producer group and is due by Oct. 15. This will allow time to conduct PVP audits before delivery date. Cattle should arrive at the feedyard Nov. 16 or Nov. 17. Delivery sites will be designated to assist cattlemen in getting their steers to the feedyard.
“There will not be separate feedouts for fall-born and spring-born cattle. We should be able to accommodate both in a single feeding program. Steers must be born after Sept. 1, 2007,” Barnes said.
A producer entry consists of five or more steers, with a maximum of forty head. In previous feedouts, the producer lots had to be multiples of five head, e.g. five, ten, 15, etc. This is no longer the case.
Barnes said all steers must be approved through the CattleLOG™ Age and Source Verification Program prior to delivery at the feedyard.
“An audit will be conducted at the ranch where the consignor will need to produce calving records related to the beginning calving dates on the ranch of origin,” he said. “Producers will be supplied with EID tags after they have enrolled their cattle. The EID tags will need to be attached to the steer’s ear prior to ranch audit and approval.”
Harvesting of steers will take place when they have .5 inches of fat cover at the 13th rib. This will be determined on an individual animal basis; the entire producer group does not have to be harvested on the same date as in the past. A maximum number of days on feed, approximately 220, will be determined based on in-weight and breed composition.
The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service personnel will oversee the OK Steer Feedout to provide accurate and dependable information. For questions or further information contact Barnes at 918-686-7800 or kent.barnes@okstate.edu; Bob LeValley at 580-255-0546 or bob.levalley@okstate.edu; Greg Highfill at 580-237-7677 or e-mail greg.highfill@okstate.edu; or Jack Wallace at 580-332-7011 or jack.d.wallace@okstate.edu.
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http://www2.dasnr.okstate.edu/Members/katie.reim-40okstate.edu/ok-steer-feedout-dates-set
Contact: Katie L. Reim, 405-744-6792, katie.reim@okstate.edu
