About the Contest
Date: Aug. 25 - Sep. 15
Time: 8 - 5 PM
Location: Statewide
Deadline: Entries are due Sep. 15!!
This contest introduces young people interested in the beef industry to all that is involved in raising commercial cattle. It involves backgrounding a New Mexico weaned spring-born calf, then feeding the animal in a feedlot to evaluate animal efficiency, and finally slaughtering the animal and evaluating the carcass.
Participants have the option to purchase up to 3 calves, and validate their weights by October 15, with a requirement of a 500-pound minimum weight per calf. Calves are required to weigh 850-900 pounds upon entry into the feedlot. They will be delivered to the feedlot in March, where all the cattle in the program will be fed together.
Animal performance will be ranked based on total gain, feed efficiency, and cost of gain. Once the calves reach approximately 1300 lbs., they will be delivered to a USDA inspected processing facility. The animal’s carcasses will then be evaluated for weight, quality grade, yield grade, and overall carcass value. Keeping good financial, animal performance, animal health, and feeding records throughout the process is a vital part of the contest.
The other key component of the contest is Agriculture Advocacy. Participants will learn communication skills through speeches, posters, and promotional videos related to issues the ag industry faces.
What will be gained from the contest:
- Focus on learning about the New Mexico Beef industry
- Focus on skills and information that directly translates to a future in beef production
- Experience producing a beef steer through a commercial feedlot
- Gain hands on experience in both animal health management
- Gain experience in communication through speeches, posters, and video production
- Work with New Mexico beef producers and provide information on how their calves perform in the feedlot and on the rail
- Leadership opportunities
- Scholarships to NMSU College of ACES awarded!
Contest Options
Individual Participant
You can participate as an individual.
Ranch Partner
For those individuals that do not have facilities to feed and care for a steer, a partnership can be made with a regionally located ranch. Cattle will be fed and housed by the rancher, the participant will own the steer, and participant and rancher will exchange information to include in the record books; including feed costs, gains, feedlot performance, and carcass quality. If you are interested in finding a ranch partner, please indicate on the application.
Family Team
This option will allow brothers and sisters from a single family to share a single animal entry together. Teams will be responsible for the care of the animal, keep individual records, and individually participate in the advocacy portion of the contest. Entry cost will remain at $50.00 per sibling. Notification of participating as a team should be made by emailing nmyouth@nmsu.edu.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. NMSU and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating.
Online Registration
Registration & Fees: Online registration available! Please choose an option to pay with a credit card or mailing your check.
- Fee: $50 per person
- Deadline: Sep. 15 at 5 PM
- Checks: Please make checks payable to NMSU and mail to the address below. Checks must be received by Sep. 15.
ATTN: Frannie Miller
NMSU - ACES | Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business
MSC 3169, PO Box 30003
Las Cruces, NM 88003
Phone: 575-646-1162
Email: franniem@nmsu.edu
Refunds: Requests must be received in writing to Frannie Miller at franniem@nmsu.edu by Sep. 15.
Tentative Schedule
| Date | Item |
|---|---|
| September 15, 2023 | Entries/Payment Due |
| October 15 | Calves ownership verified Photos of calves sent to nmyouth@nmsu.edu |
| October 30 | Calf value validation provided |
| November | Record book training Youth BQA training |
| December | Speech/poster/video training session |
| February 2024 | Speech/poster presentations – location TBD |
| March | Steer delivery to feedlot – location TBD |
| June | Video Uploads Due |
| August/September | Calves harvested – location TBD |
| September 2024 | Record book training review Award Ceremony – location TBD |
Contact Info
Frannie Miller
Assistant Professor
Phone: 575-646-1162
Cell:575-636-9305
Email: franniem@nmsu.edu
Marcy Ward
Extension Livestock Specialist
Phone: 575-646-5947
Cell: 575-644-3379
Email: maward@nmsu.edu
