[Image: cattle grazing]The 2009-2010 Junior Beef Grazing contest is being co-sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Cattlemen's Association again this year. We also have continued support from the Wax Company, Merial, Fort Dodge and Schering-Plough.
2009-2010 Junior Beef Grazing Project
RULES AND REGULATIONS
1.To be eligible, an individual must be regularly enrolled in a 4-H Club or FFA Chapter.
2. Cattle Requirements:
a)Four calves will constitute a pen. It is recommended that the total weight of the four
calves (weigh-on) not exceed 1,600 to 2,000 pounds.
Note: Contest superintendent has the authority to mouth the pen of calves weighed on
the project that exceed the recommended total weight. Calves determined to be long
yearlings or older will not be allowed to compete for awards in the Jr. Beef Grazing
Projects.
b)Three divisions will be offered:
Division 1 – Steer
Division 2 – Heifer
Division 3 – Bulls
(Only one sex can be used in one pen. Example – Four steers, four heifers or four bulls)
c) Contestants may (at their option) place one alternate calf in each pen.
Alternate must be designated at the beginning of the project. Alternate
calf score will be used only if a calf on the project dies.
d) Calves must be the property of the contestant. When there is more than one member
in a family competing, the animals may be grazed together with cost records shared in
proportion to animals grazed. Each contestant’s calves must be identified at the
beginning of the project with no trading allowed.
e) Calves can be from commercial or registered cows and should be born after
December 1, 2008. Calves should be weaned at least 30 days prior to weigh-on.
f) Contestants may (at their option) have their calves implanted with a growth
stimulant at weigh-on.
Note: Not recommended for heifers to be used as replacements in herd.
g) Each calf will be tagged for identification.
Contestant must furnish the ear tags for each pen of calves.
h) Heifers in the Junior Beef Grazing Project that have calves at the time of termination
will be allowed to complete the project and only animals placed on the project will
be weighed off.
3. Pastures Requirements:
a) Two and one-half acres of winter grazing per pen of four calves. (Multiples of this if
more than one pen are grazed together.)
b) Winter grazing may consist of any recommended variety of cool-season forage or
combinations of cool-season forages.
c) Calves must be finished out on pasture only. (Calves may be fed silage or hay during
bad weather or short grass.)
No supplemental feed or ration (solid or liquid ration) may be fed to the cattle during
the grazing period.
Minerals only may be provided to the cattle on the grazing project.
d) Follow recommendations prepared by the LSU AgCenter for a winter grazing
program for beef cattle in the following publications:
#2334 – 2006 Cool Season Pasture and Forage Varieties
#2674 – Pasture Fertilization in Louisiana
4. Official Weigh Stations: After all entries are in, the weigh stations will be selected in the area to best serve the interest of the projects entered.
5. Official Grazing Period: Approximately 150 grazing days, with the project starting around December 1 and terminating in mid-May. Calves may be placed on pasture prior to weigh-on day, but gains made prior to the official weigh-on will not count in contest.
6. Weigh-On Procedure: Calves must be delivered to the designated weigh station by 8:00 p.m. the evening before weigh day or by 8:00 a.m. on weigh day. Calves should be provided with plenty of quality hay and clean water during this period. Calves must not exhibit signs of excessive shrinkage. Calves are identified (tagged, tattooed, etc.), de-wormed and implanted (optional) at this time. The calves will be weighed during this weigh-on procedure.
7. Weigh-Off Procedure: Calves must be delivered to the designated weigh station by 8:00 p.m. the evening before weigh day or by 8:00 a.m. on weigh day. Calves should be provided with plenty of quality hay and clean water during this period. The calves are weighed during this weigh-off procedure.
8. Basis for scoring the Junior Beef Grazing Project: Contestants will receive points based on the following aspects of the project:
a) The total amount of weight gained.
b) The increase in value of the calves. (Selling price less initial cost of calf.)
c) The cost per pound of gain.
9. Contestants will be allowed to enter as many pens in each Division (Steer, Heifer, and Bull) of the Junior Beef Grazing Contest as they desire. The contestant’s highest placing pen (total points) in each Division (Steer, Heifer, and Bull) will compete for awards within that Division. HOWEVER, EACH CONTESTANT IS ELIGIBLE TO WIN ONLY ONE DIVISION IN THE CONTEST FOR THE YEAR. The contestant’s highest scoring pen (total points) will be recognized as their Division winning pen if the contestant has the highest points in more than one Division.
10. A minimum of 135 grazing days must be completed in order to be eligible to compete for premiums and awards in the state contest.
11. A Project Score Sheet (Form I) must be kept and submitted at the termination of the project. All Project Cost Records (Form II) must be recorded and submitted at the end of the project. A Minimum Project Cost will be developed by the Division of Economics and Resource Development of Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service. Contestants must also submit a Junior Beef Grazing Project Summary (Form III) detailing the methods used in establishing forages, selection of cattle, and management techniques utilized during the project. The Summary should also include any new skills or knowledge gained by the contestant. (Forms I, II, and III are attached.)
NOTE: The Project Score Sheet (Form I), Project Cost Records (Form II), and Junior Beef Grazing Project Summary (Form III) must be submitted at the termination of the project in order to be eligible for awards in the state contest.
12. The Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association will provide the following awards in the Junior Beef Grazing Contest:
Awards for 2009-2010
a)
500 Club – Certificate
(Contestants producing 500 pounds of beef per acre)
b) Parish Winner – Certificate and $50.00 cash award
(Contestant with the greatest number of points in that Parish)
c) Top Pen of Steers – Certificate and $500.00 Scholarship
(First place pen of steers in the state based on points)
d) Top Pen of Heifers – Certificate and $500.00 Scholarship
(First place pen of heifers in state based on points)
e) Top Pen of Bulls – Certificate and $500.00 Scholarship
(First place pen of bulls in state based on points)
13. Entry forms must be submitted by November 2, 2009. Entry forms should be mailed to NOTE: (NEW ADDRESS):
Dr. Terry L. Dumas
Professor, Extension 4-H Livestock (Beef, Sheep, and Goats)
School of Animal Sciences
102 Ingram Hall
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803