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Idaho Enterprise

Beef Weigh in

The snow and ice were chipped away for the Oneida County 4H and FFA youth to weigh in their market steers on Saturday, March 18 as they began their new beef projects this year.  Saturday marked 150 days until the 2023 Oneida County Fair where these youth will showcase their hard work of raising, training, and fitting their animals.  Over the next several months, the youth are tasked with feeding and caring for their animals, preparing them for show by fitting, grooming, and teaching them to lead as well as learning about the beef industry and leadership.

 New for all market species this year will be an ultrasound contest to be conducted during the Oneida County Fair this year.  In their market and fitting classes, the youth are judged on the outer appearance of their animals.  The ultrasound contest will allow the animals to be judged on what is on the inside, the estimated meat quality and quantity.  Traditionally, data collected through an ultrasound can measure and estimate carcass yield, ribeye area, back fat, marbling, and grade.  

Extension office educators and leaders are excited to add the contest to the fair this year.  Beefin’ It Up club leaders shared, “This is a great chance for our kids to see that it's not just what’s on the outside that counts.  We want them to learn to present their steers well at fair, but we also want them to think about the quality of meat they are raising as well. The ultrasound contest will help them have a fuller picture of what they have accomplished with their animals.”  

Weighing in steers for fair this year are Paislee Davis, Mason Eliason, Paige Eliason, Maudee Leavitt, Rawzen Munns, Riggin Munns, Carter Smith, Wheeler Smith, Katie Allen, Trevor Allen, Joseph Daniels, Tatum Hess, Alexis Shaw, and Addison Waldron.  Leading the beef 4H Club is Ginger Davis and Allison Eliason with FFA educator Lexie Evans leading the Malad FFA students.

For those interested in signing up for 4H, the registration deadlines are soon approaching. For information on how to get involved in 4H in any aspect, please call the Extension Office.  The office phone number is (208)766-2243.