Sign-up deadline for Missouri Steer Feedout May 10

The deadline for signing up to participate in the Missouri Steer Feedout for steer calves born after July 1, 2016, is May 10. Actual pickup of steers is June 6, and they must be weaned at least 30 days, preferably 45 days before pickup date.

An entry consists of at least five steers that will weigh 550 pounds or more at entry. The entry fee is $20 per head. Feed, health treatment and yardage expenses will all be deducted from the proceeds when the steers are harvested in November and December.

Provisions can be made to receive an advance payment if 10 or more steers are entered. The total advance will not exceed 50 percent of the initial value placed on the cattle in June.

The cattle will be gathered at two or three locations in Missouri and go directly to a feedlot in southwest Iowa. The cooperating lots are part of the famous Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity.

The Missouri steers have been fed under the direction of TCSCF and Iowa State since 2001. A detailed results sheet provides individual gain and carcass data right down to the rank, based on retail value of steers per day of age. This is useful as you may compare your cattle’s performance to others being fed by TCSCF.

Why should a commercial cow herd or seedstock provide participate in the feedout?

“To gain objective knowledge about the various production and management traits involved in economical beef cattle raising,” said Eldon Cole, livestock specialist, University of Missouri Extension. “Once the knowledge is gained, use it to change your selection, management and marketing practices.”

An example, according to Cole, would be if your steers daily feedlot gain falls in the lower one-half of their pen mates, you probably need to infuse more gainability in your breeding program via a breed change or selection of animals within your current breed.

“If your cattle exhibit excellent growth and carcass merit, make sure their performance is noted by your marketing agency whenever you sell,” said Cole.

Order buyers like to have some advance knowledge of consistently top-performing cattle if they are being sold. The auctioneer can make special comments if your cattle have good feedout performance behind them.

If you have steers that you would like evaluated for feedlot and carcass quality, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Lawrence County, (417) 466-3102; Andy McCorkill in Dallas County at (417) 345-7551; Dr. Randy Wiedmeier, in Douglas County at (417) 679-3525; or Dr. Patrick Davis in Cedar County at (417) 276-3313.