Market Beef Performance Measures and Values

The market beef project is a valuable instrument for teaching responsibility and basic management principles, and for enhancing enthusiasm of youth for production animal agriculture. However, it’s also important for youth to realize there are differences in the performance expectations of commercial feedlot cattle and the performance levels of most youth project cattle. Cattle used in youth projects are handled on a regular basis, transported to various venues for exhibition, and fed to maintain a competitive show weight and finish. While some may consider those animals to be models of the beef industry, their primary function is youth development. The steer functions to ignite interest and involve youth in the beef industry. Then, as youth become more engaged in their projects and the beef industry, it’s important for them to realize there are differences between their projects and the commercial cattle industry. Today’s commercial cattle have the ability to commonly gain 4.0 lb/day, requiring less than six pounds of feed (dry matter) per pound of gain because of enhanced genetics and improved feeding and health care management, functioning to reduce our cost of gain so the beef industry can continue to provide an inexpensive, wholesome protein product for the consumer.