This workshop begins with a mock steer futurity calf selection and steer show following the procedures of the Florida State Fair Steer Futurity and using pictures, props and members of the workshop audience. Following the exercise, this formal presentation:

In 1988, after a number of years of frustration over the typical problems associated with putting on a steer show, the Florida State Fair Steer Committee, under the direction of Mr. Charlie Lykes, made a bold move to change things. In the summer of 1989 the first Florida State Fair Steer Futurity Calf Sale was held with the following objectives:

• Provide top quality Florida feeder calves at market price, thus affording students a project with a greater degree of economic reality.

• Provide educational seminars in cooperation with the University of Florida.

• Provide a competitive event with the emphasis for awards and financial incentives on the efforts of the students.

• Provide carcass data to the participating Florida producers.

As with many shows, finding enough buyers to support the auction had been an ongoing battle. To further complicate matters, the location of the State Fair put it in direct competition with the county fair for local buyers. There was also a strong feeling by many committee members that high auction prices should not be the primary objective of the show. A decision was made early on to auction only a portion of the calves and pay $0.20 over market price to those not earning an auction position. In addition, a premium structure was set up such that any contestant that put forth a reasonable effort would earn dollars above the sale of their calf. Dollars needed to pay premiums and the $0.20 over market were generated through sale commissions and purchase price of donated calves.

One of the first hurdles to overcome was identifying producers to provide calves that were the proper age, weight range, and quality. In order to participate, a producer had to donate one calf at least every three years and the fair could buy additional calves. Not surprisingly, the producers bought in fairly easily. Some have donated one or more calves every year. Other producers do not have a calving season that is compatible with the calf sale and show but they have provided dollars in lieu of a calf. Identifying new producers and nurturing the relationships with those already committed requires a year round effort on the part of the entire steer committee.

A second problem is gathering the calves. They come from all over the state and hauling and

receiving take a great deal of coordinated effort. A local cattleman graciously provides pens for

holding and working the calves prior to the sale. Calves generally have to be delivered when the producer is working calves for shipment. Ideally, they are brought in at least 2 - 3 weeks before the sale. Upon arrival at the procurement location, all calves are vaccinated for: Haemophilus Somnus, Pasteurella, Blackleg, Leptospirosis, IBR/PI3 (intra-nasal), and Bovine Rhinotracheitis, BVD. They are dewormed, deloused, degrubbed, defluked, implanted and started on feed (preconditioner). Before the sale they are nose printed, photographed, ear tagged, tattooed, weighed and graded. Feed and pharmaceutical companies have served as sponsors by providing product each year.

Students preregister for the show by June 12 so the appropriate number of calves can be gathered. The morning of the calf sale the entrants attend mandatory seminars at the Florida State Fair facilities on topics such as selection, showmanship, grooming management, record book, carcass evaluation, ultrasound, letter writing, quality assurance and ethics. Whenever possible, the people who will be judging events at the fair are the individuals who deliver the seminars.

The selection process evolved into a somewhat innovative segment of the show. A combination of preference and random drawing order are employed. Calves are evaluated for muscle, frame, ADG needed and temperament, then sorted into pens such that pens are as near equivalent as possible. Students draw for pen assignment when they register the morning of the seminars. Number of pens depends on number of students enrolled in the program. Pens hold about 12-14 calves each and about eight to 10 youth select from each pen. This process allows them to look at a small number of animals and speeds the selection process along.

After the seminars, lunch is provided while the calves are inspected. Students may seek advice and/or assistance from anyone they like. Data sheets are provided with information including pen number, ear tag number, producer, breed composition, color, approximate birth date, frame score, sale weight, projected finish weight (based on estimated age and hip height), average daily gain needed to make projected finish weight, cost per pound (based on contracted price for sale weight), and price for each calf. Students write down their first five choices in order of preference and turn in a copy of their selections. When all students have selected, a drawing is held for each pen. The first name drawn out of the box receives their first choice. The second name drawn receives their first choice if it is available or their next choice if their first choice has already been selected. The draw continues for each pen until all names have been drawn. If none of the first three choices are available, the student may take their fourth or fifth choice or may go into the redraw pen. Because there are more calves in each pen than there are students assigned to each pen, all of the "left over" calves go into a redraw pen. When the drawing procedure has been completed for all pens, the names of the people in the redraw are put into a hat. First name drawn gets first pick of the redraw calves and so it continues until all youth have selected a calf. As soon as selection is completed, the youth pay for their calf and load out. If they are unhappy with their choice, they do not have to purchase the calf they selected but they forfeit their $50.00 deposit.

Each year a very high percentage of the youth take home their first or second choice. For instance, in 1996 44 percent received their first choice, 22 percent their second, 15 percent their third, 3 percent their fourth, and 16 percent went into the redraw pen. Data from the show indicate that neither order of draw nor choice are predictors of show placings. In fact, in the first year of this program, the Grand Champion steer was the last calf selected in the redraw pen.

The feeding period is from July to early February. During that time committee members, and/or agriculture and extension educators check on the project. In order to be accepted into the Fair, the calves must have gained a minimum of 1.75 pounds per day, weigh a minimum of 950 pounds and must be manageable by the contestant. In 1996, 11 of the 74 calves purchased either did not return or did not make weight. The reasons are typically failure to get the calf gentled (often a temperament problem) or illness causing poor weight gain or death.

Steers are judged by a committee of three including persons with commercial cow calf, purebred, and meat or feedlot industry perspectives. For each class, judges are designated as A, B or referee and are rotated each class. If judges A and B agree on a calf, that is it’s placing but if they differ, the referee judge’s highest ranking between the two calves in question determines the placing. The official designated as judge A gives the oral reasons for the final placing of each class. A large board is used to display the rankings of each official and the final placing. Ultrasound information on last rib fat is available to both the audience and the judges if they wish to see it. Selection of Grand and Reserve Champion follow the same procedure as class placings.

A number of other opportunities for competition are included in the program. A completed state fair record book is required in order to show. To help determine if the youth truly understand record keeping, a written exam is administered at the show and contributes half of the points for record book score. An optional grooming competition is held in which exhibitors bring their blocking chutes into the arena, the calves are wet down and they have one hour to groom. Clipping is done prior to arrival and competitors are judged during the process. Spectators really enjoy this competition. Following the show, carcass data is collected and samples of the top graded carcasses are evaluated for shear value (tenderness). Academic scholarships are awarded to qualified participants based on applications and interviews.

Auction positions are awarded for the Grand and Reserve Champions, the first three calves in each class, record book, showmanship and grooming competition winners in each of three age categories, and Best All Around Exhibitor. A sliding scale for sale commission is used such that calves bringing more than $5.00/# pay 25 percent down to 5 percent for calves bringing up to $1.99. All other calves are sold for market price and contestants receive $0.20/# over market plus premiums for class placing, record book, showmanship, grooming, gain in weight and carcass merit. Premier steer and Reserve Premier Steer based on 40 percent live placing and 60 percent carcass receive additional premiums. In 1996, the highest profit earned was $4776.00 with an average of $647.00. This was down from previous years, which is reflective of what was happening in the market place.

Producer awards are presented at the Florida Cattlemen’s Convention each year. They include producer of the Grand and Reserve Champion steer (plaque), Grand and Reserve Champion carcass (plaque) and a special award for the producer of the Premier and Reserve Premier Steer.

This program has been fine tuned each year and the committee constantly looks for ways to improve it. Parents and exhibitors provide input which assists the committee with decisions regarding changes. New for 1997 is a Restriction of Assistance rule which is intended to assure that youth do their own

work with no direct adult assistance. One of the primary draw backs to this program is that it is self limiting. At eighty participants, we have reached the maximum that we can serve well.

Nevertheless, the Florida State Fair Steer Committee is committed to keeping the focus on the youth in the youth Steer Show.