2010 Test

Rules I Registration I Driving Directions I Report

1.   Objective
1. The Great Western Feedout is a producer information feedback program that allows cattle producers the opportunity to evaluate the genetic merit of the calves they produce for feedlot performance and carcass value following weaning and a winter stocker program. 

1. A producer group will consist of 5 or more steers (maximum 40) that were born after January 1, 2009.

2. All steers must be approved through the CattleLOG™ Age & Source Verification Program prior to delivery at the feedyard.  An audit will be conducted at the ranch where the consignor will need to produce calving records related to the beginning calving dates on the ranch of origin.  (individual birth dates are accepted also but not required).  Producers will be supplied with EID tags after they have enrolled their cattle. The EID tags will need to be attached to the steer’s ear prior to ranch audit and approval. Approved CattleLOG™ Auditors from Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard or the OSU Cooperative Extension Service will conduct an on-site ranch audit prior to delivery. USDA rules state that cattle cannot be approved for Age and Source Verification after they have left the ranch of origin.
3. Steers should be 45-days weaned, vaccinated, bunk-broke, dehorned and castrated prior to delivery.  The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network protocol for vaccination and preconditioning is highly recommended for fall weaning prior to winter grazing.
4. Entry fee of $25.00 per producer group.
5. Entry Forms are due by Friday, January 15, 2010.  This will allow time to conduct all PVP audits before delivery date.

1.   Test Protocol

1. Steers are to be delivered to Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard (13 miles North of Gage) on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by 1:00 p.m.  All producers must have completed a CattleLOG™ Age & Source Verification Audit prior to steer delivery.
2. Steers remain the property of the consignor.
3. Feedyard processing, treatment and miscellaneous expenses will be allocated on a per head basis to the appropriate producer group.
4. Each producer’s steers will be commingled with other Feedout steers to form uniform feeding groups.  Feed cost will be allocated to each producer group on a pro-rated basis based on steer in-weight and average daily gain to account for feed intake differences within the pen.
5. All expenses will be carried to the end of the test and withdrawn from each producer group’s carcass value payment.  The remainder will be paid to the producer following the final marketing of the steers on test.
6. Steers will be sorted for harvest when they are estimated to have attained .5 inches fat cover at the 13th Rib.  Steers will be marketed in truckload lots to accommodate data collection.  A maximum days-on-feeding for the test will be determined based on in-weight and breed composition.  (approximately 220 days)  Every effort will be made to harvest steers at the target compositional endpoint.
7. Steers will be marketed to a cooperating Beef Processor on a carcass weight / Grid basis
8. Low performing steers may need to be removed from the test.  The consignor will be consulted on marketing options to maximize income.

1.   Educational Information 
1. A summary sheet that contains all data collected for the steers will be supplied each producer.  A test summary, with data averages and ranges, will also be distributed.
2. A wrap-up meeting will be held concluding the Feedout with a discussion of each producer group.  A field day will be held at the Feedyard to view the test cattle, tour the feedyard, and discuss cattle feeding objectives.  All test data and results will be made public.

1.   Information collected on individual steers:

Feeding Data
           

Breed Composition (optional)
            Birth Date (optional)                                      
            Beginning & Final Picture
            Beginning Weight
            Starting Value
            Midpoint Weight
            Final Weight
            Average Daily Gain
            Processing/Medical Cost
            Cost of Gain
            Calculated Profit/Loss

Carcass Data

            Carcass Weight
            Dressing Percentage
            Fat Cover
            Rib Eye Area
            Rib Eye Video Image
            Internal Fat Percentage
            Calculated Yield Grade                                 
            USDA Stamped Yield Grade
            Marbling Score
            Quality Grade Premiums
            Grid Marketing Price
            Carcass Value

Rules I Registration I Driving Directions I Report

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.