Selecting 4-H Market Livestock Project Animals

INTRODUCTION — SELECTING ANIMALS FOR A "SYSTEMS APPROACH" MARKET LIVESTOCK PROGRAM
The first concept that needs to be understood is that selecting animals for a Systems Approach program is not the same as selecting a "show" animal to be groomed, molded and manipulated to fit the current fad of the show ring. With the "Systems Approach", animals are selected which, with proper management, will meet the typical standards for efficiency, profitability, and usefulness to the production, feedlot and packing industry and at the same time exhibit a high degree of acceptance by the consumer.
The Systems Approach project evaluation is based on achievement of standards for selection, management and efficient production of meat that is desirable to packer and consumer. The project evaluation card uses four categories to evaluate member achievement and success. The Lean Yield section of the card indicates the degree of success in selecting and producing a lean product profitable to the packer and desired by consumers. The Conformation/Usefulness evaluation looks individually at muscling, trimness, growth and frame and structure and balance. These factors are representative of potential for achieving a desirable yield grade, a high degree of production efficiency, a high level of consumer satisfaction and a desirable degree of longevity. The gain and quality grade section evaluates both profitability and consumer desirability. The rate of gain section recognizes successful animal management in achieving a high level of efficiency and profitability. Gain is rated higher for higher quality animals where each pound of gain is more valuable.
The primary purpose for selecting animals is to obtain an animal that when properly fed and managed will represent the best in the industry. This means that industry standards must be identified prior to selection. The following standards represent industry goals achievable by most youth livestock program participants. Judges use the "Systems Approach" evaluation card to provide an evaluation of these standards. Animal selection is guided by the same standards that are used to evaluate accomplishment.

TABLE 1. Typical minimum standards for performance and quality.

BEEF                                               
USDA yield grade 3.0 or less.
Live weight 1150 to 1300 lb.
Minimum 2.8 lb. ADG.   
Conformation Score of 22 or >.

PIGS
USDA grade of No. 1.
Muscle score of 7 or higher.
 Live weight 240 to 270 lb.
Minimum 1.85 lb. ADG.
Conformation Score of 22 or >.

LAMBS
USDA Choice Y.G. 2 or >.
Muscle score of 7 or higher.
Live weight 115 to 145 lb.
Minimum 0.75 lb. ADG.
Conformation Score of 22 or >.

 just click the link below to read it all.
this is a place to learn about selecting 4-H market livestock animals
written by: Chad C. Gibson, Gene W. Gibson, Jeff Goodwin

2009 Jr State Wool Contest Winner

This is my Wool Contest Story:
                                                    My Wool Contest Story

    Hello my name is Cora ; I am twelve years old and I live in  Idaho. I am a fifth year member of the Hodge Podgers 4-H club and this is my fifth year with a sewing project.

    This year my project level was Sew What unit 4. Requirements to complete this level were Collar or Cuffs, Set-in Sleeve, Waistband, Zipper, Pockets, Button and Buttonholes. My first year in Sew What (2008) I completed a wool jumper using the zipper, pockets, button and buttonhole. That is when I fell in love working with wool. Cutting, pinning and sewing wool fabric is great and when it is all done it looks so rich and nice. 2009 left me with waistband, set-in sleeve, and collar or cuffs.

    After reading the Style, Fashion, and Fad activity in my Sew What Member’s Manual I chose to make two garments. I am all about the country life wranglers and cowboy boots that’s me. Dresses are not my favorite thing to wear so I had to find my own style. I decided on a pair of slacks and a cute three-quarter-length sleeve jacket. The pattern for the pants is Simplicity 2860 and for the jacket it is Simplicity 3563.

    Picking the patterns was easy compared to finding the wool fabric in a color that I liked and would wear, I traveled from Boise to Burley. I was looking for a color other than black that could be worn on any given day that would be fashionable for many years, and that I could build my wardrobe around. I chose dark green 80% wool for the jacket and green gray 100% wool for the slacks. Both were on sale.

    There were a few new sewing challenges when it came time to make the jacket. The most difficult was the sleeves, I had to rip and sew one of the sleeves again. I don’t like ripping so I took my time on the other sleeve and used lots of pins. The shawl collar was another challenge easing is and art; my leader said easing takes years of practice, so I just used lots of pins on and took my time on this too. To finish my jacket I hand stitched the hem and added black and silver buttons.
  
    Wool fabric is expensive so I made a practice pair of slacks first out of denim to check for fit and made adjustments to the size and fit. Then I cut out and made my wool slacks; because denim is different from wool I still had to do a little more tailoring to the slacks. I turned them inside out and put them on, pinned and tailored them to fit better. I think the zipper was my most difficult to put in I tried my best and just took my time. It was a good thing I made a practice pair of slacks first the waistband and belt loops were new to me and I needed the extra practice.

    From cowboy boots to sling back shoes now that was a real challenge. I practiced walking in my sling backs for weeks before my county style revue. I even vacuumed the carpet in them.

    When it came time for the  County Style Revue. I was hoping for a cool evening; it wasn’t it was 102 that day. While trying not to sweat (not a good accessory) I tried to stay true to my own style. I added a silver western style necklace, earrings, bracelet, and clip for my hair.  

    At the county level I received a Blue ribbon in style revue and the Purple Rosette for my wool jacket and slacks sewing project.

    The District III Style Revue was held at the Twin Falls County Fair this year. It started at about 9:30 a.m. The weather was a little cooler that morning it even rained, but stopped just in time for the Revue to start. I love going to District it is fun to see what all the others are making and talk to them about their different projects. At District I received a Blue Rosette and the honor of being Intermediate Grand Champion.

    After it was all over I thought to myself; do your feet ever stop hurting when wearing sling backs and heels or is it something we just get use too.

My Gooding Country Fair 2009 Projects

This is LT Dan he weighed 1235 and received a blue ribbon
in quality. Dan was also my showmanship steer and we
also received a Blue ribbon. Dan was a real gentlemen and never
gave me a bit of trouble.







This Forest Gump he weighed 1246 and This is Bubba he weighed 1338
They both received a blue ribbon in quality



This is my poster entry for this I received the Purple Rosette.


This is my Leather Project for this I received a Blue ribbon, The Purple Rosette went to a hand carved Leather Directors Chair, That 4-Her did an out standing job.



My Quilt Pattern is call Big Thunderand my quilt will fit a full size bed. I chose to use a fifties cartoon print and matched the colors in the print for all the borders. For my quilt I received a Blue and the Purple Rosette.



My4-H illustrated talk this year was on the Beef Niche Markets, and the difference between Organic and Natural. It also covered the requirements for each and how to make the transition. I received the purple rosette and I will go to District to compete.






This is my4-H Sew What project - A dark green 80% wool jacket, and 100% wool pants, in style revue I received a Blue Ribbon and on the sewing project I received a Purple Rosette. With this Project I will go to the State level and compete.








I had a great time at the Fair this year, all my steers behaved and my Dad came home without one bruise; ha ha that a first! On Sunday I sent Dan off and Cleaned the Barn. I am Home and getting ready for next year.

I am already thinking about my new steers, what kind of quilt I will make, and what other projects I will do.

I will start school on 9/21/09 but for the next week I will just take a little vacation and veg out for awhile.

I will be posting pictures of all my friends at the fair soon so check back in a few days. I will also post my open class entries.