SELECTION OF A MARKET BEEF ANIMAL

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SELECTION OF A MARKET BEEF ANIMAL

• CHAD MURNIN
• MARCH 25, 2005

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Ask yourself a few questions!!

• Why should I do a market beef project?
• What are my goals?
• What do I want to achieve?
• What is the benefit relative to the cost?

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Where and how will I start my project?

• Home Raised or Purchased?
• What is my budget?
• Will the cattle at home fit the criteria needed?
• What is my experience level?

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Where and how will I start my project?

• Where will I get my steer/Heifer?
• How much assistance will I need?
• If purchasing find a reputable breeder that can
  help you along the way.
• Halter Broke/Started/Not
• Vaccinated? Wormed?
• Ask at purchase time if customer service
  continues beyond the sale.

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When is my market beef show?

• Age of the animal selected is very important!
• Late summer shows require different ages than
  winter shows!
• Spring born calves work for July to September
  shows.
• Summer born calves work for winter shows.
• Fall born calves work for spring shows.
• Winter born calves work for late spring shows.
• Size of the individual should be thoroughly
  considered!
• What is too small?
• What is too big?

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What are the important factors in selection?

• Look to the end before you start at the
  beginning.
• Market Steer Placing Factors
• 1. Muscle
• 2. Market readiness/Finish
• 3. Balance/Structure/Eye Appeal

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What are the important factors in selection?

• Docility
• Does my animal fit my experience level?
• Age/Size
• Structure
• Often leads to efficiency problems.
• Body Capacity
• Capability to Grow
• Frame Size-Expected End Weight
• Its hard to be able to show if you cant make
  weight.

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Structure Diagram
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Isnt Muscle 1?

• Find a steer that is muscular.
• Top and Hip
• Forearm and Stifle
• Dont sacrifice important factors to gain an
  abundance of muscle.
• Big butts will be overruled if they cant walk!
• Remember there are other placing factors besides
  muscle as well.

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Other Important Factors

• Bone
• Remember how bone sandwiches taste!
• Hair?
• Will you use it or need it?
• Hair is comprised of two things, genetics and
  elbow grease.
• Look
• Level Made
• Long Bodied
• Thin Necked
• Smooth Shouldered
• Cleanliness of Sheath
• Refinement of Tailhead

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EXAMPLES

• LOOK
• MUSCLE

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Dont Single Trait Select!

• You can go overboard!!

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QUESTIONS?????
GO RAMS!!!!!