July 15, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
JD Rosman, communications intern, at 816-383-5104 or jdrosman.intern@angus.media
PHOTOS: Available on request from prphotos@angus.org.
Evaluating Carcass Quality at the NJAS
Junior members learn about the industry’s true end product through the National Junior Angus Show carcass contest.
Understanding how Angus cattle perform beyond the farm or ranch is an important component of the carcass steer contest hosted during the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS). Thirty-three steers were a part of the 2016 NJAS carcass steer contest, where juniors were able to learn firsthand what ranchers are targeting when raising cattle.
Hosted in Grand Island, Neb., July 3-9, the NJAS and the carcass contest continues to grow. Once checked in, the steers were weighed and taken to the JBS beef plant in Grand Island where the steers were harvested and graded.
Within five days, carcass data was received and ranked by carcass merit. The top steers were announced at the NJAS awards ceremony July 8.
“The carcass contest is a great way for juniors to find value in their cattle outside of the showring,” says Chelsey Smith, American Angus Association assistant director of events and education. “It teaches the juniors what the ultimate end product is, and reinforces what the Angus and beef industry is about; a safe and wholesome product for our consumers.”
The top steers’ exhibitors were awarded contest premiums in addition to carcass premiums. Of the steers exhibited, nearly 52% qualified for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand. In addition to prize money, contestants — many of whom compete in the contest for several years — received carcass data back to influence future selection decisions.
Alexis Vandeberghe, Cleveland, N.D., exhibited the grand champion carcass steer. Her steer, sired by Connealy Gold 579, graded low-Prime with a yield grade of 3.1, had a 12.6-square-inch ribeye area, and had a hot-carcass weight of 791 pounds (lb.), allowing this steer to qualify for CAB. Vandeberghe received a $26 per hundredweight (cwt.) grid premium.
Reserve champion carcass steer was exhibited by Callie Eastin, Gretna, Va., who had the grand champion carcass steer the previous year. Her steer, sired by Connealy Black Granite, graded Prime with a yield grade of 3.2, had a 12.4-square-inch ribeye area, had a hot-carcass weight of 781 lb., and qualified for CAB. Eastin also received a $26 cwt. grid premium.
Chase Monte, Mexico, Mo., won grand champion bred-and-owned (B&O) and fifth overall carcass steer. His steer, sired by SydGen Black Diamond 2769, graded low-Prime with a yield grade of 4.2, had a 9.5-square-inch ribeye area and had a hot-carcass weight of 782 lb. Monte received a $16 cwt. grid premium.
Emma Eathington, Avon, Ill., won reserve grand champion B&O and eighth overall carcass steer with her son of Coleman Regis 904, graded high-Choice with a 3.3 yield grade, had a 12.3-square-inch ribeye area, a hot-carcass weight of 807 lb. and qualified for CAB. Eathington received a $15 cwt. grid premium.
The other exhibitors in the top ten were, in order: Ryder Wendel, LaMoure, N.D.; a second steer exhibited by Callie Eastin; Chase Monte; Danika Gordon, Whitewood, S.D.; Jordyn Wickard, Greenfield, Ind.; Emma Eathington; Kinsey Crowe, West Alexandria, Ohio; and Ty Mogck, Olivet, S.D.
Another aspect of the contest is the state group. Three steers are grouped together by at least two exhibitors in lots for a real-world application. For the second year in a row, the Virginia team consisting of Callie Eastin and Suter Clark, Gretna, Va., won the state group.
Additional NJAS contest placings, awards and scholarships can be found on www.angus.org. Coverage is also available on the NJAA Facebook page, including videos, show results and photos. Backdrop and candid photos are available for purchase online.
Also, plan to tune in to a special NJAS episode of The Angus Report at 7 a.m. (CST) Monday, July 18, on RFD-TV.
ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS. The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.
For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.
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