A staple of the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) lineup, the carcass contest gives juniors the chance to step up to the plate and showcase the full potential of their cattle. Zoe Gurley of Sarcoxie, Mo., did just that in Louisville, taking a big swing with four steers entered and scored three in the top seven. 

The accomplishment capped off a successful week for Gurley and highlighted the consistency of her breeding and management program. She rounded out the contest by earning Reserve Champion Carcass Steer, Grand Champion Bred-and-Owned Carcass Steer, Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Carcass Steer and a second-place finish in the State Carcass Group competition. 

“It was exciting and rewarding,” Gurley said. taking a moment to reflect on when her name was announced as a winner. “It made all the hard work feel worth it.”  

Gurley’s involvement in the carcass contest began with a desire to better understand the end product of the cattle she raises.  

“I wanted to see how the cattle I raised performed on the rail and learn more about producing quality beef,” she explained. 

That commitment to learning paid off in a big way. Entering four steers that were bred and owned, she placed three of the four among the top seven entries in the contest, an achievement that reflects years of selection and management decisions made at home. 

“It shows that our breeding program is producing consistent, high-quality cattle, and that the work we put in every day pays off,” she said. 

The Missouri junior encourages other young producers to take part in the contest, even if they're new to the experience. 

“It teaches you a lot about the beef industry beyond the show ring," Gurley said. “My advice is to ask questions and learn from others.” 

Beyond the awards and recognition, she believes the skills gained through the carcass contest will continue to benefit her in the future. 

“They've taught me responsibility, problem-solving, and how to make decisions that will help me in the cattle industry and beyond,” she shared. 

As the beef industry continues to evolve, opportunities like the NJAS carcass contest helps prepare the next generation of cattle producers by connecting everyday management decisions to real-world performance. For this Missouri junior, the contest not only showcased the strength of her breeding program but also reinforced the value of hard work, consistency and a willingness to learn. 

The NJAS Carcass Contest is designed to educate young cattle producers on the principles of efficiently feeding and managing steers to produce high-quality carcasses and, ultimately, an exceptional eating experience for consumers. Contest participants either raise or purchase a steer, carefully considering the animal’s genetic potential for desirable carcass characteristics. After feeding the steer to market weight at home, exhibitors bring their animals to NJAS, where the steers are weighed and tagged before being transported to a regional processing facility. There, the carcasses are evaluated and graded according to industry standards, providing valuable insight into the relationship between genetics, management practices, and carcass quality. 

Along with the hands-on experience of taking a steer from start to finish, Gurley and the rest of the 13 NJAA members who participated received detailed data about their steers. This data allows exhibitors to evaluate decisions made leading up to the contest and to help them better succeed in future years.  

Out of the 16 steers entered in the contest, 8 met the specifications for the Certified Angus Beef^® Brand. Five of those graded1 CAB^® Prime; all carcasses graded choice or better and received at minimum a $14/cwt. grid premium. The highest premium paid out was $36/cwt. 

Contestants received cash premiums above the market price paid by the processor through the Angus Foundation’s Briarwood Angus Farms Carcass Steer Contest Awards Endowment Fund. Established by Dr. Curtis Long and the late Ann Long, the endowment funds carcass contest awards and premiums, including an additional 25% premium for carcasses meeting Certified Angus Beef^® specifications.