In a time where family-time is limited, the Logan County 4-H/FFA Youth Market Steer Show, Sale and Carcass Contest has become an avenue where families have committed to investing in each other through spending intentional time together. It has become a wonderful way to strengthen families and develop the young people participating in the program. A mother of 2 exhibitors and a former exhibitor herself, emphasizes the importance of the program to her family, “[We] very much enjoy our time together in the barn or even talking about raising, feeding, showing animals at supper.” It is with our commitment to our livestock families, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service and the Logan County Cattlemen’s Association work together to make this program a huge success.

The program teaches the full cycle of livestock production, responsibility of caring for and managing animals, animal nutrition, showmanship, and carcass quality. Exhibitors and their families invest countless hours throughout the 6 month program in the raising of their livestock while learning valuable lessons of responsibility, commitment, record keeping, animal science, marketing and leadership every step of the way. One parent boasts, “I enjoy watching my boys work together to gentle their calves. They learn so much and gain work ethic, learn how to work better and help one another and gain responsibility in taking care of a living thing.” This year, 33 steers were exhibited by 24 exceptional showman, weighing an average of 1250 pounds on show day, with an average daily gain of 2.78 pounds per day. Following the show, those 33 steers sold in the evening sale at an average of $5.16 per pound for a total contribution of $220,332.01 from 79 sponsors.

Beyond the show ring, the Logan County 4-H/FFA Youth Market Steer Show, Sale and Carcass Contest instills a drive in youth that has multiplied throughout generations. 45% of the parents were former exhibitors themselves and have found value in keeping the tradition of participation and sponsorship. 71% of the exhibitors have shown for more than one year and it has ignited a desire in the youth exhibitors to further their own success as a result of the monetary gains they have earned. When asked “What do you plan to do with the money you receive at the end of the steer project,” the exhibitors had a variety of responses including, “Spend a little, give some to church and save the rest”; “Save it for something in my future and reinvest in my next steer”; “Paying the feed bill”; “Save it for college and more livestock”. All of the responses were focused on their future and highlights how the Steer Show program has not only strengthened families and developed outstanding youth, but has created a community of support for an amazing future.