In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, retail beef prices have increased by 18.7% from February 2020 when it first began to May 2020, according to reports from the USDA Economic Research Service published on June 10, 2020.  As a result, consumers have become more aware of the direct to consumer beef market and are buying directly from beef producers. The annual Logan County 4-H & FFA Youth Market Steer/Heifer Show, Sale, and Carcass Contest, sponsored by the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Logan County Cattlemen’s Association, continues to serve as the leading example of direct to consumer beef sales in Logan County as well as surrounding counties.

The Logan County Youth Steer Program is derived of 6 interdependent components that help illustrate the full cycle of production from raising the animal to the hanging carcass. The final component of the program is the Carcass Contest, where the animal is judged on the quality of the meat. Of the 49 carcasses in the program, 4 graded Prime, 34 graded Choice, and 11 graded Select, with an average dressing percentage of 62.39% and an average carcass weight of 744.12 pounds. The meat from the program is locally marketed to community members highlighting the health and financial benefits of locally raised beef. Community members invested $55,937.68 in the youth of Logan County, from purchasing the beef in the Carcass Contest.

The Carcass Contest also allows the participating youth and their parents the opportunity to appreciate the effort they invested in their animals with the reward of quality in the carcass. “As a parent and a custom beef supplier, I have a better understanding of what we are raising and how it affects what I am selling to customers. By attending the carcass contest grading, I now can explain to my customers, with confidence, the differences in quality and yield grades as well as how they are evaluated.”

These programs not only teach the responsibility of caring for and managing their animals but they also teach about animal nutrition, showmanship, and carcass quality. Each of these skills can be carried out in their life beyond the shows and applied to situations and events the youth will be involved in within school and their future careers. Beyond the participants’ personal growth, community members develop skills and understand of locally raised and marketed beef which allows them to make better educated decisions regarding their families’ health and well-being.