The 4th Annual All-American Beef Derby Challenge

Do your genetics have what it takes?

The fourth annual All-American Beef Derby will be starting soon and we’re looking for your entries! The last Derby  as a great success and final results will be announced soon. But, it’s time to start thinking about entries for the  008-2009 contest. The Derby is again coordinated by the ACA, in cooperation with Decatur County Feed Yard and will begin this fall.

Steers born in 2008 sired by ACA registered bulls will be delivered to central gathering points within each region.   The ACA will arrange transportation to Decatur County Feedyard in Oberlin, Kan.

Winners will be named in each of three categories– Feed Efficiency, Carcass Value and Net Return. Cash prizes  will be paid to top places in each category. They will be recognized at the ACA annual banquet in Louisville and   again at the Calcutta auction in Denver. The actual amount for awards will be determined once all cattle are sold.

ACA breeders are encouraged to begin selecting prospects now. Calves may be either home raised or purchased from bull customers. What a great opportunity to visit buyers and show confidence in your breeding program. The  competition is friendly and educational value unlimited.

Rules & Guidelines

The Beef Derby Challenge is open to Chianina genetics, source- and age-verified 2008 born steers. All  consignments must be sire-identified (ACA Registered) into one of two categories, single sired and/or multi-sired group.

• Minimum consignment of 5 head per entry with a maximum of 9 head. Sire groups are highly encouraged.

• Each 5 head will constitute an entry.

• Entries can come from an individual person, ranch or entity.

• Entries also can come from multiple ownership; i.e. two or more members/breeders may jointly enter a group of  steers. (In the case of multiple entries, consignment groups can be determined up to Jan. 1, 2009 after evaluation of arrival data.)

• The best of 3 (Average of the top 3 steers per entry) in three separate value categories will be presented awards (1 Awards for every 7 entries).

√ Lowest (best) average/head Dry Matter Feed Conversion– Dry matter conversion is derived on an individual basis from the Cornell Net Carbohydrate system.

√ Highest average/head Carcass Value – Carcass value will be determined using Decatur County Feed Yard's exclusive value added marketing grid/agreement.

√ Highest average/head Adjusted Net Return Index to the Ranch – Average net return using the actual average monthly fed cattle market, 2008-2009 including average monthly average choice/select spread, over/ under arrival value less any feed, yardage, sorting, medicine and data collection charges.

• Arrival Value will be determined using an individual price published from Cattle-Fax® rounded up/down in 10 lb. increments and averaged for the month of October 2008 for the individual animal.

• Target Harvest projected backfat will be 0.48 of an inch. Target Harvest hot carcass weight will be 550 to 1,000  lbs. The committee is considering a more natural program (no implants or Optaflexx). A final decision will be  made after entries are in.

• Delivery will be made to Decatur County Feed Yard in Oberlin, Kan., between Nov. 1 and Nov. 7, 2008

• Cattle need to be weaned a minimum of 30 days.

• Decatur County Feed Yard will provide a suggested pre-weaning and weaning vaccination/nutrition schedule.

• Recommended arrival weight needs to be a minimum of 500 lbs and a maximum weight of 750 lbs.

• Animals should be age-verified with a minimum date of birth for oldest calf in a consignment.

• Animals should be process-verified, meaning documentation of all vaccinations, medications and implants.

• Source-verified is required. Premise identification is recommended for proper source verification.

• Entry fee: $25/head – Due Oct. 1, 2008

• Fee will be used for Cost of Electronic Identification Ear Tags, ACA Visual Ear Tags, Individual Cattle  Management (sorting), Individual Carcass Data (REA, Back Fat, Quality Grade, Yield Grade and Hot Carcass  Weight) and Individual Performance data (Dry Matter Conversion, Average Daily Gain, Treatment Cost, Net Return and Adjusted Net Return). Decatur County Feed Yard charges are $5/head plus $0.02/head/day on feed or an   historical average of $9/head. Remaining funds will be used by the ACA for administration and advertising  purposes. Decatur County Feedyard will generate all of the reports for consignments, including arrival, interim and closeout reports for the producer.

• 10% of the gross proceeds once an individual animal is harvested will be deducted for prize money and delivery
(trucking) charges.

• Important
• Cattle need to be weaned a minimum of 30 days.

• Trucking

• Delivery will be coordinated between the ACA, Decatur County Feed Yard and individual producers. Central   pickup points will be established for smaller, multiple consignments. Large consignments are encouraged to   make arrangements independently. Trucking invoices need to be itemized and turned in to Decatur County Feed  Yard for payment. There will be a limit of $100/ head for trucking.

Structure:
Consignments will be delivered to Decatur County Feed Yard near Oberlin, Kan., Nov. 1 - Nov. 7, 2008. They will  be placed on feed and fed conventional rations throughout the feeding period. Steers will be part of the Decatur  Beef Alliance and may be marketed individually on Decatur's exclusive marketing agreement with Cargill Meat  Solutions (Excel) or any other value based opportunity that is available at the time of harvest.

Individual arrival processing weight will be the starting weight (pay weight), regardless of the delivery day. Cattle   will be processed in a conventional manner. Animals will be commingled with other ACA steers and penned  according to arrival. The number of pens used depends on the number of animals enrolled and will be up to  Decatur County Feed Yard's discretion. Individual arrival reports will be made available to the ACA to be distributed to the consignors.

At approximately 90 to 100 days on feed, steers may be remeasured and sorted into two groups based on an  average optimum end point of the individual steer (early finish and late finish).

Approximately one week prior to the earliest estimated harvest date of the early finish group, animals will be  sorted into at least five harvest groups and separated into twoweek marketing windows. This will be the same for  the late finishing group. Animals could have the potential to be marketed over a 20-week window based on an  optimum harvest date determined by projected back fat targets and projected hot carcass weight targets.

As animals are harvested, feeding charges will be prorated and credited. Balance of monies will be direct  deposited into an established ACA account, to be distributed to the individual consignors. Decatur County Feed  Yard will hold data confidential until the last animal is harvested and the“Challenge” is final. “Beef Derby  Challenge” winners will be announced in the August 2009 ACJ.

Entry:
Oct. 1, 2008 is the deadline for enrollment. Enrollment forms (age, source, vaccination and genetic information)   will be provided on request from ACA. Once all forms are returned with the $25/head fee, the ACA will provide  consignors with an EID and an ACA visual ear tag(s) (with instructions for proper EID placement). A group photo is also recommended (2008 Calcutta) with the enrollment forms. Trucking will be arranged by a joint effort of the   consignors, ACA and Decatur County Feed Yard. Delivery Charges will be deducted from the 10% gross fee taken  out for prize money. There will be a $100/head limit.

Calcutta Auction:
In an effort to promote Chianina genetics a Calcutta auction will be held at the 2009 NWSS in Denver, Colo. This   will be open to anyone wanting to participate. Payout will be announced at auction time. 10% of the total will go to  the ACA for expenses. The balance will be divided and distributed to the winning bidders.

A group photo, along with all of the genetic and feed yard arrival information/data will be made available to all of the potential bidders and will be the entry bid on.

Website:
The ACA will coordinate a web page to include all up-todate information concerning the Derby.

Winners:
Winners will be recognized in the ACJ, as well other National Trade Publications. The amount of prize money  distributed depends on any pending sponsorship and participation. Decatur County Feed Yard will sponsor and  provide first place prizes in the three categories. Midwest MicroSystems will provide second place prize in the three categories.

If you are proud of your cattle and wish to participate in this important program, please contact Myron Danner  (Derby Chairman) at (308) 346-5266 or Ed Creason, ACA Marketing Director at (816) 431-2808 or  acamarketing@earthlink. net. Don’t miss your chance to be part of an exciting opportunity. Entry forms will be available on the ACA website, www.chicattle.org.