Beef

FINISHED DAIRY STEERS (see Dairy Rules)

EXHIBIT OPTIONS

Exhibit Options: Members may choose to exhibit any combination of live animals, a poster and\or present a Project Interact detailing some aspect of the project.   The poster and Project Interact options may be in place of or in addition to the live animal exhibit.   For information on Animal Posters please see the guidelines under the Animal Education project section of this handbook.  Poster projects are entered during pre-fair judging weeks.  Please refer to the pre-fair schedule for specific dates and times for Animal Education check-in.  Members wishing to give a Project Interact are to setup a suitable time with the project superintendent(s).

GENERAL RULES

1. 4-H members must enroll in the Beef Project on their 4-H Online profile.  

2. 2. Unless otherwise stated in this handbook, Tippecanoe county beef will follow the same animal “Ownership, Posession, and Exhibition” terms and conditions set forth by the Indiana State Fair 4-H Competitions entry book.

3. 4-H steers must have their milk teeth in place and no permanent teeth showing or evidence thereof.   

4. 4-H market animals and commercial animals must be individually identified and verified under the supervision of the county 4-H program at the county indentification event by May 15th. The exact dates of the county identification event will be set forth by the county 4-H program. These species include beef steers, market heifers, and commercial heifers. All market steers, market heifers, and commercial heifers must be identified by a 5 digit county tag and an 840-RFID tag applied by the county 4-H program.  All breed registered heifers must have a tattoo and an 840-RFID tag. 840-RFID tags for registered heifers are available at the extension office. 

5. All steers, market heifers, commercial heifers, registered heifers, and feeder calves that may be shown at the county or state 4-H fairs must be listed on the online 4-H Animal Enrollment website by the state deadline.

6. No horns are allowed. 

7. There will be a minimum weight of 700 pounds at weigh-in at the fair to show as a market steer, and a minimum of 800 pounds for steers to sell in the auction.

8. Steers will be divided into weight and breed classes to be determined by the Beef Committee.

9. At the fair, at least 1 day prior to the show, Steers, market heifers commercial heifers will be weighed and registered heifers will have papers checked by the Beef Committee. Papers and tattoo must be checked and tattoo readable to be eligible to show. Registration papers must have the date of sale prior to the state deadline.

10. A beef exhibitor cannot sell more than one steer through the auction, regardless of placing. An exhibitor must show the steer in the competition in order to sell it in the auction. Other steers may be sold at pre-priced value via the pool sale option.

11. No false hair, stomach pumping, or artificial fitting allowed. The use of drench guns is allowed. 

12. The use of graphite or charcoal is not allowed. False switches and the use of artificial hair are prohibited. Only natural hair growing in its original location will be permitted.

13. Any lost county or RFID ear tags must be reported to the County Extension Office prior to July 1 of current year for re-identification.

14. Only one fan will be allowed per beef animal. No floor fans are allowed in the cattle barn. All fans must be hanging fans. No tack in walking isles.

15. No extra structures or tents are allowed at the beef tie-outs or in the beef barns, except on show day.

16.  Steer and heifer breeds recognized at the Tippecanoe County 4H Fair are the same breeds that are also recognized by the Indiana State Fair 4H Entry Book. A minimum of 1 head of a recognized breed required to show as a seperate breed divison. Purebred and composite breeds with registration papers (heifers only) NOT recognized will be assigned to an AOB (All Other Breeds) class at the Tippecanoe County Fair. Registration papers are not required for steers.

17. Steers and heifers must be shown at the Tippecanoe County Fair as the breed that was declared on the online FairEntry website. However, steers or heifers identified as a particular breed may be switched to only the crossbred class up to check-in at the county fair, but those identified as a crossbred cannot be switched to a breed class. Market heifers cannot be switched out of the market heifer class. The breed sifting committee has the option of putting the steer in a cross class if steer doesn’t show the breed characteristics.

18. All Champion and Reserve Champion steers and commercial heifers will be reidentified prior to the Grand Champion selection. Identification will be read and compared to original identification.

19. Each member may show only those animals listed within his/her family (siblings/step-siblings) except under adverse conditions, as determined by the superintendent.

20. Any substitute showman for the 4-H Beef Show must be a Tippecanoe County 4-H member.

21. . One animal cannot be shown by exhibitors in showmanship. 

22.  Exhibitors may recieve clipping and grooming assitance from anyone during the county fair. Anyone assiting exhibitors must also follow the terms and conditions set forth in this handbook. Anyone assiting must be respectful and obedient to the rules and processes of the project. Failure to comply will result in disqualification of the exhibitor and the person(s) assisting.  

23. All medications, oral or injected, must be approved by the superintendents prior to being given. If found to be given without approval it will result in immediate automatic dismissal from the show and auction / pool and the 4-H member will be unable to participate in the beef program the following year.

24. Feeder steer calves and junior heifer calves must be weaned and must have enrolled online by the state deadline. All calves must be weaned and dehorned. 

25. A pen fee will be charged at check in, as set forth by the Exhibit Association. The amount will be announced prior to check in. 

26. All cattle must be brought into the barn from tie outs by 10 a.m.

27. Market heifers will show by weight. The market heifer class will take place after the crossbred steer show. The champion and reserve market heifer will then compete for Top Five Overall Market Animal.

28. Feeder steers must be born after January 1 of the current year.

29. Superintendents, in conjunction with the Executive committee and 4-H educator, reserve the right as a group to finalize or clarify any previous stated rule. Each situation will be handled individually in a professional manner.  

30. A maximum of 2 helpers are allowed to accompany an exhibitor with their animal in the make-up area before entering the show ring. The designated make-up area will be marked on show day. 

The following breeding heifer classes will be provided (all classes will compete for grand overall breeding heifer):

1. Commercial Junior Heifer Calves - Born 1/1/26-3/31/26 (then show by weight)

2. Commercial Heifers- Born 9/1/24-12/31/25 (then show by weight)

3. Registered Junior Heifer calves - Born 1/1/26 - 3/31/26

4. Registered Winter Heifer calves—11/1/25—12/31/25

5. Registered Senior Heifer calves—9/1/25—10/30/25

6. Registered Late Summer Yearling—7/1/25—8/31/25

7. Registered Early Summer Yearling—5/1/25—6/30/25

8. Registered Spring Yearling Heifers—3/1/25—4/30/25

9. Registered Junior Yearling heifers—1/1/25 - 2/28/25

10. Registered Senior Yearling heifers—9/1/24—12/31/24

SHOWMANSHIP

See livestock showmanship rules in the front of the handbook.

TOP FIVE OVERALL SELECTION

During the Grand Drive a Top Five will be selected by the judge from the breed champions and reserve breed champions. The Grand Champion and reserve Grand Champion will be selected and then and additional 3 animals will be selected by the judge from the remaining breed champions and reserves. Once a breed champion is selected for any position in the Top Five, that respective reserve breed champion will be allowed to enter the ring for contention for any remaining spots in the Top Five.

COUNTY BORN AND BRED STEERS AND HEIFERS

1. County Born and Bred is defined as: Calf being bred and raised by a Tippecanoe County breeder or Tippecanoe County 4-H Member.

2. Steers and heifers must be designated County Born and Bred by their respective enrollment deadline.

3. The County Born and Bred cattle will show in their breed class with the other steers and heifers. The highest placing County Born and Bred steer and heifer in each breed class will then be brought in to show for Grand Champion County Born and Bred Steer or Grand Champion County Born and Bred Heifer.

4. All County Born and Bred calves must abide by county and statewide rules.

5. A Reserve Grand Champion County Born and Bred Steer and Heifer will be selected.

6. County Born and Bred Champion and Reserve will not show for overall Grand and Reserve unless they have already otherwise qualified.

7. Grand Champion County Born Heifer will be selected after Top 5 Overall Heifer. Grand Champion County Born Market Animal will be selected after Top 5 Overall Market Animal.

8. County Born Cattle Premiums - Tippecanoe Cattleman’s Association: All county born cattle receive $10.00.

The Tippecanoe Cattleman’s Association provides $50 cash award to 4-Hers exhibiting Champion Heifers.

TIPPECANOE CATTLEMAN’S ASSOCIATION BEEF COMPLETION AWARD

An award given to an active beef exhibitor in their last eligible year in 4-H. Contact superintendents for further requirements and application.