Steer Carcass Challenge benefits Oklahoma Cattleman’s Foundation
On a recent foggy day, several cattlemen made their way to Watonga, Oklahoma, all in the name of a good cause. Thirty steers were delivered to participate in the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation Steer Carcass Challenge. The Steer Carcass Challenge is designed to provide an opportunity to donate to the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation while creating a venue for friendly competition based on performance and carcass merit of cattle.
When you support the OCF, you support educational scholarships for Oklahoma’s 4-H and FFA youth that are involved in the beef industry, educational programs for current beef producers and the preservation of the Oklahoma beef cattle industry and its traditions.
“With 30 head, this is, by some margin the largest feedout in the history of the program,” said Taylor Shackelford, OCF Coordinator.
According to Shackelford, the group of 30 steers will be fed out at Xcel Feeders near Watonga, Oklahoma. “We appreciate the support of Xcel Feeders and thank the crew there for working with us to feed the Foundation Steer Carcass Challenge steers,” Shackelford said.
Once the steers are delivered to Xcel Feeders, the donor receives a receipt for their donation to the OCF, a 501(c)3. The OCF pays all expenses associated with caring for and feeding the steers and then reaps the profit at the time they are sold.
“Approximately two thirds of the steers donated were from OCA members in unified counties. Meaning, the OCF will happily send half the profit off those cattle from unified counties back to the local level in support of active county cattlemen’s associations,” Shackelford said. “We started the Unified County partnership a couple years ago and it has been mutually beneficial. The Foundation grows while helping local cattlemen’s groups accomplish their goals.”
A huge thank you to those who donated steers this year: Russel Boles, Watson; Bill Bridges, Elgin; Davis Angus, Cordell; Mike Frey, Kingfisher; Randy & Suzanne Gilbert, Tecumseh; Weston Givens, Arnett; Gary Goucher, Alva; Neil Goucher, Waynoka; Lindsey Grant, McAlester; John & Chancey Hanson, Waynoka; Henson Family Ranch, Hugo; Hughes County Cattlemen’s Association; Tommy Johnson, Lane; Jeremy Kinder, Faxon; John & Gaye Pfeiffer, Mulhall; Max & Debra Redgate, Waynoka; Ryan & Dacia Redgate, Waynoka; Taylor Reed, Foraker; Darrel Shepherd, Custer; James Shropshire and Blake Shropshire, Indianola; Swanson Ranch, Roosevelt; Rodney Timm, Enid; Treadwell Land and Cattle Company, Frederick; Kent Walker, Frederick; Wann Ranch, Poteau; Weeks Bros., Stuart; Byron Yeoman, Dover; and John Zelbst, Lawton.
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Foundation was created to provide a charitable trust for the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. In 2018 the OCF presented more than $16,000 in scholarships and played a huge role in the fire relief efforts. The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is the trusted voice of the Oklahoma beef cattle industry and has members in all 77 counties in Oklahoma. To join or learn more visit www.okcattlemen.org.
