Steer Carcass Challenge payouts made

In 2019, 21 steers were donated 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.

"Approximately two thirds of the steers donated were from OCA members in unified counties. This means, the OCF sent half the profit off those cattle from unified counties back to the local level in support of active county cattlemen’s associations," said Taylor Shackelford, OCF Coordinator.

The county payout checks were issued to the following local cattlemen groups: Carter County Cattlemen’s, Custer County Cattlemen’s Association, Hughes County Cattlemen’s Association, Kiowa County Cattlemen’s Association, Marshall County Cattlemen’s Association, PAC County Cattlemen’s Association, Pittsburg County Cattlemen’s Association, Pottawatomie County Cattlemen’s Association and Tri-County Cattlemen’s Association.

"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," said Shackelford.

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.

According to Shackelford, the steers will be fed out at the Oklahoma State University’s Willard Sparks Beef Research Center located in Stillwater.

"We’re looking forward to working with Oklahoma State University and really appreciate all the work they do for the beef cattle industry here in Oklahoma," Shackelford said.

After delivery, 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.

"We’re working to gather up a group of steers for the 2020-21 Steer Carcass Challenge," Shackelford said, "and we’re looking at a Nov. 20 receiving date."

If you are interested in donating a steer or learning more, call Taylor at 405-235-4391 or visit okcattlemen.org /steer-carcass-challenge.