**The Beef Club meets Every Third Monday of the Month**
We mainly meet in different rooms at the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds at 7pm.
There are a few months where the meetings will be on different dates and times.
Here is a tentative schedule for the upcoming year:
Monday, November 15, 2021-- Beef Meeting Ag Hall 7pm
Saturday, December 11, 2021--First Weigh-in Shipshewana Auction Barn 9am-12pm
Saturday, January 15, 2022-- DEADLINE to ENROLL in 4-H
Monday, January 17, 2022--Beef Meeting Ag Hall 7PM
Saturday, February 19, 2022--Final Weigh-in Shipshewana Auction Barn 9AM-12PM
Monday, March 21, 2022--7pm Beef Meeting Mennonite Room ECCC
Saturday, March 26, 2022--Northern Classic Preview Show -Details TBA
Geranium Orders Due First Week in April
Monday, April 18, 2022-- Beef Meeting Sheep/Swine Arena 7pm
April 27, 2022-- Geranium Pick up at Fairgrounds
Sunday, May 15, 2022--ALL ANIMAL ID needs to be completed in 4H online
Sunday, May 15, 2022--YQCA Training needs to be completed
Monday, May 16, 2022-- Beef Meeting Dairy/Beef Arena 7pm
Monday, June 20, 2022--7pm--Beef/Dairy Arena, Stall Rent Due $25 for Market animals, $15 for purebred heifers and Commercial Heifers
July 7, 2022--Fair Entry Needs Completed
Thursday, July 14, 2022--6:30pm--Ag Hall/Scholarships Due
(This is the carry-in dinner)
Thursday, July 21, 2022-- Bring Cattle to the Fair/Final Weigh-in 3:00pm-9:00pm
Friday, July 22, 2022--Saturday, July 30, 2022--FAIR WEEK
Saturday, July 23, 2022--Bill George Memorial Open Show 9:30am
Monday, July 25, 2022-- Elkhart County 4-H Beef Show 1:00pm
Senior Showmanship is first
Friday, July 29, 2022-- Elkhart County 4-H Beef Auction 6:30pm
Saturday, August 13, 2022--Beef Banquet Nelson's Banquet Hall, Wakarusa, IN 6:30pm
STATE FAIR AND ELKHART COUNTY STEER BREED CLASSIFICATION
Breed//Minimum Percentage
Angus
100%
must be polled no scurs
Belted Galloway
50%
Must be polled no scurs
Must be sired by a registered Belted Galloway Bull
Must exhibit Belted Galloway breed characteristics
Charolais
50%
Black, Black Baldie, Dark Gray and Red are not permissible
Chianina
Registerable
Gelbvieh
50%
Must be sired by a registered Gelbvieh Bull
Hereford
100%
Limousin
Registerable
Maine
25%
Market Heifer
No Breeds Shown by weight
Red Angus
87%
Category 1
Must be polled no scurs Must be red
Must be sired by a registered Red Angus Bull
Red Poll
100%
Salers
50%
Santa Gertrudis
100%
Shorthorn
93.75%
Shorthorn Plus
50%
Simmental
50%
Crossbred
No breeds shown by weight
AOB (Must be 3 steers by Feb. weigh-in)
The breed must also be a state fair breed listed above. (Except Crossbred)
For example: 2 Salers & 1 Red Poll
All of the above market animals must weigh at least 900 pounds at the fair weigh in to be able to show or sell.
WE REQUIRE REGISTRATION PAPERS FOR ALL PUREBRED HEIFERS.
STATE FAIR AND ELKHART COUNTY HEIFER BREED CLASSIFICATION
Breed//Minimum Precentage
Angus
100%
Must be polled no scurs
Belted Galloway
100%
Must be polled no scurs
Charolais
100%
Chianina
Registerable
Gelbvieh
75%
Registered balancer-25%-75% Gelbvieh blood
Hereford
100%
Limousin
75%
Maine
75%
Maintainer
Registerable 25%
Red Angus
100%
Category 1
Must be polled no scurs
Red Poll
100%
Salers
50%
Santa Gertrudis
100%
Shorthorn
93.75%
Shorthorn Plus
Registerable 50%
Simmental
76% and above
Sim Solution
Registerable
50-75%
Crossbred
No breeds shown by weight
All registered heifers must have a registration paper other than crossbreds.
Note: As per our beef club rules, we do not add a state fair additional breed until the year following the year that the state fair adds it.
Elkhart County 4-H Beef Club Rules 2020-2021:
ELKHART COUNTY 4-H BEEF CLUB RULES 2020-21
DIRECTOR & FAIR BOARD REPRESENTATIVE - Steve George
LEADERS-- Steve George and Renee Klein
ASSISTANT LEADERS - Phil Lechlitner, Chris Gillam, Kayla Simmons
PROJECT LEADERS
Pam Vander Wey
Collin Miller - Taylor Howard – Bryce Wuthrich
4-H BEEF JUDGING
MONDAY, JULY 25th 1:00 P.M.
Showmanship – Seniors – Juniors- Beginners- Greenhand
Heifers
Market Animals
AUCTION FRIDAY JULY 29th 6:30 P.M.
BEEF/DAIRY ARENA
BANQUET - SATURDAY AUGUST 13th - 6:30 P.M.
NELSON'S PORT-A-PIT - WAKARUSA
RULES
(Market Animals)
1.There is a limit of two (2) market animals for each member that can be shown and sold at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. There is no limit on the number of market animals that individuals or families may enroll. Individuals or family members must identify who is showing which market animal (s) at fair entry or fair weigh in. These market animals must be weighed and enrolled at either the December or February weigh in dates with the approved five digit state yellow ID tag. RFID tags will be put in if necessary, at a cost of $5.00 per tag.
2.The leaders and advisory board members recommend that market animal (s) that you purchase or raise, should be born from January thru May (2020) in order to meet the market animal minimum weight of 900 pounds at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair in order to sell. This year (2021) you will be allowed to show but not sell if you are under the minimum weight of 900 pounds. In addition, if you have a champion of a breed (market animal) you must weigh at least 900 pounds to be in the grand drive. The reserve champion of that breed may go into the grand drive if they weigh at least 900 pounds.
3.Suggested minimum weights at the weigh-in’s for market animals to make a desirable weight for the fair. December weigh-in (700 pounds) February weigh-in (900 pounds)
4.No market animal will be allowed to sell that weighs less than 900 pounds at the weigh in at the fair.
5.There will be no minimum number for any individual market animal breed at the Elkhart County 4-H Beef Show as long as that breed is recognized as a state fair market animal breed. New breeds this year: Market Animal: Mini Hereford, Chi-Angus, & Slick Steer. Dairy breeds are not allowable breeds for any class at the Elkhart County 4-H Beef Show. Whenever the Indiana State Fair adds additional market animal breeds to their list of recognized breeds, the leaders and advisory board will vote on whether to add that market animal breed.
6.All Angus, Belted Galloway, and Red Angus market animals must be polled. (No scurs) We will check for scurs and/or horns for the 3 breeds above. We are also requiring that all market animals have their heads clipped before they come to the scales at the fair weigh in. Any market animal from the above list that is found to have scurs, even if the member has registration papers for that particular breed, at either the December, February, or fair weigh in date, will be moved to the crossbred division.
7.All market animals must be dehorned and can only have scurs 1 inch or less.
8.All breed steers must have a registration paper. The steer must have tattoo’s that matches the paper in either ear(s). We are requiring that you bring the original registration paper when you come to either the December or February weigh in. Exception to the above rule – market heifers, crossbred steers & slick steers. Deadline to turn in registration papers will be April 1, 2021. If no registration paper by deadline – then the steer will be moved to crossbred.
9.Any breed steer may switch to the crossbred division if noted at the weigh in at the fair. Market heifers may not change their classification after their initial weigh in.
10.Market animals will be shown in classes not to exceed 10 calves and will be arranged in classes by breed and weight. (Exception: Market Heifers, Crossbred Steers & Slick Steers
11.Market animals must be born on or after January 1, 2020.
12.All market animals will be classified by breed by the 4-H Beef Club Leader, Assistant Beef Club Leaders, and the 4-H Beef Club Advisory Board. The 4-H Beef Club Leader, Assistant Beef Club Leaders, and the Advisory Board will make all final decisions.
13.Initial breed classifications will be designated at initial weigh in.
14.Scenario’s for switching breeds:
a.A breed steer may switch to a crossbred steer or slick steer at fair entry.
b.A crossbred steer may only switch to slick steer at fair entry
c.A slick steer may only switch to crossbred steer at fair entry.
d.A market heifer may not switch to any other division.
e.A crossbred heifer may not switch to any other division.
15.Slick steer class guidelines:
a.Only steers – no market heifers or crossbred heifers.
b.No registration papers required.
c.Steers can have ¼ inch hair. They are normally clipped 1-2 weeks before the fair.
d.A diagram will be provided to show what hair may be left on the steer.
e.You may fit/groom the hair that is left on the steer.
f. You may also cut the hair all off.
g.You may enter the slick steer division at fair entry
Breed classification of market animals will be done by a minimum of 75% of the Advisory Board, 4-H Beef Club Leader, and Assistant Beef Club Leaders present at time of weigh in. Any protest of classification by other than an Advisory Board member, will require a fee of $25 and will be forfeited should the classification be upheld. Should the above groups at either weigh in determine that there is a question about the breed of a market animal, the member will have until April 1, 2021 to turn in a registration paper for the market animal in question. Advisory Board members, 4-H Beef Club Leader, and Assistant Beef Club Leaders will vote on any protest on the first Friday of the fair. Any market animal removed from any breed class may be shown as a crossbred.
16.All market animals must be enrolled on the 4-H Online Animal ID system by April 1. Fair Entry Animal 4-H Online will be required sometime in early July.
(Purebred & Crossbred heifers)
1.Members may not enter more than two (2) heifers per age group per breed. Eligible heifer breeds are based on State Fair rules. New breeds this year: Mini Hereford, Chi-Angus & Charolais Composite.
2.A copy of the certification of registration paper (plus RFID tag number) for heifers showing in specific breed classes, indicating that the member owned the heifer being exhibited either entirely or in partnership in accordance with the Indiana State Fair rules must be turned into a (leader or assistant leaders) by May 15, 2021. Crossbred heifers must be brought in for either one of the weigh in’s. Crossbred heifers will have both the approved state five digit yellow ID ear tag and a RFID tag put in if needed. Cost of the RFID tag will be $5.00.
3.Non -acceptable registrations are in father's name only, farm name only, or in partnership with unrelated persons (such as “Smith View”, “Smith Oak”, “John Doe and William Smith (4-H member)”, “Long Oak and William Smith (4-H member), etc. Acceptable registrations (1) in the 4-H member's name; (2) John Smith and sons; (3) John Smith, sons and daughters; (4) John Smith and family (family includes sons, daughters, and legal guardian – youth only; (5) Mark Smith (brother) and Mary Smith ( sister); (6) Family Corporations, where the 4-H member' name appear as a holder of stock in the corporation, and proof of same must be supplied on or before the enrollment date; (7) Family partnership where the 4-H members father, mother, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, and/or legal guardian is also in the family partnership and the 4-H member's name appears on the legal, notarized partnership. A copy of the written document must be attached to the enrollment form before the enrollment deadline. All registered heifer requirements will be based on the current Indiana State Fair guidelines.
4.We are also allowing any 4-H Beef Club member to show any purebred heifer at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair without having to transfer the registration paper to the 4-H member's name as long as the heifer was born in Elkhart County. These heifers which not transferred to the 4-H member's name can only be exhibited with this type of paper at the Northern Classic Open Spring Show, Bill George Memorial Open Summer Show, and at our Elkhart County 4-H Show. These heifers would not be able to exhibit at the Indiana State Fair under these guidelines. If you elect to exhibit at open shows, you may exhibit as a crossbred heifer.
5.All heifers must be enrolled on the Indiana 4-H Online Animal ID system by May 15. Fair Entry Animal 4-H Online will be required sometime in early July.
(Heifer age divisions)
Junior Calf Calves born January 1 to March 31 2021
Senior Calf Calves born September 1 to December 31 2020
Summer Yearling Calves born May 1 to August 31 2020
Junior Yearling Calves born January 1 to April 30, 2020
Senior Yearling Calves born September 1 to December 31, 2019
6.Crossbred heifers will be shown in classes not to exceed 10 calves and will be arranged by weight.
7.Any registered heifer that voluntarily switches to the crossbred division at the fair check in date, must meet the registered heifer guidelines before being weighed. Tattoo must match registration paper and/or RFID tag must match entry form.
(Grand Champion Elkhart County Born Heifer)
- These heifers must have been born in Elkhart County.
- This show will occur after the top 5 heifers in the 4-H show our selected.
- If any of the top 5 heifers are Elkhart County Born, then that heifer will be the Grand Champion Elkhart County Born Heifer. Starting with the Grand Champion and going down.
- We will keep track of the top placing heifers from each breed.
- There may be more than 1 heifer from an individual breed in this show.
(Showmanship)
1.No calves will be allowed at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair unless the member can properly handle and exhibit them. This is for the safety of all involved.
2.Calves must be shown by their owners. In case of sickness or conditions beyond the control of the member, another Elkhart County 4-H Beef Club Member will be allowed to exhibit the animal with the permission of the Beef Club Leader and assistants.
3.Showmanship classes will be divided into:
Greenhand: first year members who have completed grades 3 or 4
Beginners: members who have completed grades 4 or 5
Juniors: members who completed grades 6, 7, & 8
Seniors: members who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, & 12
Participants must show calves that are entered on the fair entry in their name. (Not family name) Once a member wins in her/his age group classification, they must advance to the next age group regardless of age. The senior winner will represent the 4-H Beef Cub in the Round Robin Showmanship competition on Thursday evening of the fair. If the senior winner has already won the Round Robin Showmanship competition, the 2nd place senior will represent the Beef Club in the competition or if the winner declines the competition.
4.Members are required to wear appropriate attire while exhibiting and selling their calves. Tennis shoes, shorts, and inappropriate shirts will not be allowed.
5.Any 4-H animal that gets away from an exhibitor 3 times will be dismissed from the ring. Under the discretion of the Beef Club leaders, an animal may be dismissed before three times if the animal poses a threat to the exhibitor or any other exhibitors.
(Grooming Guidelines)
1.Elkhart County 4-H Beef Club exhibitors may receive clipping and grooming assistance from the following groups during the 4-H show on Monday: This rule will be in effect as of 9:00 am on Monday of the fair.
- Any current 4-H Beef Club Member
- Any current 4-H Beef Club Parent
- Members of your family who are no more than two generations removed from the Beef Club Exhibitor. (This would include cousins) Remember, this is the relationship to the 4-Her, not the parents.
- Temporary guardianships are not permitted and shall result in immediate disqualifications.
- We are asking that all Beef Club members and their parents please notify, by 12:00 on Monday, one of the leaders if you have someone that will be helping you fit into the above grooming rule guidelines, that we as leaders might not know.
- Grooming rule for the Bill George Memorial Open Show on Saturday, and the 4-H Show on Monday: No false switches (tails) and the use of artificial hair are prohibited. Only natural growing hair in its original location will be permitted.
- Anyone who doesn’t qualify to fit under the grooming and fitting rule: We are saying hands off to everything. No touching the calves, products, or equipment. You are there only to instruct verbally and point to possible changes. Beef Club exhibitors and their parents are expected to instruct the above people of the rules.
- The following people are the only ones permitted to tail or follow the 4-H animal into the ring. (Under the North canopy that enters the ring) People qualified under the fitting and grooming rules and make up ring help.
- Consequence of grooming rule violation:
Violation of the rules need to be reported to Mark Slabaugh, Beef Club leader, or Steve George, Assistant Beef Club leader. There must be valid proof of the violation. This must occur before the animal is exhibited. Violators will be disqualified from showing & selling that individual animal in question. Flagrant violators of county rules may be barred from exhibiting in future Elkhart County 4-H Beef Shows. Completion of your 4-H year is dependent upon submitting a completed record book or a similar requirement. Exhibiting your animal at the fair is not a requirement for completion.
(4-H Auction)
1.Market animals will sell at the weight at which they show at the 4-H show.
2.Sale calves will be identified by stickers. This will be done Thursday evening of the fair.
3.No animal that is offered for sale or goes through the 4-H Beef Auction will be allowed to show at the Indiana State Fair.
4.Each animal to be sold will be assigned a support price prior to the sale by one or more livestock buyers.
5.Stall rent of $25 per head for market animals and $15 per head for heifers will be collected during the June 4-H meeting. Proceeds provide banquet tickets for buyers, auctioneers, and help defray club expenses.
(General)
1.The 4-H Beef Club Advisory Board, 4-H Beef Club Leaders, Assistant Leaders, and Extension Youth Educators will rule on any special problems arising during the fair and their decisions will be final.
2.THE 4-H BEEF MARKET ANIMALS SHALL NOT CONTAIN any identifiable foreign substances, including drugs, steroids, or chemicals greater than those be standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as permissible for sale for consumption as human food both on the day of the show and day of shipment to market from the fair. Test samples collected from any 4-H animal exhibit shall be free of any foreign substance including steroids, drug or chemicals affecting the central nervous system (for example, stimulants, depressants, or pain killers). Refusing such tests will result in disqualification and forfeiture of all awards.
3.Any calf calming product or any oral nutritional supplement must be on an approved list from the show supply vendor that is located on the fairgrounds during the fair. The exhibitor must tell the beef club leader or assistant beef club leaders what product they are using before they exhibit the animal. It is against the rules to use a pump and hose or a garden hose to fill your animal. Administration of drugs to reduce lameness or enhance gait disqualifies the animal from competing. Thus, the animal would not be allowed to sell in the auction.
4.Fans may be used during the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. However, any fan used must be mounted from the barn rafters or show fan cages. Also, all fans must be mounted on the side so they face the east! Fans placed at ground level (e.g. butt fans) are unsafe for people walking through the barn and will not be allowed. Exception: A butt fan may be used behind a calf that is in a chute during the open show on Saturday or the 4-H show on Monday!
5.Before stalling in the barn, all beef cattle must visually inspected by a veterinarian assigned by the Elkhart County Fair Board.
6.Beef Club members and parents are expected to assist with barn set-up before the fair, arena clean up after each show, and arena clean up after auction.
7.All 4-H beef cattle may only be shown with approved ear tags. The approved ear tags are the five digit state yellow ID tag, and the RFID tag. No farm tags or auction tags. All others must be removed before coming to check in at the fair.
8.Any market animal not selling at the auction or heifers may go home after the show on Monday evening.
9.All tack, feed, hay, chutes, etc., must be taken home on Friday evening after the auction.
10. Arrival times for 2021 Elkhart County 4-H Beef Cattle. (New this year) We are requiring all 4-H Beef Cattle be brought to the fairgrounds on Thursday, July 22 between the hours of 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm. No animals will be allowed to unload until 3:00 pm. You must weigh and check in your animals immediately off the trailer. If you want to re-weigh your market animal or crossbred heifer, you get one re-check sometime before 10:00 pm. You must take that as your final weight. Once you pass on your initial weight you cannot go back to that weight.
