Kurt steer wins Carcass Challenge

     A steer calf bred by Jason Kurt of Cascade and donated by Custom Precast Company was voted grand champion for Retail Value Per Day on Feed in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Carcass Challenge.

     This year, more than 130 different producers, businesses, association and county cattlemen’s groups donated 74 steers to go on feed at Lauritsen Cattle Company in Exira, Iowa.

     Custom Precast Company received $5,000 and a large traveling trophy.

     The Carcass Challenge is an ongoing effort to demonstrate continuous industry-wide improvement within Iowa. As Iowa’s only statewide fed-beef competition, the ICA Carcass Challenge was created to:

     • Showcase Iowa’s beef cattle genetics, feedyard management, and modern technology.

     • Offer Iowa’s cattle industry a fun and competitive statewide fed-beef contest to highlight Iowa’s beef production advantages.

     • Provide leadership and learning opportunities through the ICA Young Cattlemen's Leadership Program (YCLP). 

     • Generate additional non-dues ICA revenue to grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.

     Each November, steer sponsors donate 700-lb. steer calves to compete in this prestigious Iowa fed-beef contest. Steers complete 180-200 days on feed to an average 1,400-lb., market-ready end point. Cash prizes and special awards are presented to contributors of the Top 10 percent of individual steers based on the Retail Value per Day on Feed, recognizing both feedyard performance and end carcass merit.

     The Retail Value Per Day on Feed (RVDoF) formula is a dollar value that accounts for hot carcass weight, percent retail product, carcass price, and days on feed, balancing the important factors that ultimately drive profitability. The RVDoF formula shown below is a popular method used by similar carcass contests, and is highly representative of the profitability of a carcass. The formula calculates the carcass value gained during the feeding period. This is done by calculating red meat yield gain, multiplied by a carcass price which reflects differences and quality grade, divided by the days on feed.

     The Kurt steer averaged $7.25 value per day.