October 16, 2007
The time for fall nominations/entries is here. The Noble Foundation Junior Beef Excellence Program will not have a fall weigh-in for the 2008 contest. Instead, prospective contestants should send in a fall entry form with information about their steer(s) and submit a hair sample for each steer entered. There is no fall weight limit; however, steers must weigh at least 1,000 pounds at the spring delivery. Because heavy weight carcasses are usually discounted, we suggest that steers weigh less than 1,375 pounds next spring.

We encourage participants to make sure they meet the requirements of their respective county because there will not be a fall weigh-in with the Noble Foundation. The lack of a weigh-in does not affect the 2008 Noble Foundation Junior Beef Excellence Program. It is still scheduled; however, the fall entry deadline is December 15, 2007.

Fall entry consists of
1) completing an entry form and
2) submitting a hair sample for each eligible steer (print additional copies of the form if needed or download them from our website). Hair samples (for DNA analysis) should be taken from the switch of the steer's tail and contain the hair follicles.

A minimum of 20 hairs with follicles is needed to have a proper sample. Samples should be placed in a standard paper envelope, kept dry, and labeled with the
1) date,
2) participant's name and
3) steer's identification.

This information helps us plan for next spring, gives us a record of potential participants, and helps verify steer's identity if questions arise. Please fill out an entry form for each steer and return it along with the hair samples to the Noble Foundation c/o Shan Ingram. These forms and the hair samples are due by December 15, 2007.

If you have questions, please contact:

Shan Ingram
Noble Foundation
2510 Sam Noble Pky.
Ardmore, OK 73401
580.223.5810
shingram@noble.org

Please share this information with steer exhibitors who may not have received it.

Junior Beef Excellence Program Guidelines
2008 Junior Beef Excellence Program Delivery Form
2008 Junior Beef Excellence Program Delivery Information
Junior Beef Excellence Program Home Page