The Noble Foundation Junior Beef Excellence Program recognizes the carcass merit of steers exhibited at the junior livestock shows by 4-H and FFA members in eight south central Oklahoma counties. The program is an outgrowth of a long standing tradition of 'terminal' junior steer shows in Carter county Oklahoma dating back to 1968. In 1988 the Noble Foundation took over sponsorship of the county contest from an informal group called the Carter County Beef Eaters Association. The contest has existed in its current, expanded format since 1996. After the county junior livestock shows, steers entered in the NFJBEP are delivered to Ardmore and commingled for two days before being transported and harvested. Carcass measurements are taken and ranked by professional meat scientists. Cash awards are given to the exhibitors of the top ten steers. The champion steer owner receives $2500 and payments are graduated down from there. The tenth place steer owner receives $750. Total prize monies amount to $12,500.

In addition to the main contest, there is a live steer evaluation contest that is open to the public. There are five divisions of the live steer evaluation contest – 4-H, FFA, Adult (Men and Women) and Expert. Participants must evaluate five steers and estimate their carcass characteristics. Each participant's estimates are compared to the actual measurements. Individuals with the best estimate in each division are awarded a prize. This is an excellent learning opportunity for almost all cattle producers.

Oklahoma residents of Carter, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray and Stephens counties are eligible to participate in the program.

For additional information about the NFJBEP contact Shan Ingram at shingram@noble.org or 580.223.5810.