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.

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 Robyn Graves at rlgraves@noble.org or 580.223.5810.