The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division will hold its annual spring delivery this month for participants of the 2008 Junior Beef Excellence Program.

Spring delivery is set for 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 15, at the Noble Foundation's Pasture Demonstration Farm, located 5 miles northwest of Ardmore (call 580.223.5810 for complete directions).

"Junior Beef participants invest a lot of time and resources over several months into their steers," said Shan Ingram, education and special projects manager for the Noble Foundation's Agricultural Division. "On March 15, all that dedication and hard work culminates with spring delivery. It's an exciting time for all of us involved in the Junior Beef Excellence Program."

Steers must weigh at least 1,000 pounds at spring delivery. While there is no maximum spring weight, Ingram suggested steers weigh less than 1,375 pounds to avoid a potential heavy weight discount from the packer.

During the delivery, exhibitors will be photographed with their steer, which must be halter-broke, gentle and able to be set-up for multiple photographs. Unruly steers not capable of set-up for photography will be disqualified. Official carcass judging will be determined by a university meats specialist.

The Noble Foundation will announce the winners of the 2008 Junior Beef Excellence Program during a special awards program at 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 2, at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center (2610 Sam Noble Parkway) in Ardmore.

Cash awards are given to the exhibitors of the top ten steers. The champion steer owner receives $2,500, 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 will be a Live Animal Evaluation Contest held in conjunction with the March 15 spring delivery. The contest is open to the public and will take place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the delivery site (the Noble Foundation's Pasture Demonstration Farm). The live steer evaluation contest consists of five divisions: 4-H, FFA, Adult Men, Adult Women and Expert. Participants must evaluate five steers and estimate their carcass characteristics. Each participant's estimates will then be compared to the actual measurements. Individuals with the best estimate in each division will be awarded a prize. The winners of the Live Animal Evaluation Contest will also be announced during the awards program on April 2.

The Junior Beef Excellence Program recognizes the carcass merit of steers. The program is open to 4-H and FFA steer exhibitors who show their steers and abide by the rules and regulations of their county shows. Participants must be from one of the following 8 southern Oklahoma counties: Carter, Garvin, Jefferson, Johnston, Love, Marshall, Murray or Stephens County. Steers must be shown at the spring livestock show in their respective county to be eligible for the contest.

For additional information about program rules or next year's contest, call the Noble Foundation at 580.223.5810 or visit Junior Beef Excellence Program information on the Noble Foundation's Web site at www.noble.org/Ag/JrBeef.