Cattle producers looking to maximize the profit potential of their cow-calf herd need to register no later than Oct. 15 to take part in the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service’s 2009-2010 OK Steer Feedout.

The OK Steer Feedout is an information feedback program that allows cow-calf producers the opportunity to evaluate the genetic merit of their calf crop for feedlot performance and carcass merit.

Steer delivery date for the upcoming test is Nov. 16, which makes the 45-day weaning date Sept. 25. Producers may enter five or more steers born after Nov. 1, 2008, in the test. Cost is $25 per producer. The feed bill is removed from the final carcass payment.

“Profit potential exists by marketing value-added cattle that meet feed efficiency and carcass merit targets,” said Greg Highfill, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension area livestock specialist. “This will be the second year of the revised feedout format.”

The steers are age- and source-verified, producing a carcass premium at marketing. Producers will be issued EID electronic identification eartags to be applied to their animals prior to the verification audit through Micro Beef Technologies.

The 2009-2010 OK Steer Feedout will be conducted at Cattleman’s Choice Feedyard, located 13 miles north of Gage.

Steers should be 45-days weaned, vaccinated, bunk-broke, dehorned and castrated prior to delivery. The Oklahoma Quality Beef Network protocol for vaccination and pre-conditioning is highly recommended.

Feeding data provided to producers will include breed composition (optional), birth date (optional), a beginning and final picture, beginning weight, starting value, final weight, average daily gain, processing-medical cost, cost of gain and calculated profit or loss.

Carcass date provided through the program will include carcass weight, dressing percentage, fat cover, Rib Eye area, calculated yield grade, marbling score, vision-camera calculated yield grade, quality grade premiums, grid marketing price and carcass value.

“Taking part in the OK Steer Feedout is a great way for producers to monitor the genetic progress of their cattle breeding program,” Highfill said. “Producers need a baseline to understand where their operation is and what they need to do to improve operational efficiency. This program gives cow-calf producers that information.”

Entry forms and additional information about the OK Steer Feedout are available at Oklahoma State Beef Extension on the Internet.

Producers also can contact Highfill of the Northwest District at 580-237-7677 or his fellow OSU Cooperative Extension area livestock specialists Bob LeValley of the Southwest District at 580-255-0546, Jack Wallace of the Southeast District at 580-332-7011 or Kent Barnes of the Northeast District at 918-686-7800.