On Saturday, August 10th, 44 pre-registered 4-H
and FFA students from across the state travelled to the Florida State
Fairgrounds to select a steer they will take home to raise. These
students will show their steers competitively at the 2014 Florida State
Fair in February. Each participant selected from 51 steers ranging in
weight from 500 pounds to over 900 pounds.
University of Florida
animal science department staff graded each animal before student
selection began. Each student participated in a draw process to select a
lettered pen in where each animal was kept. Students then selected
their top three choices, and an additional drawing took place to pair a
student with an animal.
The concept for this program originated
in 1989 when Charles Lykes was the chairman of the Youth Steer Committee
of the Florida State Fair, a committee made up of Ag teachers,
extension agents and ranchers. He convinced the Fair Authority to take a
new approach involving industry and education. With Mr. Lykes’
direction, a new concept was designed and presented to the Florida
Cattlemen's Association. The Board of Directors, with Dan Childs as the
President, approved the concept and assured Mr. Lykes that the
association would support the program.
Since its inception, over 130 Florida ranchers have supported this program by donating at least one calf.
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