Call for MSU Steer A Year Donations
The 2015-2016 academic year has begun which means it is time to start “rounding up” steers for the Montana State University Steer-A-Year (SAY) program. In this program, steers donated by Montana ranchers are fed to finish on campus.
Donated steers make a direct impact on MSU students, particularly those on the livestock judging team. The funds allow judging team members to compete and represent Montana State University at a national level.
In addition, SAY contributions are important in enhancing the educational experience for students in the College of Agriculture. The steers are used to allow for “hands-on” learning experiences in courses such as Beef Cattle Management, Livestock Management-Beef Cattle, Meat Science, and Livestock Evaluation. Additionally, the newly created “steer-a-year” class allows students to be involved in all aspects of managing steers.
The Steer-A-Year class is a student run class that focuses on feedlot production and finishing. Steers are donated to the University by Montana producers to be used not only for this class but also for many classes on campus. Those include Livestock Evaluation, Beef Practicum, Beef Management, and Meat Science.
The donation is completely tax deductible and producers will be recognized at Celebrate Ag weekend. In addition, producer who donate receive a monthly update on the performance of all the steers in the program.
Donations made to SAY directly impact our students and these contributions can be made either in the form of a donation of a live steer, cash, proceeds from an auction market sale, and/or gifts of feed grain or forage. Delivery of steers will be taken during the period of October 30 to November 13, 2015. Steers will be housed at the Bozeman Agriculture Research and Teaching Farm. Performance data will be taken and sent out to donors as collected. Awards will also be presented to the Best Initial Feeder Steer, the steer with the Top Rate of Gain and Best Carcass.
If you would like more information about the Steer-A-Year program, or would like to donate a steer, please contact Hannah DelCurto at (406)994-3752 or [email protected].
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About Author
The Montana Stockgrowers Association, a non-profit membership organization, has worked on behalf of Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, environmentally wholesome beef to the world.