Hinsdale FFA Achieved New Milestone With Hanshew Recognized As Top Five Steers Of Merit

The Hinsdale FFA is reaching new milestones. FFA member Jaydeen Hanshew was recognized as one of the top five Steers of Merit in the State of Montana for his market beef steer in 2024. This award is the highest honor that can be presented to a 4-H/FFA market beef animal. The Steer of Merit program, which began in the late 1960s, evaluates animals after they have been shown live and ranks the carcasses through an extensive process that includes the following criteria:

1. Steer of Merit (yes or no)

2. Hot carcass weight of 700-1000 lbs

3. Dressing percentage

4. Ribeye area between 12.5-17.5 square inches

5. Back fat thickness of 0.20-0.60 inches

6. Yield grade below 3.99

7. Grade low choice or higher

8. Not being a dark cutter

9. Cutability greater than or equal to 51 percent.

Since 2008, the program has included two divisions: a carcass division and an ultrasound division. The exhibitors and breeders of the top five carcasses in each division are recognized at the Montana Stock Growers Association's annual convention every December.

Hanshew is a member of the Hinsdale FFA Chapter and the Lucky Clover 4-H Club, and he exhibits at the Northeastern Montana Fair in Glasgow, Montana. He has been showing beef animals since he was eleven years old, which is a significant amount of time for a teenager.

Hanshew's FFA adviser, Patti (Moss) Armbrister, believes that the Steer of Merit is the most prestigious award in the cattle industry. Known for her achievements in showing National Champions, Patti was awarded Herdsman of the Year in 1983 by the National Polled Hereford Association. She has bred numerous live champions and carcass champions, and she considers achieving the Steer of Merit to be one of the most challenging goals in the field.

Armbrister states, "Producing a Steer of Merit starts with genetics. Without the right genetics, achieving this goal is nearly impossible. Proper genetics are essential for grading Choice; you can feed an animal to reach the Choice grade only if it has the genetics to do so. A common area where many steers fall short is in achieving the correct degree of back fat. My goal is always to ensure a minimum of ¼ inch of back fat. I teach kids and adults to target a ¼ inch on the top of the growth bone and at the top of the shoulder. If you can do that and the steer has the right genetics, it will grade every time!"

Additionally, the size of the ribeye is crucial for obtaining a good yield grade. Yield grade is a numerical estimate of the percentage of boneless retail cuts expected from a carcass, which correlates to the cutability of the carcass. Carcass cutability refers to the percentage of boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the round, loin, rib, and chuck of a beef carcass, providing an estimate of the amount of lean, edible meat in the carcass.

If an animal has the correct marbling, back fat, and dressing percentage but still does not meet the Steer of Merit criteria, it is likely due to a yield grade that is too high. Yield grades range from 1 to 5, with Grade 1 being the highest, indicating the greatest percentage of retail cuts, while Grade 5 is the lowest. Achieving a low yield grade while also grading Choice or higher is challenging, but doing so results in some of the best beef available-tender, flavorful, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious!

Hanshew began showing market beef steers in 2017. His grandfather, who operates Hanshew Ranch in Scotts Bluff, Neb., bred his red composite steer. The dam (mother) was a composite of Red Angus and Maine Anjou, while the sire (father) was a club calf bred by artificial insemination. Hanshew fed the steer a custom blend of feed from Torrington, Wyo. He receives excellent support from his family-his mom, dad, and older brother-throughout his projects. His grandfather and father have been outstanding role models, helping him become proficient in showing animals.

Hanshew has earned numerous awards in showmanship, live competitions, and now the Steer of Merit. He shows beef, sheep, and swine projects at the county fair and at club calf shows in the area. In a recent interview, he expressed, "I love the day-to-day relationship with my steers and other animals. It is rewarding to see the calf grow from a six-weight calf into a finished steer, knowing that I helped the animal reach its genetic potential."

He encourages other kids to participate in 4-H and FFA because he believes these programs provide essential hands-on skills and invaluable life experiences. Through his involvement in both youth organizations, Jaydeen has held several offices, led other youth, worked with adults, traveled to Washington, D.C., New York, and Indianapolis, and contributed to various career development teams. He enjoys being a member of FFA mechanics and livestock judging teams and working alongside other young members in both clubs.

For more information about the Montana Steer of Merit, you can contact Megan Van Emon, Ph.D., Extension Beef Cattle Specialist at Montana State University in Miles City, MT. To join a local 4-H club, reach out to your county extension service, and FFA programs available at local schools.