Fair Enough
I was shocked when I saw the average price for beef steers at the recent Allegan County Fair. The average was $6.14 per pound. That's over $7,300 for a 1,200-pound steer. At the Elkhart County 4-H Fair, the average price for steers was $5.78 per pound ($6,936). That's also very impressive. Considering that market prices are in the range of $2.20 to $2.50 per pound, this speaks to the generosity of buyers at the county fairs.
However, before you leap to the conclusion that 4-H beef exhibitors are getting rich, please consider that many of them also paid higher prices when they acquired their calves in the fall of 2024. With prices for 500-pound feeder cattle now ranging from $3 to $5 per pound, a 4-H'er might pay $1,500 or more if he or she were to purchase their 4-H calves from the auction market. But I would guess that very few 4-H'ers obtain their steers that way.
Many 4-H beef steers are purchased through club calf sales or from breeders. These calves are the best of the best. They have a winning pedigree and can sell for a much higher price. So, it's not unusual for a 4-H'er to pay $2,500 or more for a calf.
The exception would be a 4-H'er whose family raises beef cattle. He or she might acquire their calf for free, or at least at a minimal cost. When I was in 4-H, I usually showed a calf from my father's herd. One year, I showed a steer from my grandfather's herd. My steers usually placed near the bottom of their class, but that didn't determine success or failure for me. Success was earning a profit.
All 4-H families should discuss expectations, because that will drive how much they are willing to pay for a 4-H calf. If the goal is to win and your father isn't a reputable breeder, then you might find yourself paying $5,000 or more at a club calf sale. Several years ago, I interviewed a 4-H'er who showed the grand champion steer at a county fair. The sale price was odd: $10,001. I asked how much he paid when he acquired the steer, and the answer was that his grandfather bought the steer for him, paying $10,000. All that money was profit for the 4-H'er, and the grandfather was happy to write the check. He wanted to see his grandson have a winning steer.
Four-H parents should talk about these things with their children. What is success in your eyes? Winning is nice, but how much are you willing to pay for a champion steer? Is winning more important than earning a profit? There is no right answer, but everyone should be informed and discuss their priorities. Another consideration is the level of support at your county fair. What was the average price for beef cattle at this year's fair? The answer will be helpful in determining your acquisition cost.