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S P Hammack, D B Griffin, 10 Live and Carcass Trends, Houston Livestock Show, Junior Steers, 1974–2017., Journal of Animal Science, Volume 96, Issue suppl_1, March 2018, Pages 5–6, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky027.011
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Abstract
The Houston Livestock Show Junior Steer Show is the largest event of its kind. In recent years, approximately 1800 steers per year showed in 16 breed or breed cross divisions (three to six weight classes/division) of British, Continental, and Brahman/Brahman-base breeds. Data are available in most years from 1974–2017 from the top two placing animals in each on-hoof class (100–115 animals each year). Trends and annual means revealed: live weight increased steadily from 472 kg to 576 kg; carcass weight increased steadily from 305 kg to 372 kg; hip height went from 135 cm in 1981 to 139 cm in 1988 to 126 cm in 2012, the last year measured; fat cover varied from 0.89 cm to 1.32 cm and was generally higher in later years; ribeye area increased steadily from 81 sq cm to 104 sq cm; rea/unit carcass ranged from 24.6 sq cm/100 kg to 28.2 sq cm/100 kg, being higher in later years; USDA Yield Grade ranged from 2.79 to 2.07, being lower in later years; marbling ranged from Slight 56 to Small 59, being higher in later years; percent USDA Choice and higher ranged from 38% to 71%, being higher in later years. Beginning in 1993, steers entering the showring must have been clipped over the entire body, head, and legs to a maximum of 0.635 in. Over approximately the last 20 years, muscularity, fatness, carcass quality, and lean yield increased compared to previous years. Live weight increased while height in later years decreased, indicating animals with shorter legs in relation to body mass. Carcasses of steers selected by judges for first and second place in the same on-hoof class often varied appreciably in body composition; it appears judges consider factors for placing other than projected carcass merit, such as structural design and general appearance. Compared to recent industry-wide averages, carcasses in recent years were generally desirable as a group, being slightly lower in USDA Quality Grade and superior in USDA Yield Grade.
