MARYSVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Beef Youth Council (OBYC), in conjunction with the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and Ohio Beef Council, has opened registration for the 2026-27 Fed Cattle Carcass Contest.

The contest provides youth ages 8 to 21 as of Jan. 1, 2027, an opportunity to gain real-world experience in beef production while learning about carcass value and beef marketing.

Cattle entered must have an 840 EID tag at registration and may be entered in the beef steer, beef heifer or dairy steer divisions. Beef-dairy cross animals may be entered in the appropriate beef steer or heifer division. Animals must be born between Jan. 1 and May 31. Cattle must be on feed by Nov. 1, 2026, and harvested by May 31, 2027, at one of the four cooperating plants in Ohio that regularly utilize USDA quality grading. Harvest and processing fees are the responsibility of the program’s youth participants. New for 2027, OCA staff will work with USDA graders to coordinate grading where necessary to utilize as many plants as possible and minimize costs for program participants.

Contestants may enter up to five head at a registration fee of $50 per head.

Participants must also attend and participate in the Determining Carcass Value a Quality & Yield Grading Seminar held in conjunction with the Buckeye Cattlemen’s Summit on Jan. 23, 2027, in Wooster. Interviews will take place during the 2027 Ohio Beef Expo and will focus on each youth participant’s plan for marketing their beef.

Awards will be presented in summer 2027 at the OBYC End of Year Celebration.

Registration is due Sept. 30, 2026. For more information, visit ohiocattle.org.