4-H Alberta Steer Carcass Competition Guidelines – 2026-27
Goal: The goal of the competition is to find a carcass that meets high quality standards for marketing directly to consumers.
Requirements: A 4-H member in good standing, located and registered in 4-H Alberta, please refer to 4-H Alberta Beef Standards in addition to the following:
- Carcass Steers must be weighed, tagged with 4-H (Note: 4-H tag means Visual ID tag used to identify steer as a 4-H project) and CCIA Tags and registered by December 1, 2026. To be entered in the competition, members must complete the online Provincial Registration form including payment and register with their club. – register at https://www.4habregistration.ca (including required animal information and $88 registration fee) and 4 photos (front(ear tag must be visible), left side, right side and CCIA Tag) submitted to the Carcass Google Classroom https://classroom.google.com/c/ODc2MTg3MzIyMDcw?cjc=qin2snaw
- DNA tail hair samples are to be taken and submitted to a designated person for your area – Please refer to this document. Please submit with the member’s name & CCIA # in a sealed envelope to minimize confusion, Submit before DECEMBER 15, 2026 – samples sent later may not be accepted.
- Harvest site information is provided at the time of registration. Please indicate your preferred harvest location. These will be filled on a first come, first served basis. The organizing committee reserves the right to cancel any location if there are not at least 5 animals registered at that location. If more than 15 animals are booked at one abattoir, members may be asked to switch to an alternative location/date. These changes will be made known by December 15, 2026.
- Members must agree to deliver the animal to one of the Abattoir’s, selected by the 4-H Alberta Steer Carcass Committee on the date specified, as selected at registration.
- Refer to the 4-H Alberta Steer Carcass Competition Guidelines – 2027
- All harvest dates are scheduled within a 2 week window in May, 2027.
- Members must agree to deliver the animal to one of the Abattoir’s, selected by the 4-H Alberta Steer Carcass Committee on the date specified, as selected at registration.
- For regions, districts and local Achievement Day Sale committees that allow replacement of animals, the following applies. Local level rules must be adhered to.
- If the entry into the 4-H Alberta Steer Carcass Competition is a companion animal to a Market Steer Live Project and is used to replace that project; the entry is cancelled and fee is forfeited. If the Market Steer Live is deemed to be unruly, the member may switch with the 4-H Alberta Steer Carcass entry until February 15, 2027, provided both steers are registered as a 4-H project by December 1st, 2026. If a market-carcass steer switch is made after February 15, it will be allowed and you will receive carcass data but will not be eligible for any Provincial Carcass Awards. Members may only switch once and the member will be required to provide proof from their Show and Sale Committee to Tracy Dietrich Tracy.Dietrich@4HAB.com within 1 week of the approved switch.
For more information contact any of the following Committee Members:
Tracy Dietrich Tracy.Dietrich@4HAB.com ph: 780-781-1003 – 4-H Alberta
Rod Turner FencelineEnt@gmail.com ph: 780-888-1886 – East Central
Carey Kopp Carey.J.Kopp@gmail.com ph: 403-501-9310 – South
Terry Elliott dldt@hotmail.ca ph: 403-928-7981 – South
Calvin Grabler csranching@hotmail.com ph: 780-305-4490 – Northwest
Paul Franz pfranz4h@gmail.com ph: 780-618-5983 – Peace
Kim Pohl cowgirl_ks88@hotmail.com ph: 403-785-6801 – West Central
Tyler Daniels 1daniels@telus.net ph: 403-634-4024 – South
Garrett Taylor farmman8770@gmail.com ph: 639-840-2704 – Northeast
Ross Lewis rjjlewis@hotmail.com ph: 403-336-0177 – Calgary
All Hair Samples can be taken to your local AFSC Office and they will get them to 4-H Alberta.
For further instructions for taking hair samples please refer to https://4hab.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HairCardSampleCollectionInstructions.pdf
NOTE – This year there is an extra $100 hook fee. The committee requires 4 weeks notice if you will not be using your hook. When your carcass steer is delivered you will receive a refund on your carcass registration.
Contact Tracy Dietrich 4 weeks before delivery date that a steer will not be delivered to the slaughter facility – tracy.dietrich@4hab.com