WHEATLAND – Bailey Fitzwater grabbed on to a steer’s tail and held on tight as it dragged her across the dirt. Why on earth would anyone do this voluntarily? To catch a calf, of course.
Catch-a-Calf Program has been around since 1935 and welcomes entrants from Colorado, Kansas Nebraska and Wyoming. The age range is from 12 – 18 and they need to be active in 4-H. The steer they catch is not the one they actually get. In May of this year, Fitzwater will meet with a sponsor and receive a calf that she must raise, feed and care for. Through the year she is required to show the animal at the county and state fair and then return to show it one last time at the National Western Stock Show in Denver in January. At the Stock Show, the steer is judged on rate of gain, quality of fitting and carcass quality. The exhibitor is judged on showmanship, their record book, and a personal interview.
“They lined us all up along a fence, let a bunch of steers out and just said, ‘go grab a tail and hold on,’” Fitzwater relayed with a look of excitement. “I happened so fast and was such a rush of adrenaline. I can’t wait until May when I get my actual calf.”
Fitzwater had to apply and be accepted to participate in the program. One of the requirements was a Letter of Recommendation from the local 4-H Extension office assuring the committee that she would be a good candidate. In the past, animals have died due to neglect. The local Extension office must certify the candidate has adequate facilities to raise the calf and the ability to care for it. Participants are only allowed to be in the program once. The staff finds a set of calves that are approximately 600-700lbs. come spring time that are all from the same herd to keep the playing field as level as possible. The goal is to win Grand or Reserve Champion. Only the top two placers are permitted to sell their steers and keep the profit. The remaining steers are returned to the sponsor.