Several times each week I receive brochures and catalogs in the mail regarding various breeds of beef cattle, a great percentage of which are "Clubby" calves and combination of crossbreeding different breeds for the "WOW" effect that they are intended to evoke. Sometimes the effect on me IS WOW". ...more frequently the effect is "GAG!"
We all should understand that there is a vast difference between Beef Cattle whose intended job is to make a profit for breeders who are in the Beef Production business, and those animals whose prime purpose is to subject themselves to being primped, washed, blow-dried, combed, curled, twirled, furled, nurled, swirled and generally used for 4H and FFA young folks to learn responsibility, teamwork, work ethics, and getting along with other people. I look with favor upon the basic tenets for use as a teaching maxim, but I think that the entire concept of "Showing Cattle" has been warped out of reality, and the learning principles have been distorted. WHY ? Because the young people are being taught to LIE about what the animals that they are showing really are, insofar as BEEF CATTLE are concerned. They are told that they must "cover up" any faults or blemishes so as to falsify the appearance of the animals and that the prime purpose is to WIN in the show ring - NOT to exhibit what the animal IS, but to indicate and express something that they are NOT! Comb the hair so that the legs appear heavier, the flanks appear fuller, the shoulders appear smoother, the top line appears more level, and - - - if there is a little white that shouldn't be there , well, just use a little "Shinola" in a discreet manner. It's "OK if you can get away with it!" Would you deliberately teach your son or daughter to 'cheat on a test in school?', or to lie on their Income Tax Return. - - or - - to lie under Oath! Or - to ignore their marriage vows??!! It is the same principle! Perhaps that is one reason that our World is in the Satanic position it is in today. Truth doesn't mean Squat!
Another factor that interested me was the explanation of LImestone Darkhorse U322 given on his information page. It struck me as curious that the owner of the bull thought that such traits as "Exciting, has impeccable foot "design", fantastic 'neck extension' and lines, awesome look, soft middled, super sound, and - just plain 'cool' all the way around would be consequential seedstock selection criteria! I believe that my Livestock Judging Professor would have thrown his hankie at me if I would have described an animal in such a manner! From the picture here, the bull does have a fine, expressive head, and 'pointy' hair on his tail head. I wonder what $Value can be given to these phenotypical descriptions on his progeny in a feedlot. His EPD's as given here are more than acceptable, with the exception of CED +3, and SC -0.3.
One Phenotypic Growth Factor is undeniable with this bull! He certainly is no "FUNNEL BUTT"!
The most desirable pedigree factors here are those presented by the Ohlde breeding, insofar as Phenotype is concerned. I would like to observe him in 'working clothes', and see how he would peform in a "Feed Efficiency" test. Teaching 4H and FFA members these kinds of technical selection methods for making breeding decisions are the REAL "value" points for '"Keeping Them Down On The Farm!"
PROFIT speaks louder than RIBBONS!
DOC HARRIS
