I mentioned using a club calf straw or two here once, and it wasn't well received. I actually have some club calf influence in some of my cows. It's actually about all gone now. I guess that in and of it's self tells me something. I was young, and selecting for phenotype I guess. What got most of these cows a ride was not breeding back on time. What the hold up is on the shorthorn, I don't know. Mine were all Chi, and Maine anjou.
Club cattle vs....
- Thread starter Bigfoot
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Muddy
Well-known member
High birthweights, less calving ease, nonfunctional animals and lack of EPDs in some animals are few reasons why some people they to avoid them. Some folks didn't agree with using animals with genetic defects (PHA and TH) as breeders. However it seems that club calf as commercial animals has became popular in few areas.
Boot Jack Bulls
Well-known member
First of all, I usaully think of club calves as something very different from say a purebred shorthorn show animal. They are prepped and presented the same way, but the similarity ends there. Club cattle are usually built from a mix of breeds, so as Muddy said, EPDs, heteritosis and predicatability are out the window. They are a crapshoot, some win, some don't. Honestly, many club breeders know what they have and are dealing with. Most are happy if they get one stellar calf out of the whole crop that makes a state fair steer.
As far as purebreds in the showring, there is a lot of misconception about these cattle and the people who own and breed them. Many breeders will not touch a carrier of known defects. Many breed for functional cattle, and manage to tie that in a nice enough looking package to show. My family has prepped for sale and show cattle of several breeds (Hereford, Angus, Charolais, Shorthorn, Club calves, ect.) and there were true good cattle who had the phenotype as well. We try to breed good functional cattle, but if they break the bank, its pointless. And if they can't stand some competion in the ring, that says something as well. Phenotype isn't the only tool for selecting cattle, but it has to be part of it. There are some judges out there who can see beyond the fluff and puff and really evaluate an animal. Kirk Stierwalt just judged steers and females at world beef expo over the weekend. It is safe to say, steers/ club cattle are his bread and butter, but the man sure does a great job on the purebred females as well.
There is a disconect between show and commercial type cattle most breeds, some WAY more than others. That doesn't mean that there is no place for those show cattle. In the end, breed what makes you happy and is profitable for you. :2cents:
As far as purebreds in the showring, there is a lot of misconception about these cattle and the people who own and breed them. Many breeders will not touch a carrier of known defects. Many breed for functional cattle, and manage to tie that in a nice enough looking package to show. My family has prepped for sale and show cattle of several breeds (Hereford, Angus, Charolais, Shorthorn, Club calves, ect.) and there were true good cattle who had the phenotype as well. We try to breed good functional cattle, but if they break the bank, its pointless. And if they can't stand some competion in the ring, that says something as well. Phenotype isn't the only tool for selecting cattle, but it has to be part of it. There are some judges out there who can see beyond the fluff and puff and really evaluate an animal. Kirk Stierwalt just judged steers and females at world beef expo over the weekend. It is safe to say, steers/ club cattle are his bread and butter, but the man sure does a great job on the purebred females as well.
There is a disconect between show and commercial type cattle most breeds, some WAY more than others. That doesn't mean that there is no place for those show cattle. In the end, breed what makes you happy and is profitable for you. :2cents:
Boot Jack Bulls
Well-known member
You're welcome B&G! I think people may have a different take on the show deal if the went to one and saw so many great kids hard at work. Are there aspects of it that are negative? Sure! But it beats video games any day of the week ! I'm a fan of nearly anything that promotes youth activities in agriculture.
