Market Steer

[cowgirl_telly_369]

Ok ya'll, I need opinions. Our county fair is in August, we have a weigh-in in February. I had originally thought about using a pinzgauer x angus steer, so I wouldn't have to buy one. He hasn't had a halter on yet, or handled at all. Should I go with him, or go out and buy one? If I should buy one, what breed?

 

[milkmaid]

February to August is plenty of time to get him really well halter broke, if that's your question.

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

It was originally planned that I'd start halter breaking him this month, but so far, we haven't been able to get him through the head gate.

 

[Colorado2008]

I think that it is plenty of time. Our fair and weigh in is the same time. So i think that if you can even get him in on like THanksgiving weekend you should be good. :D

 

[*Cowgirl*]

If he's just as good as one you would buy, why waste the $? But you'll have plenty of time to break him really well.

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

How big is this calf?

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

He probably weighs 600+ pounds right now, but I'm not positive. 4-H leader says I have plenty of time for him to gain the weight.

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

How much does he have to weigh? Thats an awful big calf to be breaking.

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

:x

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

Update~
We tried getting my steer in the head gate yesterday, to put a halter on him and give him shots. He tried running straight over me more than twice, so I decided I'm not going to show him. I have to go out and buy one. Any suggestions on what breed to get?

 

[Colorado2008]

Update~
We tried getting my steer in the head gate yesterday, to put a halter on him and give him shots. He tried running straight over me more than twice, so I decided I'm not going to show him. I have to go out and buy one. Any suggestions on what breed to get?

So your just going to give up? Don't get me wrong, him trying to run you over was probably a lot to handle but wasn't this his first time on halter? Just think of how scary it probably was. You ran him into something that he cannot get out of, poked him, then put some rope around his head...he was probably a little freaked out :shock: . Give him time. Get him tied up and rub him all over. Feed him while he is tied up and play some music for him. All he needs is a little time. You are also getting into the season where it is a little hard to find a big enough steer for an August show.

This however is just my opinion. You may still want to get a different steer, but I feel that you need to give him time.

Good Luck :D

**Sorry I misread your post. But if he is the same steer that you talk about in the first post, you say he hasn't been handled at all. I would still give him some time. and work slowly around him and don't talk real loud. It tends to freak them out even more especially if they ahven't been around people a whole lot. I would still give him some time.

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

Update~
We tried getting my steer in the head gate yesterday, to put a halter on him and give him shots. He tried running straight over me more than twice, so I decided I'm not going to show him. I have to go out and buy one. Any suggestions on what breed to get?

So your just going to give up? Don't get me wrong, him trying to run you over was probably a lot to handle but wasn't this his first time on halter? Just think of how scary it probably was. You ran him into something that he cannot get out of, poked him, then put some rope around his head...he was probably a little freaked out :shock: . Give him time. Get him tied up and rub him all over. Feed him while he is tied up and play some music for him. All he needs is a little time. You are also getting into the season where it is a little hard to find a big enough steer for an August show.

This however is just my opinion. You may still want to get a different steer, but I feel that you need to give him time.

Good Luck :D

We couldn't even get him in the head gate, he tried to run over everybody.

 

[WarriorPatriot]

I believe this guy can be turned into a nice show steer with time and patience. I've had this trouble before, it can be corrected.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

I believe this guy can be turned into a nice show steer with time and patience. I've had this trouble before, it can be corrected.

Agreed
Time and Patience are the keys to showing cattle

 

[AAOK]

Try to find a Maine-Anjou cross and/or a Simmental cross with no Chi, and not too much Angus. This cross would give you a better than average chance of good temperament plus a good feeder calf.

Your best shot is finding a calf already started that someone has decided not to show. You really need a Feb. to April 2006 calf. They should be around 700 -800 pounds by now. That's not too big to halter break. You just have to be much more careful, for you and the calf.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

Have you ever halter broken a calf before?

 

[cowgirl_telly_369]

Have you ever halter broken a calf before?

Yes

 

[Keren]

I would think that, if you are not a very young and/or inexperienced showman, and if you have a good, quiet technique, no calf is 'too big' to break in. Of course it depends on your abilities and the facilities available, etc. I have broken in animals ranging from 4 months to four years. Just go slowly and steadily with him. Take your time and break him in quietly. I dont believe any animal is 'unbreakable'.

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

If I were you, I would buy a steer. First off, the calf is way too big to be trying to halter break. Secondly, he's wild on top of being big, not a good combonation at all.

 

[cattleluvr18]

Colorado2008 is right..dont give up!! it was only his first time. but if u do decide to go with something different literally go with something different. u kno it dosent HAVE to be black so with my fav...a hereford or shorthorn plus there REALLY calm so u should be able to halter break it. i kno i always can.