Hi, Would like everyone's thoughts on how to make this fellow the best he can be for an April market steer show.
Thanks
http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp119/newbeef/ :)
Thanks
http://s403.photobucket.com/albums/pp119/newbeef/ :)
Please critique this Black Angus Show Steer
- Thread starter newbeef
- Start date
Aww he kinda looks like my last steer!!! The best advice I can give you is make sure he can get outside and get some fresh air. Walk him every day..I used to walk my steers in a loop around the farm, or you could take him around the pasture or what have you-just get those muscles built up. And keep working with his hair...not sure where you are from but if it starts getting warm in April he could start shedding out and look silly-Angus are definitely not the best hair breed! Good luck.
We are in North Florida. The show is the first week of April so I am hoping the weather stays cool. Every year is different. He is actually in his own pasture.I am guessing by what you said that maybe we should have him in a pen? I must sound pretty dumb, but this is our first year with a steer. The kids have always shown pigs. Thanks for the comments.
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
you might want to grab some of that air too while your out there...i dont think he's gonna get rave reviews.LoveMoo11":35r1picg said:
ALACOWMAN
Well-known member
usually that feminine look is the result of steering.. do they allow you to use hormones in show animals?baxter78":169x0e9f said:
He looks like a Commercial Angus to me, he should feed out and grade well, but not knowing how the competition is in your area, I would not even venture a guess on how he will place. He is not going to compete with the clubby type but will be great on the plate.
What you need to do is feed him right get plenty of finish on him early and the last 40 days feed him a supplement like ShowFLEXX it will add some muscle to him and give him a little pop in the loin area.
We started with the commercial type calf, they always graded well, they just never could compete with the clubby calves when it came to ring appeal.
Do your best with what you have and look at the calves that place well and try and find a steer that is similar to them for next year.
What you need to do is feed him right get plenty of finish on him early and the last 40 days feed him a supplement like ShowFLEXX it will add some muscle to him and give him a little pop in the loin area.
We started with the commercial type calf, they always graded well, they just never could compete with the clubby calves when it came to ring appeal.
Do your best with what you have and look at the calves that place well and try and find a steer that is similar to them for next year.
grand chaser09
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most florida fairs frown on hormones and implants but they are legal if they're still not in them by fair time.
iowahawkeyes
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Why frown on implants? Isn't that standard practice at the feedlots?
My thoughts are that maybe it is not a good idea to show him at all. If this is the first time you, or particularly a young person, are venturing into the ring, why buck long odds against the experience being as rewarding as possible? Maybe a year spent (in addition to rasing the animal for your personal harvest) getting insight into the breed(s) that show well in your area, and some area-specific show expectations, would be helpful. Nothing wrong with learning about cattle, show quality standards, and simply enjoying cattle (along with some of the related care issues), before going for a ribbon.
My personal bias against hormones and implants, in this type of environment, is philosophical. Your underlying motivation seems to be learning about raising cows for show or meat for that matter. The scale and scope of your enterprise seems to be a modest home or family enterprise. Why not be a "cowman" in the classical sense? Show yourself, and others, that you know what the optimal standards are. Then either shop for a calf that reflects your superior knowledge and raise/train the animal for show. Or, have your own modest cow/calf enterprise that will show your own cattle breed improvements achieved through a systematic and selective cattle breeding plan.
Biochemistry can work some degree of magic to be sure. What is legal or corporate cattle business practice may not be the issue. As American cowboys and cowgrils, there is not anything wrong with adopting a standard of what is most ethical. It would be kind of sad, in my view, to win a ribbon leveraged through chemistry. Let's try to keep our cattle and food supply clean of supplemental hormones in this kind of venue. Maybe we can do more, at the homestead level, to focus on the longer term benefits of hard work and improved cattle genetics.
My personal bias against hormones and implants, in this type of environment, is philosophical. Your underlying motivation seems to be learning about raising cows for show or meat for that matter. The scale and scope of your enterprise seems to be a modest home or family enterprise. Why not be a "cowman" in the classical sense? Show yourself, and others, that you know what the optimal standards are. Then either shop for a calf that reflects your superior knowledge and raise/train the animal for show. Or, have your own modest cow/calf enterprise that will show your own cattle breed improvements achieved through a systematic and selective cattle breeding plan.
Biochemistry can work some degree of magic to be sure. What is legal or corporate cattle business practice may not be the issue. As American cowboys and cowgrils, there is not anything wrong with adopting a standard of what is most ethical. It would be kind of sad, in my view, to win a ribbon leveraged through chemistry. Let's try to keep our cattle and food supply clean of supplemental hormones in this kind of venue. Maybe we can do more, at the homestead level, to focus on the longer term benefits of hard work and improved cattle genetics.
My thoughts are that maybe it is not a good idea to show him at all. If this is the first time you, or particularly a young person, are venturing into the ring, why buck long odds against the experience being as rewarding as possible? Maybe a year spent (in addition to rasing the animal for your personal harvest) getting insight into the breed(s) that show well in your area, and some area-specific show expectations, would be helpful. Nothing wrong with learning about cattle, show quality standards, and simply enjoying cattle (along with some of the related care issues), before going for a ribbon.
My personal bias against hormones and implants, in this type of environment, is philosophical. Your underlying motivation seems to be learning about raising cows for show or meat for that matter. The scale and scope of your enterprise seems to be a modest home or family enterprise. Why not be a "cowman" in the classical sense? Show yourself, and others, that you know what the optimal standards are. Then either shop for a calf that reflects your superior knowledge and raise/train the animal for show. Or, have your own modest cow/calf enterprise that will show your own cattle breed improvements achieved through a systematic and selective cattle breeding plan.
Biochemistry can work some degree of magic to be sure. What is legal or corporate cattle business practice may not be the issue. As American cowhands and cattle raisers, there is not anything wrong with adopting a standard of what is most ethical. It would be kind of sad, in my view, to win a ribbon leveraged through chemistry. Let's try to keep our cattle and food supply clean of supplemental hormones in this kind of venue. Maybe we can do more, at the homestead level, to focus on the longer term benefits of hard work and improved cattle genetics.
My personal bias against hormones and implants, in this type of environment, is philosophical. Your underlying motivation seems to be learning about raising cows for show or meat for that matter. The scale and scope of your enterprise seems to be a modest home or family enterprise. Why not be a "cowman" in the classical sense? Show yourself, and others, that you know what the optimal standards are. Then either shop for a calf that reflects your superior knowledge and raise/train the animal for show. Or, have your own modest cow/calf enterprise that will show your own cattle breed improvements achieved through a systematic and selective cattle breeding plan.
Biochemistry can work some degree of magic to be sure. What is legal or corporate cattle business practice may not be the issue. As American cowhands and cattle raisers, there is not anything wrong with adopting a standard of what is most ethical. It would be kind of sad, in my view, to win a ribbon leveraged through chemistry. Let's try to keep our cattle and food supply clean of supplemental hormones in this kind of venue. Maybe we can do more, at the homestead level, to focus on the longer term benefits of hard work and improved cattle genetics.
iowahawkeyes
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Hitch":200hipdn said:
Actually we never put implants in our good show cattle, it ruins the topline. But that calf above needs all the help it can get and an implant will surely help it. And I don't want to discourage this kid from showing, it's is a very educational experience.
To me this particular calf would be best off sent to the feed lot, he will not be competitve at 99% of the shows I eithe attend or judge. There is not enough mass or style about him nor do I care for his feet and leg structure. Walking will do nothing for him, an agressive foot trimming will help but it will not correct his structure. Other than being narrow based with no rump he should show well for you.
KMacGinley
Well-known member
Don't listen to them! Showing is all about working and gaining responsibility, building charactor and a sense of accomplishment in a young person. It also could be earning a lot of money for college if the steer is sold through a 4-H auction. My kids got their auction check with no expenses taken out and it was placed in a CD for college. Over 10 years that adds up.
What the show Jocks don't want to admit or just don't realize is that no one cares about who won the $27 trophy but them. 2 years from now, no one will remember but them.
Buy a cheap calf, feed him right and go let them beat you and make a profit on the experience. Let them spend thousands on world beaters, get their picture in the paper and let dust collect on their banners and plastic trophies and lose their (Donkey :) ) financially.
Your calf is not a show winner, but you will win with him if you get through the show and make some money.
What the show Jocks don't want to admit or just don't realize is that no one cares about who won the $27 trophy but them. 2 years from now, no one will remember but them.
Buy a cheap calf, feed him right and go let them beat you and make a profit on the experience. Let them spend thousands on world beaters, get their picture in the paper and let dust collect on their banners and plastic trophies and lose their (Donkey :) ) financially.
Your calf is not a show winner, but you will win with him if you get through the show and make some money.
