Cattleman 200-
I have declined to comment about your heifer since your original posting primarily because of my somewhat controversial opinion of the "Show Scene" scenarios concerning Beef Cattle Production protocols, but I will relent and reveal a few of my "neutral" opinions regarding this specific individual. I have no intention of stirring up an argument to throw into the 'mix', because that would be of no benefit to the subject at hand.
For any discussion and sharing of opinions, there should be established some 'ground rules' to anchor all participants on the same point of discourse. The necessary guideline in analysis , or judging, of an animal at the very outset is "For What Purpose is This Activity Being Performed?" In other words, what, exactly, are we considering here with this heifer? Is she going to be appraised as a 'feedlot' candidate whose ultimate goal is as a "Banquet Table" delicacy, or is she to be considered as an eventual seedstock matron for a breeding herd? Or - is she a - - - SHOW HEIFER! :clap: :tiphat: You have revealed to us that she is a Show Heifer, and ultimately may be utilized as an addition to your breeding cow herd, if I am not mistaken. Therefore, I shall consider her from that point of view.
She displays an outstanding phenotype to be placed in a Show String! She has a few little 'dings' here and there (as does EVERY animal - bovine or porcine or - HUMAN!), but overall she presents a very competitive appearance, and the 'dings' will switch and change on a daily basis as time progresses and she is entered in succeeding shows. In My Opinion, she is (and will be) a little large, framescore-wise, to fit the currently-accepted template for the ideal size seedstock producing female, but, being a LimFlex, that is just what she is, so one must accept that as gospel, and go from there insofar as future bull selections are concerned for her ultimate progeny. She may mature at six years of age in the 1300 pound bracket, and if that is the case she would be well in the acceptable ball park for an economical producer, being mated to a Genetically moderate sized bull. Would that EVERY cow in one's herd would be that desirable! Not being privy to all of her Growth, Maternal, Carcass and $Value EPD's, any estimation along those lines would be conjecture.
Taking everything into consideration from these pictures, and what you have revealed to us statistically, this is a formidable candidate for a show heifer, and if managed correctly after her show career, could be a winner in the seedstock arena as well!
I also would like to comment on the obviously well done job that the attractive handler has accomplished with this heifer. She has learned a great many subtle tricks in regard to presenting this heifer, not the least of which is her ability to RELAX in presenting her to advantage! The way that she holds the show stick, and her own body language is exemplary. Congratulations. The emotions and innermost feelings and attitude of the handler travels directly through the "hands" and lead rope to the Nervous System of the animal, and they pick-up on those sensitivities and trepidations and react accordingly. I can detect a difference in her control of the heifer from the original picture last November to the most recent one on the latter posts.
Good luck with this heifer in the future, and as a LimFlex she should make an outstanding herd matron for a Crossbreeding protocol program!
DOC HARRIS
