Son's first show calf?

[edb130]

This is going to be my son's first attempt at showing this year. We are showing one of our first heifers born. Her birth date is Sept 18th 2005, so she is now 4 months old and she weighs approximately 400lbs. She is a purebred Limousin. We have just started haltering her and putting a brush on her. She is not posed properly (we haven't gotten that far with her yet, her front legs are spread wide which makes her front look short) which makes judging a little tougher but I would like some comments on where she is weak and where she has strengths and what we can do to improve her. We won't be showing her until June/July. Thanks for any help.

 

[certherfbeef]

I like her. Put the feed to her and let that young un have fun!!!

 

[certherfbeef]

Put the feed to her is about right.

OH come on!!! the calf is 4 months old. Probably just weaned.

 

[Beefy]

at first i thought that young un was shooting me a bird.

calf looks good so far. kind of early to tell much

 

[certherfbeef]

Anyways most show animals that I have seen had high weaning weights 600 and higher. 400 isnt something to write home

Not at 4 months. I hardley get a 500 lb weaning weight on the calves I wean at 4 months. I put the weight on the show calves once they are in the barn. I do not creep.
Calves weaned at 6 months, I expect them quite a bit heavier.

Now back on topic, she moght be a little sloppy fronted. Good luck training that baby hair. Where will your son be showing her? Just the county fair?

 

[CattleAnnie]

Irregardless of whether she brings home a blue ribbon or not, I sure hope your little fella will have fun working with and showing her.

After all, that's the main idea, right?

Best wishes, and hope to see more pics of the lad and his pride and joy in the future.

Take care.

 

[aplusmnt]

I think she is a nice looking little heifer, especially seeing how you raised her yourself and did not go out and spend big $$$$'s for one.

You asked what was her good points and what she is lacking in and how to improve her.

I think she has some power, and I would push her on feed like I would a show steer. Judges are really picking them fatter nowadays, they like seeing that same power of the steers. Limmi's gain good but also need to because of the larger frame size. Ease her into feed then push her. If I could change something about her I would make her a little deeper body, she has the length but could use some more depth.

I am sure your son will have a nice time and hopefully you will get in some limmi classes that she can compete in. Good luck!

 

[jaydill]

Nice length, a little high topped but it could be the way she's standing. Is she weaned yet? If not I'd wait a couple more months...till she was 6 months old. Just my preference. I agree that she could use a little more bone and also agree with pushing the feed to her once you get a chance to. Judges seem to like a big barrel on em nowadays. She seems to have a feminine head. She's also got a lot of hair...the best thing about show calves. (in my opinion) :) have fun with her.

 

[warpaint]

Good looking calf. Good luck.

 

[Jeanne - Simme Valley]

Nice looking calf. 400# at 4 months is EXACTLY where she should be. If you haven't weaned yet, I wouldn't yet. Let her keep nursing & feed her grain. We usually split out calves off during the day, in the barn & let them out with mom at night only. Than weaning is easy.
I think she looks a little high in the shoulders because of the hair & the way she is standing.
Looks good, have fun.

 

[edb130]

Thanks for all the kind replies. She is just now being weaned. I didn't want to but she started sucking another momma along with her own. I have her on Purina Impact Starter and will move her to a pre conditioner and then a show feed. I have her adjusted 200 day weight at 592.65lbs. We will be showing at the local county fair and at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, MO. She is standing funny in the picture but we have just started haltering and brushing her so we haven't trained her to stand properly. My son and daughter will both be starting 4H shortly and we are considering taking them to Be A Champ Camp to learn about showing as their mother and I have never shown cattle. My daughters calf is less than 2 months right now and weighs 300lbs. If no one minds I'll post pictures of her when I get a chance and maybe you can provide some feedback for her as well. Thanks again.

p.s. I noticed my sons finger, no thats not the bird his gloves are too big and its his index finger. Sorry I didn't catch that at the start and cut it out.

 

[BC]

Well okay so it is a kids show heifer. We will cut the little one some slack. If it was a grown persons though Id be like holy smokes. Anyways most show animals that I have seen had high weaning weights 600 and higher. 400 isnt something to write home to mom about 6 and higher would be. I still think it is a nice little heifer for a youngin dont get me wrong. I just think it needs to have feed put to her. I also thought he was shooting me the bird at first also

You did not read the opening thread very close - that is a late September calf about 4 months old that is weighing close to 400 lbs. That is respectable. The picture shows the index finger not the middle finger. Watch the details.

 

[BC]

As I see this calf standing, I think her topline will level out as her front feet go back under her and her rear feet are set right. With the baby hair on her, it is hard to see if see is a little rough in shoulders. If she were mine, I would leave the hair right behind the shoulders a little longer and blend the shoulders down to smooth up the front end.

Get her on feed and be consistent with the amount and time that you feed. Keep roughage (hay) out for the heifer to keep her full and make her look deep bodied.

Good luck to you and your family. My family always thought more of the “home raised” heifers.

 

[la4angus]

Good looking calf. Pretty well built.
The 400 lb 4 mo. weight amoounts to about a 600 205 day adj wt.
That is definitely respectable.
Keep up the good work. Your son will have fun.

 

[aplusmnt]

We will be showing at the local county fair and at the Ozark Empire Fair in Springfield, MO.

Looking forward to seeing the pictures of you daughters calf! Also will look forward to seeing your son's heifer at Springfield! We live over by Joplin and will probably come up there to watch some of the shows and eat at Lambert's. Good luck!

ps. If you have not ate at Lambert's it is a must! Kids love it there they will throw the fresh rolls to you across the room for you to catch, and have some awesome home cooking.

 

[Grand Chaser]

she a nice little calf! she dose need more bone but i think she'll grow up to look pretty good.

and not to be picky your son is holding her head wrong. i't just jumped out at me i'm sure he dosn't hold her like that all the time

 

[WagaAgeyv]

Nice looking calf. 400# at 4 months is EXACTLY where she should be. If you haven't weaned yet, I wouldn't yet. Let her keep nursing & feed her grain. We usually split out calves off during the day, in the barn & let them out with mom at night only. Than weaning is easy.
I think she looks a little high in the shoulders because of the hair & the way she is standing.
Looks good, have fun.

I have been helping my cows with calves and just weaned calves with a feed called Empower. It is great for any and all animals, ie... horses, dogs, goats, chickens, anything that need a boost. Lots of extra protien to help out when they have hit a rough spot, or just trying to suppliment. You give a full cup (it is included with purchase) the first month or two then back off to 1/2 cup after that with there regular feed. I have friends that have used it on there sick cows as they are getting over their illnesses and they ahow great improvement. It can be a little pricey but for their health and no more than you use it it is worth it.

 

[rancherswife]

WagaAgeyv,
Is that the empower made by Nutrena for horses??
I was just wondering because my brother owns a feed and supply store and the rep. is saying it is good for the kids 4-H project pigs.

 

[jaydill]

I was speaking with one of the other teachers in my city and as I went through some pictures, I realized that I see many Limis who seem to have that same, slightly high top. My teacher was explaining to me that it might actually be because Limis typically have shorter necks, which in turn causes their head to not hold as high, which in turn causes their backs to look a little less level. But again, I love the calf. :)

 

[WagaAgeyv]

WagaAgeyv,
Is that the empower made by Nutrena for horses??
I was just wondering because my brother owns a feed and supply store and the rep. is saying it is good for the kids 4-H project pigs.

I believe so I am convinced it is a wonderful project. With the weather changing lately up one day down the next, I think it is wonderful. It helps with the well being of the herd. We have one calf that is new to the herd and is the smallest. She has not been able to always just get in their and eat with the rest so we try to supplument her from time to time to keep her weight up. She was a gift to my son as she is a cute little thing will raise good calves but is just 7 1/2 months old all the other are 2 or close to it. She is a cutie. So we try to help out on occasion. I really think this is the best thing on the market so far in such a small quantity that does so much. Try it you'll like it. :)