Steer birth dates

[AngusSenorita]

What are the optimal dates for a show steer calf to be born?

 

[vs_cattle]

it all depends on what you want to do
are you planning to sale this animal for a particular show?
want to show in a certain class
want to do something else it all depends on what your planning to do

 

[nora24]

I would think that would depend on what you plan to do with it and when.

 

[TheBullLady]

Figure out when you want him to be "finished".. for what show and determine it from there. The majors here in Texas are Jan-March, so most kids buy steers that are going to be 12 - 13 months old then.

 

[karlie45]

12-13 months before you want him finished is 'perfect'
My show steers are born april-may so that they can compete finished at my July county fair. That timeline works well for us. If I ever wanted to take a steer to state (late august) (I normally take heifers, less 'big' competition) I would need a later born steer.(im thinking late may-early july)

Like other posters said, it all depends on what you want to do with it.

 

[AngusSenorita]

for tx majors

 

[AAOK]

The folks who really know how to feed and fit are usually looking for July - August steers for the Texas majors. Ideally, you want to show a market steer at 17 - 20 months of age.

 

[chambero]

AAOK is exactly right, although calves have been getting a little bit younger and doing well in Houston. For Fort Worth, you really need a big mature calf which requires a May-July calf to really have a chance to do well. Calves at Fort Worth are usually pulled back harder than others.

August-Oct calves are better for Houston. You'll do fine with September and early October calves as long as you don't have any hickups.

12-13 month old calves might get heavy enough to make minimum weight by pushing really hard, but they won't be matured and finished. We are feeding an early January calf for Houston this year for a lightweight Angus for my young son. I've never had a calf in the barn nearly that young in 20 years of showing.

 

[AngusSenorita]

Thanks. Do you know of any AI services in the N.Tex area? I need to get my cow AIed and she will still have a calf on her side when she needs to be AIed