What Do You Think

[Cowboy 2.0]

Here are two of my calves that we hauled to a show yesterday. What do you think?

Lifeline Steer

BR Midland Heifer

 

[Moocow11]

I would like to see the steer tighter sheathed, and a stronger top, but other than that he looks good,

O my that is what i call depth, she is very deep, not much hair or bone, not a very good tail set, and it looks like she toes out, how did they place??

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

The steer was 3rd and the heifer was second. The show was a small one and very political. The judge was from the town and the 2 calves above the steer, the handlers were from the same town. Same thing with the heifer. Both animals should have won their classes and easily.

 

[Keren]

Nice. Very nice.

The steer would do well here. He is thick, deep, well sprung, has great definition in the rump. I would like to see him longer in the body. He looks like he has been pushed hard . . . when will he be slaughtered? Also - is he the one you posted when you first got him? He looks familiar.

Tighter sheath? Give me a break . . . since when does a hoof n hook steer need a tight sheath?? PLEASE do not tell me American judges will place a STEER down because of an untidy sheath?

The heifer is also nice. As was pointed out, great depth. Appears to have adequate structure. Good length. I agree could do with more bone. But I have no problem with the tail set. Better than the average US show calf. From the photo, I'd like to see her longer in the hind quarter, longer from hip to pin and more slope between hips and pins.

She looks like she's had her head tied to the feed bucket - looking a little too fat for my liking, considering she is a heifer.

I like them both - congrats. Show politics suck.

 

[CPL]

I think they both could use a stronger top.

Also, how are they on the move? Do they walk smooth and soundly? Do their back feet step in the tracks made by their front feet? It may just be the picture but they both look posty to me. I wonder if they have any structural problems which can't be seen in a photo.

They both look a little overconditioned. Was the judge at this show consistent? My feelings are that I can respect a Judge's opinion if he is consistent in what he selects for. If I remember correctly there may have been past incidences that you have not thought too kindly of a Judge at a particular show. I don't reccomend Judge bashing at all.

As for the tighter sheath comment... is there any evidence that a tighter sheathed bull "gets the job done better"? I have ALWAYS wondered that! If there is, I completely agree with Moocow11's reply. If this steer were to show fairly well and his dam happened to have a heifer the following year the heifer has a likely chance to be selected as a replacement. Then if later done the road that heifer showed well and she happened to have a bull he may be selected for a prospect sire. And if the sheath issue prohibited his ability he may not be a very good sire. Keren, can you answer my question in the first sentence of this paragraph? Thanks!

Two good lookin calves. What are the plans for the heifer?

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

The heifer is a little fat, as for the steer, he needs quite a bit more cover before he gets to Fort Worth. Both of them travel out just fine, but if the steer is no 1300# calf. I dont think he could keep his front end together at that weight. As for judge bashing, I didn't mention show name or the judges name. He was not consistent at all. If a judge is consisten, I will respect his decision, but when he is all over the place and there are blatent show ring politics, kinda makes you mad.

 

[CPL]

He was not consistent at all. If a judge is consisten, I will respect his decision, but when he is all over the place and there are blatent show ring politics, kinda makes you mad.

Can't blame you there then. Good Luck with those two. Keep us posted on how they do!

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

Also - is he the one you posted when you first got him? He looks familiar.

He is the calf I put on here right after I bought him.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

I like them both. I think that heifer will make a good cow

 

[Cowboy 2.0]

I think that heifer will make a good cow

Thats what we bought her for.

 

[Avalon]

I hate to criticize anybodys animals. But since the Midland heifer looks a lot like one I sold last year, I'll tell you what I think. She slopes to much from hooks to pins. It appears that she turns out to much on her hind feet. If I were a bettin man, I'd say she may not be the best strided animal in the barn. But what the heck give me the birth date I assume you are from Corsicana yes? no? I'll have to look at every angus heifer that comes through the barn anyway

 

[Keren]

I think they both could use a stronger top.

Also, how are they on the move? Do they walk smooth and soundly? Do their back feet step in the tracks made by their front feet? It may just be the picture but they both look posty to me. I wonder if they have any structural problems which can't be seen in a photo.

They both look a little overconditioned. Was the judge at this show consistent? My feelings are that I can respect a Judge's opinion if he is consistent in what he selects for. If I remember correctly there may have been past incidences that you have not thought too kindly of a Judge at a particular show. I don't reccomend Judge bashing at all.

As for the tighter sheath comment... is there any evidence that a tighter sheathed bull "gets the job done better"? I have ALWAYS wondered that! If there is, I completely agree with Moocow11's reply. If this steer were to show fairly well and his dam happened to have a heifer the following year the heifer has a likely chance to be selected as a replacement. Then if later done the road that heifer showed well and she happened to have a bull he may be selected for a prospect sire. And if the sheath issue prohibited his ability he may not be a very good sire. Keren, can you answer my question in the first sentence of this paragraph? Thanks!

Two good lookin calves. What are the plans for the heifer?

Don't know if you are setting me up with this, but no, I cant answer that question. I have not done the research, so I do not know if there is evidence that a loose sheath is detrimental. But the animal in question is a steer, not a bull. A steer is a meat producer, nothing else. He needs to be structurally sound enough to get him through the 60, 90, 120 or whatever days of feeding, but that is all. If he has minor structural faults, it doesnt matter as long as he is functional. The same goes for the sheath. A loose sheath does not impact on his ability to produce meat, so in my opinion he shouldnt be penalised in the show ring for it. Regarding the underlined portion of your post, in the show ring we should be judging the animal presented before us, not a potential situation that could arise because of the animal winnng a ribbon.

 

[Keren]

Also - is he the one you posted when you first got him? He looks familiar.

He is the calf I put on here right after I bought him.

I thought so. Looks like he has fed out well. Congratulations on a job well done.

 

[Avalon]

The steer has a double chin like my old uncle Awald.
Probably from a halter? Uncle Awalds double chin was from being German and enjoying food.
I think the steer is in pretty good condition. First glance says he could be longer from hooks to pins.
Thats just knit pickin. It will all depend on what you are matched up with at your target show.

 

[Flacowman]

Both are very nice and would do well around here. They both could use some more length, especially the heifer with all of that depth. Nice calves though. BTW, most of my steers have had more sheath than that and a couple have won big shows, so don't worry about that.