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 Chasin my Dream
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Location: Alberta | nmeastplains - 2014-05-09 10:25 AM
dream_chaser - 2014-05-09 10:01 AM Lots of great pointers, best of luck to your kiddos! Exciting experience!
I agree on decreasing the temp gradually, even a temperature around or above freezing mark does wonders for growing and maintaining the hair (so does brushing and conditioning the hair & keeping them clipped) The last steer I showed, I never had a cooler room
it spent daylight hours in a barn under a fan and when I let him out at night I hosed him down. (Not drenched but a light mist) I had a good 2 inches or more on him in middle of summer. Another thing to remember is exercise is important for them not only physically but overall appearance wise, you want them to finish out but not be too soggy from just standing around and eating and not moving much. One thing we used is pre/probiotic to keep the show cattle eating, never had issues all season even at shows, with them staying on feed......I'm sure Sullivan's sells something! Keeping their guts moving is just as important as growing hair.... ETA - keep their heads shaved, definitely helps hair grow!
This is interesting to me....could you please explain this to me?
When I say shave I don't mean bald lol!! When show animals are clipped the head is usually taken shorter (special blades are used on clippers) to get a smoother look, which tends to carry down into the brisket and blend the shoulders! BUT for what I'm saying now just keeping everything from the jaw line forward to the nose and poll down the front of the face. (See if I can find a pictures) The thinking behind it is..if u were to go out in cold weather without a warm hat on you will get chilled, right? So less hair means less insulation so they grow more hair to keep the rest of them warm! We have had great success with this even in winter months when prepping sale cattle. As I said they aren't bald to the skin, they still have a short layer of hair on their face.
Kirk Steirwalt is a great source for tips, here he talks on clipper blade types http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVmeNv2FxlQ
Here is a clean shaved head....picture borrowed from Bushman Cattle Company!
Edited by dream_chaser 2014-05-09 12:47 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | dream_chaser - 2014-05-09 11:44 AM nmeastplains - 2014-05-09 10:25 AM dream_chaser - 2014-05-09 10:01 AM Lots of great pointers, best of luck to your kiddos! Exciting experience!
I agree on decreasing the temp gradually, even a temperature around or above freezing mark does wonders for growing and maintaining the hair (so does brushing and conditioning the hair & keeping them clipped) The last steer I showed, I never had a cooler room
it spent daylight hours in a barn under a fan and when I let him out at night I hosed him down. (Not drenched but a light mist) I had a good 2 inches or more on him in middle of summer. Another thing to remember is exercise is important for them not only physically but overall appearance wise, you want them to finish out but not be too soggy from just standing around and eating and not moving much. One thing we used is pre/probiotic to keep the show cattle eating, never had issues all season even at shows, with them staying on feed......I'm sure Sullivan's sells something! Keeping their guts moving is just as important as growing hair.... ETA - keep their heads shaved, definitely helps hair grow! This is interesting to me....could you please explain this to me? When I say shave I don't mean bald lol!! When show animals are clipped the head is usually taken shorter (special blades are used on clippers ) to get a smoother look, which tends to carry down into the brisket and blend the shoulders! BUT for what I'm saying now just keeping everything from the jaw line forward to the nose and poll down the front of the face. (See if I can find a pictures ) The thinking behind it is..if u were to go out in cold weather without a warm hat on you will get chilled, right? So less hair means less insulation so they grow more hair to keep the rest of them warm! We have had great success with this even in winter months when prepping sale cattle. As I said they aren't bald to the skin, they still have a short layer of hair on their face. Kirk Steirwalt is a great source for tips, here he talks on clipper blade types http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVmeNv2FxlQ Here is a clean shaved head....picture borrowed from Bushman Cattle Company!
Ok, thank you! I understand the idea of it, just didn't understand the reasoning behind it. The people we bought our steers from are friends with Kirk Stierwalt and have mentioned him plus he is to have a clinic close to us or already did. We would have attended but the clinic was $400 and well, that just was not in the budget at this time...
Funny you attached that picture of that steer, that is what one of them looks like the other is just a solid black. The simental looking steer is by TimeSaver. Do you know anything about him? The solid black is by Monoply. |
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Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Time Saver I'm not as familiar with...Monopoly I do know of (well he's deceased) you likely have a couple of steers with some great potential to them :) |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| nmeastplains - 2014-05-09 1:51 PM
dream_chaser - 2014-05-09 11:44 AM nmeastplains - 2014-05-09 10:25 AM dream_chaser - 2014-05-09 10:01 AM Lots of great pointers, best of luck to your kiddos! Exciting experience!
I agree on decreasing the temp gradually, even a temperature around or above freezing mark does wonders for growing and maintaining the hair (so does brushing and conditioning the hair & keeping them clipped) The last steer I showed, I never had a cooler room
it spent daylight hours in a barn under a fan and when I let him out at night I hosed him down. (Not drenched but a light mist) I had a good 2 inches or more on him in middle of summer. Another thing to remember is exercise is important for them not only physically but overall appearance wise, you want them to finish out but not be too soggy from just standing around and eating and not moving much. One thing we used is pre/probiotic to keep the show cattle eating, never had issues all season even at shows, with them staying on feed......I'm sure Sullivan's sells something! Keeping their guts moving is just as important as growing hair.... ETA - keep their heads shaved, definitely helps hair grow! This is interesting to me....could you please explain this to me? When I say shave I don't mean bald lol!! When show animals are clipped the head is usually taken shorter (special blades are used on clippers ) to get a smoother look, which tends to carry down into the brisket and blend the shoulders! BUT for what I'm saying now just keeping everything from the jaw line forward to the nose and poll down the front of the face. (See if I can find a pictures ) The thinking behind it is..if u were to go out in cold weather without a warm hat on you will get chilled, right? So less hair means less insulation so they grow more hair to keep the rest of them warm! We have had great success with this even in winter months when prepping sale cattle. As I said they aren't bald to the skin, they still have a short layer of hair on their face. Kirk Steirwalt is a great source for tips, here he talks on clipper blade types http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qVmeNv2FxlQ Here is a clean shaved head....picture borrowed from Bushman Cattle Company!
Funny you attached that picture of that steer, that is what one of them looks like the other is just a solid black. The simental looking steer is by TimeSaver. Do you know anything about him? The solid black is by Monoply.
Monopoly steers have been hitting it hard the last couple of years with good success! A friend of mine up in eastern SD has some monopoly's out of simmie cows that look AWESOME this year!
Did some google - TimeSaver goes back to Hannibal and 3D ... I showed an own daughter to Hannibal back in the day with alot of success. I'm gonna have to dig up photos when I get home!
Sounds like you have some nice calves to get started! |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | I think the hardest part about purchasing show cattle, even on the cheap end they cost more than a good yearling colt prospect and you get less than a year with the steers. Some of my picks in the steer auctions sold for $9400...how can people afford that? We purchased on the cheap end but were  when we starting asking about show calf prices. |
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Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | nmeastplains - 2014-05-09 1:33 PM I think the hardest part about purchasing show cattle, even on the cheap end they cost more than a good yearling colt prospect and you get less than a year with the steers. Some of my picks in the steer auctions sold for $9400...how can people afford that? We purchased on the cheap end but were when we starting asking about show calf prices.
I ask myself the same question.....while the "club calf" market in Canada has really just started to take off in the last 10 years and follow along the US market. Sure we had steer jackpots up here, still do and have more but the steers we showed were picked from a huge pen of calves (they weren't all clipped up either) in usually a feedlot or producers field.....and for just market price per pound. Granted can still do that today but just like the QH has been bred for different disciplines you buy the show calves who would have most potential to get ya a ribbon or cheque based on their pedigree and what characteristics it brings to the table.
I've debated going back into showing steers cause I love it, even raising some...but always take $$ to make $$. The biggest steer show up here is during Calgary Stampede.
Edited by dream_chaser 2014-05-09 2:42 PM
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | I will admit that we found a breeder that produces show cattle because he enjoys them even though he doesn't get the top prices that others do. The interesting thing about the simental steer is that he is a twin.... |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | Here is the Simental when we bough him
and here is the other one.
They are of course over 1000# now but here they were around 600# |
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Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | Thanks for sharing, each steer offers something different....personally I like the Simmental based on the pictures, but would put the monopoly steers neck on him  it's always exciting to watch them grow :) |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Really Really like the top one! Nice and square with a good shoulder. The bottom one is obviously younger, but I'd say he's definitely got a good start on him! |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| Simm steer is a little heavy in his front for me but honestly, with growth and a neck sweat he'll be just fine. I love the bone and mass he's already showing.
I like the potential of the second steer. I'd have taken a chance on him :) He's obviously younger but I like the style and balance ... I think you'll be able to push the feed on him and really make a nice show steer out of him. I think that's the steer that will fit up really nice and be the eye catcher in the ring. Personally, he'd have been my choice for later shows and fall jackpots for sure!
Good Luck - they look great! |
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Chasin my Dream
Posts: 13651
Location: Alberta | lindseylou2290 - 2014-05-16 8:19 AM Simm steer is a little heavy in his front for me but honestly, with growth and a neck sweat he'll be just fine. I love the bone and mass he's already showing. I like the potential of the second steer. I'd have taken a chance on him :) He's obviously younger but I like the style and balance ... I think you'll be able to push the feed on him and really make a nice show steer out of him. I think that's the steer that will fit up really nice and be the eye catcher in the ring. Personally, he'd have been my choice for later shows and fall jackpots for sure! Good Luck - they look great!
Only cause it's nice to talk cattle rather then horses.....I'm going to add more...
That second steer will definitely bring forward what the Monpoly steers are known for is eye appeal and style in the ring, YET when u get behind him he'll be thick! Definitely bottom steer has the smooth side pattern and the top has the typical rounder muscle looks that simmentals can bring. Both I think will turn out nice and will offer something depending on what the judge wants that day :) |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | You both nailed it with these steers. We had to get the Simental steer, my son had to have him but yes he is rounder in is muscling and thick necked. He has nice bone, is longer sided and has a nice stride. He is wide from behind and definitely has eye appeal. My concern with this steer is his hair and his back left pastern has a pop.....may need to add Lubrisyn?
The Monoply steer is what I see as having the "it" factor when he finishes out. His top line is straight, he steps wide and has a presence to him when he walks. This steer has massive bone and makes the Simental steer look light. Right now this steer has a more compact look to him compared to the other one and his hair is wonderful.
I am excited to have 2 steers for my boys that I feel are completely different and still have such desireable traits. These boys have excellent dispositions and have been super easy to work with.
I do agree that the Simental needs a neck sweat, what type do you recommend? |
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I just read the headlines
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| We had a heifer that popped in her rear ankles when she was heavy bred. When she traveled she was always tied low in the trailer so she could lay down and take stress off the ankles and at the show I would rub them down with Sore No More and if you have any magnets, I would try those. At home she was turned out 24/7 which helped too. At the shows we would walk her before her class to get the joints moving more freely much like you warm up a horse before his class. Our poor heifers were treated like performance horses much of the time ,lol. I would also consider feeding him flax seed for the Omega 3's. |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| dream_chaser - 2014-05-16 9:42 AM
lindseylou2290 - 2014-05-16 8:19 AM Simm steer is a little heavy in his front for me but honestly, with growth and a neck sweat he'll be just fine. I love the bone and mass he's already showing. I like the potential of the second steer. I'd have taken a chance on him :) He's obviously younger but I like the style and balance ... I think you'll be able to push the feed on him and really make a nice show steer out of him. I think that's the steer that will fit up really nice and be the eye catcher in the ring. Personally, he'd have been my choice for later shows and fall jackpots for sure! Good Luck - they look great!
Only cause it's nice to talk cattle rather then horses.....I'm going to add more...
That second steer will definitely bring forward what the Monpoly steers are known for is eye appeal and style in the ring, YET when u get behind him he'll be thick! Definitely bottom steer has the smooth side pattern and the top has the typical rounder muscle looks that simmentals can bring. Both I think will turn out nice and will offer something depending on what the judge wants that day :)
Agreed :)  |
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Expert
Posts: 2457
| nmeastplains - 2014-05-16 10:06 AM
You both nailed it with these steers. We had to get the Simental steer, my son had to have him but yes he is rounder in is muscling and thick necked. He has nice bone, is longer sided and has a nice stride. He is wide from behind and definitely has eye appeal. My concern with this steer is his hair and his back left pastern has a pop.....may need to add Lubrisyn?
The Monoply steer is what I see as having the "it" factor when he finishes out. His top line is straight, he steps wide and has a presence to him when he walks. This steer has massive bone and makes the Simental steer look light. Right now this steer has a more compact look to him compared to the other one and his hair is wonderful.
I am excited to have 2 steers for my boys that I feel are completely different and still have such desireable traits. These boys have excellent dispositions and have been super easy to work with.
I do agree that the Simental needs a neck sweat, what type do you recommend?
we used our own that my mom made out of neoprene scuba dive suits that we'd grown out of :)
However - you can buy they from Sullivans. I like the fabric ones better when compared to the leather. Just for ease of movement for the animal. They run like 50$ or so. Don't leave it on all the time. We'd leave 'em about 12 -14 hours at a time so the hair and skin could breathe. |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | lindseylou2290 - 2014-05-16 9:30 AM nmeastplains - 2014-05-16 10:06 AM You both nailed it with these steers. We had to get the Simental steer, my son had to have him but yes he is rounder in is muscling and thick necked. He has nice bone, is longer sided and has a nice stride. He is wide from behind and definitely has eye appeal. My concern with this steer is his hair and his back left pastern has a pop.....may need to add Lubrisyn?
The Monoply steer is what I see as having the "it" factor when he finishes out. His top line is straight, he steps wide and has a presence to him when he walks. This steer has massive bone and makes the Simental steer look light. Right now this steer has a more compact look to him compared to the other one and his hair is wonderful.
I am excited to have 2 steers for my boys that I feel are completely different and still have such desireable traits. These boys have excellent dispositions and have been super easy to work with.
I do agree that the Simental needs a neck sweat, what type do you recommend? we used our own that my mom made out of neoprene scuba dive suits that we'd grown out of : ) However - you can buy they from Sullivans. I like the fabric ones better when compared to the leather. Just for ease of movement for the animal. They run like 50$ or so. Don't leave it on all the time. We'd leave 'em about 12 -14 hours at a time so the hair and skin could breathe.
Would it be best to leave the collar on when we turn out at night? I don't see how it will benefit the steer in the cool room as much as maybe outside? |
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Extreme Veteran
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Location: Somewhere in the middle of nowhere | For those interested...here are my boys and their steers. After lots of sweat, tears and hard work, my boys walked away from their first show as true competitors. The black steer was 2nd in both of his classes (behind the Reserve Grand Champion Steer) and my son was selected as Jr. Showmanship and received a buckle and made the sale. The black and white steer was 5th and gave my son a hard time while showing, he was such a trooper....he received the Herdsmanship buckle and was picked in a lottery draw to sell his steer. I am one proud momma for all the work they did and showed their hearts out!
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 (Kalynn n Moo- 8-21-2014 (200x149).jpg)
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Miss Laundry Misshap
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