What is the point of showing cattle? What do judges
look for in a winning show calf? Many people ask these questions but do they
really know what the answers mean? In order to produce a good quality
show calf, its genetics will make up how well it does in the ring. So you
decide to read an article about what a judge looks for in show calf, but really
you have no clue what they are talking about because the terminology is hard to
understand. One of my favorite magazines to read about agriculture and showing
cattle is called The Fence
Post, the reason being? Many
of the articles that are published in this magazine are about agriculture groups
such as 4-H and FFA. Let's take a look at one of the article that I love
because it explains so much for people who are new to the show circuit.
“If you have a
destination, the first step needs to be in the right direction. That not only
applies to travel, but also to the world of 4-H. For 4-H participants choosing
cattle as a project, breeders and producers of show cattle with a combination
of breeds such as, Chi, Maine, Angus, and even Simmental are also known as “club
calves.” They believe they are that important right step in reaching a
successful destination.
In the past,
4-H calves were likely selected from a family farm or a neighbor’s herd.
Present day competitions, however, feature a high percentage of steers
(neutered as calves) and heifers (never have had a calf) specifically bred and
raised for the purpose of showing, and they have a good chance of coming from
producers who specialize in raising club calves instead of commercial cattle
meaning these calves are not registered under a specific breed.
Obviously
there is a difference in end-point focus, “explained Brad Fassett of Fassett
Hay and Cattle in Durango, Colo., about club calves versus commercial cattle. “We’re
trying to put in basically the same traits that you need in good commercial
cattle, but then have a little bit of show ring quality with them. They need
some extra balance and quality and eye appeal, such as hair, bone, and muscle.
And that’s relative to just commercial cattle.”
That show ring
quality was further explained by another smaller club calf producer in
Colorado. “The difference is the bone and the muscle these club calves have on
them,” said Jerry Riley of JDR cattle in Franktown, Colo.” (For breeding
purposes) I’m going after that hair, muscle, and bone that it takes to be a
club calf compared to just a pasture type calf.”
This is
what a club calf looks like. Hair, muscle, and bone are the qualities that
these calves have. Sometimes pictures make it easier to understand than just
words on a page. J
For the
full link to this article click here:
For more
information about 4-H click here:
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