Clipping, Clipping, and more Clipping

There is no better day than the present to learn why you clip your show calf. This may be easier to demonstrate than to explain to someone, but knowing why cattle experts are clipping their calves this way is also great knowledge to have.

First things first, make sure your calf is washed with a lighter shampoo to make the hair really pop. Blow dry them completely dry leaving them not even a little damp. Make sure the hair is laying completely forward. The importance of washing them first is so that the hair is sitting right to make it easier to clip. Do not add anything to their hair when you are clipping them, such as, leave-in conditioners or oils. This way there hair is completely natural and clean. 

Next, you will focus on clipping all of the following: Head, tail, tail head, topline, neck blending into the shoulder, brisket, front and back legs. The question we are asking today is; why are we clipping these areas? According to the 4-h Market Steer Handbook: Clipping and blocking at http://mysrf.org/pdf/pdf_beef/b10.pdf  the clipping of the tail and tail head is to create a level hip and add to the thickness throughout your calf. The topline needs to be clipped to show a wide topped and large rib, while cleaning up the neck of your calf will help create a smooth shouldered calf, which goes for the brisket as well. Now why do we clip the belly and flank? This will help give your calf more depth or less depth, depending on which you calf could use. Generally, you want a deep bodied calf, but if they are on a diet that pushes them to eat a lot more depth may not be needed. The clipping of the front legs in breeding cattle will help show thinness and shape. We clip the back legs to show that they have a straight hind leg. Clipping all of these things will give the illusion of your show calf having all of the quality to win. We clip calves to show their quality and add to their shape and body hopefully creating the perfect show calf. 

Lastly, if you need help on how to clip your calf I have found this video to be very helpful in that area. He does a great job demonstrating how close to clip as well as what clippers to use.