Dairy Steer 8th overall at Wisconsin State Fair? How?

I saw that a dairy steer was 8th overall at the Wisconsin State Fair. I know they have amazing dairy cattle up there but are the good enough to beat all the club calves? Maybe I missed something just seems a little different from Oklahoma.

It is not a sign of quality, but a result of show format. For overall standings and sale order, only the champ of each breed gets to compete. This includes the champ crossbred, and champ dairy as there are relatively few breeds to show. The only reserve champ that gets a shot at it is the one pulled in to take the place of whichever steer is grand champ overall. None of the other reserves get in grand champ drive or the governer's auction. So if the Chi steer wins it all, the reserve Chi is pulled in to fill the hole and rankings proceed. Usually, the dairy steer is close to last if not dead last- 8th overall. Some people love this format, some don't. BTW- in my opinion, that was one awesome dairy steer and very deserving of being highlighted in champion drive!

So pretty much the reserve cross gets screwed by the dairy steer?

All these years dairy steers were getting screwed. Bout  time people recognize dairy carcasses have something to offer. Dairy marbles easier. Would like to see a quality grade comparison of dairy steers vs beef at fairs. 

So how much would it cost to buy a "good" dairy steer in Wisconsin?

Good call Knabe.

That steer was prolly the only one to grade choice in the bunch.

chambero has  pointed out several times show steers grade choice and above.

what also is not apparent is that there are an awful lot of show steers that have inadequate back fat and thus less chance to even grade choice than a dairy steer.

i've seen too many actual show steer carcasses on the rail next to dairy steers and hundreds of dairy carcasses and know they can marble.  you can walk down a locker and it's plain as day which ones are dairy.

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i live and show in wisconsin and at our county fair, our dairy steers take up most of our barn.. there are only about 4 competitive show steers here too.. most of our dairy steer kids grow up on dairy farms, can pick whatever calf they want, and show it at fair, VERY low cost.. sometimes the kids pay nothing, not even feed, because the feed is on their families feed program on the farm. at least in our county, this is true.

So a dairy steer can be a less expensive project and there are more dairy steers that there are club steers.  Tell me again how this is bad?  The goal is to involve kids and families and it is bad to have more animals?  I see the club calf snobbery all the time.  Dairy steers can't compete.  Hate it when one of my 1/4 Holstein mother cows toss a choice or prime project.  Fact is most dairy steers don't have the top in them that a cross does but it it also a fact that most exotic crosses won't marble with a dairy steer.  Both have merit one in volume of meat and one in quality of meat.  I would like to see a picture of this calf.

At our county fair (in Wisconsin) the dairy steers have their own champion and that steer can come back with the class winners from the crossbreds (all beef breeds compete as crossbreds due to low numbers) to compete for overall champion, I've never seen the dairy steer picked over a beef though. I did watch the champion drive at the state fair and it was an impressive dairy steer, there where probably in my opinion some beef steers that would have beat him but as long as the format is that way you had better win your breed division.

I saw the picture on executive sires blog. Didn't mean to bash dairy but in the show ring they got to have the look. I know they grade better but what about eye appeal that a club calf has? (I cant get the picture loaded on my computer.)

chappy6655 said:

At our county fair (in Wisconsin) the dairy steers have their own champion and that steer can come back with the class winners from the crossbreds (all beef breeds compete as crossbreds due to low numbers) to compete for overall champion, I've never seen the dairy steer picked over a beef though. I did watch the champion drive at the state fair and it was an impressive dairy steer, there where probably in my opinion some beef steers that would have beat him but as long as the format is that way you had better win your breed division.

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He looked really good for a dairy steer or any steer!

cpratz said:

So pretty much the reserve cross gets screwed by the dairy steer?

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You can look at it that way, or you can look at the dairy steer as a dairy steer. Yes this is an apples to oranges thing, but a good judge (I believe the steer show judge Clint Rusk is) can do this fairly adeptly.  As Knabe said, there is some real value in a well fed dairy steer. Not sure if it is really cheaper in the long run as far as feed costs go since you do have to feed them longer to get them there. However, as stated, most of these kids get them right off the farm at home. I doubt the dairy champ at state fair costs 10 or $20,000. Also, don't forget our dairy heritage in this state, it just seems right to have a dairy steer in the hunt.  

Boot Jack Bulls said:

cpratz said:

So pretty much the reserve cross gets screwed by the dairy steer?

Click to expand...

You can look at it that way, or you can look at the dairy steer as a dairy steer. Yes this is an apples to oranges thing, but a good judge (I believe the steer show judge Clint Rusk is) can do this fairly adeptly.  As Knabe said, there is some real value in a well fed dairy steer. Not sure if it is really cheaper in the long run as far as feed costs go since you do have to feed them longer to get them there. However, as stated, most of these kids get them right off the farm at home. I doubt the dairy champ at state fair costs 10 or $20,000. Also, don't forget our dairy heritage in this state, it just seems right to have a dairy steer in the hunt.  

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I can see it in wisconsin them putting them in the hunt but I thought he was there cause he was just flat good. Thats just why I was asking.

I agree that he was pretty darn good. As far as him being in that drive, as long as they show dairy steers, one will be in the drive and place at least 8th overall in this format.

40% of the beef industry, is actually dairy.

kciD said:

40% of the beef industry, is actually dairy.

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^^explain please?

cpratz said:

kciD said:

40% of the beef industry, is actually dairy.

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^^explain please?

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40% of animals slaughtered for beef are actually dairy. 

omaha steaks i think allow holstein carcasses because they marble.

here are pics from executive sires