dyeing white flanks?

Had some people tell me dye their flank if they're all black then the flank is white. Any opinion on this.

WBar Farms said:

Had some people tell me dye their flank if they're all black then the flank is white. Any opinion on this.

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It will make them look deeper flanked.  I don't do it.  I have dyed navals.  The white didn't go past the naval but anytime you have any white on a naval and the heifer is angus it's like a big scandal is going on.  I just got tired of having to break out the rule book and tell all of the non-angus breeders that she was legit. 

If you ask me....a little white in the flank can make an angus heifer stand out a little. 

AAOK said:

At most shows, other than Jackpots, changing the color of the hair is a huge No-No.  If you are allowed to dye the white, first dye it Brown, and then Black.  Otherwise, the best you'll get is gray. 

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You're right about the big shows not allowing dye.  However, I think that 95% of the Angus at the NWSS were dyed.  Most of them were dyed on the grounds.  Heck, I saw one guy dying the cattle in his stall.  That was a little bold for me!  I believe at most county fairs you can dye.  Heck you can paint everywhere....what's a little dye gonna do.  How would you go about busting somebody for this.  The dye doesn't rub off. 

IMO black will make them look deeper flanked but if you are to leave it white and paint it with ultra white after fitting, the brightness of the paint will stand out against almost every background giving the deep look. And by having some white the calf will stand out to the judge. It's all personal preference.

Depends on how much white is there....a lot can make a calf look shallower flanked but just a touch is nice to make a calf stand out in a ring of solid black.  In Iowa, no paint or color allowed at the state fair and at most county fairs....

Well I was told when you get him dye it and after that spruce up about 3 times in that year and it won't come out for a long time.  If you do it right away I guess no one would never know if the dye doesn;t come out.

iowabeef said:

Depends on how much white is there....a lot can make a calf look shallower flanked but just a touch is nice to make a calf stand out in a ring of solid black.  In Iowa, no paint or color allowed at the state fair and at most county fairs....

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You cant paint over the adhesive on legs?

This is why you must read your rules very carefully.  I live in the SW and at our county, you can paint the legs, but you cannot change the color or markings of the animal.  Also you may not use paint above the hocks.  With these rules, you can dye a black calf that has the reddish tint a deep black.  But you cannot cover any white or other markings.  Our state fair specifically states no dyeing at all.  In the end, its how honest you want to be about it as with most things. 

I don't know if you are all familiar, but the dyeing became a big issue after the "Big Mac" calf in Denver back in the 70's, early 80's.  Google him - its interesting reading. 

FutureBreeder said:

iowabeef said:

Depends on how much white is there....a lot can make a calf look shallower flanked but just a touch is nice to make a calf stand out in a ring of solid black.  In Iowa, no paint or color allowed at the state fair and at most county fairs....

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You cant paint over the adhesive on legs?

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Nope....you have to put enough adhesive to hold but not so much that you see all the "white".  They wipe random calves down and there are people in the barns watching.  No color of any kind.  Also at Iowa State Fair, only immediate family and other 4-Hers may help fit.  No one else allowed...

Thanks