Is this a good steer? PLEASE HELP

This will be my first year showing a steer and I have been searching for one for over a month now. It's my last year to show in FFA.  My main reason for doing a steer is to gain the experience. 1. Because I've just shown small stock for 9 years, and 2. Because I plan to become an Ag teacher and want to know the large and small stock field.  Because I'm doing it for the experience my budget is limited to under $900. I'm a senior and highschool, raised by a single mom who won't let me get a job because she claims my job is education and volunteering and she doesn't want me worry bout money. 

To my disbelief I've called all over the state of Arizona and haven't found squat in my county's requirements (polled, has baby teeth, weighs 600) nor budget.  My show date is April 22nd and my weigh-in/ownership deadline is November 3rd. It needs to weigh 600 by then.  Today I found a steer that's $650 bout an hour and a half away from me but before I make the drive to see how his disposition is what do you think of his structure? It's the only picture the guy had at an awkward angle. Or have any ideas of where to look in AZ?

what type is he? If he is American influence he may be better fit to show in that class. You cant tell much from the picture, but i wouldn't call him a show steer. If you are showing just for the experience though he will probably make a good project to teach you with. But thats just my opinion. Good luck

I'm thinking it's an Angus cross, he's selling another one that's red but it has horns. I'm just wondering is it possible to find something under $900 that's 600lbs and decent?

Get hold of Terry Van Hilsen in Gilbert, his kids are past showing and terry can give you some direction, where to look, who might have something, and will have contact numbers for you,  good guy, honest.  Aztec angus is findable on Internet.

Does the calf have to be polled or is it just like most shows where he can't have horns? I'm not from az but I've never heard of polled being a mandatory requirement for a steer when you can get them removed

That steer is prob worth $800-$900 at the sale barn so I would buy him.
If u find another u like better, sell him and knock down $200 to go toward feed.

AZCountryGal said:

I'm thinking it's an Angus cross, he's selling another one that's red but it has horns. I'm just wondering is it possible to find something under $900 that's 600lbs and decent?

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Answer:  No that is way below market price even.  Most 7weights will bring over 1.50 if they are of any quality around here.

Show stopper 95: They can't have horns over one inch for our county fair, but I'm looking to buy something that has the things I want all in one purchase.  Some other people told me to get a bull calf with horns and get both things done while I still pay $800 just for the bull calf... 

cowman 52: do you know where I can find his contact info?

The responses to the price are on target-along with the American look-Judging from the picture I'd make very sure that the calf isn"t a nuts-when I see one standing like that with ears forward etc-it allways makes me nervous. O0

mark tenenbaum said:

The responses to the price are on target-along with the American look-Judging from the picture I'd make very sure that the calf isn"t a nuts-when I see one standing like that with ears forward etc-it allways makes me nervous. O0

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Good point Mark, he's a little to big to have in your lap!!

I found a new lil guy who is closer to my area and I got to go out and see him today. He's a polled grassfed brangus steer weighing at about a little over 500lbs. He'll cost $600 which seems fair to me. Were on an ATV so couldn't get great pictures.. What do you think of him?

Run away.  Not worth halter breaking.

Agree with Cowman on both calves.

Pardon me for asking, but why are they not worth halter breaking?  I own horses and know the process of halter breaking/green-breaking them.  I would really like to learn as much as possible.

Here's my opinion, the first steer looks a little better than the second one from the pics. However, neither steer will be very competitive in the show ring. But, its going to be hard to find one that will be competitive in your price range. If the experience is all you're after, then I say go for it. You'll clear more money on your calf as those that pay $2k for a steer that doesn't feed well and ends up 3rd in a class. Have you looked at your local sale barn ? You can probably find a better calf there for under $900. Good luck to u and I admire your ambition!!

I would make sure you get a weight before you buy. I question that the second calf is even 400lbs let alone 500+. You don't want one too light so you are pushing him all year to make weight.

I agree with Gargan. I think you can find a pretty decent crossbred calf at your local sale barn. This will be the type of steer that will feed with ease, as that is what commercial cattle are bred for.

I admire your charisma in wanting to learn something new. I also admire the fact you want to be an ag teacher. What I have a question about is you mentioning you are in your last year of FFA, so I am assuming you are 21, and yet, after spending all that time in FFA you have no idea what a good steer is. Either FFA is missing the mark on educating students, or you missed the information.
Earlier a name was mentioned and suggested to contact, and your reply was "how do I get ahold of them?"  You obviously have a computer and there is a really cool search engine called "GOOGLE".... might be handy to look up information on (from what I hear! ).  If you want to be a teacher, get used to taking the initiative searching for information yourself.
Sorry to be a bit testy, but it gets frustrating seeing students spoon fed information, let alone "want to be" teachers.

Neither steer is worth showing. They might be good salebarn feeders, but that is about it.

I wish you all the luck in the world and hope you are successful in finding a good steer project. I also wish you luck in being a successful teacher.
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