Steer Planet - Show Steers and Club Calves Forum

So last fall it was time to buy a show heifer for my sister's last year in the Jr program.  I searched high and low, to no avail.  Then it was the weekend of huge Shorthorn sales in Iowa.  We have traditionally raised our own or purchased from what I would call reputable breeders and tried not to spend too much money.  I did buy a somewhat pricey heifer a couple of years ago, and it turned out fine.  But I didn't have 20k+ to spend this year due to not being rich and also trying to save up for my future and what not. 

But I digress.

We watched the sale at Cyclone Trace Cattle Co with much admiration for my friends and former colleagues.  The set of cattle was fantastic, with prices to match.  I couldn't hope to own one of those beautiful creatures that fit all of my criteria.  So then it was off to Sullivan Farms Maternal Legends sale.  We got there a little later than we had hoped, and didn't just have a whole long time to study the offering (could have taken two days and not got them all gone through). But we did find a few heifers that ticked all of our boxes and we thought we MAY have a chance at purchasing.

Our number one pick also happened to be the first heifer through the sale ring.  Cracked that one off for something like 50k. Well crap, didn't even get my hand raised on that one.  Then there was a period where none of the heifers we picked sold. And then our number two was up.  In my mind, not to far off number one, but quite a bit more green and younger than many of cattle in the sale.  And what do you know, when the hammer dropped, I owned a new Shorthorn heifer.  SULL Traveling Ruby. She was young, and green, and none too friendly...but she was the one I wanted. 

We got her home and on feed and got her a bit more tame.  Things were going well.  We took her to the Illinois Beef Expo where she was reserve in her division.  Not bad, but we could have seen her doing better.  No matter, take her back home.  Well...then I moved...again. And I couldn't take her with me.  So off to my Dad's house she goes.  I had no idea what would happen next.  My dad and brother have toiled on her for a few months and then I come home to rough her out for Jr Nationals.  I was pleasantly surprised with what I was presented with.  A heifer with some hair, some freshness, and a huge belly.  Now this I can work with!  So I rough her out and have to get back to my Herefords for our own Jr National. 

Dad and Shelby get down to Louisville and the heifer comes into heat.  Great.. I'm not even there to make sure things go well.  Luckily my girlfriend does get down there for a couple of days.  The Sullivan Farms crew headed up by Josh Elder take Ruby under their wing and finish clipping her and dressed her on show day.  And she walked away with Reserve Division III in the owned show.  I thought that was great for a heifer that could still be thought to be a bit behind in hair and condition compared to her contemporaries. 

I realise this is very wordy, and I apologise. 

I just want people to know that the price you pay for your project can bear very little influence on how that project turns out.  This heifer cost a whopping $5,000 and you wouldn't be able to separate her from heifers that cost 4 or 5 times that much last fall.  Having a set of criteria that you do not waver from is a must.  Soundness, maternal look, and growth are all very important when picking a show heifer.  I will attach a couple of pictures to show how much Ruby has come along for us.

Justin, she definitely looked the part !!! Congrats !!!

Congrats on getting a good heifer and for her wins for you. I purchased a maternal sister to your heifer last year with a heifer calf at side for $10,500 from the Cagwin Farms sale last June. The heifer calf was  few days old when I purchased the pair and she has developed into a super nice heifer. The cow has done great and we flushed her a couple times and we have sold enough embryos to make the total investment pretty low.  I have also implanted several embryos myself so I am considering this to be one of the best investments I have made for quite awhile.

I agree with you 100% that it is possible to purchase some excellent cattle at reasonable dollars in many of these sales. You have to know what you are looking for, and wait for the opportunity to present itself. So many get caught up in the moment and bidding.

Here's the pic at 14 months of age.
Her maternal sister was ASA show female of the year for Little Cedar in MI.

We are transitioning into Simmental's and consequently dispersing our Shorts. This 3 year old outstanding donor prospect is due to calve in early 2015 and is for sale. If anyone is seriously interested please contact me directly.

She may be a little behind in hair and condition-but shell do some damage at Louisville and Denver;when the others are a little stale from being 12 O clock too soon.-and from the calf picture-Im really surprised she sold so cheap (relatively speaking) at Sullivans sale.

Yeah, shes not really 12 o'clock yet, but thats alright. She's getting by on structure, freshness, and depth for the most part right now.  Has some hair, but dad and my little brothers aren't exactly professionals at hair work.  I'll be bringing her over close to me after Herf Jr Nationals to get ready for State Fair and NAILE/NWSS.  We'll see what I can get her looking like by then.

She should be in heat next week, and will be bred to Turner Deception (Stumpy's new bull) or TM Gus (Stumpy's old bull).  Can't quite put my finger on it, but that man knows Shorthorn bulls, and I'd just about breed any of my cattle to those two bulls.

Another update- Ruby was a class winner and Reserve Divison V Champion in both the Jr and Open Shows at NAILE.  Her maternal sister was champion in the division and Reserve grand in the Jr Show.  I believe we were a whisker away from getting in the top two in the Jr Show.  On to NWSS!