Need a more feminine heifer!

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lovemyreds

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Aug 1, 2014
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I have a yearling heifer who is really nice looking, and has done well in her classes. She is big boned, thick, big ribbed, but she gets knocked because she needs to be more feminine. Any suggestions how to do this??
I do agree that she needs about 2 more inches to stretch her neck out because her neck is short and stout, but obviously that's not a possibility, and she gets plain looking in her back end.
Also, any suggestions on how to pick out a bull to breed her to. I need a "feminine" bull. Can I look for something in his EPD's or just go by looking at what he as thrown for off spring??

Thanks for the suggestions!
 

shortyjock89

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Mar 6, 2007
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Actually, you need a more masculine bull.  Many people confuse coarseness with masculinity.  You need a bull with adequate extension and cleanliness of neck, but he also needs to look like a bull.  Chances are, if you use a more "feminine" bull, you won't get the kind of calf you're looking for.

As far as what you can do with her as a show heifer, make sure her front feet are squarely underneath her; and get her to hold the weight of her chest up, rather than forward. 
 

lovemyreds

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Aug 1, 2014
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Thanks for the advice!!
Do you have any experience with feed supplements?? The new sullivan's fresh and feminine supplement caught my eye, but I don't know of anyone who has tried it yet.
 

shortyjock89

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We've got 4 Hereford heifers on it right now.  It's tough to say exactly how much it does, but it certainly hasn't hurt.  I do know that it's fed in all the show barns at Sullivan's and they really do believe in it. 

We also feed some femulate from Oxy-gen if we have one that needs some tightening up in her jowl and udder. 

Feed supplements may not really be what you need though, but I can't say without seeing the calf. 

What usually works best for us in your situation is giving the animal about a 45 day period of rest off of the show regimen and diet.  That's not to say that we ignore them, but we just feed them supplements and a small and very basic feed, with lots of exercise and hay.  We do this in the spring after Denver and in the fall after our State Fair. It's amazing what a little time off can do for them, the girls especially.  I think it's easier to feed a heifer into a show rather than try to hold one back, but I know I may be a little bit in the minority there.
 

cowboy_nyk

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Aug 28, 2013
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Manitoba, Canada
OFS - You are 100% correct that it's a lot easier to feed a heifer up to a show compared to holding them back.  I have this discussion with young producers every fall.  They come to the shows in the fall after feeding/showing their heifers all summer and the heifers look stale.  A little rest and a bit of a diet will do wonders to freshen up a heifer.  As soon as my summer show run is over, my yearlings get 6-8 weeks off before coming back in on feed to get ready for November.  There's no reason a yearling can't stay fat enough on lush grass anyway.
 
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