Too much Navel does it get ya?

Was lookin at a steer but his only problem is his navel he just has too much and looks bad.  What does everyone think on them kinda steers? Anyone notice judges hating them or not ever winning?

It really depends on the judge and to what degree the navel (sheath actually since it's a steer) is too big...if your calf is far and away the best otherwise then it shouldn't be a problem but in a close placing it could make a difference.  It's a whole 'nother ballgame if it's an american cross steer but it doesn't sound like it.  If he is a good calf I would go with him but if you aren't otherwise happy with him then it might be just another reason to look somewhere else.  Good luckl whatever you do though!  <rock>

WBar Farms said:

Was lookin at a steer but his only problem is his navel he just has too much and looks bad.  What does everyone think on them kinda steers? Anyone notice judges hating them or not ever winning?

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I'm also interested in thoughts on this.  I have a very nice roan, square hipped steer, but I too think he has a bit extra navel.

it wont hurt that bad unless like said before, if its an american x calf that is just looking exotic, because you can have alot more problems beside that. an american x doesnt compete with exotics, but if he has exotic charateristics then i dont see a whole lot wrong with it

No th is is a crossbreed no american cross there

To be honest with you, if you're asking about it, there is probably too much sheath. It can and often times does come into play. There is something that is just not as eye appealing about a steer with too much sheath or a heifer with too much naval. There are bulls that throw extra sheath and PPL just stay away from them if possible.
  Commercially, extra sheath/naval, can be sometimes associated with deeper, softer made cattle. Catch 22 situation.

on a bull, it's not desirable because of breeding soundness issues and the increased potential to pick up mud or burrs.

On a steer, it's not pretty but it's not a major issue fundamentally unless it's really bad and causes urinary infections. 

Sometimes in the showring we loose track of what matters and why it matters or doesn't.  Most other traits are more important.

However, you're asking about a "show" steer so, that's probably a good point above, if you're asking,  it's probably a "show" issue.

simply glue it to the belly at shows - been done a lot - 3M

or rub some icey hot paste on it and he will feel the burning and suck it up. thats what we do with alot of our jackpot americans. if its that big and a big problem with him

WBar Farms said:

Was lookin at a steer but his only problem is his navel he just has too much and looks bad.  What does everyone think on them kinda steers? Anyone notice judges hating them or not ever winning?

Click to expand...

It's a steer... it doesn't matter, he's not going to breed on.
Different scenario on a bull or heifer which will potentially have calves.

Some people believe looser sheathed and/or navelled cattle have looser, softer skin, hence enhancing the animal's ability to grow and producing a 'softer' animal.

You can also dig at it with a show stick.  By doing so, the calf tends to suck it in.  However, this method sometimes draws attention to the problem and, thus, backfires. 

that doesnt draw it up on the move when the calves are walking

personally when im looking at steer calves i want a nice tight sheath, its just unattractive to me and makes him seem wasty. just my opinion

What we do with calves that have a little more sheath is freeze it and then dip it in rubbing alcohol. Seems to work temporally.

If you are going to be showing them much just stay away from it, people go though a lot of things to try and hide it, that should tell you something there, it just looks bad on show cattle. Doesnt matter how good they are a judge's eyes are going to be drawn to it, its just an eye sore. Other than some american x cattle, look through all the cattle that win at all levels of showing, 99% of the time they are super clean.