What makes a calf a good one?

Hey guys I got to thinking earlier what defines a good to great calf in your opinion. here is some choices that I came up with.

1) Cheap, gentle, and fun to show

2) Return on investment such as making money, regardless of place

3) HAS TO BE A CHAMPION!

I can agree with all 3... ideally i would like every calf to have all these traits, but there's a place for every budget, and growing up in the showring is one of the finest teachers of responsibility, hard work, good sportsmanship, and companionship.

In my barn, we had several champions, even some grand champions, so logically, we did get caught up in the excitement of winning.

However, i know that everybody has a different amount to put into it and calves can be bought for a great price. So, number 2 fits really well also.

Lastly, it is important for a young showman to have a calf that is a great companion with a good personality that is fun to show.

All are valid points, and truthfully everyone has their own opinion, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so be proud of what u have and know that no matter what anyone says, u will always know that u have a good calf no matter what which viewpoint u appreciate the most.

I guess it would all depend on your goals, each person has a different reason for showing and that reason determines what is important to them.  I can't speak for anyone else, but at my house it really doesn't matter how much I made on a calf, it is no fun to show one that isn't competitive.  I can guarantee you it is a lot funner to show when you are winning than it is when you are standing last!

It is satisfying to win.

But we have also taken those "good buy" calves and love to watch as we put more expensive ones underneath it. Even if we don't win the class. (It always is amazing how much some spend on a dead last calf.)

this was just me thinking haha we also had plenty of breed champions and overall champs with both steers and heifers at the majors and multiple county fairs with cattle that either I showed or sold. I agree with all the points I posted just wondering what everyone else figured I will be graduating this june from high school so all our calves are for sale now.

Im glad to see that a high school student can see that there is more to showing than winning. This just shows the beauty of the program and how it teaches kids to be mature, responsible adults

Im glad to see that a high school student can see that there is more to showing than winning. This just shows the beauty of the program and how it teaches kids to be mature, responsible adults

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Sadly that is not always the case in high school i showed along side one or two girls that were absolutly spoiled brats with no idea of responsiblity.

But I am glad to say that is most often not the case 

I'm going to take this a different direction than just putting all cattle in the same category. My dad would say that a great calf is one that never has to be touched from birth to the time it is put on the truck, low stress and good appetite, gains well on variety of feeds and does so efficiently. I would say a calf  that is low maintenance, structurally correct and efficient, in my case I would appreciate good hair and some style. Muscle and rib should be a given.  Your question could be answered many different ways and means many different things to quite a few people. I would suggest trying to find what you desire in your cattle ( be the purpose for show or for the market) and breed that direction.  Just my opinion.

Well I would have to go with number 3, When I go to pick out calves and the breeder or whoever sells them asks me if I like them I always say Oh there '' alright " some guys look at me funny when I say there alright and not good but a good calf im my eyes is a champion. But thats just my opinion.

I like raising the show animals, i dont have to show and win, heck ive showed every year i could since 4th grade and never even won a class( Except Grand bottle calf! i was a very proud 10 year old)
I actually dont really care if i ever raise a steer that wins a major show but i would love to have raised and sold the MOMMA to that champion, thats why i like the show cattle industry.

I will say i love it when you are last in class and you ask the judge why and he says not enough bone and not enough hair but you wont lose on the rail. market steer class hmmmmm? always thought that was the goal, so i get a chuckle out of that but it is fun anyways its all about seeing the great cattle and learning what theeir parentage is and how they were fed and all the new ppl you meet

just a college kid
Andrew

What is a good calf in my oppinon?...

A calf that is a great companion
Competive
A calf that you will have fun and enjoy showing its not all about winning its about going out and having fun and learning.
A calf that you will make money on in the future!