what to look for in a shorthorn show steer?

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katie_k

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Jun 14, 2010
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316
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Shell Lake WI
so im interested in starting to show shorthorns at shows other than my county fair. i found a man that im working with on my fair calves that has a registered shorthorn heard with some nice calves. what are some things i should be looking for? they are still kinda young between 3-5 months.  any advice is welcome!
 

fed_champions

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Mar 2, 2010
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400
Skeletal width, body and bone are some things that can set a shorthorn apart. Most of this breed tend to be rather sound, really level, clean fronted and good looking. But when it comes to lower quarter and bone, its a bit of a downfall to the breed. Good luck with ur choices.
 

CMAHerefords

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Mar 1, 2010
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142
One thing I've noticed with shorthorn steers is most of them tend to get to be like Clydesdale. Make sure he will be moderately framed and have good legs and structure everything else you can mostly live with.
 

Shorthorns4us

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Aug 24, 2010
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321
Location
SW Iowa
In general- steers are meant to be meat- so I like to look for all of the things you need to get the best meat product possible:
feet and legs and the bone in those legs-- he has to be able get this meat to the feed bunk each day and move around
Frame- I agree you don't want a Clydesdale, but you need to look at depth and width- how much meat will fit in this calf- does he have the frame to carry it and finish it-- also you want some meat in the end so you don't want a calf that is too small.
Waste- this is important to me- what is his front end made up like-- extra neck skin, extra skin in the shoulder and brisket-- I want my steers to be clean in the front.

hope that helps and JMO
:)
 

Bradenh

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Jan 10, 2010
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2,646
Location
Central Texas
Shorthorns4us said:
In general- steers are meant to be meat- so I like to look for all of the things you need to get the best meat product possible:
feet and legs and the bone in those legs-- he has to be able get this meat to the feed bunk each day and move around
Frame- I agree you don't want a Clydesdale, but you need to look at depth and width- how much meat will fit in this calf- does he have the frame to carry it and finish it-- also you want some meat in the end so you don't want a calf that is too small.
Waste- this is important to me- what is his front end made up like-- extra neck skin, extra skin in the shoulder and brisket-- I want my steers to be clean in the front.

hope that helps and JMO
:)
thats very true. . alot of the differences between a sucessful steer and a sucessful heifer in that post
 

SongBird1232

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Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Messages
83
Location
United States-Illinois
CMAHerefords said:
One thing I've noticed with shorthorn steers is most of them tend to get to be like Clydesdale. Make sure he will be moderately framed and have good legs and structure everything else you can mostly live with.

This summer i had a shorthorn steer, according to a judge he had an 'excessive frame'. I have found its hard to get a nice height on  a shorthorn, i've seen fat and short, and tall and lean, its hard to get a good one,but when you do get a good one, ten to one, they'll do well at fairs.
I'd look for height, hair, and make sure their back legs aren't too straight,because they could become lame later on when they get heavier.
 

savaged

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Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
730
Location
Greenfield OH
I sure wish you were closer because I would LOVE for you to have this guy (out of the Guyer bull "Asset") and show him, and for not a whole lot over market price.  My daughter is not going to show this winter and I need an energetic kid to take this calf and have some fun!

Good luck to you, and if you want to make a trip I'd seriously let you have him for $1000.00!  I like your attitude!!!
 

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