ABC steer classed out at San Antonio

[ware6]

We have a great, smoky ABC steer that didn't class at San Antonio.  I believe he should have.  All things considered, are there any tricks to make a sheath longer other than surgery?  We'll take him to Houston, in 2 weeks. Thanks steer6

 

[4C]

I've classed Americans at San Antonio and Houston before; I even served on state committees that set guidelines for classification of steers in Texas.  I can tell you that a long sheath alone, will not necessarily get you in the ABCs.  It's more about breed character, specifically in the front 1/3 of the body.  Your calf must exhibit the correct ear length and outward/downward angle to it.  It must also possess a bos indicus type of head and eye shape with some extra throat and dewlap hide.  Sheath length, for anyone that knows what theyre doing, is not a big priority.

 

[JSchroeder]

steer6, implants, but I always forget whether it's Ralgro or Revalor that helps drop the sheath.

 

[ware6]

Thanks for information.  If you think your American calf won't class, where do you try to put him to keep him out of AOB?
Maybe, Chi?

 

[JSchroeder]

Post a picture of his head.

 

[ware6]

HERE IS A HEAD VIEW AND A SIDE VIEW.  APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. THANKS.

 

[bjam4]

not enough sheath or ear to be an american probably should run chi at houston

 

[ware6]

CAN HE COMPETE WITH THE CHI'S?

 

[JSchroeder]

My amateur opinion…

His sheath isn’t short, it doesn’t exist.

He doesn’t have enough/any dewlap.

His ears are just a touch below medium sized at best.

His ears point up, not down and they don’t have a bell shape to them.

The only thing that even begins to make me think ABC is the very slight crest and even that’s questionable.

Chi, Charolais, or AOB; pick your poison.  Does he actually have any American blood?

 

[ware6]

AMERICAN DAM CHAROLAIS SIRE.  HONESTLY, WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WOULD COMPETE BEST AS?  IS HE WORTH TAKING?

 

[chambero]

I'd run him AOB for the following reasons:

All of the breeds are tough.  Really doesn't make much difference.  But - there won't be any other calves in the Chis with a neck like that.  He will stand out negatively.  Same deal in the Charolais.  But I'd run him Charolais before I did Chi.  At least in the AOBs there is such a mix of calf types that it might not stand out as much.

You've worked all year with him, might as well take him.  You can't tell by a photo whether one would really make the sale or not, but he's certainly respectable.

 

[ware6]

THANKS AGAIN, FOR THE GOOD INFO.

 

[Bradenh]

if you are going to do aob may as well do the suicide shot and try abc and then get thrown down in aob. . . he wont class though, he shows no sheath and trash/hip set of an american