In the winter, we use a lot of oil...I personally don't care what kind. Sometimes we use final gloss, sometimes revive, mostly the cheap Olive Oil from Wal Mart. Just whatever we have at the time.
What I find makes the biggest difference is the use of fans. After we rinse/wash, we put 3 fans behind each steer. One directly behind, one at 45 degrees on each side...so the three fans are circling the back of the steer. We use the blower just enough to straighten their hair and dry them enough that we can get a comb through them. Then just brush and comb them dry. Once they are dry, mist on the oil with a blower. Blow it in at a 90 degree angle so it gets to the skin. Then just comb it in and let them stand in front of the fans for an hour or two.
Personally, I hate rice root brushes. We use the cheap $4 coarse bristle plastic scrub brushes. I feel that they stimulate the hide better. Also use the square paddle brushes from Wal Mart.
In the summer we use almost NO chemicals. Conditioner once a week, and Sheen diluted 1:5 with water.
The other thing we do is pour with Cydectin...A LOT! Every time the calves are exposed to other cattle (shows) we pour them.