"Fluffy Cows" Reddit AMA

I posted last week about a topic on reddit that got close to hitting the frontpage on a very popular site.  It basically shows how outsiders view show cattle.

Jeff from Cattle.com is hosting a Reddit AMA (ask me anything) with Matt Lautner

Here is the link

http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1flz9y/i_am_matt_lautner_i_own_the_fluffy_cows_ama/

If you read these questions, you will get a light bulb moment and understand what the livestock industry is up against.

Mr.Lautner needs to explain things a bit more. Just ask the folks how many short haired beauty queesn they have seen on Ms.America, Ms Universe, Ms. USA, etc.

You can probably blame that answer on me.

Not sure calling the cattle beauty queens would be the way to go.

I thought you did a good job.

Reddit seems to get on little kicks, I think I saw "fluffy cows" reposted 5 or 6 times.  Usually cow photos on the site is relegated to posting baby highland calf photos.

I started a subreddit for showsteers about a year ago, and it has received virtually no followers.  I have found many of the more focused subreddits; college teams I follow and golf can't really replace a message board.  For broader topics and news as it happens, it is an awesome source.

The ultimate 10 minute time killer on my phone after checking in on steerplanet, a few cattle sites, and a ksu, chiefs, royals message boards.

All I can think of while reading this is that the cattle industry is in trouble if people really think like they ask questions on there.

All I can think of while reading this is that the cattle industry is in trouble if people really think like they ask questions on there.

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I don't think it's just cattle that are in trouble.  I think you could broaden that statement and it would still make a lot of sense.  (clapping)  And I agree with the premise of the statement.

Did anyone read the one where the guy says he is Matt Lauer? I laughed and laughed over that one.

These "fluffies" made it to the front cover of MSNBC today. This is the "big time".

http://www.msn.com/

forcheyhawk said:

All I can think of while reading this is that the cattle industry is in trouble if people really think like they ask questions on there.

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I don't think it's just cattle that are in trouble.  I think you could broaden that statement and it would still make a lot of sense.  (clapping)  And I agree with the premise of the statement.

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I agree. But by this becoming such a big deal and with some of the quotes about the picture and questions that were asked it shows that we as an industry need to try and reach out and show "city folks" what we do and how we do it. Maybe it wont matter because some of the questions are bordering on stupid (tried to think of a better way to say it but couldnt come up with one.) Maybe its just society whose getting dumber.

Saw this on the yahoo news feed today and laughed
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fluffy-cows-set-internet-hearts-aflutter-192212458.html

The best quote was, "omg....i want one as a pet.....lol!....do they make a mini version that makes chocolate milk?"

GM said:

Saw this on the yahoo news feed today and laughed
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/fluffy-cows-set-internet-hearts-aflutter-192212458.html

The best quote was, "omg....i want one as a pet.....lol!....do they make a mini version that makes chocolate milk?"

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I really like that Lautner reps have taken the time to answer questions (no matter how dumb the questions may sound to us) but I definitely think that in this article, Stephanie should not be referring to bulls as "cows". She should be trying to educate the city people, and calling a bull a cow is false information. Certainly not trying to pick on her, I just think that it's really important for cattle producers to get as much true info out there as we can and all this publicity should be taken fairly seriously.

Those genetics shouldn't be taken seriously though. The comments are in line with the show industry goals. The same disdain you have for those city folks makin comments is the same type of disdain cattleman have for those that participate/advocate these pony show genetics.

Don't you raise Shorthorns?

Jeff_Schroeder said:

Don't you raise Shorthorns?

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Yea, and whenever I post a kill sheet here in a few months you'll see why.

If that's your standard for commercial acceptability, 69.1% of the top 110 placing steers in Houston graded choice or better vs 65.62% for the most recent USDA national report.

Stop being such a snob.

There is nothing that gives you the moral standing to tell people what type of cattle they should and should not raise or take seriously.

edit: typo, wrote prime instead of choice

Jeff_Schroeder said:

If that's your standard for commercial acceptability, 69.1% of the top 110 placing steers in Houston graded prime or better vs 65.62% for the most recent USDA national report.

Stop being such a snob.

There is nothing that gives you the moral standing to tell people what type of cattle they should and should not raise or take seriously.

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There really needs a LIKE button on here Jason.
like

frostback said:

Jeff_Schroeder said:

If that's your standard for commercial acceptability, 69.1% of the top 110 placing steers in Houston graded prime or better vs 65.62% for the most recent USDA national report.

Stop being such a snob.

There is nothing that gives you the moral standing to tell people what type of cattle they should and should not raise or take seriously.

Click to expand...

There really needs a LIKE button on here Jason.
like

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DITO

To me it doesn't matter if they are show cattle or commercial cattle when it comes to the public we need to stick together and educate the general population. The general public is already trying to take down our industry we dont need to do it to ourselves. There are many posts on here talking about genetic modification and they think club calves are produced in a lab because the spokes person said genetic selection. With the general population as gullible as they are we have to choose our words a little wiser. And it doesnt matter if you are pick show calf genetics or commercial genetics you are still picking genetics some are just a little more desirable to the repective producer.

Jeff_Schroeder said:

Don't you raise Shorthorns?

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Best. Post. Ever.

I regret to inform you Mr. Chandler, but these show ponies will out cut and out grade your shorthorns any day of the week they are terminally bred and can and will grade, chambero has posted his club calf kill data on here several times and the results do not lie.