Steer Planet - Show Steers and Club Calves Forum

I have been there as someone who has purchased a calf that turned out crazy and as a breeder who sold a nutty calf. Several years ago we bought a really nice Heatwave heifer that the more we messed with and showed her the crazier she became. Stayed in contact with the breeder and the response was always she was not that way at his place. Finally we ended up having to cut our loses which I HATED to do because I did not have the money to replace her at that time. As much as it hurt to lose that investment it sure beat having my daughter end up in the ER. We learned a lot with that heifer and moved on and got a new heifer the following year. Now this year she has a Monopoly heifer that is a witch but my daughter is older and much more experienced so she can handle her but, I make sure my 7 yr.old daughter stays clear of this heifer because this heifer lives for trying to get my younger one. As hard as it is to give up on a calf sometimes we have to give up. Some of them just have a screw loose and nothing you can do will fix it. Next year buy from someone you trust or ask people you trust who they buy from. Ask the breeders whats their policy if something goes wrong. Also remember if you bought from the breeder who raised that calf, that the calf has probably never left their place where it feels very comfortable. Some calves don't show any serious behavior issues until they go somewhere new for the first time.

Now as a breeder we had a really nice heifer that we sold in our sale that had some attitude. I could walk her and so could my oldest daughter. When we sold her I made sure to tell everyone that she was not a calf for someone without a lot of experience. Well some people with some experience bought her that came and saw her in person. I went over it with them how she was and that she is a very spooky calf that was going to require constant work. Well a few months later I hear from them that they can not handle her at all. I offered at that time to take the calf back and give them one that I had that was a puppy dog. They did not want to get rid of her and wanted to keep trying. We gave them lots of tips even offered to help with the calf. Well long story short the calf has gotten worse. I feel as a breeder I have done everything I can to fix the problem and that this is no longer my problem. I hope the breeder you are dealing with will offer to help you but it needs to be done soon. Have they offered you any advise on what to do with the calf? Good luck and hope you daughter does not give up on showing because of one calf. It happens to all of us at some point.

Just give the seller a call, and tell them what the deal is.  I agree with others on the thread......the seller will most likely take care of you in some way, shape, or form.

The other thing that I want to be sure to point out is that IF in fact the seller is nationally know, then you are NOT going to be the first customer that has called them with this problem.  As others have said, some of them just have a loose screw or do not adapt to their new environment.

As far as the seller knowing or not knowing, this is a tough thing.  You are dealing with a nationally known trader or producer, so they handle tremendous numbers.  The people that work at these places are VERY good at handling calves...they are professionals.  They may look at a steer and think that he is a little high headed, but never see any signs of danger.  They do this all day every day, and they just know how to handle them.

Whatever you do, don't give up.  We had a nasty one last year, great steer that was worked with constantly for 6 months.  He just always had a little "edge" to him...like he could go off any second.  Well, he did go off at the State Fair, hurt a couple people, and it was just not a good deal. 

My son was not real sure that he was too excited about showing again.  He crawled back up on the horse, did it again this year, and made the Final Drive at the same show that we had such a horrible experience. 

I showed when I was growing up.  I never got to stand in front of the backdrop, but I enjoyed it and learned a lot. 

1)  Believe......believe in yourself.  Believe it can happen.  Believe that all of that hard work will pay off.  Believe in miracles.  Believe that you actually CAN outwork them...even if you can't outspend them.  Just believe...the day will come in your life when you will be the ONLY one that believes, and that is all that you need. 

2)  Never give up. 

You are not wrong wanting your daughter to believe that she can do this on a budget...you didn't crush her or damage her for life.  You got a mean calf.  You're a great mother for being on the road with her for 2 days to go look at this steer. 

Just call the producer.

Just give the seller a call, and tell them what the deal is.  I agree with others on the thread......the seller will most likely take care of you in some way, shape, or form.

The other thing that I want to be sure to point out is that IF in fact the seller is nationally know, then you are NOT going to be the first customer that has called them with this problem.  As others have said, some of them just have a loose screw or do not adapt to their new environment.

As far as the seller knowing or not knowing, this is a tough thing.  You are dealing with a nationally known trader or producer, so they handle tremendous numbers.  The people that work at these places are VERY good at handling calves...they are professionals.  They may look at a steer and think that he is a little high headed, but never see any signs of danger.  They do this all day every day, and they just know how to handle them.

Whatever you do, don't give up. We had a nasty one last year, great steer that was worked with constantly for 6 months.  He just always had a little "edge" to him...like he could go off any second.  Well, he did go off at the State Fair, hurt a couple people, and it was just not a good deal. 
My son was not real sure that he was too excited about showing again.  He crawled back up on the horse, did it again this year, and made the Final Drive at the same show that we had such a horrible experience. 

I showed when I was growing up.  I never got to stand in front of the backdrop, but I enjoyed it and learned a lot. 

1)  Believe......believe in yourself.  Believe it can happen.  Believe that all of that hard work will pay off.  Believe in miracles.  Believe that you actually CAN outwork them...even if you can't outspend them.  Just believe...the day will come in your life when you will be the ONLY one that believes, and that is all that you need. 

2)  Never give up. 

You are not wrong wanting your daughter to believe that she can do this on a budget...you didn't crush her or damage her for life.  You got a mean calf.  You're a great mother for being on the road with her for 2 days to go look at this steer. 

Just call the producer.

And THIS is exactly the reason you SHOULD give up on the calf. I don't care how good the calf is, it is NOT worth hurting you, your daughter OR any INNOCENT bystander.  ESPECIALLY if the injured can "prove" the calf was unsafe before it was put out to public.
If I was injured, or one of my family members was injured by a calf that was KNOWN to be have an "edge", or by a breeder that has a history of wild cattle, I would be ticked off to the point of calling a lawyer. And trust me, I am NOT one to call a lawyer, but in such a case of negligence, someone would have to be held responsible.

 

Quote from: Tallcool1 on September 30, 2013, 04:57:48 PM

Just give the seller a call, and tell them what the deal is.  I agree with others on the thread......the seller will most likely take care of you in some way, shape, or form.

The other thing that I want to be sure to point out is that IF in fact the seller is nationally know, then you are NOT going to be the first customer that has called them with this problem.  As others have said, some of them just have a loose screw or do not adapt to their new environment.

As far as the seller knowing or not knowing, this is a tough thing.  You are dealing with a nationally known trader or producer, so they handle tremendous numbers.  The people that work at these places are VERY good at handling calves...they are professionals.  They may look at a steer and think that he is a little high headed, but never see any signs of danger.  They do this all day every day, and they just know how to handle them.

Whatever you do, don't give up. We had a nasty one last year, great steer that was worked with constantly for 6 months.  He just always had a little "edge" to him...like he could go off any second.  Well, he did go off at the State Fair, hurt a couple people, and it was just not a good deal. 
My son was not real sure that he was too excited about showing again.  He crawled back up on the horse, did it again this year, and made the Final Drive at the same show that we had such a horrible experience. 

I showed when I was growing up.  I never got to stand in front of the backdrop, but I enjoyed it and learned a lot. 

1)  Believe......believe in yourself.  Believe it can happen.  Believe that all of that hard work will pay off.  Believe in miracles.  Believe that you actually CAN outwork them...even if you can't outspend them.  Just believe...the day will come in your life when you will be the ONLY one that believes, and that is all that you need. 

2)  Never give up. 

You are not wrong wanting your daughter to believe that she can do this on a budget...you didn't crush her or damage her for life.  You got a mean calf.  You're a great mother for being on the road with her for 2 days to go look at this steer. 

Just call the producer.

And THIS is exactly the reason you SHOULD give up on the calf. I don't care how good the calf is, it is NOT worth hurting you, your daughter OR any INNOCENT bystander.  ESPECIALLY if the injured can "prove" the calf was unsafe before it was put out to public.
If I was injured, or one of my family members was injured by a calf that was KNOWN to be have an "edge", or by a breeder that has a history of wild cattle, I would be ticked off to the point of calling a lawyer. And trust me, I am NOT one to call a lawyer, but in such a case of negligence, someone would have to be held responsible.

I agree...give up on the calf, NOT the whole hobby of Showing Cattle.

After reading some of the responses on this thread it makes me not want to sell calves. It is quit amazing how some never seem to want to take responsibility for their actions. It must just be the breeders fault, not what they have or not done.

Quote from: frostback on September 30, 2013, 07:15:23 PM

After reading some of the responses on this thread it makes me not want to sell calves. It is quit amazing how some never seem to want to take responsibility for their actions. It must just be the breeders fault, not what they have or not done.

Apparently you have never had one that you just couldn't manage?  You can just break 'em all?

There are some fairly experienced members sharing real life experiences on this thread. The woman that started the thread comes from generations of cattle showing. Chambero...30 years. My kids are 3rd generation.

Tell us ALL where we went wrong...I will listen. I'm always looking for ways to help my family be better at this. 

I don't know that there has to be "fault"...unless the seller knew. Otherwise I believe that it is a fact of showing cattle. Some calves just don't want to give in. They don't want to be show cattle and will hurt someone to prove their point.

I think that is Frostback's point, there doesn't have to be a fault unless the seller knew. Not every project we take on will end in success.
Some animals change disposition when put in different situations. I have seen a quiet animal load on a trailer act like a crazy thing when being unloaded.A few times at our 4H club a calf that was manageable at Achievement day went nuts when arriving at the large interclub show in Calgary. It's unfortunate a large amount was spent on the steer and I can understand the disappointment but hopefully quitting altogether is not the lesson that will be learned.

aj not quite an accurate statement.

We have no "breed loyalty" and we absolutely will stand behind what we sell.  Club calves, heifers, cows, and bulls. 

Absolutes aside from death and taxes aren't all that beneficial to anyone.

Quote from: Tallcool1 on September 30, 2013, 09:52:06 PM

Quote from: frostback on September 30, 2013, 07:15:23 PM

After reading some of the responses on this thread it makes me not want to sell calves. It is quit amazing how some never seem to want to take responsibility for their actions. It must just be the breeders fault, not what they have or not done.

Apparently you have never had one that you just couldn't manage?  You can just break 'em all?

There are some fairly experienced members sharing real life experiences on this thread. The woman that started the thread comes from generations of cattle showing. Chambero...30 years. My kids are 3rd generation.

Tell us ALL where we went wrong...I will listen. I'm always looking for ways to help my family be better at this. 

I don't know that there has to be "fault"...unless the seller knew. Otherwise I believe that it is a fact of showing cattle. Some calves just don't want to give in. They don't want to be show cattle and will hurt someone to prove their point.

I think that is Frostback's point, there doesn't have to be a fault unless the seller knew. Not every project we take on will end in success.
Some animals change disposition when put in different situations. I have seen a quiet animal load on a trailer act like a crazy thing when being unloaded.A few times at our 4H club a calf that was manageable at Achievement day went nuts when arriving at the large interclub show in Calgary. It's unfortunate a large amount was spent on the steer and I can understand the disappointment but hopefully quitting altogether is not the lesson that will be learned.

That is my point and another one is that some people are choosing their calves and then complaining about the breeder. Unless you send money and tell someone to send me a calf, it was their choice. Stand behind your decision. She went and looked at the calf, no one sent it to her. How on earth is the breeder supposed to know how a calf will act at a new location. If there were not red flags when the calf is at home. If there was then yes shame of the breeder, funny how everything wrong is always someone's else fault, some have no accountability. 
Our criteria for choosing what we sell is if its not something our kids would show or could show it doesn't sell. My 12 year old helps with the calves so if I don't feel comfortable with him around them they don't sell.