Fall/ winter show tips and tricks.

I have been showing calves for a couple years now and I have always got a calf in the spring and showed in July at county fair. But this upcoming NWSS I am showing in the catch a calf program, we show calves out of a commercial herd. I was wondering if I could get some ideas of what many of you do to get calves ready for show (at home and at the show), any and all advise is appreciated!! Thanks.

The routine can be pretty much the same. Work work work! But I have shown at the NWSS for years my biggest suggestion is get them used to people.There are thousands of people walking through the barn at any time, and they do not know how to act around cattle. So if you can somewhat get your calf used to loud noises and strange people it may benefit you not in the showring, but getting to tie outs, to and from the wash rack, etc.

Im not sure if this far north (Nebraska) if there are even any shows. Is there any products that help to grow hair in the winter really well? Since he doesn't have the genetics we can use every bit of help!!!

If you are in Northern Nebraska especially the western part there isn't a whole lot of opportunity real close. A good nutrition/ mineral progrm, and working the hair as much as possible should benefit enough, the plus about winter shows is mother nature is on your side for hair growth.

There r products to make hair grow.  With you calf not having the genetics it is going to be a little bit harder and take more work.  Kirk Stierwalt has a product called SHAG.  I used it on my brothers steer one year that he showed out of our commercial beef herd and it put more hair on him than what he would have had.  You can also do melatonin implants, but they cost a fortune.  Try looking at Sullivan Show supply, Valley Vet, etc to find something that works for you.  BUT as always you need to rinse your calf off in the morning and night to stimulate hair growth, don't keep them outside either.  Put them in a stall or a darker place during the day.  This will trick their body into thinking it is winter all the time so they will keep their long hair.