New at showing....

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Bryan 72

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
Messages
17
Location
N/E Iowa
I'm a 4 generation Cattle/grain farmer. My daughter just turned 12 and is ready to start showing cattle. Being it's "our" first year in the ring. And relativley new at all this i have several question too throw out there. (1) How often should we be washing the heifer we are going to show in july. Its cold out now 18 degrees. Its kept clean, so is it a Major priority at this point till it warms up?? (2) Its broke to lead, so how often should my daughter be in there leading it around the inside of the cattle shed its in (20x30) building.. Thanks for any help!! Its my first time on this web site. So bare with me :-\
 

shortyjock89

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2007
Messages
4,465
Location
IL
Welcome to the biz!

Now, the most important thing for the first year is learning how to do things the right way, so you will not have to re-learn (or teach) them later.  I strongly recommend attending a Stock Show University clinic put on by Sullivan Supply Co. They will cover many of the basics, and maybe some stuff you don't need yet, but it's good to get as much info as possible.  Take notes if you attend.  There are also some fine videos put out by Mr. Kirk Stierwalt that would be extremely advantageous to you.  Also, we did a lot of video-ing when I was young so I could see how I did things and what I could do to improve. We did this at home and at shows. 

As far as your specific questions- You should be doing both as often as you can. Washing often right now isn't terribly important, but you should be blowing the dirt out of her calf's hair as much as possible.  We start shedding out the winter hair towards the end of March and really start working hair hard the 2nd week of April for summer shows.  Lead and work with the calf as much as you can, doing at least something with it every day if at all possible.  You can do things like practising with a show stick, brushing it, getting it used to feed pans and buckets, and other things the calf will need to know by the time you show.

This site has a wealth of info, and a great search function as well.  if you can't find what you're looking for, don't be afraid to ask!
 

Bryan 72

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2013
Messages
17
Location
N/E Iowa
I'm currently trying to round up all the nessasary stuff i need to get me going. Where is the best place to look?? Ive heard of sullivans supply.Is there other places that you out there would reccomend? I need a fan, blower, show stick, and possibly a aluminum chute. I would appreciate any help in finding the "best bang for the buck".. Thanks again!
 

shortyjock89

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 6, 2007
Messages
4,465
Location
IL
You know, there are lots of folks that sell things right here on Steerplanet!  Go to sales.steerplanet.com to get started there.  Sullivan Supply is a great place to buy new things, they have quality stuff. 
 

J2F

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2011
Messages
258
I will leave the feed and routines to the more experienced folks here on steer planet but will offer advise on buying your show equipment. If you do find some used on here or Craigslist or anywhere then BUY IT QUICK if you want it. Used show equipment is in huge demand and goes quick by my experience and "good deals on used" equipment is harder to find due to all the demand.  Start making arrangements to borrow or lease equipment  for your July fair in case you don't find everything you need used before then. Also think it thru... are you really saving enough on used electric equipment to justify buying it with the risk it could quit at any time. If you not sure if you are going to cont. to show cattle or are only going to show once a year  then yes buy used but if your going to be doing it for the next 6 to 8 years and you know your going to start doing multiple shows a year then saving $30 dollars on a set of $170 clippers or $50 on a $200 fan most likely isn't worth it.IMO. Chutes, stalls and halters are items I wouldn't hesitate to purchase if you can find used and in good shape.

Good luck and I hope your family has fun.   
 

LLBUX

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2010
Messages
697
Location
Chapin, Illinois
I suggest you befriend someone from your area and pick their brain as to what is needed and when you need it.  Watch what they do and emulate it.

Several states have beef expos going on in the next month or so.  Go watch the show.
Sullivans will be there with what you need.  They will also send a new catalog so you can familiarize yourself with their products.
Make sure your daughter is comfortable and confident with her calf.  Have her spend a lot of time with it so it is comfortable with her.
A radio in the barn will help de-sensitize the calf to noise.

A steel Cadillac chute is a good first chute.  They are durable and not crazy expensive.  Down side is they can be heavy to haul to the show.
 

CAB

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
5,607
Location
Corning,Iowa
There is a Stock Show University class this coming Friday @ the Iowa Beef EXPO. You can go to Sullivansupply.com to get the times right if so inclined.
I would agree with all that has been said so far above and add that you need to make sure to every once in a while pour or treat your calf with a parasite control, both internal & external. Many forget to keep up on this and slowly the little buggers sneak up on you. It can be extremely important as to your projects hair quality later on. Good luck & have fun.
 

heatherleblanc

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
163
Another piece of advice when using this website.  If you are looking for quick answers, try searching for your question in the search bar, a lot of questions have already been asked, and then you don't have to wait around for answers.
 

paj315

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 15, 2012
Messages
199
Location
Central Indiana
Everyone on here has hit on most of the big things already but, the most important thing is that she has fun since its her first year if she doesnt have fun with it she wont stick with it . Someone else that can help you a lot is your county extension agent. They can put you in touch with people in your area that are willing to help first timers .
 

shoreacres

Active member
Joined
Dec 22, 2010
Messages
29
Hey Bryan good to see you made the trip over here to SP from NAT.  Sent you an e-mail with some info.

Jeff
 

easttex

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
250
Location
Texas
LLBUX said:
I suggest you befriend someone from your area and pick their brain as to what is needed and when you need it.  Watch what they do and emulate it.

Several states have beef expos going on in the next month or so.  Go watch the show.
Sullivans will be there with what you need.   They will also send a new catalog so you can familiarize yourself with their products.
Make sure your daughter is comfortable and confident with her calf.  Have her spend a lot of time with it so it is comfortable with her.
A radio in the barn will help de-sensitize the calf to noise.

A steel Cadillac chute is a good first chute.  They are durable and not crazy expensive.   Down side is they can be heavy to haul to the show.

Look on this website or Craigslist for used items. I wanted another fan for barn and bought one for $75. You may have to spend time looking but used stuff is out there. Also IMO a steel chute is perfect to start out with then later you could buy an alum chute. We leave our steel chute set up at the house all the time. Other than just make sure you make it as fun as you can for your daughter.
 

okiegirl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
221
Location
Oklahoma
McPeaks Be A Champ show camp this summer would be an awesome experience for your daughter.  It's in  Warner OK and they have three sessions during the summer.  This will be my daughter's 4th time to go and she loves it.  The kids work daylight to dark and hate to come home.  Jerry and his staff are the best.
 

vc

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,811
Location
So-Cal
The camps are great and will really help you get a leg up on what you need to do. I would say the most important things you need to get started are, a rice root brush, a scotch comb and a blower and a large black plastic tool box for a show / storage box. You can add fans and a chute as you go, watch the classifieds, Craig's list and things like that for the fans and chutes. Call Sullivan's and see if they have any reconditioned blowers you can save some money that way. We started with a used all metal chute, a reconditioned blower, a rice root brush, 2 combs and a 36 in shop fan on a stand. Over the years you can upgrade and add things as you go, you do not need to have it all in the beginning, just the basics.

Once you learn a good daily routine, putting in the time and work is the most important thing you can do.
 

farmmom73

Member
Joined
May 10, 2011
Messages
22
Location
Loogootee, IN
Here are my two cents...my son has only been showing a couple of years and we learn something new at each show we attend.  So that would be my advice.  Go to the shows around you, even if you don't take an animal. Just go and talk to people, walk around...you will see and hear the gamut...everyone does their own version of grooming and feeding and daily care.  You have to find what works best for you and your facilities and schedule...and checkbook!  Over the last two years we have done exactly what everyone above has suggested.  We started with the basics - a blower (reconditioned), some combs and a rice root brush and one fan.  As my son has grown in his abilities, we have added more and more to our arsenal.  It can be frustrating, but make sure you encourage your daughter.  She is the most important piece of the showing puzzle. 

 

~Normande~

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
8
Location
Wisconsin
Well, This is how it was for us last year:) I told my Dad I wanted to buy cattle to show and start a herd, so we went and bought a couple of cows. Getting the steer to be familiar with you is one of the most important things. You want it to trust you before halter breaking. I say this because they know you more and won't freak out as much when you go to halter them. A good method is using a show stick to scratch their stomachs to help calm the animal (This also helps getting the steer to be familiar to being touched). Do this for about 10 or more minutes. After the animal has calmed down place the halter on with the showstick. Do this by putting the part that goes on the top of their head on the hook part of the stick and slowly moving it towards its head until it is properly place on. Try letting it drag the halter for a while then, tie the animal to a strong pole or something while brushing it and letting it get accustomed to you.:) This has worked with two very wild heifers and and somewhat tame steer. Try getting the steer in a pen by itself also when working with it.

My opinion would be to have her work with the calf as much as possible and get it very well familiar her. A good place to look for supplies also is Nasco, they sell all of Sullivans products and many other companies. I hope you have good luck:)
 
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