Recent content by looking4champions

You're spot on with math! Share some tips on how to manage one and get that 4 lb per day gain rate regardless of geographical location and genetics.

(1100#-760# ÷ 75 days = 4.5 lbs day (Based on 30 days in May and June + 15 days in July). You will be hard pressed to get any steer to covert any feed + supplement + implant combination and get that high rate of gain. Especially not using a supplement that will help you in such a short...

VC I think you nailed. It's experience that helps you learn how to get more efficient at doing those three things. You have to realize it's a marathon and not a sprint. Don't start a hair supplement and then throw it out when you don't see drastic results in 3 weeks. Feeding consistently...

Are you using a breaking halter with a slip ring? If not start.... If he's over 1000# and still acting that way. Technically he's not halter broke. Start by tying him with his head up for no less than 3 hours per day. Tie him to a fence post or in a grooming chute with the neck squeeze open...

If I'm reading your post correctly you said 18 lbs total per day. In my opinion 9 lbs twice per day (18 lbs total) doesn't seem like a lot for a steer at 1200#. Give him all he can eat and clean up twice per day. That will definitely add more depth of body over time. Free choice hay will...

The most important thing is what are you feeding him? If you're feeding him a ration that's high in energy then that will make it hard for him to grow hair. No matter what time of year it is. A hot ration will cause one to shed hair because of it's high internal temperature from the energy in...

What has the temperature been like where you are? What are you feeding other than the oat hay? How much oat hay are you giving the calf? What are the numbers on your ration (fat, fiber, and protein %). Is it a commercial feed or custom mix? How often do you wash/rinse blow your calf...

The show stick is all of the above and then some. You should treat it like it's an extension of your arm and hand. It is used to get your steer's attention: a tap on the nose or head when leading. It is used as a brake: to slow your steer down if it's walking too fast in the ring. It's used...

First and foremost. Slow down and breath.!!!! The easiest and worst thing to do is to start changing a steer's ration. Especially when you're desperate. Adding this, taking a way that.... etc. doesn't give you ample time to gauge what's working and what's not working. Be grateful he's not...

How is this steer bred (sire x dam). You need to go back to the basics. Leave him tied up for a few hours. Preferably he should be tied up so he cannot move side to side. Get a bucket with water, dip a rice root brush in it and brush him all over where you can. Every day. Start on his head...

Are you giving him any hay?

Okay...... Yes. A good trim will help a lot.

One claw looks a little longer than the other. Not sure how the other hooves are.... He could have some overgrowth underneath. They will adjust the way they walk to the condition of their hooves sometimes. If you are showing steers, there has to be someone within at least a 100 mile radius...

Has he had a hoof trim? If so, when? If not you can start there, but it appears that may be just the way he tracks. I can't tell if it's time for him to get a hoof trim. How close are you to your show? You definitely don't want to go too far trying to correct an issue with his hooves if...

Looking to buy a generator to use at shows. I know just abour any generator can run clippers and a fan. I would like to get one that could at least run a double blower set up. Maybe the thing to do is just use a single blower at the shows!?!?! Any suggestions on brand and wattage?