Age

[Simmgirl03]

I've heard a lot of discussion about age of show cattle and people doctoring the paper to make a Nov calf a Jan or even the other direction.  But I don't understand why.  I guess I understand why a heifer guy might want to change the date of an older calf for the size advantage ??? But what's the point in a steer show?  I've always felt that those older steers become stale and some lose that "spark" that a younger calf might have.  So other than size and time on feed (i.e. - finish), what are the reasons people doctor paperwork, and just how frequent does it happen.  Keep in mind I am from Oregon and have never been to a big time show before.

Thanks - Kate