Help Hereford folks

[Davidsonranch]

My 10 year old girl is showing a PB Hereford steer this year for 4-H and our county fair for her first year.  He is a Boyd's Worldwide calf and is doing great.  It's rumored she will have the only Hereford at the fair in a group of about 45 steers.
What is the going "style" for hereford tails now a days?  I saw in the Hereford expo videos "balling" the tails looks like it is coming back?
Can someone tell me what is correct today and maybe give me some tips on how to do it?
Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[creativecattle]

I like the tails done, but I would go for more of a teardrop look than a ball. Did you check out the JNHE Steer Video? Good luck at the fair.

 

[KSanburg]

The tear drop is always nice but it's a steer show, I would stay with what is standard with all steers. On another note my daughter has the only Hereford at our county fair and loves it. 33 steers and she has the only 2 steers that aren't black.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Davidsonranch]

Mtnman, that is funny, because when we were picking out steers last fall, the everyday talk was, "Dad, we are not taking a black steer".  So my girl is taking a Hereford and my boy is taking a white colored red angus / char steer.  I found out he will have the only char colored steer.  So the Davidson kids are the odd ones out for sure this year.  Hope to post some pics soon.
As for the rest of the field, I don't think anyone does the tails.  Just saw the Hereford show videos on another post and several had the teardrop or ball type.  I've never done it and curious how to and if it is worth the time in a low key fair like ours?  I'm biased of course, but I think my girls Hereford might have a good chance this year.

 

[obie105]

To ball or make the tear drop they both start the same by taking a small layer of hair off the top of the hair the whole way around the bottom of the tail and use something to keep it out of the way. We either have someone hold it or I use a zip tie and attach it up to the tail. Then tease or rat the rest of the tail. If your going to ball it leave it in the ball shape and use a good amount of tail adhesive to hold. If your doing the teardrop at this point after teasing use ur hands and shape it into a tear drop before applying adhesive. Then take the hair that was held out of the way and put it around the top layer and apply more adhesive while continuing to shape the teardrop or leave it big for the ball.

 

[herfluvr]

Teardrop would be our preference.  Not too big.  If you want the white "white", Stainbuster from Sullivans is our 1st choice but if I can't get that quickly then I take a bottle of Ivory Dishwashing liquid and add in 1/4 cup of blueing.  Mix well and with any of those whitening products the calf is washed all over first.  Then do the white areas but don't leave any of those products on for more than 3-5 minutes as they will get a slight purple tone to their skin.  Got untamed hair?  Herf hair will test you!  When they are wet take a rice root brush and comb straight down.  Once it's all combed down, brush is forward to help train the hair.  And blow from back to front of course. 

If you are or did groom any black cattle in your chute wipe off the side bars and cover the chest bars with vet wrap or old clean towels secured with zip ties.  Aluminum bars will make the front white black.  Same goes for a Char if grooming one of those for the show

One poster made the comment about doing a tail for a county fair and made it seem like it wasn't worth the trouble.  That judge is expecting well turned out calves that are ready for the show pen.  Attention to detail DOES get you a second look because you are showing the judge you are ready for him.  A white faced well groomed Hereford will get you noticed and if showmanship is at the end of the day, that judge will remember how nice you had your calf.  Good Luck!!