Opinions on Grizzly heifer

[mainecattlemother]

We have several kids that have approached us to lease calves for our county and possibly state fair and we are running out of animals so here goes. Is this Grizzly heifer good enough to show. My hubby and I have a difference of opinions. He thinks we can make something out of her. I don't. I know it is just good for kids to get the experience but I also want them to have something decent. She is a Sept 2nd calf out of a Heatseeker x Star Power Foundation Simmi. All opinions appreciated

 

[mainecattlemother]

Sorry for the bad pic. Don't think winter will leave in West Central, MN so took quick pic in the barn

 

[vc]

Hard to tell with the picture, she looks like she is decent, what is her disposition like? I think if she has a good disposition that would be a plus. She looks to have some bone and room to grow, can not tell is she has width or depth from the picture, she looks to have a little leather up front but it is not terrible, a clip job would clean enough of that up.
I would rather set a kid up with a decent calf with a good disposition that a great calf with a poor disposition.

 

[mainecattlemother]

Her disposition is okay. She is not crazy or anything. Is not broke to lead yet as we have ice and snow everywhere, but she is getting more approachable the more we try to approach here so I am really not concerned about that. My daughter does a nice job with clipping so maybe she will look better after she is cleaned up. Her mother had a bit more leather up front but we used sweat collars in the summer which cleaned it up quite a bit. She is just starting to widen out in her top a little. Mother actually was 3rd in line to the Supreme Champ at MN State Fair and won many jackpot shows. I am just a little concerned about her height. She seems a little short, but I have been told Grizzlys are like that.

 

[leanbeef]

If she's structurally sound and stout enough, she'd beat bigger heifers that have less muscle or volume or aren't as sound. Every time if I was judging! It's hard to tell much about her from the picture, but yeah...every kid doesn't have to have a class winner in order for it to be a great experience for them & a positive impression on a potential customer. I agree with what you're probably thinking, too, though...every animal you send out is representing your breeding program, so...you just have to make that call. If she doesn't negatively reflect on your breeding program, I'd probably send her out and see how she does. If you don't have faith in the impression she'll make, help those kids find a heifer somewhere else...they'll know who helped set em up!

 

[mainecattlemother]

Thanks for the opinions! Please keep them coming. I will try to get a better pic next week when it warms up. The heifer is very straight across the top so she looks great that way. We have just started to sell some club calves and I don't want to mess up but I think I am going to continue to work with her and maybe get the girl on her during spring break from school.

 

[leanbeef]

I'd love to see a real profile picture of her after a basic clip job just to clean her up & get rid of the ragged edges. I kinda wonder if she had enough shape, but it could totally be the pic angle, the lighting, and the hair that makes her look flatter than she really is.