Updated Pics of Simmi Steer - Opinions Please

[mainecattlemother]

Here are pics from about two months ago and today of my daughters Simmental steer.  Are we going backwards or is he okay.  Any comments would be appreciated.  We can accept good or bad.  He will be showing in a Simmi breed class. Sorry for the bad photos.  In my opinion the pics dont do him justice, but again any comments good or bad are appreciated.

 

[Pleasant Grove Farms]

it looks to me like you are on the right track! keep feeding him, he looks like he
could use more fat cover...
what is he weighing?

 

[mainecattlemother]

He is roughly 1150.  We do not have a scale but I used an old dairy weight tape to measure him today and he came to be about 1130 on the dairy holstein tape so I would imagine he is just a bit heavier so I put my estimate at 1150.  Do you have any suggestions for more fat cover.  We are feeding Grand Finale from Form-A-Feeds along with some Rumencin, Beet Pulp, Purina Depth Charge, and Sound Advantage.  We plan to use the Purina Paylean product closer to state fair. Any other suggestions?  ??? ???

 

[ruhtram]

Looks like he is progressing nicely! By the way, do you still have snow on the ground??!

 

[ChristaCheatham]

How is the depth charge working? I've started feeding my shorthorn steer that a couple days ago. Where does it make a difference would you say?

 

[mainecattlemother]

Cruiser - we do not have snow on the ground.  We have not had snow on the ground since early March and we had very little snow this year.  It was almost like a northern Kansas winter.  A lot of winter days were above freezing and I think we only had below zero about two days this winter.  It was awesome.  We actually clipped out our calves in January and this would normally be done in March but it was 40 degrees in January the day we clipped out.  On a sad note, it had a big effect on the businesses that strive in catering to snowmobilers and businesses that sell snowmobiles which is a big part of MN economy.

We just starting using Depth Charge last year and believe it has really changed the look of our animals, especially on show day.  It gives them a more fuller look and sometimes can even make those sunken in areas look better or camoflauge them.  Our animals love it too.  It may seem a little spendy but you do not use very much so I feel it is well worth it.  We are probably starting to feed it a little early as we will only take the steer to maybe two shows before state fair as we do not want him to lose weight and he probably will not compete with the clubbies and are shooting for Simmental class.  We were told at MN Beef Expo that he is going to be the animal to beat in the breed class so we have high hopes.

 

[ChristaCheatham]

Thanks for the help! I hope it does make a difference, especially with this killer heat. We've been feeding it for a few days and the county show is at the end of july/early august.