What should I be looking for?

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Hi. I was wondering if you guys could help me on something.
Well anyways.
I really want to take a beef steer to my county fair this year. I have taken Dairy Feeder for 5 years so I know what to look for when picking out one of those guys.
Here is some information that you guys could help me on.

My fair is the last week in July. So when should the steer be born.
What am I looking for conformation wise?
What breeds should I consider.
Heifer or Steer?
And if there is any other pointers you could give me that would be awesome!
Here is the website with pictures of the steers i am looking at. http://harrislivestock.webs.com/apps/photos/album?albumid=12321693 which would you pick
Thank you
Lindsey

 

[chiangus]

First of all you want to look for soundness.  The rear hoof should land in the same place as the first hoof just left.  Everything should point straight and the calf should walk with ease.  Back straight.

I think soundness should go across the breeds.  However the amount of power and hair is going to vary. 

You are looking for deep, wide, hairy, and clean neck.

 

[RCF Farms]

Our fair was the same as yours, we won Grand Champion 2 years in a row.  You want some thing born in March, you can have a Feb but might have to hold him, and an April might have to push him. Depends on the animal and how you feed one. I would probably recomend showing a heifer so after you show you can breed her and have something in the end. Unless you really was to show a steer, with the price of feed you will have a lot of money in him an probably wont get it back, lucky to break even,we sold ours in our auction after the show.


Breed really doesnt matter, personal preferance  in our fair the crossbreds there were more or them and tougher competion
some would choose a breed simmy, maine, chi, hereford so they had a better chance to win a class or have champion of that breed.

Judges want sound, deep, haiiry, big footed, big boned, with muscle, but yet smooth looking(the hair helps with this) if steer big butt and thick topped.

I recommend that if you do not know your structure to get someone you trust to help pick out one.
Like above  soundness first, then muscle and hair    I always like one heifer or steer with that cocky look.

 

[simmyman67]

Well if it's a steer or a heifer is your preference, you want a sound one, deep with lots of rib shape, good boned, I'm guessing you want lots of hair, square, good hip, wide, clean fronted with plenty of neck extension.

 

[CAB]

It would sure be nice if you would put up your location. More than likely there is someone on the Steerplanet that lives close to you and would love to help you look for and find a calf that would work.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

I am located in blanchard michigan. if that helps.

 

[Gargan]

of the calves u are looking at for a hfr i would choose the 3y tag hfr in picture 1. for a steer, tag 24 in pic 8 is by far the best choice u have. make sure they are sound as mentioned above. if you like color, the hereford looking hfr in the pic is prob equally as good as the 3y hfr. i would reccomend a late feb or march calf for a steer. good luck