Thoughts on this calf’s confirmation

[Ridgetop]

This heifer has a nice topline. Not sure about the rib area since the butt is up front and the angle of the shot seems to narrow the shoulders. A 6-month-old calf won't show the growth maturity of an adult. As this calf ages she will thicken. However, is this a calf for a meat class or for a breeding class? I wouldn't think you would have a class for a market steer/heifer that was only 9 months old.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

This heifer has a nice topline. Not sure about the rib area since the butt is up front and the angle of the shot seems to narrow the shoulders. A 6-month-old calf won't show the growth maturity of an adult. As this calf ages she will thicken. However, is this a calf for a meat class or for a breeding class? I wouldn't think you would have a class for a market steer/heifer that was only 9 months old.

Thank you for the reply! She does appear a little narrow in the shoulders, but not as bad as the pictures show. I’m having a hard time getting a good shot of her and it showing how she really looks. I was thinking about showing her in the Cross Bred Replacement Heifer class, but not 100% sure. … what are your thoughts?

 

[Ridgetop]

She is a pretty little heifer so go for it. Being just a bit narrow in the shoulders at her age is probably not a bad thing. You don't want a cow with super wide shoulders since large shoulders in the calf can cause calving problems. As far as narrow in the shoulders, as long as she has good depth in her ribcage to allow for the developing calf along with breathing and eating room for mom she should be fine. I don;t breed cattle - you want Farmerjan for that - but in meat sheep (I have white Dorpers) you are looking for a more triangular shape - narrower in front and wider in back for a brood ewe.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

She is a pretty little heifer so go for it. Being just a bit narrow in the shoulders at her age is probably not a bad thing. You don't want a cow with super wide shoulders since large shoulders in the calf can cause calving problems. As far as narrow in the shoulders, as long as she has good depth in her ribcage to allow for the developing calf along with breathing and eating room for mom she should be fine. I don;t breed cattle - you want Farmerjan for that - but in meat sheep (I have white Dorpers) you are looking for a more triangular shape - narrower in front and wider in back for a brood ewe.

Thank you so much! Really appreciate the reply’s and thoughts on her
Do you show your sheep? I took a live stock judging class and enjoyed judging the ewes, the are pretty easy compared to a few of the others lol.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Had my sister come out and take these pictures for me when I set her up this morning.

Front.

Right:

Left:

Back:

Above (she is a little crooked in this pic):

 

[farmerjan]

She is a much better prospect for a show heifer than the one you had worked with earlier. More balanced body and "beefier"... I think she will do much better for you as a show heifer. She sets up nice in the 2nd picture, right? I think it is..... I don't know what the weight/age requirements are for showing, but I think she will hold her own in the classes with like sized and aged animals.... She also seems to be much more agreeable to being handled.

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

She is a much better prospect for a show heifer than the one you had worked with earlier. More balanced body and "beefier"... I think she will do much better for you as a show heifer. She sets up nice in the 2nd picture, right? I think it is..... I don't know what the weight/age requirements are for showing, but I think she will hold her own in the classes with like sized and aged animals.... She also seems to be much more agreeable to being handled.

Whoop! I’m so excited, thank you!!!
Yes, she does set up nice, in my opinion. Not got gonna lie, I still have a ton of work to do with her, I got her last Sunday and believe it or not, she is straight from a field, so was wild. Today, I introduced her to being rinsed off and brushed (I’ve brushed her before), and tomorrow I plan to give her a bath. She doesn’t have much hair, so she’s gonna be shown with a “slick coat”.

 

[farmerjan]

Okay, you mentioned in a post that the bull was sold, too unruly?... he was a better looking animal than the heifer you first had.... and the heifer had started to fill out more so not bad but I think this newest one is a better built "beef" looking heifer... not as leggy either... So what is the deal with the dairy heifer???? Still have her, going to show her???
Hope you are not as hot and muggy as some places... are you getting any rain for the pastures and hayfields?

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Okay, you mentioned in a post that the bull was sold, too unruly?... he was a better looking animal than the heifer you first had.... and the heifer had started to fill out more so not bad but I think this newest one is a better built "beef" looking heifer... not as leggy either... So what is the deal with the dairy heifer???? Still have her, going to show her???
Hope you are not as hot and muggy as some places... are you getting any rain for the pastures and hayfields?

Yes, my bull had to be sold, very unfortunate and I do miss him. I do still have the dairy heifer, I might still show her depending, things have just been quite crazy here and I’m not 100% sure if having two to work with is wise, but I’m sure if I put my mind to it, I can do both… whatcha y’all think?

We have been pretty hot lately, today ain’t as bad as a few of the days last week. And no, not much rain where I am… gotta start praying for rain for sure. I will say, we are at a better place than last year. Last year we had to put hay out early (June) and this year we haven’t had to yet.

How’s it where you are? Y’all gettin rain?

 

[farmerjan]

Cooler than normal here most of June and quite dry until the last week. Got 3.5 inches in 4 days week of 20th... then turned warmer and over .6 inch July 1st(yesterday). Gotten hot and humid the last week. Made hay in early June and yield was down a bit, but last few fields are a little better with some later growth.... Pastures are in good shape, but we are down in cow numbers a bit as we sold more heifers this spring that would have gone out to grass, because prices were so high....and culled out some cows while cull cow prices are quite high also. That will make the grass last longer so not complaining....There are quite a few places that are trying to recover from drought (like you had last year) ..... and another drought is not too far off if the rains don't continue to come and revitalize the soils.
If you have the time I see no reason to not try to show the dairy heifer... different type of class and different type of showing.... But only you know if you really want to work with her.