CATTLE 101
by Wes Stover
Purpose of an FFA Show Program
If handled correctly, a cattle show program can be very beneficial to your FFA chapter. A successful program can build camaraderie among your students, increase their pride in school and chapter, give them a sense of belonging, and instill the belief that hard work and teamwork can make good things happen. On an individual basis, work ethic, responsibility, determination, integrity and money management are valuable lessons to be learned.
Of course, with anything good, bad things are always close at hand as well. Some problems that tend to occur include:
strife among the members
excessive competition with each other
trying to outspend each other
the "winning at all costs" attitude
All these problems are virtually inevitable and require a strong, unbending leader to overcome them. While we can't control every family, we should try to never let one bad apple spoil the whole barrel.
Getting Kids Started
To get a new group of kids interested, get them to the show. They have to see what's going on and decide for themselves if it appeals to them. It's important to make students come to you with their wishes after their initial exposure. When you have to convince a student to show, more often than not, their heart will not be in it and the require effort won't be there either.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS involve the parents in the decision-making process. All successful kids have supportive parents; you'll be able to tell the difference.
Parents and students alike must know this is an expensive project to undertake. A good starter calf will usually cost between $750 and $1,500. In addition, feed costs will run in the neighborhood of $100 - $125 per month per calf. Parents must also be aware of additional costs such as grooming supplies, vet costs, entry fees, motel and meal costs while traveling, and necessary equipment.
Also, parents and students should both realize if they want a rewarding show experience, a lot of time will have to be invested, some facilities will be required, and hopefully, it should be a family activity. Schedule a meeting with the student and parents (preferably on their turf) and discuss exactly what they're getting into. The ag teacher should either select the calf for them or, even better, involve the student and parents in the selection process. They'll feel better if they have a hand in the process, and if the calf doesn't pan out, the family can share the burden there as well.
Always stay within the parents' price range and provide a receipt if you make the purchase by yourself. Never give a family a reason to distrust you. Distrust spreads like wildfire!
What Knowledge Does the Ag Teacher Need?
Facilities:
Cattle facilities can be as simple or as elaborate as is available. Primarily, show cattle need:
a place to wash
a place to tie for working them
a shady, cool place to spend the day
a pen for feeding and lounging
These needs can be accommodated with hot wire and shade trees or with pipe pens and fancy barns. More champions have come from hot wire runs with a fan and a fogger than from refrigerated cool rooms. Obviously, the nicer the facility, the more advantage you have, but daily routine and "elbow grease" are the most important elements of success.
Feeding:
Cattle should consume 2½ to 3% of their body weight on a daily basis. They should be fed twice daily (a.m. and p.m.) and ideally at the same time each day. Cattle thrive on routine. The brand of feed is not as important as the regimen in which it is fed. Almost any commercially prepared show calf ration is acceptable as long as your routine is followed religiously. Before custom ground rations are fed, consult with a nutritionist if you don't feel comfortable with balancing rations. Steers should be fed a 10 - 12% protein ration and heifers should be fed 12 - 14% protein. Be sure to provide an unlimited supply of fresh, clean water year round and some type of grass hay should be fed daily.
Where to Buy Animals:
Above all else, purchase your calves from someone you feel you can TRUST. Be wary of high-pressure sales and always trust your own judgment. If something doesn't look right or feel right, walk away. When purchasing heifers, try to purchase from a reputable breeder. When purchasing steers, remember...everybody has a "great one". Do your homework! Study magazines, utilize the Internet, talk to your buddies, and shop long and hard. The more cattle you see, the better job of selection you'll do.
Show Strategy:
Steers should be purchased with an end destination in mind. Try to purchase steers that will be 18 - 21 months of age at their final show.
Heifers require a lot more preplanning and knowledge of individual show restrictions on age. Study premium books from various shows and learn how old is too old for each show.
Showmanship Workshops/Camps:
By all means, send your kids to camp. Better yet, host a camp at your facility. The cattle project really becomes his or hers when the student takes an active role in the clipping and fitting process. A camp at your facility will really develop teamwork and camaraderie among your group.
Equipment:
Some schools can supply everything a student needs while others can't. Here is a basic list of what is needed:
9" scotch comb
rice root brush
blower
flathead clippers
sheephead clippers
small clippers (Andis, Oster, etc.)
show halter (dairy type)
show stick
grooming supplies (light adhesive, tail adhesive, touch-up paint, hair dressing (Final Bloom)
Facts:
What age steer should I buy?
Tulsa: February - April
Kansas City: March, April
Phoenix: May, June
Denver: May, June
Oklahoma City: July - October
What age heifer should I buy?
Any age can be shown; however, September heifer classes are always tough and so are March and April classes. A good way to win a class is to get in those June through August classes, or January/February classes.
What equipment should the teacher have ready?
fans and fan hangers
stall panels
rubber mats
signs (chapter and individual)
chutes
Should the teacher do the castration, dehorning, etc?
NO! Veterinarians have insurance in case of death. Don't put yourself in a liability situation.
What do students need to know about hair?
Hair care should happen on a daily basis. Rinsing, blowing, and brushing from back to front in a straight, forward motion will:
stimulate hair growth
break and train hair
enable you to do a better job clipping
Are there any rules of thumb for selection?
Buy them like the river...DEEP and WIDE
They must be structurally sound off both ends and be capable of free movement.
You cannot grow hair on a calf genetically predisposed of being "slick". Look for fuzzy ears.
Proven sires, proven dams, and proven matings will be right more often than not. Study your lesson and then beware of unheard of pedigrees.
Don't get in a hurry.
How do I get my new calf started?
Feed lots of hay at first with the amount of grain increasing day-by-day for a week or two. Spend lots of time with the new calf in a non-threatening environment. After they're eating and will tolerate your presence in the pen, then begin the halter-breaking process.
Conclusion:
A show calf and the cattle program can be either rewarding or a nightmare, depending upon how it's handled. Be careful...grow slow...never quit trying to learn. In my opinion, the positives far outweigh the negatives and nothing can form a tighter bond between you, your students, their families and your community than a good show program.
For Questions Call:
Wes Stover, Ag Teacher
Anadarko High School
Co-Owner, Stover Cattle Company
Founder & Instructor, "Fittin' to Win" Show Cattle Camp
Home: (405) 656-2427
School: (405) 247-2486