Oh Joy MUD !

How is the weather where you live? The weather here has warmed up and all the snow has turned to mud!
 
If you have a lot of mud you may want to keep an eye on your steers to make sure there hoofs are in good shape. I do checks everyday when the weather can't seem to make up it's mind.

I have also started some of my FCS projects and hope to have most of them done by spring so that I will have more time for my Market animal projects.

Well my break is over back to school!

Snow, Snow, and more Snow!

Fall this year lasted about A minute, we have lots of snow, wind, below zero weather and it is only Thanksgiving. So far we have had about one or two feet of snow; but in open acreage of flat ground and the wind blowing all the time it seems like a lot more.

I still have to go out and feed and water my steers and horses; boy it is cold! I still work with my steers at least twice a week no matter what. This is not the fun part of having 4-H steers but it is part of life if you want to be a cattle producer some day.

In weather like this I just make sure to wear the correct clothing; So bundle up and keep working.

I was told that "grand champions are made over the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks".

REMEMBER "you got to want it to win it"

I had to dig out the water troth.

this drift went from one end of my calf pens to the other; and the water troth was under there somewhere!

I just kept digging until I found it and then had to keep digging so that my steers could get to it!

Can you see the corner of the troth, I kept working for about an hour and got it uncovered.

This could be a long Winter if I have to dig every day!
Here is hoping that the snow melts a little.

What to Look for when Picking Your Steer

I have been getting a lot of hits looking for the qualities to look for when picking your 4-H steer. So I thought I would tell you what I look for when I pick my steers.
Muscle in the forearm, rib, loin, hip,stifle quarter and a wide base. If your young steer does not show potential in these areas when you buy him there is a very good chance he won't have it when he is finished.
Structure correctness look at the feet, straightness of the legs, and nice straight flat back with spring to the rib.depth of body, uniformity of body depth and chest width.

Now that has been said; you must have a picture of what you are looking for in your head and go into the pen of 75 to 100 head or more of cattle and pick your steer.

The way I do this is to pick 12 to 15 head that fit my list and chose from those; this only takes me about two or three hours; my cattle producer is very good to me.

I think the most important thing  to look for is a steer with as many great qualities as possible, and the most important of all is a great disposition because if you can't show them, and you can't touch them, you can't judge them.

So that perfect crazy steer that runs, jumps, puts his head in the air and paws the ground; you run don't walk away from him NO matter how perfect he may look; for he will most likely be crazy in the show ring. 

The last tip I will give is to pick what you like, and remember that every judge has their own list of qualities of what he or she looks for in a 4-H show steer and there is know way of knowing what is on their list.

One last thing the Producer knows their cattle so talk to them and always take in consideration  everything that they have to say, you are show casing their cattle and their brand is on your steer for all the world to see.

Show your steer with pride and confidence and no matter what the out come you can leave the ring knowing you did your best.
I myself have not had a Grand Champion Steer YET; but I have made it back to the championship round every year.

I do my best and  that's all I can do.

Good Luck

There Be Cattle On the Place !

My vacation is over; and it is time for the new 4-H projects to begin. All my steers are now in their pens and the breaking them to touch and to lead process has started.  This time of year is a lot of fun; I love naming my steers. It seems like the weather here can't make up it mind if it whats to be cold or spring like; so I will take advantage of the nice days and get as much done on my market animal project as possible. So let the fun begin!

Good luck with your projects.

Got to Love NinjaJen

I started thinking about how hard it must be to find an older post on my blog for those of you who visit my blog.
So I ask my mom how we could make it easier for you? My Mom is not a blog building expert but she knows someone who is NinjaJen is that person; so mom went to her blog and looked to see if she has a step by step posting for how to add a search window to my blog, and what do you know she did. Mom added it for me and I listed some of my passed blog titles for you just type part or all of the title in the search window and it will take you to that posting. The search window is on the left side of my blog.
I have a lot more postings you can type in key words and see what pops up.

I hope the search window makes it easier for you to find the information you are looking for. If you have a blog or would like to build one go to the bottom of my blog and there is a link to NinjaJen's blog that is where Mom got all the cool effects that are on my blog.
Thank You Jen and Mom.

2010 Year End Awards Banquet

The 2010 Awards banquet was filled with smiles, good friends and Great food.

 Special THANK YOU to those who worked so hard to make the evening a Success.