My 2012 4-H steers

The 2012 4-H Market Steer season is now here. Here is my 2012 Market Steers. My steers behaved great for the weigh-in all lead right in and the day went smooth; It rained all day and the sun came out just as we got home.

If you have not started your Market Animal book now is the time to start.

This is Cappy

Buck

Steven

2011 Gooding County Fair is now in the Record Book

Fair week was long and it was very hot but I lived though it
here is how I did.
Best First  Year Leadership Project,
Top Intermediate/Senior Clothing Project Model,
Top Public Speaking Presentation,
Grand Champion Showmanship Horse (Trophy),
Top Intermediate Horse Showmanship Trophy  ,
Top Intermediate horse Record  Book Plaque,
4-H Cart Class First Place.
Intermediate Beef- Reserve Champion Showmanship, and placed 4th over all.
Master Showman Participant and placed 5th over all,
Heifer placed 1st in her breed (Red Angus) and was Reserve Champion ,
All three steers received blue ribbons in Quality.
Purple Rosette for my Quit, blue for my sewing project, blue for my leather project,
3rd place Intermediate Livestock judging,
 My steer Velvet won top Gaining market beef  Trophy with a 4.03 pounds per day gain.

Life In The Show Ring!

On May 28^th I enter my steer Fabio and my heifer Lady in the Magic Valley Jr. Classic.

When I go to these shows, I have hopes of winning I guess we all what to win; but I also go for the learning experience. This year the quality of showmanship was out standing, the fitting and groomers were great, and all the cattle were fluff and fabulous.

To those who won Congratulation! You all did an outstanding job.

I knew from the time that Fabio stepped out to the trailer that I was at the Classic for the learning experience; his eyes got big and his head went up.

I had worked with him and all my other steers everyday and in the pen they all behaved great; Fabio does not have a mean bone in is body, but he is a little set in his ways and nerves. It was the noise, the strange environment, and people, that affected him, he just did not what to be there. I even thought about not showing him, but thanks to Mr. Hooper; Fabio did enter the show ring, he did not setup and behaved badly.  Fabio and I lived through it.

The lesson that Fabio learned was that no matter how he acts he would be shown; the lesson I learned is that I can handle my steers even when they act like spoiled fit throwing brats; (you must call your steers bluff).

 Mr. Hooper gave me a tip on how to correct Fabio’s behavior, and with his knowledge and experience with show cattle; I know that I will be able to take the brat out of Fabio. I am going to give it my best effort and we will see what happens at the next show. I am also going to use this tip on all my steers just to be on the safe side.

Check back and I will let you know how it goes and fill you in on the tip after a few weeks.

Fabio has never acted as he did at the Classic; so no matter how calm and well behaved your steers act at home does not mean that they will be that way in a strange environment.

Take your steers to a show or two for the learning experience. Maybe you will even come home with a ribbon or two. 

As for Lady; I did not place but she was very well behaved.

How is The Weather!

   Well how is your Winter going? I sure do wish Spring would get here.
    My Steers are leading now. If it would warm up  and melt all the snow and ice; I would be working on my show-ring skill and setting them up.
    I hope all of you are getting a break from the snow storms and will be getting some nice sunshine soon.
    Just six more week of winter I hope; stay warm and pray for Sunshine.

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

Eastern Idaho State Fair Livestock Judging Contest

2010 Gooding County Fair

The Gooding County Fair is now in the History Books.
Here are a few of My Awards.

Top Horse Record Book Intermediate - Trophy - (going to District showmanship Shoshone)

Top Gaining 4-H Market Beef - Trophy - with George ( Red Angus).

Best Livestock Judging Project - Blue Ribbon and Purple Rosette.

Showmanship - Blue Ribbon.
Quality - 3 Blue Ribbons

Best Intermediate Ag Presentation - Purple Rosette - ( going to District).

Best Intermediate Clothing Project Model - Blue Ribbon and Purple Rosette
Best Advanced Leather Craft Project - Blue Ribbon and Purple Rosette
Best Sew Wow Western Wear Project - Blue Ribbon and Purple Rosette. (going to district)

Best Money Fundamentals Project - Blue Ribbon and Purple Rosette.

 Best Intermediate Poster ( Idaho Beef Check Off ) - Purple Rosette.

 Best Safety Poster - Purple Rosette

 Best Felting Project - Purple Rosette

 Hot water bath canning project - Blue Ribbon

 Crochet Project - Blue Ribbon

 Now just a few more Pictures of Fair Week

Here are My Steers

George Strait weighed 1443 he gained 575 pounds

Munch  weighed 1423 and gained 510 pounds
He is the one That I sold at the Fair.

Pepper weighed 1403 he gained 525 pounds He was my showmanship steer.

Got to Clean the barn

Thank You 2009 Buyer Farmers National Bank

This year seemed to have wings and just flew-by and it time for the
2010 GOODING COUNTY FAIR August 16th-21st.

At this time I would like to THANK my 2009 Buyer once again; with out your support I would not be able to continue my education in the Beef Industry.

Thank you so Much Farmer National Bank of Wendel Idaho.

Also Thanks to all of you who add-on and to my family.

My First 4-H Horse Show

I went to my first 4-H horse show; I think that I did very well,

I took my grandmothers horse Flash; he is just 4 years old. Flash and I are both novice in the horse-showing ring and placed first the intermediate age group.

.

My cousin Hannah also went and took her horse Custer; This is Hannah’s first year in

4-H and she also did very well. Hannah and Custer placed 3^rd in the junior novice class.

The Moon Creek Ponies 4-H club also did a great job the Club took 4 out of 5 first place ribbons Plus The Grand Champion and the Reserve Champion. 

Congratulation

 Jessica - The Grand Champion

 Jacee - Reserve Champion