Showing livestock

When I get older and able to manage a stable of my own I plan on showing goats and cattle(and obvioulsy horses lol). Does anyone show them? Is it like a horse showmanship but with cattle? And does goat showing include obsticals?

(i made the first thread on this farm forum yaya)!!!

I used to show calves when I was a kid, and it is similar to a halter class.

Was it fun?

Showing cows is very nearly identical to showing in a halter class. 'Cept the animals are larger and much more stubborn. =P

And yes, it is most definitely fun! =D

Awesome. After the beefiest cattle win don't they somtimes get sent off to slaughter?

Allot of the time steer (steer= gelding) are shown so they go to sluaghter either way.

Livestock Shows (hogs, sheep, goats, and cattle) are broken down into levels of competition. In Oklahoma and Texas they are:

Jackpots Shows: Generally open to the world or limited to the state. Entry paid, show, win (Take home more money = D) or lose (Get the golden thumb out the gate) and take animal home

County Shows: Limited to exhibitors within a county or parish. Some are free, some have a nomination fee. Show, Win or lose, and/or make bonus sale (money paid to exhibitor for doing a good job) and exhibitor keeps animal.

District shows: Larger scale and open to areas of a state. This can either minic the jackpot shows with entries paid and all the money is paid out of the jackpot, or can minic the county show with entry paid and make the bonus sale. Exhibitor keeps animal.

There are two types of terminal shows.

First type is if you make the bonus sale the animal is sold to the buyer and the exhibitor gets the money. The buyer can choose to keep the animal (if is is a female to raise from) or butcher the animal. This type is more common at either a county or district show. Other animals not making the sale can return home.

Second type of terminal show is where all animals entering the grounds are loaded out to slaughter after exhibition. These are more common on a state or national level of competition with casterated males (hog = barrow, goat or sheep = wether, cattle = steer). These types of shows do have a bonus sale and again, a bonus or premium is paid for the animal to the exhibitor.

Thank you:)

To answer the question about how to show the cattle or goats.

Cattle, Goats and Sheep are all lead into the area by an exhibitor. They follow each other in a single file line around the area and the are stopped to be set up. The animals are then "set-up" by their exhibitor.

Cattle are led into the area with a leather halter, but not a "show/silver" type halter as a horse has. The exhibitor has a "show stick" with a hook on the end of it. When the exhibitor stops the calf (steer or heifer) they then try to get the animal to stand with all four feet as square as possible. The show stick is used to help pick up and place the rear feet and possibly rub the calf's belly or top line to get them to look better. The exhibitor than stands off to the side (near the shoulder) of the calf.

Goats and Sheep are lead into the area in the same patter as the cattle. They follow each other in a single file line and then are left to "set up". Sheep are led in by the exhibitor's hand and when they set up, the exhibitor will put them self into front of the lamb to place the feet square and then "brace" to express the mucles of the lamb. Goats are led in by a lead or chain around the neck. After walking into the class the exhibitor then stops the goat and sets them up. With the use of their hands they place all four feet as square as possible. Then the exhibitor will pull up on the lead to get the goat to stretch out their neck (they are not chocking the goat). However in some places, they exhibitor may end up "bracing" the goat like the sheep exhibitor, but it depends on what show you are at.

Hogs are the most simple to show, but could be the most challenging. However they are trained to walk and go where the exhibitor wants to the animal to go. A whip, bat, or pipe is used to guide and direct the animal. The exhibitor keeps the hog between him and the judge and about 15 -20 feet if possbile away from the judge. The exhibitor learns how to "show off" the best of their animal at different angles and points where the judge can evaluate the animal in class. Hogs are turned into an area and guided by the exhibitor. When being placed they are kept in "holding pens" until the judge is ready to give reasons on the class.

Showing is probably one of the best things ever. Lol. I absolutley love it. It can be hard though. Heifers cannot be shown at more than 2 yrs old or less than 4 months. You have to halter break the animal so that they are not scared and you can lead them, brush them and set them up. Most people egt their calves at about 5 or 6 months of age and you have to halter break them yourself. There are peoploe who you can pay to do it for you (I happen to do it. Lol) but doing it yourself is very rewarding and a great experiance. Even with the rope burn and bruises lol. There are certain ways to brush the animals hair and shave them. Cattle get their hooves trimmed like horses but the cow is straped into a machine and hoisted on its side with its head restrained. It doesnt hurt them at all though they get a lil scared. Animals are judged by breed standards and fat and muscle ratios, also wilder animals can sometimes get placed lower. Steers are classified by whatever the classifier thinks they are. Brahman (1/2 blood or more), American Breeds and Crosses, British Breeds. All steers are shown as market, that means they are raised for meat production. You can also show rabbits, turkeys, chickens (broilers), lambs, and goats in market classes. Heifers are shown as breeding beef. You can also become a member of your local FFA of 4H chapter and enter in a calf scramble. A claf scramble is a bunch of kids in an arena trying to catch a calf. There are less calves than kids and you pretty much have to tackle and halter the animal and pull it into the center of the arena which will be taped off. The participants that catch a calf are awarded a $500 dollar certificate in which to purchase a heifer or steer for the scramble show. You have to write reports of how your animal is doing and pictures and stuff to give to your sponser. If you have anymore questions just ask.