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Kansas | First year, don't worry alot about quality. Find something that has a good temperment, a gentle side, one that will follow that kid out the end of the drive and back like a lost puppy or shadow.
Be by the kids side and help and show him/her what they need to do as far as preperations for a show is concerned which includes but not limited to care and feeding of the calf while at the farm. Time spent with the calf to tame it down and build trust with it. Proper care and putting away in the right place to find next time of show equipment........halters, brushes, curry comb, showstick. Then at fair keeping the stall presentable to the public, Bathing and grooming getting ready for the showing. Everything associated with that calf, if junior don't know, help and teach. If they are of a young age, their physical capabilities are limited in some areas and you will have to do some legwork for them simply from a safety and limitations standpoint.
Then, when it's all over with, and the beef goes to the slaughterhouse and daughter/son is crying thier eyes out like all country kids with an animal that they have worked with do. And they look at you say they want to do it again next year because they had fun and they understand and they want to do it again even though they took that last place ribbon and everyone else around had better looking and more equipment.
Then go for better quality on round 2. Then start looking at blocking chutes and a bigger show box and a calf that is going to cost more.
If one thing I found out about younger kids. It could be a grand champion state fair steer but if the s.o.b. won't behave or makes life miserable for them, they are not interested in even getting out of bed. One boy of mine couldn't handle the work involved and the patience it takes to work with the cattle. He quit the project for those two reasons and went into the dog project instead.
For the first year, I just don't get to excited about quality. I just worry about getting an animal with a good attitude and is healthy to make it up and through show time. After the kids show growth and desire to take on more. Then worry more about finding something to really compete.
Good Luck, The showing just isn't like it used to be at some fair levels. That's to bad for alot of kids miss out on some lessons that teach alot in the beef project.
my .02
Rich | |
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Show Calf Pricing
