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My Bovine Plan for '09.

mytfarms

Well-known member
OK, I have had you folks look at Shorthorn bulls of all shapes sizes and types, Herefords, Gelbvieh, Charolais, ect, ect, ect. I have sparked breed debates, and made you all so confused about what I wanted to do because I was very unsure myself. Over the past week, Mom and Dad have really reined me in and finally made me sit down, shut up, and think things over. So, I think I have FINALLY capitalized on advice from DOC and other mentors and decided to what course to go. For those of you who are actually interested in the plight of a 15 year old, here is my immediate 1 year plan and my two and three year plan. I am still working on it from there and market, natural disaster, drought, flood, ect. may change this plan, but at least I know what I'm getting after. OK, here it is.
For this spring, I am expecting a few LimFlex calves out of my two commercial cows. A neighbor was kind enough to lease a bull this dry year, so we took what we could get. (No offense to the Limo breeders out there, I am excited for the '09 calf crop.) On my first calf heifer, I am eagerly expecting a N BAR Emulation EXT calf. On my purebred Angus cows, I am looking at getting calves from OCC Homer. If not Homer, then the Reg. Clean-up bull. OK, there is what I am getting in the way of calves. Now, here we get to buying/breeding/selling.
All my cows are young and in excellent condition, so none are getting culled as of yet. I have one Reg. bull calf for sale. (PM if interested. :D ) Other than that, it's all replacement heifers. I bought one more good doin' WF weanling heifer out of Dad's herd. I have one Reg. and one commercial heifer coming up for replacements as well.
Now, the new heifers all go to OCC Homer as he has been proven to be a very easy calving bull in our herds. My blue and two black commercial cows go to a Hereford bull for baldie calves. 320N of Ned's line-up, to be exact. And that's that for breeding.
Now, here is where my showing passion comes in. Chill out, no Maines, Chi's, or puffy SH are in mind. But, KKA of Elbert have always been real good about helping kids in the Angus business. So, I aim on trying to pick one up that I can breed this spring and try to take back as a bred heifer to Denver. Either that, or I would breed her for an early calf and take the weanling back to Denver in '11. THAT will be my show herd. KKA raise some pretty functional cattle, but they just have that growth, power, and milk it takes to raise a Denver worthy calf. Not to mention, the son of the guy who used to own the ranch is my judging coach and an amazing clipper/fitter. If I buy one of his calves, I hope I could also get some help in learning how to specifically fit, clip, and grow hair on Angus. I may as well specialize because I know I will be part of the Registered Angus business for a long time to come.
Welp, that's it. Sorry if it was boring. DOC, I think you'll like this plan. If any of you out there are ever in the area, please feel free to let me know so you can stop by and have a look. I thank you all for the advice and encouragement you have given to me. And thanks especially to DOC HARRIS for keeping my mind on track. :cboy:
 

Denny

Well-known member
I've got some Homer daughter's here that are quite nice but my favorite's are the Hunter heifers they are pretty fancy.

Glad to see you've got a level headed plan.Remember in the end your selling feeder cattle so keep a budget around that income. If you make more thats good but if you spend like your going to make the big money and it does'nt show up your out of business.Stay out of debt and stay your course you'll do fine.
 

mytfarms

Well-known member
Denny said:
I've got some Homer daughter's here that are quite nice but my favorite's are the Hunter heifers they are pretty fancy.

Glad to see you've got a level headed plan.Remember in the end your selling feeder cattle so keep a budget around that income. If you make more thats good but if you spend like your going to make the big money and it does'nt show up your out of business.Stay out of debt and stay your course you'll do fine.

Yes, sir, thank you. If I don't have the cash in the bank, I simply won't spend it. That's one thing my parents have me a staunch practicer of. If I do have cash in the bank, it doesn't mean I have to spend it either. :D
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
mytyfarms I have this older then should be passion for showing cattle also and I'm living vicariously through my daughter. My son tried it and hated it made sure to let me know he was done. To him there is no good reason to lead a bovine or give one a bath.

My daughter on the other hand loves all of it. The constant working with the calves, bathing, leading, feeding, and showing. It's something we share because her Dad thinks it's nuts to do also. This year she is old enough to show heifers/steers and will show her bucket calf also. I am just trying to decide if we are going to go for a homegrown heifer or buy something. We'd do angus if that is the road we go down. We also have another avenue as her Uncle who thinks she is just the cats meow raises registered Charlaios and has many conections in that breed association. So in the event I can get her Dad on board and we try to take something to Denver in the next few years we'd go with that breed as it's all about connections I'm learning. :D I will say from visiting with several exhibitors in Denver most agree you do it as commercials for your product and need to have money as it's not cheap to travel to the bigger shows. We have some aquaintences that show in Reno, Denver, and Oregon that some big outfit just shows up with their cattle and they lead them in. I'm not into that kind of showing as I prefer a hands on approach.

I have been enquiring about clipping clinics being put on as her and I need some major educating in that area. My brother got us a couple of good dvds to watch and try and learn. However, some of us like myself need to do it to learn it. My next plan is to ask a couple that live north of my parents for insight and lessons as they have a couple of kids that really know how to show cattle.
 

mytfarms

Well-known member
CattleArmy said:
mytyfarms I have this older then should be passion for showing cattle also and I'm living vicariously through my daughter. My son tried it and hated it made sure to let me know he was done. To him there is no good reason to lead a bovine or give one a bath.

My daughter on the other hand loves all of it. The constant working with the calves, bathing, leading, feeding, and showing. It's something we share because her Dad thinks it's nuts to do also. This year she is old enough to show heifers/steers and will show her bucket calf also. I am just trying to decide if we are going to go for a homegrown heifer or buy something. We'd do angus if that is the road we go down. We also have another avenue as her Uncle who thinks she is just the cats meow raises registered Charlaios and has many conections in that breed association. So in the event I can get her Dad on board and we try to take something to Denver in the next few years we'd go with that breed as it's all about connections I'm learning. :D I will say from visiting with several exhibitors in Denver most agree you do it as commercials for your product and need to have money as it's not cheap to travel to the bigger shows. We have some aquaintences that show in Reno, Denver, and Oregon that some big outfit just shows up with their cattle and they lead them in. I'm not into that kind of showing as I prefer a hands on approach.

I have been enquiring about clipping clinics being put on as her and I need some major educating in that area. My brother got us a couple of good dvds to watch and try and learn. However, some of us like myself need to do it to learn it. My next plan is to ask a couple that live north of my parents for insight and lessons as they have a couple of kids that really know how to show cattle.

CA, I actually sympathize with you there. I just about laid my hands on two X-bred Maine heifers. (I.e., mostly crossed with Angus, Chi, ect.) Then, SMACK!
Dad,
"Are you sure you wanna go down this road? Have you thought it out? How are the heifers bred? Are they what you want for your foundation?"
Me,
"Well, no....... BUT I WANT TO SHOW!"
Dad,
"Why don't you talk to Lawson and KKA then? Get an Angus with the genetics to win."
Well, we reached compromise right there. :D HOWEVER, did I mention some Balancer and Smokey calves are in consideration? :lol:
To this, Dad would say, ":roll:"

Anyway, I am still going to improve my clipping and fitting skills. Kirk Steirwalt is a great place to start learning how to clip. Maybe I will get the chance to meet up with you at Denver one of these days. Good luck on your showing adventure. Mine has been a rough one so far, so get someone who knows what they're doing to help you. It's a heck of a lot better than starting from scratch. Trust me on that one.
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
Puffing out chest as I type this we have two small town fairs under our belt and have been told how nice of calves we have. The thing that I've noticed is so many people don't feed their cattle right or under feed them then expect to pull into fair and do great things. We seem to have the feeding down and the condition getting the hair to grow and the calves shine. It's the clipping them that worries me. It's also hard as heck helping a child learn to do it when you are learning yourself. It's times like these my brother didn't live a day away. :?
 

CattleArmy

Well-known member
mytfarms said:
Mine has been a rough one so far, so get someone who knows what they're doing to help you. It's a heck of a lot better than starting from scratch. Trust me on that one.

The one thing I've learned from the bit of showing we've done and going to Denver is it's about connections. I'm glad my brother has some. :)
 

mytfarms

Well-known member
CattleArmy said:
Puffing out chest as I type this we have two small town fairs under our belt and have been told how nice of calves we have. The thing that I've noticed is so many people don't feed their cattle right or under feed them then expect to pull into fair and do great things. We seem to have the feeding down and the condition getting the hair to grow and the calves shine. It's the clipping them that worries me. It's also hard as heck helping a child learn to do it when you are learning yourself. It's times like these my brother didn't live a day away. :?

Well, my dad, and we say this jokingly, makes them look like sheep. You ought to have seen that yella steer he clipped up. Looked like a fur ball of creamy white hair! :shock: It was funny though cause fair was still 4 months out. :)
It ain't what you know, it's who ya know. But, if you know your business and have connections, it's a double plus. Thanks to Dad, I have some connections that should set me up pretty well in the Angus business. :D
 
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