showring ready - a beginner's guide to showing dairy cattle
TRANSCRIPT
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 1
Showring ReadyShowring ReadyA Beginner’s Guide to Showing Dairy Cattle
2 SHowrIng ready
IntroductionWorking with dairy cattle and preparing them for a show can be an extremely rewarding and fun experience that teaches young people many valuable lessons and skills that can be applied to all areas of their life. Responsibility, patience, self-confidence, teamwork, sportsmanship, problem-solving and organizational skills are just a few things that youth will gain throughout their project work. This workbook is designed to serve as a guide for youth, parents and dairy project leaders who are interested in learning the basic skills associated with caring for and exhibiting dairy cattle at fairs and other shows.
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 3
Table of Contents
4 Selecting Your Project Animal
5 Caring for Your Show Animal • KeepingRecords • Housing • Nutrition • AnimalHealth
8 Preparing for the Show • Equipment • BeginningHalterTraining • Washing • FittingYourAnimal • CompletingShowEntries
19 At the Show • ArrivingattheShow&Herdsmanship • WhattoExpectattheShow • Showmanship • HolsteinFoundationRecommendedShowmanshipGuidelines
• FinalPreparationsonShowDay
29 After the Show
30 Resources and Activities • GrowthStandardRecommendationsforHolsteinHeifers • DairyProjectHealth&ManagementRecordWorksheet • DairyProjectBudgetWorksheet • ExampleShowSign
4 Showring ready
Selecting Your Project Animal
Whether you live on a dairy farm with many animals to pick from or you are planning to go out and purchase or lease your first project animal, there are a few things to take into consideration.
There are several different dairy breeds in the United States, with Holsteins being the most common. Some people have a preference when it comes to breeds, and you may be limited in breed selection depending on what you have available on your farm, or what is available from area farms or sales.
Consider what age of animal you would like to show. It is best to pick an animal that will be appropriately sized, not too big, or too small, for the person who will be showing it. Next, look at the birthdates of the animals you have to choose from. Your ideal heifer should be well grown and competitively sized in her class, so look at animals who would be some of the older ones in their class (see page 18 for a list of class breakdowns by age).
If you have more than one calf to choose from, the one that is your favorite or the friendliest may not necessarily be a show winner. If the calf is registered, evaluate its pedigree, especially if you are purchasing the animal and plan to raise it and eventually milk her as a cow. The most important consideration when selecting the calf should be her overall physical correctness. An ideal calf is free of major faults; well grown for her age, long-bodied, deep ribbed and feminine, with a desirable set of feet and legs.
Learn more about what to look for in conformation with the Holstein Foundation’s free dairy Judging workbook (available at www.holsteinfoundation.org).
Source: PDCA Dairy Cow Unified Scorecard, 2009.
Holstein image - ©2012 Holstein Association USA, Inc.
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Caring for Your Show Animal
Keeping Records
Preparingthenecessarypaperworkisoneofthemostimportantstepsinmakingsureyouwillbereadyfortheshowseason.First,findoutifyouranimalisregisteredwithitsbreedassociation.Itmayneedtoberegisteredortransferredintotheexhibitor’snamebyaspecificdate,dependingonwhichshowsyouareplanningtoenter.Ifsheisnotregisteredbutiseligibletobe,obtainaregistryapplicationfromthebreederorbreedassociationandcompleteitassoonaspossibletoensureyouhaveitbackintimefortheshow.Ifyoudon’towntheanimal,youwilllikelyneedtocompletealeaseapplicationthroughabreedassociation,4-HorFFA.Ruleswillvaryfromshowtoshow,sochecktherulesforeachshowyouplantoenterassoonaspossibletoensurethatyouwillmeetallrequirementsanddeadlines.Ifyouarepurchasingorleasingaregisteredcalf,itisagoodideatobecomeamemberofthebreed’sJuniorAssociation,asitisusuallyarequirementforenteringbreed-specificyouthshows,andcanofferawealthofopportunities,activities,andthechancetomeetpeoplewhoareinterestedinsimilarthingsasyou.AlistofbreedassociationwebsitescanbefoundontheHolsteinFoundationwebsiteundertheLinkssection.
Youwillwanttokeepaccuratehealthrecordsonyouranimal,suchaswhentheygetdehornedandreceivevaccinations(seepage32).Itisalsoagoodideatorecordyourcalf’sperformancetoensureitismeetingbenchmarksforhealthandgrowth.Monitoryourcalfregularly,andtrytorecordhergrowthmonthly.Seetheheifergrowthrecommendationsonpage31toseehowyourheifercomparestothosebenchmarks.
Anotherhelpfulexercisewithyourdairyprojectwillbetocreateabudgetandkeeptrackofyourexpenses.Considerwhatyouwillspendonpurchasinganyneededequipment,veterinarycare,feed,bedding,transportation,andshowentryfeesforyourproject(seepage33).
Housing
Therearemanyhousingoptionsforraisingcalvesandheifers.Ifyouareonafarmthatalreadyhasyoungstockhousing,itisidealtoseparateyourshowanimal(s)fromtherestoftheherdwhenyouarepreparingthemfortheshow.Thisishelpfulinmanyways,includingmakingthemmoreconvenienttoworkwith,beingabletomonitortheirhealthandconditionmoreclosely,keepingthemcleanerandbeingabletofeedthemarationspecificallytailoredfortheirneeds.
Yourheifer’spenshouldbesanitary,dry,well-ventilated,protectedfromdrafts,withanareathatprovidesshadeandprotectionfromweather.Ensuretheareaisfreefromdebris,sharpobjects,oranythingelsethatcouldinjureyouranimal.Theidealtemperatureforraisingcalvesis68degreesFahrenheit.Cattlearemostcomfortableatarangebetween30and75degreesFahrenheit.Iftheanimalisinanoutdoorpenorbarnthattendstogetverywarminthesummer,itwouldbeagoodideatosetupafantohelptheanimalstaycoolinhottertemperatures.
Theareashouldbelargeenoughthattheanimalwillnotbecrowded,hasroomtomoveabout,iseasilyaccessibletoyou,andconvenientlylocatedtoareaswhereyouwashandpracticeleadingyourheifer.Thepenshouldalsohavedesignatedareasforfeedandwater.
Finally,ifyouhavemultipleanimalsyouareworkingwith,itisacceptabletokeepthemallinonepen,aslongasthereisnottoomuchsizedifferencebetweentheanimals.Forexample,youwouldnotwantayoungcalftohavetoshareapenwithamoreaggressiveyearling.Thiswouldcreateunfavorablecompetitivenessforfeed,andtheyoungercalfmaybebulliedandnotgetallofthefeeditrequires.
SEE ALSO:page 31Heifer Growth Recommendations
page 32Health & Management Record Worksheet
page 33Budget Worksheet
6 SHowrIng ready
Nutrition
Youranimalwillbedependentonyouforfeed,qualitywaterandgeneralcare.Ifananimal’snutrientneedsarenotmet,itwillnotgrowatanacceptablerate.Consultwithadairynutritionist,experienceddairyfarmer,orshowmantodevelopadietthatwillallowyouranimaltoreachitsmaximumgrowthpotentialwhilemaintainingahealthyweightandbodycondition.
Feedingtimesshouldbeconsistentfromdaytoday.Feedgoodqualityhaytoaidinrumendevelopment.Inshowanimals,feedinghayhelpstheanimalsdeveloptheirdepthofbodyandspringofrib.Ensureyouarefeedingappropriatelevelsofgrainand/orsilagetohelppreventweightgainfromexcessiveamountsofenergyinthediet.Asitgetsclosertothetimeofashow,youshouldtransitiontofeedingtheanimalasimilardiettowhatitwillreceiveattheshow.Thisisimportantsotheanimaldoesnotgooff-feedandpreventsstomachproblemsfromasuddenchangeindiet.
Allfeedshouldbeplacedinawaythatitwillbeeasyfortheanimaltoeat,andisunlikelytogetdirty.Animalswillnot,andshouldnot,consumedirtyfeed.Ifyouhavemultipleanimalsinonepen,ensureenoughspaceatthefeedbunksoallanimalshaveanequalopportunitytoeat.
Itisextremelyimportantthatyouranimalhasconstantaccesstofresh,cleanwater.Heiferswilldrinkseveralgallonsofwatereachday,evenmoreinthehotsummermonths.Ideally,haveawaterbowlortubsetupthatautomaticallyrefillswhentheanimaldrinksfromit.Ifyoucannotsetupanautomaticwaterer,checktheanimalmultipletimesadaytoensureitisnotoutofwater.Inspectthewatertubatleastonceadaytoensureitisfreeofdirt,algae,manureorotherdebris,andcleanasnecessary.
Whetheryouranimalsarehousedindividuallyorinagroup,monitoryouranimals’bodyconditionregularly.Theheifers’rationmayneedtobeadjustedperiodically,dependingonhowtheyaredeveloping.Heifersthatcarrytoomuchexcessfatwillnotonlybeunappealingintheshowring,butitcouldalsoleadtootherdevelopmentalproblemsastheymature.Exerciseisanimportantpartofmakingsureyouranimalsmaintainahealthybodycondition.
Animal Health
Severalthingsareimportanttokeepingyouranimalhealthythroughouttheyear.Athoroughvaccinationprogramalongwithawatchfuleye,freshwater,cleanbedding,healthyairandgoodfeedareallkeyingredientstoraisingqualityanimals.Throughoutyourdairyproject,youshoulddevelopagoodrelationshipwithalocalveterinarianwhocanhelpadviseyouonthebestpracticesforkeepingyouranimalhealthyandmeetingallhealthrequirementsyoumightneedtoexhibitatashow.
Dehorningisanencouragedmanagementpracticeinthedairyindustry,forthesafetyoftheanimal,otheranimals,andpeople.Hopefullyyourprojectanimalwillalreadybedehornedwhenyouobtainit,butifitisnot,itshouldbetakencareofimmediately.Ideally,calvesshouldbedehornedassoonasapersoncanfeelwherethehornbudsare.Theyoungeracalfisdehorned,thelessstressfulitisonananimal.Anotherthingthatshouldbedonearoundthetimeofdehorningischeckingforextrateatsonyourheifer.Extrateatsshouldberemovedassoonasanexperiencedpersonisabletodistinguishthemfromnormalteats.Ifyouranimalneedstobedehornedorhasextrateats,consultwithaveterinarianorotherexperiencedindividual,astheseproceduresshouldonlybeperformedbyknowledgeableprofessionals.
Vaccinationisanimportantinvestmentinpreventativecarethatcangoalongwaytokeepingyouranimalandherdhealthy.Yourveterinariancanhelpyoucreateavaccinationprogramcustomizedtotheneedsofyourfarm.Purchasedanimalsshouldbevaccinatedpriortoarrivalonyourfarmandcloselyobservedaftertheyenterthegeneralpopulation.Whenvaccinatinganimals,trytodoitinthemorningwhenheatstressislowest.Medicalproceduresusuallycausesomestresstoananimal,sotrynottogroupthemwithotherstressfulevents,suchasweaning,asthatcouldcauselongerrecoverytime.
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Hoofcarehasalargeimpactonyouranimal’sgeneralhealth,aswellashowshewalksandwilllookintheshowring.Managementandhousingfactorshaveamajoreffectonhoofgrowthandwear.Animalskeptprimarilyonsoftsurfacessuchasgrassorabeddedpackwillnothavemuchopportunitytoweartheirhoovesdown,andtheirtoesmaygrowtoolong.Hooftrimmingshouldbedoneatleastonemonthbeforetheshow.Consultwithyourveterinarianoranexperienceddairyfarmerforadvice,ashooftrimmingshouldonlybedonebysomeonewithexperience.
Commonexternalparasitesincattleincludelice,ticks,mites,fliesandmosquitoes.Fliescanbeasignificantstressonyoungcalves,andbreedinmoistwarmclimates.Beddingandaccumulatedmanuremakeagoodplaceforfliestobreed,sokeepacleanenvironmentforyouranimalbydisposingofmanureandwasterightaway.Therearemanymethodsofflycontrol,includingpour-on,sprays,andrubsordusters,andusingsomecombinationofthesemethodsmayprovemosteffective.Youranimalwillbemorecomfortable,andtheircoatwillbehealthierandeasiertoworkwith.
Monitoryouranimalforsignsofcommonbovineailments,suchasringworm,wartsandpinkeye,asallofthesewillmakeyouranimalineligibleforashowbecausetheyareinfectious.Ringworm isacommonfungus,usuallyfoundinheifers,thatbeginsasaroundscalyspotwithhairloss;itiscommonlyfirstseenontheface,andcanspreadrapidlyacrossthebody.Beverycautiouswhenhandlinganimalswithringworm,asiteasilyspreadstoothercattle(ifyouhaveoneheiferinapenwithringworm,chancesaretheotherswilldevelopittoo)andcanspreadtohumans.Wartsarecausedbyavirus,andappearassingleormultipleroughnodulesontheskinthatarewhite/greyincolor.Pinkeyedescribesrednessandinflammationoftheliningoftheeyelidandeyeball.Pinkeyeishighlycontagious,andcommonlyspreadbyflies.Consultyourveterinarianfortreatmentofringworm,pinkeyeandtheremovalofwartsassoonasyounoticesignsofthemonyouranimal.
Finally,getintothehabitofpracticinggoodbiosecurityprotocolsonthefarmandduringtransport.Everyoneshouldtakestepstopreventthespreadofdiseasefromoneanimaltothenext.Frequentlywashingyourhandsandproperlysanitizingequipment,clothingandshoesafterworkingwithyouranimals,especiallybeforeandaftergoingtoanotherfarm,arejustafewthingsyoucando.
8 SHowrIng ready
Preparing for the Show
Equipment
Inordertoproperlycareforandgroomyouranimal,youwillneedtherightshowgear.Thefollowinglistincludesrecommendeditemstobringtoashow.Allofthesesuppliesshouldbeavailableatyourlocalfarmsupplystore,orpopularshowsupplywebsites.Showsuppliesareaninvestment,butwithpropercare,theyshouldlastseveralyears.
STORAgE
Showboxorotherlargecontainer
BRuSHES
Stiff-bristledbrushesSoft-bristledbrushCurrycombTailbrushorcomb
WASHINg EquIPmENT
ScrubBrushHoseSpraynozzleSoap(suchasOrvus)BucketClothtocleanearsToplinebrushforthetail
CLIPPINg EquIPmENT
LargeclippersSmallclipperswithfineblades2setsofbladesBladelubricant(suchasWD-40)BlowdryerExtensioncords(3-prong)ToplinebrushHairadhesive(suchasClearMagic)
TACK
NylonhalterLeathershowhalterTwo-waytiesNeckchains
FEEd SuPPLIES
GrainHayBeetpulpWaterbucketFeedtubFeedscoop
PAPERS
Healthpapers(fromyourvet)RegistrationpapersProductionrecords
CLOTHES
ShowclothesHardtoedshoesClothestowearwhilewashingRubberbootsShowharness
BEddINg SuPPLIES
StrawShavingsBroomPitchforkShovelWheelbarrowStrawboard(usedtocreateasquareedgeonyourbeddingpack)
TOOLS
DucttapeHammerNailsPliersScissorsStaplegunWireZipties
ExHIBIT
FansDisplaydecorationsChairsExtensioncords(3-prong)
OTHER SHOWBOx SuPPLIES
FlysprayExtrarags/babywipes/papertowelsRubbingalcohol
gENERAL mEdICAL SuPPLIES
Thermometer**If you think your animal is becoming
sick at a show, contact the official show
veterinarian or another professional for
assistance.
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Nowthatyou’vemadeallthepreparationstosetyourselfupforsuccess,it’stimetostartworkingwithyouranimal.Youshouldbeginworkingwithyouranimalasearlyaspossibleorassoonasthecalfisoldenough,butatleasttwotothreemonthspriortoyourshow.Themoreyouworkwithyouranimal,thebettertheexperiencewillbeforeveryoneinvolved.Dairycattlearecreaturesofhabitandtheywillrespondbesttocalmandconsistentpractices.Whenworkingwithyouranimal,alwaystakecaretobecalmandgentle,andtrynottomakeanysuddenmovementsorloudnoisesthatwouldstartleyourheifer.
Beforedoinganythingwithyouranimal,ensureyouhaveproperattireandfootweartominimizeyourriskofinjury.Flipflops,sandals,clogsandbarefeetarestrictlyunacceptablewhenworkingwithcattle.Hardtoeandsoleshoesareamust.
Animportantfirststepisgettingyourheiferaccustomedtonormalgroomingroutines,suchasbeingled,handledandwashed.Spendtimewithyouranimaltogetherusedtopeople;talktoyourheifertofamiliarizehertoyourvoice,andhandleherwithgentlemovementstokeephercalm.Groomingherdailywillhelpimproveherappearance,keepingthehairandskinhealthier.Themoretimeyouspendwithyourcalf,thesooneryouwilldeveloparelationshipandtrust.Allgoodshowmenhaveanatural,quiet,gentlewaywithcattle.
Beginning Halter Training
Thoughnotalwayspossible,thebesttimetohaltertrainananimaliswhenitisyoungandcanbeeasilyhandled.Especiallythefirstseveraltimesyouarecatchingyourheifer,haveatleastonepersonassistingyou.Whencatchingyouranimaltoputahalteronit,againremembertoworkcalmlyandquietly.Youdonotwanttheanimaltofeellikesheisbeingchased;itshouldbeapleasantexperiencethatshewillgrowtoenjoy.
Alwaysuseanylonhalterfortraining.Toapplythehalter,holdtheleadropeinonehand,andmakesurethechinstrapprovidesenoughslacksothereisplentyofroomfortheanimal’snosetofitthrough.Theadjustablesideofthehalteralwaysgoesontheleftsideofthecalf’shead.Donotdragtheendofthehalterasitmaybecometangledinthecalf’slegsand/orgetdirty.Grasptheheadstallinyourotherhandandslipitoverthecalf’sheadandears.Arrangethechinstrapandguideupitschin,tighteningtheleadropetofit.Thenosepieceshouldbeevenlypositionedbetweenthetopofthenostrilsandtheeyes.Nylonhalterstypicallycomeintwosizes(calfandheifer/cow),sotrytouseonethatismadefortheageoftheanimalyouareworkingwith.
Startoffbytyingyourheiferwithahalterforuptoanhourthefirstfewdays.Herheadshouldbetiedatacomfortableheight(nottoohigh;theheifershouldbeabletostandcomfortablywithouthavingtostretchherneck),withnomorethanfiveinchesofslackintherope.Iftheleadropehastoomuchslackinit,theheifermaybeabletogettangledupandinjurethemselves.Tieyouranimalinasafe,quietplace,onsecurefootingthatshewillnotsliponifshemovesaround.Neverleaveananimaltiedupunattended,andneverleavethemtiedforanextendedperiodoftimeindirectsunlight.Alwaystieyouranimalusingaquick-releaseslipknot,soyoucanuntieherquicklyandeasilyifanemergencyweretoarise.Youmaywanttopracticethisonaropeseveraltimesuntilyougetthehangofitbeforeattemptingtotieyouranimalup.Seethenextpagetolearnhowtotieaslipknot.
Usethistimewhileyourheiferistieduptobeginformingabondwithher.Workcalmlyandquietly,talktoyouranimalandkeepahandonheratalltimessosheknowswhereyouareanddoesn’t
becomestartled.Takecarenottogetkicked,andneverputyourselfinapositionwhereyouwouldbetrappedagainstawallorotherhardobjectifyouranimalweretoswingaround.Youcanbrushyourheifer,andifsheiscalmenough,workyourwayuptoherheadandspendsometimepettingherneckandshoulderarea.Thiswillgetheraccustomedtoyoubeingbyherheadandwillmakethetransitiontoleadinghereasier.
Thisheiferiswearingacorrectlyappliednylonhalter.
10 SHowrIng ready
1. Wrap the end of the lead rope around a secure rail.
2. Wrap the loose end of the lead rope back over the part of the rope between the rail and the rest of the halter, forming a circle.
3. Reach your fingers through the circle, and grasp a section of lead rope.
4. Pull that section of lead rope back through the circle, forming a loop and pulling until the knot is tight.
5. To secure the knot, slip the loose end of the lead rope through the loop (but don’t pull it tight).
6. To release the knot, remove the loose end of the lead rope from the loop and pull. The knot should come undone quickly and easily.
How to Tie a quick Release Slip Knot
1.
6.
2.
3. & 4.
5.© 2011 Holstein Foundation, Inc.
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 11
dEvELOPINg A PARTNERSHIP
Onceyourheiferisusedtothehalterandstandsquietlywhentiedup,it’stimetobegintraininghertoleadproperly.Again,itwillbehelpfultohavesomeonetoassistyou.Heifersoftenwalkbetteriftheyhavesomeonetofollowthemwhentheyarefirstlearning.Alwaysleadyouranimalfromherleftside.Ifyouattempttopullastubborncalfrightawayitmayplantitslegsandpullbackontheleadrope.Ifthishappens,letthetensionofftherope.Whentheanimaltakesastepforward,releaseitsheadtension.Pullonlytostartitwalkingagainafteritstops.Rememberthatyouareworkingwithayounganimal,anddon’ttrytodotoomuchthefirstfewtimes.Practiceleadingonadry,levelsurfacethatdoesn’thavemanyrocksorotherdebrisyouoryourheifercouldstepon.
Whenleadingyourheifer,NEVERwraptheleadropearoundyourhand,arm,waist,oranyotherbodypart;iftheheifermovedawayfromyouquicklywhenyouwereboundlikethis,youcouldbeseriouslyinjured.Ifyouranimalstartstopullandtriestogetaway,trytokeepaholdofher,butofcourse,don’tputyourselfinapositiontobeinjured.Thisisonemorereasonwhyitishelpfultohaveanolderpersonassistingyouwhenyouaregettingstarted.Itisimportantforyouranimaltodevelopgoodhabits,andifitlearnsitcangetawayfromyou,itwilltrytodoitagain,whichcanquicklybecomeaproblem.
Whenyoufirststartyourtraining,don’tworrytoomuchabouttheheifer’sheadcarriage.Itismoreimportanttojustgetherwalkingforwardcomfortably.Rememberthatthisisalearningexperienceforbothofyou,bepatient,anddonotgetupsetifyouranimalisnotcooperativeatfirst.Agentletugasyouwalkshouldsignalthecalftofollow.Onceyourheiferhassuccessfullytakenafewsteps,stopandpethergentlyontheneck,thentrytotakeafewmoresteps.Thissystemofsmallprogressandreward,andbeinggentlewillquicklyteachtheheiferwhatyouwanthertodo.Begingettingyourheiferaccustomedtosettingherlegsupthewayyouwillwanthertointheshowring.Thereismoredetailonthislater,butthebasicsarethatthefrontfeetshouldbesetsquarelybeneathhershoulders,andthehindlegclosesttothejudge(typicallytheinsideofacircle,walkingclockwise)shouldbesetfurtherbackthantheother.Asshebeginstowalkmorefreely,workongettinghertotakesmalluniformsteps.
Neverhityouranimalunderanycircumstance.Usuallyataponthenoseoratugonthehalterisenoughtoletherknowthatyouareisincontrol.Ifyouneedtoslowyourheiferdown,putyourlefthandinfrontofhermuzzleoruseyourrighthandtoapplypressuretoherpointofshoulder.Ifyourheiferremainspushy,haveanolderpersontryleadingherforalittlewhile,sotheylearntorespectthepersonleadingthem.
Onceyouranimalisconsistentlyleadingcomfortablyonthehalter,workonstrengtheningyourpartnershipandshowinghertoherbestadvantage.Holdherheadatanappropriatelevelsoshelooksherbest.Practicingleadingshouldbecomepartofyourdailyroutine,workingwithyourcalffor20minuteseachday.Practiceleadingindifferentareassoshelearnstotrustyouandbecomesaccustomedtostrangesoundssuchasbirds,fallingbranchesandotherstrangenoises.Also,havesomeoneelseleadherasyouwatch,soyoucanlearnhowshelookswhenwalkingandstandingincertainpositions.
INTROduCINg THE SHOW HALTER ANd FINE TuNINg YOuR SKILLS
Onceyouandyourcalfarecomfortableandshecanbeledwithouttugging,introducehertotheleathershowhalter.Selectahaltercolorthatbestcomplimentsyourcalf’sbreed;blackiscommonlyusedforHolsteins,whilesomecoloredbreedsmaylookbetterwithabrownleatherhalter.Halterscomeinseveralsizes,fromSmallforyoungcalves,toExtraLargeforolder,largercows,soyouwillwanttobesureyoufindthesizethatisbestforyouranimal.Thehalter’snosebandshouldbeevenlypositionedtofitacrossthebridgeofthenose,midwaybetweentheanimal’seyesandthetopofthenostrils.Ahalterthatistoobigtakesawayfromananimal’sappearanceandisdangerousasitcaneasilybepulledoff.
12 SHowrIng ready
Whenleading,thehaltershouldbeheldfirmlyintheexhibitor’slefthand,withthehandinsidethehalterwrappedaroundtheringwithafirmgriponthechain;neverleadananimalwithyourfingersinsidethehalter’sring.Theleadstrapshouldbeloopedlooselyintherighthand.Whenintheshowringyouwillalmostalwaysbewalkinginaclockwisedirection,sothisishowyoushouldpracticeathome.Practicehavingsomeoneapproachandtouchyourcalfinthesamewayajudgewouldinthering.
Whenshowing,alwaysstayonyouranimal’sleftside.Faceatanangle,inapositionfarenoughawaytoseethestanceofherfeetandtopline.Again,toposeaheifer,thefrontfeetshouldbesquarelyplacedwiththerearlegclosesttothejudgeback.Foracowinmilk,thehindlegnearestthejudgeshouldbeslightlyaheadoftheotherleg.Ifpossible,positionherfrontfeetonaslightinclineratherthangoingdownhill.Youwillwanttorepositionyouranimal’shindfeetasthejudgemoves
fromonesideoftheanimaltotheother,sopracticetakingyourheiferonestepaheadorback,soyouwilleasilybeabletomakethetransition.Neveruseyourfeettopositionyourheifer’srearlegs,anddon’tallowyouranimaltostandtoostretchedout.Ifyouneedtouseyourfeettosquareupyouranimal’sfrontfeet,doitcalmlyanddiscreetly.Whilepracticingathome,gettingyourheiferaccustomedtosettingupherfeetwillmakethingsmucheasieronshowday.
Notehowtheexhibitorisgraspingtheringandchainwithoutplacinghisfingersthroughthering.
Onceyouranimalisconsistentlywalkingfreelywithyouatthehalter,getherinthehabitofalwayswalkingwithherheadup,notjustintheshowring,withyourhandinthehalter(walkingforward).Thiswillensurethatyoualwayshavegoodcontrolofyouranimal,reinforcesyourtrainingthatherheadshouldbeupintheshowring,andwillalsokeepyourheiferlookingherbestatalltimes.Youneverknowwhomaybewatchingyouwhileyou’rewalkingyouranimal,eitherathomeorattheshow.Itisapositivereflectiononyouasashowmantohaveacalmanimalthatalwayslooksnice,whethersheisintheshowringorjustwalkingtothewashrack.
Yourultimategoalistogetyourheifertorespondquicklytohaltercommandsandwalkgracefully.Ausefulmovetoteachyouranimalishowtobackup.Tobackherup,applypressuretothepointofshoulderwithyourfingertipsonyourrighthand,andapplybackwardpressureonthehalter.Thisisnotanaturalmovefordairycattle,soitwilltakesomepractice.Usethisskilltoadjustthepositionofyourheifer’sfeet;donocircleyouranimalwhenyouneedtoswitchposes.
Asafinalnote,nevertieyouranimalupwhentheyhaveashowhalteron;eitherholdthemyourself,orhavesomeoneassistandholdtheanimalforyouifyouneedtodosomefinishingtouchesafteryouhavealreadyputtheshowhalteron.
Correctrearlegpositionforaheifer. Correctrearlegpositionforacow.
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Washing
Anylonhaltershouldalwaysbeusedwhenwashingyourcalf.Tiehersecurelyinyourwashingareausingaslipknot.Again,makesureyoudonothavetoomuchslackintherope(lessthanfiveinches),asanimalstiedtoolongwillmovearoundmore,makingthemdifficulttowash.Forsafetysake,ensuretheareayouarewashinginhasgoodfootingtoreducethechanceofyourheifer(oryou)slippingwhenthesurfacebecomeswetandsoapy.Wearclothesandshoesthatyoudon’tmindgettingwet;somepeoplethathaveseveralanimalstowashwilleveninvestinarainsuittohelpthemstaydry.
Usingahosewithanozzle,slowlybeginwettingtheanimalcompletely.Startatthehoovesandworkyourwayuptothelegs,back,shouldersandneck.Remember,cattlepreferanice,steadyspray.Asalways,workcalmlyandgentlyanddon’tdoanythingthatwouldsurpriseorstartleyouranimal.Gentlywettheheadwithaweakerspray,andavoidtheeyesandears(gettingwaterinaheifer’searwillcauseittodroop).Repeatthisprocessontheotherside.Don’tforgettowetandwashthetail;somepeoplesavethisstepforlastasanimalsliketoswingtheirwettails.
Fillyourwashbucketwithsoapandwater.Usingsoapspeciallyformulatedforcattle(suchasOrvus)worksbest.Dipastiff-bristledbrushinthebucketandbeginscrubbing,usingfirmcircularmotions,startingatthetopofthebodyandworkingdownwards.Useaclean,wetclothtowasharoundyourheifer’seyes,noseandears.Becautiousaroundthelegsassomeanimalsmaytrytokick.Scrubbothsidesofyouranimalandunderthebelly,workingthewaterandsoapintoalather.Payspecialattentiontothetopline,workingtowashoutallofthedirtandsweat,asthatwillmakeiteasierwhenyouareworkingwiththehairlater.Workyourwaydowntoscrubthehooves(carefully,toavoidgettingkicked),removingasmuchdriedmanurefromthemaspossiblebyscrubbingwithastiffbristledbrush.Becareful,becausesomeanimalsaresensitivewiththeirfeet,especiallyaroundthehoofhairline.
Thoroughlyrinsethesoapoutfromtheheadandworkyourwaydowneverypart,includingthebelly,tailandhooves.Ifyoudon’tgetallthesoapwashedout,itwillcreatedandruffanddryskinthatishardtogetridof.Again,takeextracaretoensureallsoapiswashedoutoftheanimal’stopline.Ifyourheifer’stailistangledafterwashing,youcanusesomeregularhairconditionertohelpdetangleit.Someshowmenalsoliketouseconditionerontheiranimals’toplinestohelpthehairstayintopcondition.Likewithsoap,ifyouuseconditioner,besuretothoroughlyrinseitout.
Oncerinsed,brushherswiftlytoremovetheremainingwater,usingeitheracleanstiff-bristledbrush,oryourwashbrushafterithasbeenthoroughlyrinsed.Aftergettingthetanglesout,holdtheswitchupsidedownandcombitwithatoplinebrushtogiveitafullerappearance.Remembertobrushthebellyasthatareatendstocollectwater.Yourheifershouldnotbedrippingwaterwhenyoutakeherbacktoherpenafterwashing.Thetoplinehairshouldbebrusheddownflatwiththegrainofthehairasthiswillmakeiteasiertostandupwhenitcomestimetofitherfortheshow.
Youshouldwashyouranimalwithsoaponceortwiceperweek,butitisagoodideatoatleastrinsethemoffdailywithwater,especiallyduringthewarmermonths,asthiswillhelpcoolthemdown,keepthemcleanandgetthemusedtobeinghandledregularly.Washingwithsoaptoofrequentlymaydryouttheskinandhair.
Fitting Your Animal
Animportantpartofexhibitingdairycattleisbeingabletoclipandpreparethemsotheylooktheirbestintheshowring.Clippingisoneofthemostimportantthingsyoucandotoyouranimal,asitimprovesitsstyleandoverallappearance.Notwopeopleclipexactlythesame,andnotallanimalsarealike.Worktodevelopyourownsystemandstyle;onceyouhavemasteredtheartofclipping,itwillbeextremelysatisfyingknowingthatyoupreparedyouranimalonyourown.Someshowswillevenincludeaclippingcompetitionforyouth.
Whenyoufirststartout,askforanadvisor’sassistance,havingthemcoachyouthroughtheprocess.Ifyouhaveaccesstomultipleanimals,practiceclippinganimalsthatarenotonesyouplantoshow,soyoucanexperimentwithyourtechniqueanditisOKifyoumakemistakes.Practicemakesperfect!Ifyouhavetheopportunity,watchanexperiencedshowmancliptheiranimals,payingattentiontohowtheyhandletheclippersandworkwiththehairindifferentpartsofthebody.
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Takingpropercareofyourequipmentisimportant,anddoingsowillensureitwilllastalongtime.Hereareafewbasicpiecesofequipmentyoushouldhaveinyourshowbox,andwhateachisusedfor:
•Largeclippers:Alargesetofclippersiswhatyouwillusetoclipmostofthebody,withtheexceptionoftheearsandtail.
•Smallclippers:Asmallsetofclipperstypicallyhavefinerbladesandwillclipthehairshorter.Theseclippersaretobeusedontheears,tailandtofinetunethetopline.
•Twosetsofblades:It’shelpfultohavemultiplesetsofbladesincasethesetyouareusingbecomesdullorbreaks.Moreadvancedfitterswillhavemultiplebladesthatwillclipthehairdifferentlengthsdependingonwhattheendgoalis.Readmoreaboutthisonpage17.
•Bladelubricant:Itisimportantforyoutosprayalubricant,suchasWD-40,onyourclipperbladesfrequentlytohelpthemstaycoolandsharplonger.
•Blowdryer:Theblowerwillbeusedtohelptheanimal’shairstandupwhenyouareworkingonthetopline.
•Extensioncords:Youwillwanttohaveatleastonegoodlengthextensioncord(3-prong,nothousehold)incaseyouhavetoclipinanareathatisnotclosetoanelectricaloutlet.
•Toplinebrush:Youwillwanttoonlyusethisbrushwhenworkingonthetopline,toensureitstaysclean.Thisstiff-tinedbrushwillhelptraintheanimal’shairtostandupwhenyouareworkingonthetopline.
•Hairadhesive:Astrongadhesive,suchasClearMagic,whichisformulatedspecificallyforuseincattle,willhelpthehairstayinplaceoncethetoplineisclippedandblownuponshowday.Thisproductisverystrongandshouldbeusedsparinglyuntilshowday;getadvicefromanexperiencedshowmanwhenlearningtoapplyhairadhesivetothetopline.
Beforetheshowseasonbegins,ideallyassoonasitbeginstostaywarminthespring,youshouldfullyclipyouranimal,removingherlongwintercoat.Thiswillallowthehairtogrowbackevenlywithaclean,healthyappearance.
Amonthorsobeforeyourfirstshow,beginworkingwiththeanimal’stoplinehair,trainingittostandup.Beginbywashingyourcalfwell.Whensheiscompletelycleananddry,youcanbeginblowinguptheanimal’stoplineandremovinganyremainingdampness.
Twodaysbeforetheshowyoushouldclipyouranimalforthefinaltime,gettinghertoplineclippedthewayyouwillwantittolook,soonshowdayallyouhavetodoisblowitupandsetitwithhairadhesive.
WORKINg WITH TOPLINE HAIR
Toblowuphertoplinehair,takeyourblower,andholditataslightangleagainstthetopline.Youshouldbeworkingupthehaironthesides,ratherthanbrushingstraightdownthetopofthespine.Becarefultomakesuretheblowerisprimarilyblowingagainstthehair,ratherthanthespine,oryouriskburningyourheifer’sskin.Placeyourtoplinebrushinfrontoftheblower,andpushthemtogetherdowntheback,encouragingthehairtostandonend.Thecleanerthehairis,theeasieritwilltrain.Youwillhavetodothisovertheareaseveraltimespersessiontotrainittostandupeasily.Again,donotletthehotairhityouranimal’sskinforanextendedperiodoftime,orleaveitinoneplaceonthehairfortoolong,oryou
Thearrowsonthisdiagramshowthedirectionyoushouldclipthehairtogoagainstthegrainofthehair.Thedarkgreyareaalongthebackisconsideredthe“topline.”Thelightgreyareasontheearsandtailshowwhereshorterbladesmallclippersshouldbeused.
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riskscorchingthehairand/orburningyouranimal’sskin.
Whilearegularblowdryercanwork,ifyouhavemultipleanimalsorplantoshowatmanyshows,itwouldbewisetoinvestinablowerdesignedforuseonlivestock.Manytimestheycomewithaspecialattachmentthathelpsdirecttheflowofairbetter.
THE BASICS OF BOdY CLIPPINg
Hereareafewhelpfultipsforgettingstartedclipping:
•Alwaysclipinawell-litareasoyoucanclearlyseewhatyouaredoing.
•Alwaysclipagainstthegrainofthehair.
•Clipslowly,takinglong,steadystrokes.
•Beginononesideoftheanimalandfinishitcompletelybeforemovingtotheother.
•Neverleaveyouranimalhalf-clipped;ifyouaregoingtostartclipping,besureyouwillhaveenoughtimetodothejobcompletely.
•Alwayskeepyourfreehandonyouranimaltohelpsteadyit,especiallywhenworkingaroundthelegs.Likeanyothertimeyouworkwithyouranimal,youdonotwanttostartleit.
Someanimalsdonotliketobeclipped,sobepatientastheyadjusttothenoiseandthefeelingoftheclipperblades.Forthepurposesofthisworkbook,wearegoingtorecommendworkingfrombacktofront,ascattleareusuallylesssensitivewhenworkingwiththeirbackend,anditwillgivethemmoretimetoadjusttobeingclippedbeforeyougetclosetotheirhead.Beforeyoustartclipping,blowuphertoplinehair,soyoucanbeingtoseehowitwilllookandstartblendingasyougo.
Beginnershowmenshouldhavetwosetsofclippers–onelargesetoflivestockclipperstobeusedonmostofthebody,andasetofsmallerclipperswithshorterblades(recommended:size30/0.5mmblade)tobeusedonthetailandears.Formoreguidanceonspecificclipperbladesizes,seethesection“TakingYourFittingtotheNextLevel”onpage17.
TAIL/RumP
Thetailshouldbeclippedthreetofourinchesabovethetopoftheswitchuptotherump.Ifyouhavethem,clipthetailwithyoursmallclippers,astheshorterhairwillhelpgivealeaner,moredairyappearance.Stopclippingupthebackofthetailwiththesmallclippersatthepointwherethehairbeginstoformaridge;youwillblendthatlateraspartofthetopline.Cliptherumpwithyourlargeclippers,leavingenoughhairbythetoplinesoitcanbeblendedinandyoucancorrectanyfaults.Clipoffanylonghairsonthevulvawithsmallclippers.
LEgS
Legscanbeoneofthemostdifficultareastoclip,becauseanimalstendtomove,andtherearemanydifferentcurvesandcrevicestogetaroundthehock.Becarefulwhenyouclipthelegs,asyouranimalmaykick,andkeeponehandonthecalf’sbodytomakeitfeelmorecomfortable.Whenclippingthefrontandrearlegs,allthehairshouldberemoveduptothebelly,includingtheinsideofthelegs.Takeyourtimeandexperimentwithdifferentwaysofanglingtheclipperstohelpyougetallthehair,especiallydownbythehoofline.Ifyouhaveapairofsmallclipperswithbladesthatclipthesamelengthasyourlargeclippers,theycanbyeasiertomaneuveronthelowerpartoftheleg.
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BOdY
Holdtheclippersparallelagainstthebodyofyouranimal,astheclipperbladesaresharpandyoudon’twanttocutyourheiferoryourself.Remembertoworkinlong,steadystrokesclippingagainstthegrainofthehair;don’tuseshort,choppystrokes.Cliptheentirebody,leavingtwotothreeinchesofhairneartheback,includingtheloin,chineandrump.Thishaireventuallywillbeblendedtoformthetopline.
Cliphairofffromthebelly,makingsureyouclipallthewayupthroughthebrisket.Someexhibitorsprefertoleavelongerhaironaheifer’sbelly.Ifyouhavetheopportunitytoworkwithanexperiencedshowman,youcanhavethemshowyouhowtoproperlyblendthebellyhairifyoudecidetoleaveiton.Ifyouareexhibitingamilkingcow,thebellyandudderwillneedtobeclippedtodisplaythemilkveins.Youwillwanttousesmallclippersontheuddertoremoveasmuchhairaspossible,aswellasalongthemilkvein.Askforassistancefromanexperiencedshowmanifyouareunsurewhattodowhenclippingamilkingcowforthefirsttime.
HEAd & NECK
Mostanimalswillnotlikehavingtheirheadsclipped,especiallyifitistheirfirsttime.Startbyclippingthebrisketandthroat,workingcalmly.Alwayshaveanadultassistyouwhenclippingtheheadtohelpyoucontroltheanimal.Cliptheheadandneckwithregularlargeclippers,andusesmallclippersontheinsidesandedgesoftheear.Donotuselargeclippersontheears.
Whenclippingtheneck,startinsidethepointofshoulder.Gostraightupfromthepointofshouldertothetopoftheshoulderblade.Keepingyourclippersatthesameangle,gostraightup;donotroundoffthetopofthewithers,asthatispartofthetopline.
Workingcalmlyandquietly,clipthehead,stillclippingagainstthegrainofthehair.Itissometimeshelpfulifyouhaveaccesstoheadlocks,asthehaltercanbemovedforeasieraccess.Youwilllikelyhavetoholdtheclippersinseveraldirectionstogetallofthehair,ascowsoftenhavealotofswirlsontheirforeheads.Cliptheentirehead,trimmingbehindthepollandclippingoffthewhiskers.Beextracautiouswhenworkingaroundyourheifer’seyes,andtakecarenottoaccidentallytrimoffhereyelashes.Youwillneedtoloosenupthehaltertogetthehairthatwashiddenbytherope.
TOPLINE
Clippingaheifer’stoplineisakeystepinpreparingforashow.Thepurposeofclippingthetoplineaspecificwayistoenhancetheanimal’sappearance,makingherlookstraightandsharpdownhertop.Ittakesagreatdealofpracticeandexperimentationtomasterthis,anditisbestifyoucanpracticefirstonanimalsthatyoudonotplantoshow.Itwouldalsobehelpfultofindsomeonewithexperienceclippingcattletohelpguideyouthroughtheprocessthefirsttime.
Makesureyourcalfisstandingonlevelgroundwithitsheadatthesamelevelitwillbewhenyouareshowingit.Itissometimeseasiestifyoucanhaveanassistantholdtheanimal,ratherthantyingitup.Startbyblowingtheheifer’stoplinehairupsoitisstandingup,asyouhadtrainedit.
Oncethehairisstandingup,beginbytrimmingstraightacrosssoshelookslevelfromherrumptoherwithers.Keeptwohandsontheclippersforstability.Youcanfinetunethelevelnesswhenyouaredoneblendingwithapairofscissors,ifneeded.
Next,beginwhittlingawayatthehairtogiveheranicelyblended,wedge-shapedtopline.Holdtheclipperswithonefingerheldbeneaththebladesasaguideandforbalance.Blendthestandinghairintothebodyoftheheiferusingaverylighttouch.Clipthehairalongbothsides(crops,shouldersandback)ofthetoplinecreatingawedgeshape.Takealittleoffatatimeasyoucanalwaysgobackandtakemoreoff.Remembertotrimonbothsidesofthetailhead.
Whenyouarefinished,thetoplineshouldlooksmooth,natural,andwell-blended.Ifitstilllooksroughandobviouswherethelongerhairsare,youshouldkeepworking.Youmayneedtostopatsomepointwhileyouareclippingandre-blowupthetoplinehairtoensureitisstandingstraightup.Whenyouarefinishedbrushyouranimalofftoseeifyoumissedanyspots.Ifyouhavesomeonehelpingyou,havethemleadthecalfasifyouwereatashowsoyoucanstandbackandmakesurehertoplinelookslevelandwellblended.Gettingthetoplineright,especiallywhenyouarefirstlearning,cantaketime,sobepatientanddon’trush.
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Washyourheiferagainafteryouarefinishedclippingtoremoveanydirtthatwasingrainedinherhide,loosehair,andtowashoutanyadhesiveproductsyouusedonthetopline.
TAKINg YOuR FITTINg TO THE NExT LEvEL
Asyouhoneyourskillsinclippingshowanimalsandbuildyourinventoryoffittingsupplies,youmaystarttolookforwaysthatyoucantakeyourskillstothenextlevel.Onethingthatmanyexperienceddairyfittersdoisusedifferentsize/lengthbladestoachieveamorerefinedlookfortheiranimal.Belowaresomeguidelinesfromexperiencedshowpeopleondifferentbladesyoucanworkwithandhowtousethem.
Asyoucanseefromthepicturesbelow,mostclipperbladescomeclearlylabeledwiththeirstandardlengths.Whenindoubt,consultwithasalespersonatyourshowsupplystoretobesureyouarepurchasingthecorrectbladeyouarelookingfor.Asmanyofthesebladeswillcutthehairveryshort,youshouldexperimentfirstonanimalsthatyouarenotplanningonshowing,untilyougetthefeelforhowthebladeswork,and/oraskforguidancefromanexperiencedfitterorshowperson.
•For the Body:Andisbrandsize31bottombladewithasize23topblade,orsomethingcomparableofadifferentbrand
•For the Head and Legs: Size10bladesonasmallclipper(cutshairto1.5mm)
•For the Ears:Size30bladeonasmallclipper(cutshairto0.5mm)
• For the Tail:Size30 bladeontheblackpartofthetailandsize40or50onthewhitepart.The40and50bladeswillcutthehairextremelyshort,andshouldneverbeusedonblackhairbecauseitwillmaketheskinappeargreyandbetoohardtoblend.Size40and50bladesshouldalsoneverbeusedforfittinganywhereonananimal’sbodyexceptthetail,andudderoncows.
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Completing Show Entries
Beforeheadingtoashow,thereisanotherimportantstepyouneedtocomplete–fillingoutandsendinginanentryform!Rulescanvarygreatlyfromshowtoshowandwithinthedairybreeds.Obtainacopyoftherulesfromeachshowyouareplanningtoenterandreviewthemthoroughly.Reviewthehealthrequirementsandcheckwithyourveterinarianforanyhealthtestsorpaperworkthatmayneedtobecompleted.
Forashow,allentriesaredividedintoclassesbyage.Showmanshipclassesaregroupedaccordingtotheexhibitor’sage(usuallyasofJanuary1,butchecktheshowrules).Conformationclassesaregrouped,bybreed,accordingtotheageofanimal.
Thefollowingisalistoftypicalclassesyouwillfindatmostdairyshows,listedyoungesttooldest.Alwaysverifytheofficialclassesyourshowisofferingintheshowrules.
1. Spring Heifer Calf–(alsoreferredtoasJuniorCalf)bornonorafterMarch1intheyearoftheshowandover4monthsofage
2. Winter Heifer Calf–(alsoreferredtoasIntermediateCalf)bornDecember1–February29intheyearoftheshow
3. Fall Heifer Calf–(alsoreferredtoasSeniorCalf)bornSeptember1–November30oftheyearpriortotheshow4. Summer Yearling Heifer–bornJune1–August31oftheyearpriortotheshow5. Spring Yearling Heifer–(alsoreferredtoasJuniorYearling)bornMarch1–May31oftheyearpriortothe
show6. Winter Yearling Heifer–(alsoreferredtoasIntermediateYearling)bornDecember1–February287. Fall Yearling Heifer–(alsoreferredtoasSeniorYearling)bornSeptember1–November308. Junior Champion, Reserve Junior Champion & Honorable Mention Junior Champion–(selectedfromfirstand
secondplaceanimalsfromSpringHeiferCalf–FallYearlingHeiferclasses)9. Junior Best Three–Consistsofthreefemalesallbredbytheexhibitorandshowninheiferclasses.Breedermust
ownatleastoneoftheanimals.Theownerofthedamatthetimeofbreedingisconsideredthebreederoftheanimal.
10. Milking Yearling Heifer–bornonorafterSeptember1(musthavefreshened)11. Junior Two-Year-Old Cow–bornMarch1–August31(musthavefreshened)12. Senior Two-Year-Old Cow–bornSeptember1–February28(musthavefreshened)13. Junior Three-Year-Old Cow–bornMarch1–August3114. Senior Three-Year-Old Cow–bornSeptember1–February2815. Intermediate Champion, Reserve Intermediate Champion & Honorable Mention Intermediate Champion–
(selectedfromfirstandsecondplaceanimalsfromMilkingYearling–SeniorThreeYear-OldCowclasses)16. Four-Year Old Cow–bornSeptember1–August3117. Five-Year-Old Cow–bornSeptember1–August3118. Six-Year-Old Cow & Older–bornbeforeSeptember119. 150,000 lb. Cow–Anyagemilkingcowproducingover150,000poundsofmilklifetime.Toparticipateinthis
class,youwillhavetobringalonganofficialmilktestingsheetverifyingherproduction.20. Three & Four-Year-Old Dry Cow–bornSeptember1–August3121. Five-Year-Old & Older Dry Cow–bornbeforeSeptember1,makingheroverfiveyearsoldattheshow22. Senior Champion, Reserve Senior Champion & Honorable Mention Senior Champion–(selectedfromfirstand
secondplaceanimalsfromFour-Year-OldCow–DryCow)23. Grand Champion, Reserve Grand Champion & Honorable Mention Grand Champion–(selectedfromwinnersof
theJuniorChampions,IntermediateChampionsandSeniorChampions)24. Senior Best Three–Consistsofthreemilkingfemalesallbredbytheexhibitorshowninclasses10-14and16-21.
Breedermustownatleastoneoftheanimals.Theownerofthedamatthetimeofbreedingisconsideredthebreederoftheanimal.
25. Group Classes–Manyshowshavegroupclassesdependingontheshowtheycouldinclude:ProduceofDam,Dam&Daughter,Exhibitor’sHerdandStateHerd.Checkshowrulestoverifywhichclasseswillbeoffered.
26. Champion Bred & Owned–Chosenfromthehighestrankinganimalbredandownedbytheexhibitor.27. Premier Breeder –Thishonoriscalculatedusingapointsystem.Eachclasshasaspecificpointvalueforeach
placing.ThebreederwinningthemostpointsisdesignatedPremierBreeder.Tobeconsideredthebreederofananimalyoumustownthedamatthetimeofbreeding.
28. Premier Exhibitor–Thishonoriscalculatedusingapointsystem.Eachclasshasaspecificpointvalueforeachplacing.TheexhibitorwinningthemostpointsisdesignatedPremierExhibitor.Tobeconsideredtheexhibitorofananimalyoumustcurrentlyownit.
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At the Show
Arriving at the Show & Herdsmanship
Beforeleavingfortheshow,makeachecklistofitemsyouneedtobringtotheshowandstartgatheringyoursupplies.Planaheadanddon’twaituntilthelastminutetodothis.Theshowboxchecklistonpage8wouldbeahelpfulplacetostart.Geteverythingtogetherinoneplaceandmakesureallyourequipmentisclean.
Givesomethoughttoyourexhibitpriortotheevent.Prepareasimpledisplayandsignsforalloftheanimalsthatwillbetiedinyourshowstring.Youwillhaveplentyofchancestotalktofairgoersaspeopleoftenliketostopandaskquestionsaboutyourcattleoragricultureduringthefair.Makeagoodfirstimpressionbyhavinganeatandcleandisplay.
Whenyouarriveattheshow,youwillbeassignedaplacetostallyouranimal.Youmaywanttoarrivebeforethecattletrailerdoestogiveyourselftimetosetupthedisplayandprepareyourcattlebed.Herdsmanshipisthecombinationofpreparingyourexhibitandcaringforyourcattlethroughouttheshow.Italsoincludesthewayyouinteractwithotherexhibitors,showofficials,andthegeneralpublic.Thepurposeistomakeyourcattlelooktheirbestatalltimes,outsideoftheshowring.Cattlethatappearcleanandcomfortablearethemarkofgoodherdsmanship.Thefollowingisanexampleofaherdsmanshipscorecard.
dairy Herdsmanship Scorecard for Cattle Shows
PREPARATION OF ExHIBIT 40
a. Adequatebeddingproperlypacked,front 10 higherthanrear,strawcleanandbright. b. Animalsattractivelyarrangedandcorrectly 10 spaced(neithertooclosenortoofarapart). c. Decorationsneatandattractive;well- 10 planned,notgaudyoroverdone. d. Appropriatesignsforeachanimal,displaying 5 completeinformation. e. Appropriatecolorscheme,background,tack 5 boxes;originality.
APPEARANCE ANd ATTITudE OF ExHIBITORS 15
a. Knowledgeable,courteous,friendly;ableto 10 answerquestionsabouttheexhibitandthecattle. b. Clothesandpersonneatanddressappropriate 5
CARE OF THE ExHIBIT 45
a. Cattleclean,well-groomed,neatandattractive 15 b. Aislescleanandneat,adequatewidthforvisitors. 10 c. Beddingcleananddry;showsevidenceof 10 frequentreworking,rearedgeneatandsquare. d. Feedandequipmentstoredneatlyoutofsightif 10 possible;equipmentclean.
See page 36 for an example show sign.
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HOW TO PREPARE A CATTLE BEd
Havingyourcattlebeddedproperlyisaveryimportantpartofhavingyourexhibitinorderatashow.Youwillneedashoveland/orrake,apitchfork,cleanstraw,shavings,andawheelbarrow.Itisimportanttoestablishafirmfootingforthecattlebed.Themorefirmlythebeddingispackedthebetteritwillbe.Useplentyofstrawandshavingswhenyoupreparethefirstbeddingasdoingaqualityjobthefirsttimewillsaveyoutimeandmoneyinthelongrun.Bright,cleanstrawwillalsoaddtotheappearanceofyourexhibit.
1. Ifondirtflooring,leveltheexistinggroundwithashovelandrake,andspraytheentireareawithflyspray.
2. Shakeoutthestrawcompletely,makingsuretherearenoclumpsorhardspotsinthebedding.Shakethestrawintosmallpiecesbyhand,andthenworkthebeddingwithafork,positioningitintheareayourcattlewillbetied.Makethefrontalittlehigherthantherearasthisdisplayscattleattheirbestwhentheyarestandinguphill.
3. Addinshavingsandpackthebeddingfirmlywithapitchfork.
4. Putdownasecondlayerofstrawandshavings,packingthemtogetherwithapitchfork.Whenyouarefinished,thepackshouldbeabout12inchesinheight.
5. Ifyouhaveaccesstoastrawboard(aflatpieceofboardattachedtoalonghandlethatisusedtocreateasquareedgeontheoutsideofyourpack),havesomeoneholditanduseapitchforktopackthestraw,creatingasquare,leveledge.
Maintainingyourpackthroughouttheshowtakeseffort,butitpaysoffasyourcattlewillbemorecomfortableandyourexhibitwilllookmuchbetter.Eachmorningattheshow,youshouldremovedirtyandwetbeddingandreplaceitwithfreshstrawandshavings,alongwithgettingridofanyuneatenhay.Whenyouranimalsstandupthroughouttheday,smoothandre-workthebeddingunderneaththemtokeepthecattlecomfortableandcreateamoreattractiveexhibit.Pickupanymanureordirtybeddingassoonaspossible,removingaslittlebeddingasyoucan.Ifyouhaveanextrapanorsmallbucketitmaybehelpfultokeepitbehindtheanimalsanduseittocatchanyfreshmanureorurine.Thatisaneasywaytokeepyourpackveryclean.Trytomaintainasquare,tidyedgetoyourpack,andsweepanyloosestrawfromyouraisletokeepyourareaneat.
Itisimportanttohaveproperspacingbetweencattlewhentheyaretiedinthepack.Iftiedtooclosetogether,theywillbecomeirritableandthereisahigherriskofthembecomingtangledorsteppingonandinjuringoneanother.Iftheyaretiedtoofarapart,however,theywillstandorliecrosswaysintheexhibitandmakeitdifficulttokeepthebeddingcleananddry.Tieallanimalssecurelywithaslipknotsotheycannotgetloose.Ifyouchoosetousenecktiesinsteadofahalterinthepack,two-waytieswitharound18to24inchesofropeworkbest.Putyoursmallestcalvesononeendofyourexhibitandworkuptothelargestanimalsattheoppositeend.Takespecialcaretoseethatyoungcalvesaretiedwheredraftswillnotaffecttheirhealth.Ifitisgoingtobehotinthecattlebarns,havinglargefansblowingontheanimalswillhelpkeepthemcoolandcomfortable.
Anattractivefarmexhibitatashow.
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ExAmPLE FAIR CHORE SCHEduLE
6:00 a.m. Arrive at fair, clean out pack 6:30 a.m. Wash heifer and water her on the way back to the pack7:00 a.m. Feed heifer and get her settled in12:30 p.m. Water heifer and take for exercise walk6:30 p.m. Water heifer and give evening feed8:00 p.m. Practice leading in the showring8:15 p.m. Water heifer and settle in for the night
gETTINg INTO A ROuTINE AT THE SHOW
Oncethecattlearriveontheshowgrounds,takethemtothewashracktoberinsedofforwashed.Itisimportanttogetcattlesettledintotheirnewenvironmentassoonaspossible.Mostcowswilltendtoliedownaftertheyhavebeenwashed.Allowthemplentyoftimetorestandgetcomfortableintheirnewenvironment.
Plantodochores(washing,cleaningthepack,feedingandwatering)atatimewhenfairgoersareleastlikelytobepresent.Morningchoresshouldbecompletedandtheexhibitreadyforvisitorsby8:00a.m.Afternoonchoresshouldbedoneinawaythatavoidsaisleblockageandcausesminimummess.Trytohaveallafternoonchoresdonebeforetheeveningfaircrowdarrives.Itisimportantforyouandthecattletoestablisharoutineattheshowandhaveasetscheduleoffeedingandwateringtimesthatareconsistentfromday-to-day.Yourcattleshouldhavehayinfrontofthematalltimes;agoodruleofthumbistogiveyourheiferasmallamountofhayeverytimeshestandsup.Feedinghersmallamountsconsistentlythroughthedayencourageshertoeatmorethanjustputtingalargeslabofhayinfrontofherinthemorning.Mostexhibitorsfeedheiferstheirgrainmixturetwiceaday(cowsaresometimesfedthreetofourtimesinaday).Havingadequatewaterisextremelyimportanttokeepingyouranimalhealthyandeatingattheshow.Cattleshouldbewateredatleastthreetofourtimesaday,especiallyifitiswarminthebarn.
Iftimeallowsandtheringisnotbeingused,findsometimetotakeyouranimaloutforsomeexerciseandlethergetusedtotheshowring.Thiswillhelpyouandyourcalfbecomefamiliarwiththesurroundingsandmakeyoulessnervousonshowday.
Littledetailscanmakeabigdifferenceintheappearanceofyourexhibit.Keeptheaislesbehindyourcattlecleanandneatatalltimes.Feedandequipmentshouldbestoredoutofsight.Ifyouhavetokeepyourhayattheexhibit,stackitneatly.Keepallequipmentintackboxeswhenitisnotbeingused.Someoneshouldbepresentattheexhibitatalltimes,ideallypeoplewhocanhelpkeepthecattlecleanandanswerdairyandagriculture-relatedquestionsfromvisitors.
What to Expect at the Show
Knowingwhereyouaresupposedtobeandwhencandoalottohelpyoustayorganizedandrelaxedatashow.Whileeachshowisdifferent,therearemanycommonalitiesthatarehelpfultounderstand.Thefollowingisarun-downofthevariousthingsyoumightencounteratmostshowsyouattend.
Whenyourcattlearriveyouwillneedtocheckthemin.Knowwhereyourhealthandregistrationpapersare,andhavethemavailableduringcheck-in.Therewilllikelybeanexhibitorsmeetingforyoutoattend.Youwillneedtogetyourexhibitornumbercardsfortheshow,whichareoftenhandedoutatanexhibitorsmeeting,oravolunteerwillcomearoundanddistributethemtoexhibitors.Onceyoureceiveyournumberputitinasafeplaceasyouwillneedittoenteryourclassonshowday.Ifyouareexhibitingmorethanoneanimal,writethenameoftheanimalonthebackofeachnumbersotheydon’tgetmixedup.Makesureyouknowwhattimetheshowisstartingandwhatorderclassesareinsoyouwillbereadyattherighttime.
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Mostshowsoffertwodifferenttypesofclassesforyouthtoparticipatein,showmanshipandconformationclasses.Inshowmanshipclasses,thejudgeisevaluatingtheexhibitors,ratherthanthephysicalstructureofthecattle,andtheirabilitytopreparetheircattleforshowandleadingtheanimaltoitsbestadvantage.Inconformation,judgesevaluatethephysicalappearanceofyouranimalandhowitcomparestothebreedstandard.Heifersareevaluatedontheirgeneralappearance,dairycharacter,feetandlegs,andsize;cowsarejudgedonframe,dairystrength,feetandlegs,andudder.Tolearnmoreabouthowdairycattlearejudged,refertotheHolsteinFoundation’sdairy Judging workbook.Knowingwhatthejudgeislookingforinidealanimalsisanimportantskillforallexhibitorstohave,andwillbeveryhelpfulwhenselectingyourprojectanimals.
Onshowday,listenforannouncementsastowhentheshowisgettingstartedandpayattentiontowhatclassisinthering.Youwillwanttomakeyourwaytoringsidewhiletheclasspriortoyoursisinthering.Avolunteeratringsidewilllikelycheckyouinfortheclassandinstructyouwhenitistimetoentertheringandinwhatorderyouaretoenter.Mostshowsprefercattletoentertheringfromyoungesttooldest,solistenforinstructionsatringside. Moreabouttheparticularsofhowyoushouldleadyouranimalswillbediscussedintheshowmanshipsection,butthereareafewgeneralthingstoknow.Youwillentertheringwithcattlecirclingclockwisearoundthering.Afterthejudgehashadsometimetoevaluatetheanimals,theywillsignalforyoutocomeintoaninitialside-by-sidelineup.Fromthere,thejudgewilltypicallystudytheanimalsalittlefurther,andthensignaltheexhibitorsintoasecondside-by-sidelineup,whichisusuallythefinalplacing.Someshowswillhaveaperson,calledaringman,intheringtohelpinstructexhibitorswheretolineup.
Whentheyhavefinishedplacingtheclass,thejudgewilltakethemicrophoneandgivereasonsfortheirplacing.Asthejudgegiveshisreasons,theclasswillleadout.Payattentiontowhatthejudgesayswhentheygivetheirreasons,asyoumightbeabletopickuponwhatyoucouldimproveforthenexttimeyouexhibityouranimal.
Ifyouaren’tsureoftheorderofclasses,lookataclasslist.Ifyouplacedfirstorsecondinyourclass,youwillwanttokeepyouranimalcleanandhalteredsoshewillbereadytogobackintocompeteinachampionclass.
Showmanship
Whenshowingdairycattle,exhibitorsareexpectedtofollowaspecificdresscode;whitepants,acollaredwhiteshirtandhard-toedshoes.Yourshirtshouldbetuckedinwithabelt.Youroverallappearanceshouldbeneat,soastonotdetractfromthegeneralappearanceofyouranimal.
Showmanshipistheoneareainwhichyoucanexcelregardlessofthecorrectnessofyouranimal’sconformation.Thegoalistokeepyourcalflookingherbestatalltimes,whilemakingitappeareffortless.Asyoustartworkingwithyourprojectanimalitisimportanttoknowwhatthejudgewillbelookingforintheshowmanshipclass.Thethreemainareasthatjudgesareevaluatingaretheexhibitor,thecleanliness,fitting,andphysicalconditionoftheanimal,andhowwelltheexhibitorisshowingtheanimaltoitsbestadvantage.Agoodanalogyforshowingyourheiferisthatyouare“escortingalady”aroundthering,andyoushouldtreatherassuch,walkingwithgraceandnotbullyingyouranimal.
ENTERINg ANd LEAdINg YOuR ANImAL IN THE RINg
Entertheringcirclinginaclockwisedirection,confidentandrelaxed.Leadyouranimal,walkingforward,fromtheanimal’sleftside,rememberingtohaveyourheifertakesmallsteps.Wheninthering,allofyourattentionshouldbeonyouranimalandthejudge.Don’tbedistractedbythingsgoingonoutsidetheshowring.Astheanimalsenterthering,thejudgewilltaketurnstalkingtoeachcontestantandexaminingeachanimal.Oncethelastanimalhasenteredthering,turntofaceyouranimalandbeginwalkingbackwards.a note to parent’s and leaders:Donotteachyourchild,nomattertheirage,towatchyou for signals on the outside of the ring. work with them at home so they can confidently show their animal on their own. Their focus in the ring should only be on their calf and the judge.
Thisexhibitorisleadinghercalfintothering,walkingforward.
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 23
Don’t“tailgate”theexhibitorinfrontofyou.Dependingonthesizeoftheringandnumberofanimalsintheclass,keepagooddistancebetweenyouandthecalfinfrontofyou(threetofivefeet),aswellaskeepingagooddistancebetweenyouandtheoutsideofthering(aroundthreefeet).Remember,theringneedstobelargeenoughsothateveryoneintheclassfitsandthejudgecanseealltheanimals.Neverpassananimalthatiswalkingmoreslowlyinfrontofyou,andneverblockthejudge’sviewofanotheranimal.Iftheanimalinfrontofyouisbeingunrulyandwon’twalkfortheexhibitor,itisacceptabletoassistthembygivingthecalfagentletapontheirthightohelpthemgetmoving.
Donotstopwalkingyouranimalintheshowringunlesstoldtobythejudge.Whenthejudgemovesbehindyouranimal,holdherheadupwithhernosepointedstraightahead,soherentirebackappearsstraight.Ifthejudgereachestofeelyourcalf’shide,turnherheadslightlytowardthejudge.
“Keeponeeyeonthejudgeandoneeyeonyouranimal”atalltimesintheshowring.Alwaysbeawareofwherethejudgeis,butbesuretobeattentivetoyouranimal,payingattentiontohowtheyarewalkingandhowtheylook.Worktokeepyouranimallookingherbestatalltimes,evenifyoudon’tthinkthejudgeislookingdirectlyatyou.
Ifyourcalfstartstoactup,staycalmandregaincontrol.Sometimeithelpstoholdyourhandinfrontofthemuzzletocalmthemdown.Whenitisyourturnforthejudgetoobserveyou,haveyouranimalset-upandsmile.Benaturalanddon’tfuss.
PuLLINg INTO LINE ANd WHAT TO dO WHEN YOu ARE THERE
Afterthejudgehasinspectedtheanimalsindividually,heorshewillbeginpullingexhibitorsinthecenteroftheringformingaline.Paycloseattentiontotheirinstructionsasmissingyourcommandmaycostyouseveralplaces;judgeswilloftenpointatexhibitorstosignalwhentheywantthemtocomeintoline.Oncethejudgesignalsyouintoline,turnandwalkforward,movingquicklybutgracefully.
Alwaysenterthelineupintheorderyouwereselected.Maintainanevenline–allanimalsinlineshouldhavetheirfrontfeetinastraightline.Don’tleavetoomuchextraspacebetweenyouranimalandtheonenexttoyou,nomorethanoneortwofeet.Whensettingyouranimalup,remembertosettherearfeetinthecorrectpositionrelativetothejudge.
Onceyouhaveyouranimal’slegspositionedcorrectlyandcomfortably,keepherthere!Sheshouldberelaxed,steadyandalert;yourrighthandcanbeplacednearthepointofshouldertohelpsteadyyourcalf.Whenthejudgewalksinfrontoftheline,theywillwanttoevaluatethefrontendsoftheanimals,soturnandfaceforwardwiththeleadinyourrighthandandtakeasmallstepbackandtothesidesothejudgecanhaveaclearview.Donotobstructtheanimalnexttoyouinlinewhendoingthis.
Heretheexhibitorsareleadingtheiranimalsintothelineup,walkingforward,andmakingastraightlinewithproperspacingbetweenanimals.
24 SHowrIng ready
ExamplesofPullingThroat
HANdLINg quESTIONS FROm THE JudgE IN THE RINg
Throughoutyourworkwithyourprojectanimal,youshouldlearnagreatdealofinformationaboutyourheifer.Thejudgewillmostlikelyaskyouquestionsinashowmanshipclassaboutyouandyourcalftofindoutjusthowmuchworkyouhavedoneandhowmuchknowledgeyouhaveaboutyouranimal.
Somebasicquestionsajudgemightaskare:
•Whenwasyourcalfborn?•Whatageclasswillyouranimalshowin?•Whoisyourheifersiredby?•Whatisyourheifer’sname?(Answerbyprovidingthefullregisteredname)•Howlonghaveyoubeenshowing?
Thejudgemayalsoaskyouspecificquestionssuchas,“Whatwouldyouwanttoimproveaboutyouranimal?”Thatiswhereyourdairyjudgingknowledgewillcomeinhandy,asthejudgewillwanttoknowifyouareawareofwhatyouranimal’sstrengthsandweaknessesare.
Moreadvancedshowmenshouldknowmilkproduction,calvingandbreedinginformation.Thereisalsoachancethatadvancedshowmenwillbeaskedtoswitchanimalswithanotherleadsman.Ifthishappens,exhibitorsshouldquicklyexaminetheirnewanimaltodetermineherfaultsbeforetakingthehalter,andthenexhibithertothebestoftheirability.
Mostimportantly,relax,smileandactnatural.Keepshowinguntilyoureceivearibbon,asthejudgemaychangehismindatthelastminute.Beagoodsportandcongratulateyourfellowcompetitors,nomatterwhattheendresult.
TIPS TO TAKE YOuR SHOWmANSHIP TO THE NExT LEvEL
Thereareafewcommonissuesdairycattlecanhaveintheringthatareeasilyremediedbyanattentiveshowman,andgoalongwaytoenhancetheappearanceofyouranimal.Itisalwayshelpfultoconsultwithanexperiencedshowmanwhenlookingforadviceonwaystohelpyourheiferlookherbestinthering.Herearesolutionstosomeofthemostcommonproblems:
• Extra flesh under the chin/neck, “beefy” appearing head - Someanimalshaveextrafleshontheirnecks,undertheirchin,whichmakesthemlooklessdairyandfeminineinthehead.Ifyourheiferhasextraflesh,youshould“pullthroat”tomakeherheadandneckappearcleaner.Theeasiestwaytodothisistopullupandholdtheskinbelowthejawinyourrighthandwhileyouholdthehalterwiththeleft.Ifyouintendtodothisatashow,practiceathomesothatbothyouandyourcalfbecomeaccustomedtoit.
• Holding tail up while walking -Thebestwaytotuckthetaildownistoreachbackwithyourrighthandandpushyourfingerdownintheindentbetweenthepinboneandthetailhead.
• Arching her back (sometimes referred to as “roaching”) - Tocorrectananimalfromarchingherback,gentlypinchdownthemiddleofherback,withfingersoneithersideofthetopline,soyoudon’tinterferewithit.
• Animals that are weak over the topline -Someanimalsthatareweakoverthechineorloincanbenefitfrombeingtouchedunderthebarreltogivethemsomelift.
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Holstein Foundation Recommended Showmanship guidelines
ThefollowingrecommendationsarebasedonthePurebredDairyCattleAssociation’smostrecentShowmanshipGuidelines,developedin2011,toserveasaquickreferenceforyouthcompetinginshowmanship,aswellasindividualsjudgingshowmanship.
The Exhibitor
dO THIS dON’T dO THIS
ApparelWearwhitepants,whitecollaredshirtandabeltWearhard-toe,hardsoleshoesBeneatandcleaninappearanceMinimizeaccessoriesoranythingthatwilldraw
attentiontoyouinsteadofyouranimal
BehaviorActnaturalSmileandenjoyyourselfBeattentivebutrelaxedExhibitgoodsportsmanshipbefore,duringand
aftertheclassisjudgedBecomfortablewiththeanimalyouareshowing,
evidencingyouhaveworkedwithyouranimalmanytimesbefore
Beringsidebeforetheclassbeginsandentertheringpromptlywhenclassiscalledin
KnowledgeKnowsomeimportantfactsabouttheanimal
youareshowingsuchasherbirthdate,sire,andcalvingdate
Knowtheanimal’sfaultsandtrytominimizetheirappearance;i.e.,pullthroat,pinchdowntoplineandtuckthetailhead
HalterUseaproper,leatherdairyshowhalterthatis
cleanandshinedShowhalterhasaproperfitwithnoseband
midwaybetweentheanimal’seyesandnoseHalterisheldfirmlyinexhibitor’slefthand,with
handinsideharnesswrappedaroundtheringwithafirmgriponthechain
Leadstraploopedloosely,heldinrighthand,keptclosetolefthand
Serious DiscriminationsIslatetoclassMinorinstancesofunsportsmanlikeconductStrikingtheanimalunnecessarilyWearinginappropriateshoesCarriesortalksonacellphoneHasfingersinringofhalterLeadstrapremovedfromchainorlooped&
fastened
Moderate DiscriminationsNotwearingwhiteclothingorshow-approved
professionalattireInappropriatedressthatbringsattentiontothe
exhibitorWearingclothingwithfarmorcommercial
advertising/logosChewinggumDoesnotknowbasicinformationaboutthe
animalsuchasbirthdate,freshdate,breedingdate,duedate,etc.
UnabletorecognizetypefaultsoftheanimalHalternotfittingorputtogetherproperlyHoldingtheleadstraptoofarfromthehalter
Slight DiscriminationsInappropriatehalterLeadstraptightlyloopedInappropriatesizeofcalfforcompetitor
26 SHowrIng ready
Appearance of the Animal
dO THIS dON’T dO THIS
CleanlinessAnimalisdryandclean,includinghooves,tail,
andinsideearsWhitespotsareaswhiteaspossible,evidencing
theanimalwaswashedregularly
ConditionAnimalisingoodhealthandcondition–neither
toofatortoothinAnimal’shoovesaretrimmedAnimalisdehorned
Grooming & ClippingAnimalisfullyandrecentlyclipped,including
headandlegsVaryingclippedhairlengthsarewell-blendedToplinehairisblownuponheifersTailswitchisbrushedandfluffedMuzzleiswipedclean
BehaviorAnimalshouldbewell-trainedtoleadandposeAnimalshouldbealert,butcalmwhentouched
orarounddistractions
Serious DiscriminationsAnimalcausingdisturbancestoothers
Moderate DiscriminationsDirt/dustinhaircoatDirt/waxinearsExcessiveuseofhairsprays,powder,hair
dressings,etc.Clippingtooearly;hairappearstoolongIncompleteclipping(legsorheadnotclipped)Excessiveclipping
Slight DiscriminationsMinorinstancesofanimalnothandlingwellFeetnotcleanedMuzzleisnotwipedcleanSwitchisnotbrushedandfluffedClippinglinesnotproperlyblendedIsnotalert
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 27
Showing the Animal to Its Best Advantage
dO THIS dON’T dO THIS
LeadingHoldtheanimal’sheadupatacomfortablelevel,
whereshelooksherbestEnterthering,circlingclockwise,walkingforward
ontheanimal’sleftsideWhenthelastanimalintheclassentersthering,
turntofacetheanimalandwalkbackwardsKeepagooddistancebehindtheanimalinfront
ofyou(approximately3to5ft)Keepagooddistancebetweenyouandthe
outsideofthering(approximately3ft)Movetogetherwithyouranimalinasteady
rhythm–nottoofastortooslowKeeponeeyeonyouranimalandoneonthe
judgeatalltimesBeawareofeverythinggoingonintheshowringRespondtoinstructionsfromthejudgeorofficials
quicklyWhencalledintolinebythejudge,turnandwalk
forwardsoyoucandosoefficientlyEnterthelineupintheorderyouwerecalledby
thejudge
PosingLineupwithotheranimalsinanevenline,
leavingadequatespacebetweenanimals(approximately1to2feet)
Ensuretheanimal’stoplineisstraightfromheadtotail
HavelegscorrectlyposedasquickaspossibleLegsshouldbecomfortablybeneaththeanimal
sosheisneithertooscrunchedorstretchedFrontfeetshouldbelinedupevenlyForrearlegsonheifers,positiontherearleg
nearestthejudgeback;formilkinganddrycows,positiontherearlegnearestthejudgeforward
Switchrearlegswhenthejudgemovesaroundtheanimal
Haveanimaltrainedtobackupbytouchinghershoulderorwithhalterpressure,sowhenhindlegsneedrepositioning,youcandosowithoutusingyourfeet
Whenthejudgecomestothefrontoftheanimal,turntofacethejudge
Showing the Animal to its Best AdvantageIftheanimalcarriesextrafleshonherneck,pull
theanimalsthroatwithyourrighthandtomakeherappearmoreclean-necked
Iftheanimalarcheshertopline,pinchitdowntomakeherappearmorestraightacrosshertop
Iftheanimalputshertailintheair,tuckthetailheaddown
Serious DiscriminationsFusseswithormovescalftotheextremePositioninganimal’srearlegsbysteppingonrear
feet
Moderate DiscriminationsUnabletoshowanimaltobestadvantageWatchingthejudgetoointentlySlowresponsetojudgeorringofficialInattentivenessOver-showingLeadingtooslowlyIstoofartooutsideorinsideofringIncorrectspacingtotheanimalinfrontwhenon
paradeDoesn’twalkquicklyintolineCrowdingorbumpingotheranimalswhenpulled
inlineFailuretomaintainastraightlineupUnabletobackupanimalLegsincorrectlyposedFailuretoswitchrearlegswhenjudgemoves
aroundtheanimalDoesnotkeepanimalstraightfromheadtotailHaselboworhandsupImproperheadcarriage,animal’sheadheldtoo
lowFailuretoholdthroatwhenneeded
Slight DiscriminationsMorethanaslighttouchtomoveanimal’sfront
feetExtraspaceinlineWalksslowlybackwardintotheringSidestepswhenleadingcalfHasstiffoutstretchedarmHaspoor,non-relaxedpostureImproperheadcarriage:animal’snoseistoohighAnimal’sheadisnotturnedslightlytowardjudge
whenhideisfelt
28 SHowrIng ready
Final Preparations on Show day
Showdayisexcitingforeveryoneinvolved,andthetimewhenallofyourhardworkandpreparationwillshine.Itwillbeabusytime,andyouwanttobewellpreparedsoyoucanworkcalmlytogetyouranimalandyourselfreadytogo.
Startbyrisingearlytogetagoodstartonasuccessfulday.Washyouranimalinplentyoftimesoitwillbecompletelydryforyourfinalpreparationsandtheshow.Thisshouldbecompletedatleasttwotothreehoursbeforetheshowstartssotheanimalwillhavetimetodry,eat,andyouwillhavetimetofinishgroomingandsettingthetopline.
Offeryouranimalplentyoffreshhayandfeedthemorningoftheshow,asshewilllookherbestwithaproperfillinherstomach.Manyexhibitorsfeedbeetpulpthemorningoftheshowtoaccomplishthis,alongwithseveraldifferenttypesofhay.Ifyou’regoingtofeedbeetpulponshowday,youdon’twantittobethefirsttimeshehasbeenexposedtoit,soifyouplantodothis,talktoanutritionistorotherexperiencedpersonaboutincorporatingitinherdailydietleadinguptotheshow.Ananimalthatisshallowwillneedtobefilledearlierthanadeepribbedoneasyoudonotwantyouranimaltoappeargauntfortheshow.Ifyouareshowingacow,youwillwanttotryandshowherwithafulluddertolookherbest;theidealamountofmilktohaveintheudderwillhavetobedecidedonthedaybeforetheshow.Aswitheverything,ifyouareexhibitingacow,orwantadviceonfeedingyourheiferonshowday,consultanexperiencedshowmanthatcanhelpwalkyouthroughit.
Allowyourselfplentyoftimetodofinalgroomingandfittingtoprepareforyourclass;thingslikecleaningearsandhoovescanbedonethedaybeforetheshow,orevenathomebeforegoingtotheshow.Hereisachecklist: • Clean the heifer’s ears –Cleantheinsideofyourheifer’searswithababywipeorcleantowelandrubbing
alcoholtoremoveanyvisibledirtorwax.Alsocleantheanimal’seartagsifneeded.
• Shine hooves –Makesurethatthereisnodriedmanureonyourheifer’shooves.
• Set topline –Blowupyourheifer’stoplineasyouhadpracticedanduseanadhesivetoensureitstaysinplacethroughtheshow.
• Brush off all dust and straw –Shortlybeforeenteringthering,useasoftbristledbrushtobrushoffanystrawordustfromyouranimal,andbesuretocheckthebellyforanystraw.
• Fluff the tail –Useacombortoplinebrushtofluffyouranimal’stail.Brushitstraighttogetanytanglesout,thenturnitupsidedownandbrushdownwardstogiveitafluffyappearance.
• Apply fly spray –Especiallyduringsummershows,youwillwanttosprayyourheifer’slegs,bellyandsideswithflyspraybeforeshegoesintheringtoensureshewon’tbebotherediftherearefliesaround.
• Wipe her muzzle –Useaclean,dryragtowipeyourheifer’smuzzlefreeofanyfeedorsalivashortlybeforesheentersthering.
• Properly fit leather show halter –Putyouranimal’sshowhalteronandmakesurethatitfitsproperlyandisneatandcleaninappearance.Thisshouldbedonelast,shortlybeforeyougointhering,asyoudonotwanttotieyourheiferupwithhershowhalteron.
Don’tforgettogetyourselfready!Giveyourselfenoughtimetoputonyourwhiteclothes,butdon’tgetinthemtooearlybecauseyoudon’twanttogetdirtybeforetheshowstarts.Youcanalwaysputapairofbiboverallsonoveryourwhitestohelpyoustayclean.Tuckinyourshirt,makesureyourshoesaretiedtight,andputonyourshowharnesswithyouranimal’snumberinsertedinit.
Listenforannouncementsandbesureyouareontimetoyourclass.Goodluck!
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 29
After the Show
Congratulations,youdidit!Fromeachshowyouwillbeabletotakehomewhatyoulearnedandimprovethenexttimeyouareinthering.Afteryouaredoneinthering,therearestillafewthingsthatneedtobetakencareof.
• Thankthejudge,showsuperintendentandvolunteers.
• Washyouranimalwithin24hoursaftertheshowtorinseoutanyfittingproductsused,especiallyinthetopline.Therearespraysspeciallyformulatedtohelprinseouthairadhesiveyoumaywanttoinvestin.
• Makesureyourequipmentiskeptcleanandorganizedaftereachshow,ensuringmanyyearsofuse. • Recordyourshowplacingsinyourrecords.
• Keepyourexhibitandanimalscleanandneatuntilyouarereleasedtogohome.Eventhoughtheshowisover,herdsmanshipandtidinessarestillveryimportant.
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Resources and Activities
• GrowthStandardRecommendationsforHolsteinHeifers
• DairyProjectHealth&ManagementRecordWorksheet
• DairyProjectBudgetWorksheet
• ExampleShowSign
Holstein Foundation, Inc. 31
Growth Standard Recommendations for Holstein Heifers Adapted from Pennsylvania State University’s Monitoring Dairy Heifer Growth Publication, 1998
http://www.das.psu.edu/research-extension/dairy/nutrition/pdf/ud006.pdf
Utilizing this Information The information below is provided to help you develop benchmarks as to how well your dairy heifer is growing. Several percentile categories are noted. For example, if you heifer falls into the 5th percentile for weight, that means that 95% of Holstein heifers the same age as her weigh more. If she is in the 95th percentile for weight, she weighs more than 95% of Holstein heifers her age, and 5% of Holstein heifers will weigh more than her. As it is desirable for show animals to be well grown for their age, you would want your heifer to fall above the median weight and height for their age, with the higher percentile ranges being more preferable. The following are provided as general guides based on university research; there are no hard rules for exact height and weight specifications for show heifers. Remember – having a structurally correct animal that is well grown for her age is more desirable than an extremely tall heifer that is not as structurally correct. For recommendations on growth standards for other breeds, visit the link above.
Weight Table Wither Height Hip Height
Age (mo)
5th %ile
25th %ile
Median 75th %ile
95th %ile
1 82 102 119 136 143 2 113 149 161 189 238 3 149 182 211 234 284 4 189 234 258 284 339 5 218 275 311 339 411 6 266 320 369 422 480 7 301 369 422 468 542 8 330 422 468 530 603 9 379 468 530 596 705 10 422 517 575 653 776 11 445 556 638 712 776 12 504 596 682 760 843 13 504 660 728 809 913 14 542 697 776 878 1026 15 582 744 843 931 1067 16 653 826 913 988 1096 17 682 860 931 1026 1191 18 744 895 969 1066 1191 19 776 913 1007 1086 1279 20 776 950 1066 1170 1302 21 792 988 1086 1191 1372 22 843 1026 1148 1235 1420 23 809 1066 1148 1279 1420 24 776 1026 1170 1301 1545
Age (mo)
5th %ile
25th %ile
Median 75th %ile
95th %ile
1 29 30 31 33 33 2 30 32 33 34 37 3 31 34 35 36 38 4 33 35 36 38 40 5 34 37 38 39 42 6 36 38 40 41 44 7 37 40 41 43 45 8 38 41 43 44 47 9 39 42 43 45 47 10 41 43 45 46 49 11 42 44 46 47 49 12 43 45 47 48 51 13 43 46 47 49 51 14 44 47 48 50 52 15 43 47 49 51 53 16 46 48 50 51 53 17 46 49 50 52 54 18 47 49 51 52 54 19 48 50 51 52 54 20 47 50 51 53 57 21 48 50 52 54 56 22 49 51 52 54 57 23 49 51 53 54 57 24 48 52 53 55 57
Age (mo)
Hip Height (in)
2 36 – 40 3 37 – 41 4 39 – 42 5 40 – 44 6 42 – 45 7 43 – 46 8 44 – 47 9 45 – 48 10 46 – 49 11 47 – 50 12 48 – 51 13 49 – 52 14 49 – 53 15 50 – 53 16 51 – 54 17 51 – 54 18 52 – 55 19 52 – 55 20 53 – 56 21 53 – 56 22 53 – 56
32 Showring ready
Dairy Project Health & Management Record Worksheet
Animal Name & ID Number: _________________________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: ______________________________ Date Acquired as Project: ________________________________________
Weaning Date: _____________________________ Date Dehorned: ________________________________________
Date Vaccination or Illness Treatment Length of Treatment
Age (mo) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Height (inches)
Weight
Age (mo) 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Height (inches)
Weight
Breeding & Calving Record Progeny Record
Date Bred Service Sire Due
DateCalving
Date Remarks Sex of Calf ID # Remarks
holstein Foundation, inc. 33
Dairy Project Budget Worksheet
Summary of Expensesexpenses are any money that you spend associated with your project. we will break expenses down into several categories to make it easier to see where your money is being spent, and possibly discover opportunities for savings. when writing your descriptions of expenses, be specific.
Equipment Expenses - including housing, fitting, and any other related general expenses
Date Description of Expense Cost
TOTAL EQUIPMENT EXPENSES
Health/Medical Expenses – including veterinary bills, vaccinations and medicine purchased
Date Description of Expense Cost
TOTAL HEALTH/MEDICAL EXPENSES
©2012 Holstein Foundation, Inc.
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Dairy Project Budget Worksheet
Feed Expenses: any feed purchased; be specific and note amount purchased each time
Date Description of Expense Cost
TOTAL FEED EXPENSES
Other Miscellaneous Expenses: including fair entry fees and any other uncategorized expenses
Date Description of Expense Cost
TOTAL OTHER EXPENSES
©2012 Holstein Foundation, Inc.
holstein Foundation, inc. 35
Dairy Project Budget Worksheet
Overall Budget SummaryUse the information you have compiled on the previous pages to complete the blanks below.
Summary of Income
Projected Dairy Project Income $__________________
examples of income would be show/fair premiums, sale of your project animal’s milk or offspring, or the sale of
your project animal.
Summary of Expenses
Total Equipment Expenses $__________________
Total Health/Medical Expenses $__________________
Total Feed Expenses $__________________
Total Other Expenses $__________________
Total Dairy Project Expenses $__________________
Net Income (Income-Expenses) $__________________
How important is it to you to have a positive net income at the end of the project year? What are some things you
could do to increase your total income? _____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Value of Assets An asset is an item that you own and have available to use, which could be sold for income. When embarking on a
long-term project like a dairy cattle project that may require expensive equipment or animal purchases, at the end
of the year it is important to not only consider your income for the year, but also the value of your assets you have
for the next project year - things you purchased and have in inventory for future use.
Estimated value of animal(s) owned at end of project year $__________________
Value of clipping/fitting equipment owned $__________________
Value of other general equipment owned $__________________
Total Value of Assets $_____________
©2012 Holstein Foundation, Inc.
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