130 likes | 311 Vues
SELECTION OF A MARKET BEEF ANIMAL. CHAD MURNIN MARCH 25, 2005. Ask yourself a few questions!! . Why should I do a market beef project? What are my goals? What do I want to achieve? What is the benefit relative to the cost?. Where and how will I start my project?. Home Raised or Purchased?
E N D
SELECTION OF A MARKET BEEF ANIMAL CHAD MURNIN MARCH 25, 2005
Ask yourself a few questions!! • Why should I do a market beef project? • What are my goals? • What do I want to achieve? • What is the benefit relative to the cost?
Where and how will I start my project? • Home Raised or Purchased? • What is my budget? • Will the cattle at home fit the criteria needed? • What is my experience level?
Where and how will I start my project? • Where will I get my steer/Heifer? • How much assistance will I need? • If purchasing find a reputable breeder that can help you along the way. • Halter Broke/Started/Not • Vaccinated? Wormed? • Ask at purchase time if customer service continues beyond the sale.
When is my market beef show? • Age of the animal selected is very important! • Late summer shows require different ages than wintershows! • Spring born calves work for July to September shows. • Summer born calves work for winter shows. • Fall born calves work for spring shows. • Winter born calves work for late spring shows. • Size of the individual should be thoroughly considered! • What is too small? • What is too big?
What are the important factors in selection? • Look to the end before you start at the beginning. • Market Steer Placing Factors • 1. Muscle • 2. Market readiness/Finish • 3. Balance/Structure/Eye Appeal
What are the important factors in selection? • Docility • Does my animal fit my experience level? • Age/Size • Structure • Often leads to efficiency problems. • Body Capacity • Capability to Grow • Frame Size-Expected End Weight • Its hard to be able to show if you can’t make weight.
Isn’t Muscle #1? • Find a steer that is muscular. • Top and Hip • Forearm and Stifle • Don’t sacrifice important factors to gain an abundance of muscle. • Big butts will be overruled if they can’t walk! • Remember there are other placing factors besides muscle as well.
Other Important Factors • Bone • Remember how bone sandwiches taste! • Hair? • Will you use it or need it? • Hair is comprised of two things, genetics and elbow grease. • Look • Level Made • Long Bodied • Thin Necked • Smooth Shouldered • Cleanliness of Sheath • Refinement of Tailhead
EXAMPLES • LOOK • MUSCLE
Don’t Single Trait Select! • You can go overboard!!
QUESTIONS????? GO RAMS!!!!!