Jake’s Show Heifer
Thursday, April 8th, 2010
Jake and Sugar
Cross Creek Cattle Company does more things than raise healthy and delicious grass fed beef. We also raise award-winning show animals. In the past our heifers have placed very high in the big Texas shows like San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth. When they competed in Beefmaster futurities, they also did great.
If you did not already know, a futurity is like a beauty pageant for cattle. And, if you are interested in seeing all the awards our show heifers have won, then check out our Braggin’ Rights page.
Jake, my eight year old son, is enjoying his first year in 4-H. He and my other two older children are all members of 4-Hers-on-the-Brazos, which meets in Plantersville.
Jake decided he wanted to show a heifer for the first time. My father, Kenton Holliday, graciously offered Jake the pick of the herd. Of course, I advised Jake to listen to PawPaw explain what qualities to look for in a choosing a show-quality calf. Jake learned and with PawPaw’s help chose an excellent heifer.
He named her “Sugar.” We had to separate her from the herd because a grass fed heifer will probably not stand a chance against a grain-fed heifer in the show ring. If you have ever been to a cattle show, you know that fat cows win. Judges like them plump and filled out all over. We are feeding this heifer free-choice creep feed.
Because Jake decided to show a heifer a little later than most, he is having to halter break a much bigger heifer than we would normally recommend. She weighs at least three times what Jake weighs, if not more. He has had a difficult time, but all his hard work is beginning to pay off.
She leads well now. He is trying to get her to set-up for the pretend judges in our round pen. He rubs her belly, back, and neck with his show stick. It is a long stick with a hook at the end. Sugar really enjoys the scratching and rubbing.
The problem that Jake is working on now is getting Sugar to come to him. Catching her is a game that I think she enjoys. Once caught, she does well. The other day she kicked him hard in the arm when he reached to get her halter. He had a bruise for a week.
Jake knows that he has to work hard to get her ready for the show ring. He is enjoying raising a show heifer. He likes a challenge. Luckily, he is committed to the end. Hopefully in June, Sugar and Jake will stand proud and do well for the judges. I know one thing, everyone hear at Cross Creek Cattle Company is rooting for the both of them.
