how to become a cattle jock
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Jacob B
Well-known member
Put a tiny saddle on a cow and get some tights, then hop on
Get a job scooping manure and washing and blowing out cattle and take it from there. When they start trusting you with clippers beyond shaving heads and you have black paint overspray on your face and dirty pants with really dirty knees, you will be a cattle jockey. (lol)
mark tenenbaum
Well-known member
Get some good embryos -raise the calves-sell the calves And all that goes with it-and learn to use the Mayan Calender for birth dates If your market is limited to one type or breed-Than you will have a hard time even becoming A JUNIOR VARSITY CATTLE JOCK O0
mark tenenbaum
Well-known member
Jacob B said:
DLD
Well-known member
I guess everyone’s definitions vary. To me, clipping/fitting makes you a fitter not a jock. Raising them makes you a breeder. Trading them makes you a jock.
Granted many people do fall into 2 or all 3 of those categories.
But yeah, I’d say the tiny saddle and tights would qualify, too. Remember - pics or it didn’t happen... (lol)
Granted many people do fall into 2 or all 3 of those categories.
But yeah, I’d say the tiny saddle and tights would qualify, too. Remember - pics or it didn’t happen... (lol)
I would agree with DLDs assessment but I would add one additional thing that was also touched on in a previous post. If you don't already, learn how to lie really well. :
Although there are exceptions, unfortunately, dishonesty is very prevalent among "cattle jocks".
Although there are exceptions, unfortunately, dishonesty is very prevalent among "cattle jocks".CAB
Well-known member
First of all ouch RFSC, BURN!! ???
Hey SKA, have you read all of the related topics that are listed below, and next JUST DO IT. <rock>
Hey SKA, have you read all of the related topics that are listed below, and next JUST DO IT. <rock>
Jacob B
Well-known member
If it’s experience you want I know there are sale cattle out there all over the place that need rough clipped. The more dirty, unworked hair u have to chop through the more you will appreciate the ones that are well cared for and ready to be clipped
Mostly, this comes down to hard work, and a willingness to work on the cattle nobody else wants to.
When I was a puppy, I wanted to be a steer trader in the worst way. It was the only thing I truly loved to do. I took every second of work that I could get. I didn't care when, where, or what, I was willing to do it. I clipped bull sales, worked the wash rack for some of the bigger club calf sellers, hauled cattle to consignment sales, ran a blower until my arm was ready to fall off, and the list goes on. Probably the thing that made the biggest difference was going to Denver back when the club calf pen show was a big deal.
I would go out there with a pure bred guy that was showing pens of bulls in the yards. That got me out to Denver. When I was done with the pure breds, I would go work on club calves. In 10 days, I was able to meet a LOT of people, and clip and fit a lot of good cattle. But again, I was willing to clip and work on anything. Pretty soon, I was getting calls to clip club calf sales and fit at some of the bigger shows.
After all of that clipping and working my ass off, I finally figured out the difference between a Good steer, a Bad steer, and a Great steer. Repetition and time teaches you to find the calf that there was money to be made on. I started buying cattle at the sales I was working. One steer in particular, I identified as being one of those really good calves that was green and skinny. I bought the calf for like $2,500. The next day I went back to pick up my calf and get paid for working that week. I doubled my money on the steer, AND got paid for working...and never loaded the steer on my trailer.
That was my last day of being a cattle jock.
ska, I admire your determination and your enthusiasm. There are a very few people in the nation that can make a living doing nothing but trading steers. Most people that do this have another form of income. It is a lot like watching a professional athlete. Everyone watches Goretska, Rodgers, Bremer, Jones, Stoltz, and the list goes on...at the shows. Nobody watches the rest of what they do the other 300 days out of the year. It is the things that you do that nobody sees that make you successful. It isn't glamorous and it is extremely hard work.
Start buying embryos (expensive good embryos) and raising these things. You raise enough of them, and you will get some GREAT ones. People will line up to buy your steers, but more importantly...the traders will line up to consign your steers. You want to be famous...that is the path that I would take!
When I was a puppy, I wanted to be a steer trader in the worst way. It was the only thing I truly loved to do. I took every second of work that I could get. I didn't care when, where, or what, I was willing to do it. I clipped bull sales, worked the wash rack for some of the bigger club calf sellers, hauled cattle to consignment sales, ran a blower until my arm was ready to fall off, and the list goes on. Probably the thing that made the biggest difference was going to Denver back when the club calf pen show was a big deal.
I would go out there with a pure bred guy that was showing pens of bulls in the yards. That got me out to Denver. When I was done with the pure breds, I would go work on club calves. In 10 days, I was able to meet a LOT of people, and clip and fit a lot of good cattle. But again, I was willing to clip and work on anything. Pretty soon, I was getting calls to clip club calf sales and fit at some of the bigger shows.
After all of that clipping and working my ass off, I finally figured out the difference between a Good steer, a Bad steer, and a Great steer. Repetition and time teaches you to find the calf that there was money to be made on. I started buying cattle at the sales I was working. One steer in particular, I identified as being one of those really good calves that was green and skinny. I bought the calf for like $2,500. The next day I went back to pick up my calf and get paid for working that week. I doubled my money on the steer, AND got paid for working...and never loaded the steer on my trailer.
That was my last day of being a cattle jock.
ska, I admire your determination and your enthusiasm. There are a very few people in the nation that can make a living doing nothing but trading steers. Most people that do this have another form of income. It is a lot like watching a professional athlete. Everyone watches Goretska, Rodgers, Bremer, Jones, Stoltz, and the list goes on...at the shows. Nobody watches the rest of what they do the other 300 days out of the year. It is the things that you do that nobody sees that make you successful. It isn't glamorous and it is extremely hard work.
Start buying embryos (expensive good embryos) and raising these things. You raise enough of them, and you will get some GREAT ones. People will line up to buy your steers, but more importantly...the traders will line up to consign your steers. You want to be famous...that is the path that I would take!
ok thanks!! I just kind of want to clip some cattle and Maybe make a little money of of it.The hard part of it all is getting someone to trust you to work on their animal. I can pull a leg and cip pretty good, I just want to start fitting and clipping other animals more. I just don't know what the next step would be. I mean I fitt a couple steers at our county fairs and Maybe a goat here and there but I want to fitt more steers at jack pots and stuff. again i just dont know what steps to take next..
thank you to all who are trying to help me! much appreciated!!! <beer>
thank you to all who are trying to help me! much appreciated!!! <beer>
My comment wasn't pointed in any specific direction but you all know what I am talking about. There are reputable people in this business (a few listed) that I do not place in the category of "cattle jock". They are business people and conduct themselves in that way. However, deception and dishonesty are also prevalent in the show cattle arena. We've all seen some eager, enthusiastic unsuspecting person that is wanting to do good and be competitive be taken to the cleaners!
I realize this is getting a little off subject and all the young man really wants to do is clip & fit more. To that I would agree with some of the other comments and be willing to do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door with someone. Be a sponge around those people who are known for getting it done and their cattle are usually around the backdrop. My son picks up some help at shows from time to time and most want to be paid top wages for little work. Most are also not willing to "perfect their talent". They all want to fit the show side rear leg whether they are capable of it or not. Be willing to do whatever that person that is paying you wants and stick to it till the job is done. He has had guys sign on and just disappear sometime during the show day only to re-appear late in the day expecting to get paid.
And Remember, whether you have called a May heifer a September, or said a steer was out of a popular bull that is producing high dollar calves when he is actually out of the clean-up bull, or juiced one up on Banamine, Dex or Ace just to get him on some ones trailer. A lie is a lie and there is no such thing as too much integrity!
I realize this is getting a little off subject and all the young man really wants to do is clip & fit more. To that I would agree with some of the other comments and be willing to do whatever it takes to get your foot in the door with someone. Be a sponge around those people who are known for getting it done and their cattle are usually around the backdrop. My son picks up some help at shows from time to time and most want to be paid top wages for little work. Most are also not willing to "perfect their talent". They all want to fit the show side rear leg whether they are capable of it or not. Be willing to do whatever that person that is paying you wants and stick to it till the job is done. He has had guys sign on and just disappear sometime during the show day only to re-appear late in the day expecting to get paid.
And Remember, whether you have called a May heifer a September, or said a steer was out of a popular bull that is producing high dollar calves when he is actually out of the clean-up bull, or juiced one up on Banamine, Dex or Ace just to get him on some ones trailer. A lie is a lie and there is no such thing as too much integrity!
Get your equipment so that it will all fit in an easy to carry tool box. (one on wheels with a handle is great). Make a few business cards with your phone number on them. Keep your equipment and your cards with you at all times. When you get to a show walk through the barn and introduce yourself to anyone and everyone around the cattle. Let them know that you are looking for anyone that needs some fitting help and hand them a card. Tell them you will be around all day and to text or call you if they know of anyone.
Have your prices on the tip of your tongue when someone asks. $xxx per head or $xxx per day and what that includes. (fitting, clipping, hair prep, after show breakdown, wash rack...... whatever you want.
One thing I like today is guys that have a "square" to take credit cards. Not everybody has cash these days and don't take checks from anybody you know.
Have your prices on the tip of your tongue when someone asks. $xxx per head or $xxx per day and what that includes. (fitting, clipping, hair prep, after show breakdown, wash rack...... whatever you want.
One thing I like today is guys that have a "square" to take credit cards. Not everybody has cash these days and don't take checks from anybody you know.
