Clipping/Fitting Breeding Heifers

[savaged]

I'm getting different opinions about how to clip and fit for breed heifer shows.  Some say make em' as clubby as possible (i.e., wide, square, harder angles), an others say to soften em' up (i.e., not as wide-topped, less angular in the stifle, smaller-boned legs.

So what differences are recommended when clipping breeding heifers versus market animals?

 

[BCCC]

I would say soften them up, other wise you will hear "this heifer should be showing in the market class today", "this heifer is just to steery look to win today", just my opinion. I kind of compromise. I like the way big boned cattle look, take off just enough to make their joints look smooth. however I will take off more hair of the top and rear. 

 

[rtmcc]

We clip the breading hfr.s  a little softer, depending on the breed. (i.e. an angus hfr was not meant to look like a Heatwave)  Sometime it helps to do a little research on the judge.  Is he/she a purebred breeding stock producer, a clubby guy, etc..  Most judges want them to look like what they think is their best one at home or for their respective discipline. 
<cowboy>

 

[Cattledog]

We clip the breading hfr.s  a little softer, depending on the breed. (i.e. an angus hfr was not meant to look like a Heatwave)  Sometime it helps to do a little research on the judge.  Is he/she a purebred breeding stock producer, a clubby guy, etc..  Most judges want them to look like what they think is their best one at home or for their respective discipline. 
<cowboy>

Agreed.  However, I have yet to find an angus heifer that looks like a Heatwave! ;D  I raise angus and the type that seems to be predominantly win are the ones that have a little bit of that cow look in a stylish package.  Heifers need to have a soft look.

 

[rtmcc]

Cattledog, no we haven't found or raised an Angus that looks like a Heatwave either.  Not sure that we want to.  But some guys will clip the hocks so tight and try to make every thing look like one.  I agree, breeding females need to look like females and market animals, steers or heifers, need to look like a carcass on the hoof in a pretty package.

 

[shortyjock89]

I like to find a compromise, and also fit them based on who the judge is.  If I have one that is maybe a little steery, I'd fit her and clip her out a little softer and less extreme if we're at NAILE or some other big show, but if we're at a Jackpot, that clubby heifer is gonna look like a steer. If we have a more cowy one, she gets clipped a little more extreme at most shows, because we want the heifers to look like a group in our stalls, not just a hodgepodge of types.  I think that makes a difference too when you're trying to sell the calves you're showing.