Dehorning - Show Steer - ?????

[pineywoods1]

Good morning all.  Great forum here.  We have a quick question.  We have a black brangus show steer, very good calf, has won reserve and champ at several little jackpot shows in and around our area in SE Texas area.  Breeder we got him from said if we are going to keep him Brangus class, we need to leave the little slick spots alone where the horns are, Ag teacher and several people at the shows have said get rid of them.  Vet says keep them if we want to keep him Brangus.  We are at a loss.  With the end of the year coming and major shows coming up, we need to make a decision quick, but this is a new thing to us.  He has obvious slick / horn spots on both side, nothing sticking out, but they're there about the size of a half dollar with no hair.  When fitted out, the grey/white horn spots stick out like a sore thumb.  We blacked them out at a show 2 weeks ago with black paint and he did fine in the American class but didn't even get a look in the overall show.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  We are new at this American class so anyone with suggestions/opinions with experience with these would be greatly appreciated.  Take care.

 

[chambero]

I don't mess with American cattle much, but as long as they aren't "ugly" as in making his head an ugly shape, leave them alone.  I'm pretty sure if you dehorn you'll get thrown into the ABC classes.  As far as "coloring" them, use a big black Sharpie marker.  If you keep them black they'll stain and stay that way.  Works much better than paint.

 

[pineywoods1]

I appreciate that input.  That's exactly what the breeder said.  We definately want to keep him Brangus.  I'll do the Sharpie thing this evening and keep putting it on.  Yea, that black paint lasted about an hour.  Thank you and take care.

 

[Tallcool1]

I don't mess with American cattle much, but as long as they aren't "ugly" as in making his head an ugly shape, leave them alone.  I'm pretty sure if you dehorn you'll get thrown into the ABC classes.  As far as "coloring" them, use a big black Sharpie marker.  If you keep them black they'll stain and stay that way.  Works much better than paint.

SHARPIE MARKER!!!  I have never heard of that...That is great advice. 

Thanks.

 

[rackranch]

Here are the rules.. I would follow Chambero's advice..G-Luck

http://animalscience.tamu.edu/files/2012/04/Texas-show-steer-classifications.pdf

 

[pineywoods1]

I appreciate the link to those rules.  Boy, that really clears it up.  Leave those scurs alone, otherwise he's disqualified as a Brangus.  Greatly appreciated.