how big is too big on the weight card

[Bradenh]

i have a steer that will show next month and he is biggggggg (yellow jacket of course), he will be about 1400 at show and i was wondering if we put 1360 on his card, is that too much from a judges perspective? like what card weight does it start to become a turn off and him say the calf is too big?

 

[showsteerdlux]

Do you not have a weigh back after turning in that card?
Typically wb is 4% either way. This would allow you to be as heavy as 1414....... So to answer your question, that should work.

 

[Bradenh]

We have 60 lbs. But as a judge what do you call " too heavy"

 

[showsteerdlux]

Depends on the calf. If he is super long spined and finished then most will be willing to go a little higher. I wouldn't see a problem with a slick show having a big powerful long spined calf weighing 1350.

 

[vc]

Most your steers at at the majors that go by weight are heavier than they weigh in at, not to many true 1350 pounds steers in the 1350 class, if his frame carries the weight and he has balance to him, you should be fine, just depends on the judge. Have heard a judge tell someone that had they let the calf grow to his potential instead of holding him for a weight range he could have been in the final drive.
We showed a steer 2 years ago that tipped the scales at 1410 at home and weighed in at 1342 at the fair, he went on to be reserve. (we do not have a weigh back)

 

[Bradenh]

he is EXTREMELY LONG and still covers his tracks, he wont be much over 1400 at fair i dont think, for a yellow jacket id say he is as finished as he will get. just needs some depth but he is a pretty nice steer in my mind just alot of bone, spine, and weight too him

 

[chambero]

Turn him in at a weight to be toward bottom of your heaviest class

 

[sawboss]

My oldest son won Reserve Grand Champion at county with a 1400 lb. Heat Wave, long spined, huge bone and it took all 1400 lbs. to make him look spot on finished.  Then again youngest son won Grand Champion with a 1250 lb. steer at same show and carried more finish than the 1400 lb'er.  To me the bottom line is not the weight, but the weight where they are at 12 o'clock for the show.

 

[vc]

Sawboss hit the nail on the head, I would rather see a steer that needs to weight 1400 pounds weigh 1400 pounds, if you held him so he weighed 1275 he will not be at 12:00.
I think the best feeling you can have is when you take your animal into the show ring knowing he is the best he is going to be at the exact point in time. He was not better a week ago and will not be better a week from know, he is where he needs to be right now. If you get beet than there was a better one, that is all you can say.

 

[rackranch]

Who's judging the show?

 

[DLD]

How big is too big depends on the judge.  I think these days 1360-65 is alright with most of them, but it could be a little much for some.  If you're just trying to do well in class, then I'd be with chambero - shoot for the lighter end of the heaviest class (unless you expect a class 1400+).  If you're trying for more than that and don't know for sure that the judge is willing to use a bigger one, then I'd turn him at no more than 1350 if you think you can get enough fill without risking weighing out.

 

[Bradenh]

well we think we will cruise him right in there at about 1410. and then try to go down as far on that weight slack as we can (45 out of 50 lbs). and see if the judge likes it or not. hes capable of winning the show if we can get a little slack for weight. . ..and we are prepared to weigh out trying to win it like VC said we want him to look the best he can be. if he does weigh out. be on the lookout for a stale yellow jacket at dallas  (lol)