Long After Becoming Meat, Prized Steer is at the center of a Legal Beef

[WFCC]

someway or another i believe there are more ways to cheat that cant be detected. the problem is for the average guy they can never get ahead with everyone else cheating.  guess thats what you deal with when dealing in this business.  its a shame.

 

[justme]

I have a hard time understanding why someone has not been arrested.

I'm with you why wasn't anyone arrested??  If they didn't give him the "ok" to remove the steer, wouldn't that be stealing?  Wouldn't you prosecute if someone stole your steer?  Glad I'm far away from that mess

 

[OH Breeder]

I have a hard time understanding why someone has not been arrested.

I'm with you why wasn't anyone arrested??  If they didn't give him the "ok" to remove the steer, wouldn't that be stealing?  Wouldn't you prosecute if someone stole your steer?  Glad I'm far away from that mess

Its no different than "HIGH SELLERS" in club calf sales that are presold and then bid on at the sale for record price. That is called Shillling which in some states is illegal. It occurs all the time. No one pushes the envelope. Lot of fraudulent activity. Very unfortunate circumstance.

 

[steer-guy]

Obviously the family got caught in the game playing. However, Brian Martin has just as much fault in the deal too. At the time the animal places in the show, it really becomes property of the show. Therefore, the animal was stolen from the grounds. I believe this says a lot about Brian (as a steer jokey)

 

[garybob]

DNA don't lie.

 

[mooch]

I have a hard time understanding why someone has not been arrested.

Not really Joe Boy , Big money buys big time lawyers and big time calves both. These people don't live like the rest of us ,to them we are just somebody for them to beat.In the mean time show turn out is getting smaller and smaller.  

 

[Shady Lane]

In reality it is just show rules they are violating not laws with this calf switching/place of residence stuff.  I have long wondered why shows don't ban certain people from their grounds that they know are behind these shenanigans. 

I would have to imagine that filing a false police report, claiming something has been stolen that actually hasn't would be illegal? (if in fact that scenario were found to be true)

Obviously something illegal was done, either a fraudulatent police report + violation of the show rules, or somebody just flat out stole the steer, again illegal.

 

[chambero]

I have a hard time understanding why someone has not been arrested.

Not really Joe Boy , Big money buys big time lawyers and big time calves both. These people don't live like the rest of us ,to them we are just somebody for them to beat.In the mean time show turn out is getting smaller and smaller.  

The deal is - "big time steer jocks" really aren't big money - not big enough money to take on a show in a court battle.  Best case, there may be a lot of money coming and going - but not much at all in the way of real profit or asset building.  Your average real rancher is worth a whole lot more money than even the biggest of these jocks. 

If a show wanted to make an example of one of these dudes in a hurry that they know are messing around with the "place of animal residence" issues, they could flat out break one on legal fees alone.  They had one dead to rights on this one. 

Show turn outs are generally growing dramatically in Texas.

Some of the the parents dealing with these guys are big money, but certainly not all.  A lot of people way overextend themselves.

 

[advocate]

Your jocks may not be big money but the vicklands sure as heck are and its those people that are killing showing maybe not in texas but at least around here the hog and sheep are on the rise and cattle are paying the price

 

[chambero]

Your jocks may not be big money but the vicklands sure as heck are and its those people that are killing showing maybe not in texas but at least around here the hog and sheep are on the rise and cattle are paying the price

Well, at least it sounds like those particular folks aren't killing showing now if they are banned for several years.

The point I was trying to make was that relative to "steer buyers" - who made their money doing something else - there are relatively few big "steer jocks".  Plenty of whom are nearly as dishonest as they are made out to be.  But the ones who are and actually get caught - really don't have as much free money in the bank account as people might believe (hence the reason why so many breeders get paid late, etc).  If the shows would go after them when possible - it might cure a little of this.  In this case, both shows involved should have gone after the jock just as hard as they did the Vicklands.

 

[advocate]

Very ggod points chambero he is just as if not more at fault because without him there wouldn't be this controversy

 

[chambero]

This sounds like a good, lightweight calf got beat and someone was tempted by the "I could get you more money for this steer by ............".

What was really stupid in this case was 1) someone else had to show the calf in Arizona - which doesn't pay much money anyway - so no "glory" or financial incentive 2) these people obviously aren't that interested in the money.  They obviously spend a ton of money on calves, and if you do a search, you can find where they even donated sale proceeds from a win to some kids that got hurt.  3) Sounds like momma is a physical therapist and deceased daddy was a doctor - not only do they know better there are general ethical ramifications related to their professional licenses.

I should never underestimate the power of stupid - but on further thought, I have to wonder if they really knew the calf was being removed and resold? 

 

[WFCC]

from what i hear the vicklands dont actually pay the big money for the calves. The jocks and vicklands agree on a number and they bid up the price and use it as a marketing tool. why do this? the vicklands are known for showing good cattle and do a good job doing it. Of course the jocks want to use it as marketing and have the best showman lead their calves into the ring.  It makes the average guy spend the 10-20k for a steer, thats where these guys make there money. i have a tough time believing that the 50k plus steers are real money, or the breeder or jock never gets that money!

 

[NEBR producer]

WFCC: your comment is so off base. I am a Midwest breeder/producer. I have sold steers to Caldwell for the Vicklands without any price reduction or back door deal. Their money is not only good but prompt.  I also know Ward Eckloff personally and he sold his highest dollar steer  to the Vicklunds for exactly the highest bid off price.  Eckloff doesn't do crap like you say.  He was tickled to have it go to the Vicklands.  It is almost makes me sick to think how jealous all of you people are.  Us breeders all know we deserve much more that we eventually get for calves we raise.  It takes hundreds and hundreds of trials and errors, dead , ice burned babies, and C section cows to get that one great one you are so proud of.  Just because someone pays alot for a calf doesn't mean it goes to a good home.  Obviously the Vicklands are a good home.  Some have suggested that dishonesty and money lets them beat others wide spread across shows, not the dedication. Don't be jealous because they have the money, time and will to feed em right, prepared for show ring, and professionally presented.  The type of people complaining on this board are the type we have to give calves to, the ones that skimp on feed and supplies, don't get how to do it, pay late, then complain when someone beats them.  I plan on waiting to judge for myself after the this trial.  It was not too long ago the Kansas City paper reported on the CEO of the American Royal (Jim McNair) "voluntarily" resigning. This is an odd word selection. It also seems odd to me that if the Vicklands were guilty because you all seem to be the judge and jury, why wouldn't they just take their whipping and move on. I think the oldest girl is way to old to show and she won major shows after this whole deal. I wonder if this was because other majors didn't believe the Kansas City folks.  Isn't this lawsuit four years later right before the ban from Kansis City  will end anyway. I thnk the family has a ponit to staighten out .  I don't know how many of you think the American Royal steer contest is fair, that show has been pre decided for ever.  WE all know who runs that show and it isn't the officials.  I am hoping that the gut gets busted here and the Vicklunds turn over stuff that may suprise us all.  I am glad they have the guts to stand up for themselves. What if the Vicklnds are telling the truth, would you still hate em because they get the job done for us, the breeders that dedicate more than you understand  Gooully I can spell too 

 

[DLD]

Your jocks may not be big money but the vicklands sure as heck are and its those people that are killing showing maybe not in texas but at least around here the hog and sheep are on the rise and cattle are paying the price

Market hog and sheep (and goat) shows are no less competitive and no less cut throat than steer shows.  At least not here (in OK) anyway, and I imagine it's true most everyhere .  Jocks and big money families have always been around and they always will - you just gotta learn to live with it.

 

[aj]

What is a ice burned baby?

 

[fed_champions]

Just because someone can spend a lot of money, doesn't mean they can feed, take care of or even see, and pick out cattle... Not mentioning any names but there are some families that won't even look at a calf unless he costs 25000...Now, how dumb can u be, if u can't pick out a good one to save ur life, then every steer u see is gonna rise into ur price range, cuz thats the only way u can decide on quality...It may be wrong for steer jocks to do this, but i don't know anybody who won't take advantage of easy money especially when they give it to u on a silver platter... I  am a little off topic and not saying that the vicklands are these type of people... i spent plenty of money over the years, maybe as much as the folks u are talking about, but  the only difference is i won, i took care of them myself, twice a day every day and certainly don't believe in hiring ur work done... breeders were happy to put cattle in my barn, but in no way did we ever catch a break, we paid what we bid, i should know, cuz i wrote the checks, out of my own account

 

[Show Heifer]

I think too many people are making too broad of statements. Just because someone spends a lot of money, doesn't mean they know crap from siholha.It just means they sometimes have more money than sense.  Just because someone spends a lot of money doesn't mean they "work hard and are dedicated", it just means they can hire someone to do the work for them.  Just because someone DOESN"T spend money doesn't mean they do not care for their animals, or do not want to win, or are not dedicated. It just means they have priorities other than a "purple calf". 
I do not know this story other than what I have read. Something isn't right. And like most things, the truth is somewhere in the middle, where fault is at both parties.  The truth will not be known, as someone will make a plea, and as the other plea in this case, it will be confidential. Honestly, banning someone from one show doesn't mean they can be banned from any other show, so this proves nothing, except they have a lawyer on retainer.
This is exactly the reason why the champs at the Iowa State Fair are under 24 hour security and escorted everywhere after being "crowned". 

I guess this will go down as another DB Cooper....

 

[SouthWest]

Lets not forget the very next year another family got caught bringing in calf that DNA proved was shown at a terminal show to Arizona Nationals. 

 

[knabe]

so, can't the show make sure they are in the sale and if they are not, change the placings on the spot and announce it on the intercom?