OK Planeteers.....Time 2 USE Your Brain AGAIN.........

[jbh]

First, I just wanted to THANK the KSU AGR and B & B for an absolutely SPECTACULARLY ran show this past weekend....the facility was TOP NOTCH, the cattle were AWESOME and the young people and family's I met were even BETTER YET!  Travis and I had a BLAST sorting them.....and I'm really glad HE had the opportunity to LEARN SOMETHING from ME!!!  ;D ;D ;D

That being said......I want to raise up on the Planet here, the same challenge I presented the crowd at the final drive of the heifer show.  We've been showing cattle the SAME WAY (nearly exact) for the past 75-100 years....this DOESN'T NEED CHANGED.......it needs ENHANCED!  With the advances in technology we've seen in the LAST DECADE...it feels like we're in the STONE AGE with OUR industry.

We need to think of SOMETHING, completely OUTSIDE of the BOX, that pertains to EVERYTHING INSIDE the BOX, for the young exhibitors that can't afford the quality of cattle it takes to win, but simply LOVE to SHOW.  I've got SOMETHING in MIND......but I want to hear from you all first.  I can't decide whether mine is WAY OUT THERE TOO FAR.....or a stroke of genius.

This would be a competition for maybe the night before the actual show (like a showmanship or fitting)........Anybody GOT ANY IDEAS ?

 

[shortdawg]

I really enjoy all the contests at the Shorty Jr. Nat'ls - they have one for about everything. Take a look at the Jr. Nat'l link on www.shorthorn.org

 

[GoWyo]

A big part of it will be to make the prizes worth the effort of the contest so that it is not just a side show.  Another thing that comes to mind is that cattle jackpot shows are like the old team ropings before the handicap system.  The few studs out there would win every time, so the folks that were pretty good, but not good enough to run with the top end quit going -- no fun donating your entry fees all the time.  If there was a way to handicap the steer shows and create divisions based on how much you paid for your calf or something like that (OK that would probably never work) then perhaps it could work.  Another way would be the "division" system used in the barrel racing game to split divisions and allow similar quality cattle to compete against each other within the show.

 

[jbh]

I really enjoy all the contests at the Shorty Jr. Nat'ls - they have one for about everything. Take a look at the Jr. Nat'l link on www.shorthorn.org

I didn't find the contests on this site....could you tell me what they're under?

Now I'm familiar with most of the contests at the Junior Nat'l's of most breeds....BUT this is not necessarily what I'm talking about.  This event would have to be quick enough and easy enough to do at ANY Jackpot show (obviously I'm trying to get and keep numbers up at these events, which dwindles severely after the winners for the season start emerging.)

AND.....cultivate the ARTISTRY, and imaginations involved in the WHOLE show cattle experience.......and MAYBE, just MAYBE attract some POSITIVE OUTSIDE ATTENTION for beef, our youth, and this whole game we play.

 

[kanshow]

I have often wondered about a program similar to the 4-H Horseless Horse.  There are a lot of kids who would love to show cattle and could be good at it but the financial aspect keeps them out.  Plus some of our rules are getting to where you can't even help those kids out..    But if we had a program or class for them... 

Another thing that would be cool but time constraints would probably prohibit it..  sift your showmanship kids and then set them over in a staging area with some wet calves, blowers, and product.   

I do like the idea of all the other contests - quizes, sales talks, etc but they woudl require a lot to put on in a regular jackpot show situation.

 

[jbh]

A big part of it will be to make the prizes worth the effort of the contest so that it is not just a side show.  Another thing that comes to mind is that cattle jackpot shows are like the old team ropings before the handicap system.  The few studs out there would win every time, so the folks that were pretty good, but not good enough to run with the top end quit going -- no fun donating your entry fees all the time.  If there was a way to handicap the steer shows and create divisions based on how much you paid for your calf or something like that (OK that would probably never work) then perhaps it could work.  Another way would be the "division" system used in the barrel racing game to split divisions and allow similar quality cattle to compete against each other within the show.

LIKE THAT......this is WHAT I'm talkin about.....not even CLOSE to what I'm thinking, BUT, we're getting started..... there will be alot of food for thought come out of this topic before it's over, I'm bettin'!

 

[jbh]

I have often wondered about a program similar to the 4-H Horseless Horse.  There are a lot of kids who would love to show cattle and could be good at it but the financial aspect keeps them out.   Plus some of our rules are getting to where you can't even help those kids out..     But if we had a program or class for them...   

Another thing that would be cool but time constraints would probably prohibit it..  sift your showmanship kids and then set them over in a staging area with some wet calves, blowers, and product.   

I do like the idea of all the other contests - quizes, sales talks, etc but they woudl require a lot to put on in a regular jackpot show situation.

More GREAT IDEAS......keep'um coming....

 

[chambero]

This isn't really relevant to exactly what you are asking about, but with all of the video/photography technology I would love to see some type of contest that rewards a kid for what the end result looks like relative to the calf they started with.  A sophisticated version of before/after photos where a live animal would be evaluated at the end of a show year, but some consideration given to what that animal looked like, weighed, etc at an initial validation point.

 

[justme]

Ohio 4-H has a beef skill-a-thon which I think is SUPER!  It puts everyone on a level playing field.  AT our county we showed at a beef exhibitor had to score so high to be able to run for grand or reserve.  It sure is nice to reward the kids who couldn't afford a high dollar calf or didn't have someone with vast show knowledge.  These kids did alot of work too, and are rewarded for there knowledge.  The Ohio State fair also does this and its a big deal to win it.  Just to brag a bit...my neice and nephew rocked this contest and I was so proud of them. (thumbsup)

 

[RAShower]

Using multiple cameras and 3D motion rendering software with computers you could set the parameters of what type was optimal that day and let technology do the sorting (i.e. No judges)

Sorry there Hookman, but technology has always replaced somebody.  :'(

 

[yuppiecowboy]

Breeder sponsorship. Tier II calves that would otherwise go to the salebarn, but are still of quality and have the potential to represent well.

Calves are made available to qualifying exhibitors on a first come first served, or lottery pick, whatever. (not germane to the concept)

Breeders are paid a base feeder calf price plus a premium (interest) at conclusion of Jr auction. Net proceeds over base price go to the exhibitor. If feed costs and expenses inherent to beef production are overly cumbersome to the exhibitor, perhaps a "loan" system could finance until auction.

I would imagine there would be increased interest in community involvement in the auction, as many businesses in my dealings are turned off of buying 4H caves that were purchased for obscene amounts. The idea of returning to a true "project" scenario would be would be well received in my opinion.

Calves in this program have their own show, and also are eligible for the general show.

 

[jbh]

Using multiple cameras and 3D motion rendering software with computers you could set the parameters of what type was optimal that day and let technology do the sorting (i.e. No judges)

Sorry there Hookman, but technology has always replaced somebody.  :'(

Physically.....NOT MENTALLY!.....

 

[RAShower]

Using multiple cameras and 3D motion rendering software with computers you could set the parameters of what type was optimal that day and let technology do the sorting (i.e. No judges)

Sorry there Hookman, but technology has always replaced somebody.  :'(

Physically.....NOT MENTALLY!.....

Programers just haven't figured out how to program "goofy" into the software.........yet.

 

[forcheyhawk]

My plan would be similar to yuppie's.  I would add that I would try to make sure all the cattle in the program have the same geno and phenotype.  This makes the selection process virtually a non factor (whether you do lottery or 1st come 1st serve, etc) and puts emphasis on the kids ability to feed and work with their animals.  The other thing we are missing the boat on in the industry is that there are a ton of kids that have interest but don't have the parental involvement or have too much going on to be a weekend show warriors.  They only want to show at their county fair.  The industry has chased a few of those kids off because they don't have the ability to compete even at their county fair with some of the weekend warriors.  A separate classification would level the playing field a bit for these types of kids and potentially spark more interest and involvement.

Ultimately anything we can do to involve more and more kids is going to help in every aspect of the business.  IMO.

 

[Show Steaks]

at our county fair we do a u-fit-it contest.. start with 4 person teams must contain at least one person of each sex.
Start out with a wet calf and you must use team work to fit the calf WITHOUT ELECTRCITY and show it against the other teams.
Judging is done on showmanship of the calf, how well the fitting was done and team work(a part some teams forget)

i see many kids that want to show but dont know how or worse dont even have an animal to show, if there was a way to get these ppl involved without comparing directly to the top notch showmanship ppl.

a problem you will see with any prize would be a little white lie about there showmanship expierence  

 

[SWMO]

It is past time to add something that will level the playing field.  I liked the divisions concept especially the the county level.  The vast majority of the kids that show in our county don't go to any other show so they are at a distinct disadvantage to those kids that compete at the state and national level.  Unfortunately  I don't have a great idea so I am more than curious as to what you are thinking jbh.

 

[jbh]

Using multiple cameras and 3D motion rendering software with computers you could set the parameters of what type was optimal that day and let technology do the sorting (i.e. No judges)

Sorry there Hookman, but technology has always replaced somebody.  :'(

Physically.....NOT MENTALLY!.....

 


Programers just haven't figured out how to program "goofy" into the software.........yet.

......OR "common sense!" (lol)

 

[Dusty]

I think more emphasis could be placed on a carcass/performance beef show.  There a lot fewer barriers to entry to be competitive and there are a lot more parents/mentors that know how to feed a feedlot steer than know how to get a club calf to 12 oclock.  

It would be a show put emphasis on genotype(carcass grade & yield, gainability) and also a live judging with structure and conformation taken into account.  

The only way to make a show like this gain steam and get popular is you have to have a financial reward to winner comparable to what the champions in a regular show at county fair get.  This would be a good way to solicit donations from business' or individuals that are turned off from the show steer thing.  

A lot of fairs also have a home raised division too, but most of them just take the champion from raised and run it with the other ones for grand overall.  To have something get popular there has to be a sufficient enough award to the winners

 

[bruiser]

Good ideas often start from small discusions like this WTG Brad. But lets start in your own back yard. At the Illinois Beef Expo this past weekend , I saw several really nice calves bumped down the line by eartags. How can you ask kids to put in the time and effort to compete ,when they show and get a kick in the teeth like this. Sour grapes aside, my stock was way to green for this early of a show , it was really a reward my sons hard work that we went. But someone who hasn't seen all the buddy-buddy stuff from the past wouldn't notice. But I did and I suppose it will always happen but keep it in the back of your mind as you dicuss this.

 

[SWMO]

The one good thing that has come out of our area in quite awhile is the cash award at the Ozark Empire Fair for the Grand Champion Bred and Owned.  I liked it a whole lot better when they had a supreme drive for the bred and owned. separate from the supreme female drive.  This at least rewards those kids that put more into their project than just money to buy a heifer.  It still have its faults but you know that the animal was more likely in the possession of the junior that is showing it.

The problem that we are struggling with at the county level on a bred and owned steer class is how do you prove past the honesty of the individuals that the animals is bred and owned or county raised?  Those that want to cheat will find a way to cheat.  Registered animals are easier due to the trail of ownership on the papers.  We have discussed a county bred steer champion but have not proceeded.  Although I hate to tell some of those people that the same kids will still win.  It takes more than money to raise, feed and fit an animal.  It also takes dedication on someones part (hopefully the kids) to be out there every day rinsing, feeding and grooming.

Time to fill us in jbh on your idea