Should I hold?

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Tink was born April 4th 2011. I weighed him in December 3rd @ 605 lb. I am taping him at 1410 - 1420 lbs. My Fair is July 22nd (our Weigh in Date) I am giving him his grain and hay twice a day and a pound of winning fill at night. What should I do? Do you want pics to see or....
Let me know

 

[leanbeef]

Pics would be more than helpful if you want opinions from folks on here. So would some description of breed or frame or type...sounds like Tink is either pretty big framed or over done to me. That's a big ol' steer...

 

[vc]

That weight might be off. 800+ pounds in 6 months and on a 14 month old steer, not saying it does not happen just that it would be awful if you held him to find out that he only 1250 pounds.
I would try and get an actual weight on him if I were you, 4 pounds a day for 200+ days is doable but i would make sure.

And if he is there I would hold him and shrink him back prior to weigh in.

http://www.steerplanet.com/bb/index.php?topic=39682.0

I found his picture, he looks like he is finished, I would start holding him if it were me.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Pics would be more than helpful if you want opinions from folks on here. So would some description of breed or frame or type...sounds like Tink is either pretty big framed or over done to me. That's a big ol' steer...

Ok I will get some. He is Angus Chi Maine Short Stocky and Fat is really all I can say. Im new to this. What kind of pics would you want?

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

That weight might be off. 800+ pounds in 6 months and on a 14 month old steer, not saying it does not happen just that it would be awful if you held him to find out that he only 1250 pounds.
I would try and get an actual weight on him if I were you, 4 pounds a day for 200+ days is doable but i would make sure.

And if he is there I would hold him and shrink him back prior to weigh in.

http://www.steerplanet.com/bb/index.php?topic=39682.0

I found his picture, he looks like he is finished, I would start holding him if it were me.

ok I will post more recent pics. How should I hold him? I cant really decrease anything as he is sharing a stall with a feeder steer but I will get more info for you guys but what kind of info

 

[CAB]

I wouldn't hold him this close to weigh in. I would probably shrink him if warranted but he'll stand a good chance of looking stale if you mess with him this close to show day. You can easily get him to his desired weigh in weight from where he is now IMO.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

I wouldn't hold him this close to weigh in. I would probably shrink him if warranted but he'll stand a good chance of looking stale if you mess with him this close to show day. You can easily get him to his desired weigh in weight from where he is now IMO.

Ok and what do you mean by 'Shrink'

 

[showsteerdlux]

I wouldn't hold him this close to weigh in. I would probably shrink him if warranted but he'll stand a good chance of looking stale if you mess with him this close to show day. You can easily get him to his desired weigh in weight from where he is now IMO.

Ok and what do you mean by 'Shrink'

Shrink is a common term which refers to taking a calf off of feed and water to lower their weight prior to weigh in. It must be done carefully, especially in the summer, and the key is to gradually build them back up to normal intake after weigh in.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

thank u!

 

[OH Breeder]

Lindsey
here is one way to get a weight on your steer thats little more accurate than a tape. If you have a grain elevator or a salvage yard that has flat scales you can drive your truck and trailer on empty and then with your steer in it. Subtract the difference and you can get a weight that's pretty accurate 50 lbs. If you trust him, pull your trailer just off the scale and have him step out the back  on the scale with a halter. If you think he is too flighty for that than just weight the rig.
My other suggestion to you is feel your steer all over. Run your hands over his ribs. If you feel bare ribs those are the last to fill it seems he needs more cover. If you feel tissue covering the ribs you are on the right track. Look at his brisket if its full and feel near is flank. Also look for fatty patches around the tail head. All those signs lean towards a finish product. Maybe if you have time, you could snap a picture and post.

 

[Limiman12]

How competitive do you expect the steer to be.   Just saying if you think he has a good chance to win class or division etc then shrinking to be more competive might be worth it.   But if he is going to sell based on his weigh in.   I might be more apt to go for the rate of gain contest and a pay day if he is not going to be competive  towards the top of the show.    Can't tell from the picture, and you know the show, but our county sells them based on the weigh in weight.   Would hate to shrink a 100 pounds off him and stand middle of the pack, would rather take the paycheck.

 

[OH Breeder]

Is this your guy?
He needs a trim on those feet and I think he is looking pretty good. I wish I could feel his cover. Getting him weighed will help a bunch.

 

[twistedhshowstock]

I wouldnt hold him this close regardless, I would probably shrink him if he is small framed, but your to close to show day to be holding one.  At this point if you started holding now you wouldnt see much result from it for one thing, and he would also probably look stale on show day.  I wouldnt push him by any means, but I would just let him coast on in at this point.

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Lindsey
here is one way to get a weight on your steer thats little more accurate than a tape. If you have a grain elevator or a salvage yard that has flat scales you can drive your truck and trailer on empty and then with your steer in it. Subtract the difference and you can get a weight that's pretty accurate 50 lbs. If you trust him, pull your trailer just off the scale and have him step out the back  on the scale with a halter. If you think he is too flighty for that than just weight the rig.
My other suggestion to you is feel your steer all over. Run your hands over his ribs. If you feel bare ribs those are the last to fill it seems he needs more cover. If you feel tissue covering the ribs you are on the right track. Look at his brisket if its full and feel near is flank. Also look for fatty patches around the tail head. All those signs lean towards a finish product. Maybe if you have time, you could snap a picture and post.

From what you said he seems finished. Our scales are off at our nearest scale. Our weight tape is 15-20 lb give or take. my feed rep said 1400-1500 lb is the range he thinks he weighs. I will post pics soon he gets a bath tomorrow i wont blow dry him or anything Ill leave him to air dry or take pics wet You want a 360 picture?

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

Is this your guy?
He needs a trim on those feet and I think he is looking pretty good. I wish I could feel his cover. Getting him weighed will help a bunch.

yes it is infact he is going sunday! would you rather me take pics after he gets his hooves trimmed maybe hell look different

 

[LindseysMaine_Angus]

How competitive do you expect the steer to be.   Just saying if you think he has a good chance to win class or division etc then shrinking to be more competive might be worth it.   But if he is going to sell based on his weigh in.   I might be more apt to go for the rate of gain contest and a pay day if he is not going to be competive  towards the top of the show.    Can't tell from the picture, and you know the show, but our county sells them based on the weigh in weight.   Would hate to shrink a 100 pounds off him and stand middle of the pack, would rather take the paycheck.

I know in my showmanship class I wont do very good. but We sell based on weight. I dont want him to be over finished. Im thinking Rate of Gain may be our thing.. I hope after fair I will post our winnings. I dont want to loose any money I put into him.. I will post updated pics