Showing a heifer vs. a steer

[Thompsonh]

I am raising a heifer for our county fair through FFA , and have raised hog successfully for 3 years.  She is a yearling that I plan to AI.  I was curios about the behavior differences between heifers and steers, if any?  Also, are there any other things I should be aware of when raising a steer? Are steers more aggressive? I have a lot of questions concerning halter breaking, too.

 

[rrblack78]

[/f[size=14pt][/size]While I'm not the the most experienced on this forum my kids have shown both. Every calf is different and breed makes as much difference as steer vs. heifer.

 

[cowboy_nyk]

In my experience heifers are much more temperamental compared to steers in general.  While each calf and breed's docility will vary, there seems to be some consistency that steers are generally easier going than heifers.  What I mean is once they are broke, a steer is more likely to stand calmly in the chute or in the ring whereas a heifer is more prone to go "sour" or have an "off day" and misbehave.  Other than that there isn't much difference in breaking/showing steers vs heifers.

 

[iowabeef]

One thing to remember with heifers also is even though a heifer might be broke and docile most of the time, when they are in heat they act completely differently in the chute and the ring.  Much more difficult to have stand still.

 

[rrblack78]

American breeds have a reputation for being difficult. My niece had a beefmaster heifer last year and that reputation was well deserved. She was a witch from day one. Our steer was more difficult to halter break and teach to lead but he was not as jumpy and nervous. You had to becarful around him too because he liked to give kisses.

 

[Dozer45]

I only showed 1 steer the rest were heifer, with the exception of a bull once, and I can say that the steer was my most difficult project thus far. I worked with him every day and had him broke like a dog with me but the second he was around others he was a basket case. Had to have help just to walk him to the wash rack at shows, he acted like he was never broke to lead.

All of the heifers have been reg Herefords or Herf influence while the steer was a shorthorn... not sure if that made a difference. The bull was hands down my easiest project, loved that dude

 

[5PCC]

I agree 100% with cowboy_nyk and Iowabeef!

 

[okiegirl]

We show both and the steers are always better tempered.  We have had a couple of heifers with a steer-like personality, but the steers are way more docile and affectionate. 

 

[cowpoke]

Having been involved with cattle for 60 years either raising or helping young people with projects.Almost all cattle are different and are creatures of habit.I  can almost tell by a calfs actions if he will be a challenge.When selecting a cattle horse or dog you can tell which ones have bred in ability and a calf that will come up to you in the pasture is usually a good choice as he likes people.Certain bloodlines have harder heads than others.Heifers until bred can be a challenge.We have shown ones we grew to love and many we were glad when they were finally gone.I have bought a few great calves that were outlaws and sometimes  kindness,being as stubborn as they were or trying every trick known was a waste of time as they were destined for the feedlot where they did fine.

 

[Thompsonh]

(pop)thanks for the info