What To Look For In Selecting A Steer
1) Frame- Choose a moderate frame steer that will weigh between 1100 and 1250 pounds at fair time. Large frame animals require a longer time to feed out therefore, a
large framed steer will not have enough fat at the time of the fair to make the Choice quality grade. A small-framed steer will fatten too soon and the steer will have a poor
yield grade at fair time.
2) Muscle- Choose a moderately thick muscled steer so that the animal will have a good yield grade. However, some very heavy muscled breeds are known for having poor marbling. This means these breeds may have a very low quality grade. (This is not as important for a heifer.)
3) Balance & Style- Choose a steer with balance and style. There should be as much in the front quarter area as there is in the rear quarter. A deep bodied calf that is full in the flank is desirable. He should be uniform in his capacity and ruggedness from front to back. Heifers will need to have a feminine look and style.
4) Structural Correctness- Your steer should have nice straight rear legs with a little set to his hock that allows him to flex freely when walking. Proper set to the hock means an angle is present in the hock joint and that the joint is deep. There should be some slope to his shoulder. His pasterns should have some slope to them as well. A structurally correct calf will walk smooth and have a long stride. His feet should point straight ahead when he stands and walks. The calf needs to have a large circumference of bone to handle the additional weight when reaching a finished weight.
5) Disposition- When selecting a show steer it is very important that you select an animal that has a good temperament. An animal that is nervous will not eat properly therefore, he will not gain weight. Also you may not be able to show him. Most importantly you could get hurt trying to break the steer since they can not be forced to do anything!
large framed steer will not have enough fat at the time of the fair to make the Choice quality grade. A small-framed steer will fatten too soon and the steer will have a poor
yield grade at fair time.
2) Muscle- Choose a moderately thick muscled steer so that the animal will have a good yield grade. However, some very heavy muscled breeds are known for having poor marbling. This means these breeds may have a very low quality grade. (This is not as important for a heifer.)
3) Balance & Style- Choose a steer with balance and style. There should be as much in the front quarter area as there is in the rear quarter. A deep bodied calf that is full in the flank is desirable. He should be uniform in his capacity and ruggedness from front to back. Heifers will need to have a feminine look and style.
4) Structural Correctness- Your steer should have nice straight rear legs with a little set to his hock that allows him to flex freely when walking. Proper set to the hock means an angle is present in the hock joint and that the joint is deep. There should be some slope to his shoulder. His pasterns should have some slope to them as well. A structurally correct calf will walk smooth and have a long stride. His feet should point straight ahead when he stands and walks. The calf needs to have a large circumference of bone to handle the additional weight when reaching a finished weight.
5) Disposition- When selecting a show steer it is very important that you select an animal that has a good temperament. An animal that is nervous will not eat properly therefore, he will not gain weight. Also you may not be able to show him. Most importantly you could get hurt trying to break the steer since they can not be forced to do anything!