Beginners Handbook for Beef Cattle Enthusiasts

1. Beginners Handbook for Beef Cattle Enthusiasts The Stock Show kids guide to being successful on show day

2. Introducing 9 Items to make you a successful young cattleman!

3. TIPS & TRICKS- WASHING YOUR ANIMAL 1: Wait for a warm day, unless you have warm water 2:Use a quick-release type knot on the halter so that if the animal falls down or gets tangled, it can be safely released 3:Wet the entire cow, starting with the legs and moving up to the back. Be careful, as you are never sure how your animal will react! Avoid getting water in your animals ears. 4:Use a comb to remove any of the large clumps of dirt before you put on soap 5: Soap up the cow with sunlight soap. There are lots of other soaps available but sunlight works great and is affordable! Applying soap into the water stream will help to evenly distribute it over the body of the animal. 6: Use a wash comb to lather the soap into the hair, making sure that you brush the soap upward and forward through the hair. Scrub on any dirty spots, including the feet and the face! 7: Rinse off the soap, starting at the backline and moving down to the legs. 8: Take a clean cattle comb and brush all of the hair forward before drying. Use a blower to dry the hair, front to back, blowing at a 30-45 degree angle Item 1 Sunlight Dish Soap Item 2 Wash Comb

4. Item 3 Sullivan Scotch Comb TIPS & TRICKS Scotch combs are used when grooming the cattle’s hair. Run the comb in a forward and upward direction. Note* The points of the combs can be very sharp so be gentle with the cattle. Many exhibitors prefer to have 2 scotch combs, one for grooming body hair and one for using with adhesives in grooming leg and tail head hair. The ultimate tool to make YOU a successful stock show kid!

5. Item 4 Rope Halter TIPS & TRICKS It is always very important to properly put the rope halter on your animal. The lead strap should be on the calf’s left side. The halter strap that crosses over the nose of the animal should be about 2 inches below the eyes. When leading, you should be on the calf’s left side with the halter in your right hand. Your hand should be 6-12 inches from the animals head with a firm hold on the halter lead. DO NOT wrap the halter strap around your hand or fingers, because if your animal gets spooked or becomes difficult this puts you in danger of getting hurt!

6. Item 5 RK Pure Foam It TIPS & TRICKS Pure Foam it is a styling mousse used to volumize hair on your animal. Gives excellent body to the hair. Can be applied directly from the can and brushed in, or blown in with a blower. Use this product on your animal before using other hair glues and paint products.

7. Item 6 RK Pure Hold It TRICKS & TIPSRK Hold it is a great adhesive for leg hair and tail head hair. Dries fast so touch up spray can be used. Spray on lightly and comb. Hold the can about an arms length away from the body of the animal and try to make the area sprayed even. Start at the bottom of the leg and move your way up. Spray adhesive on the leg and pull up and forward with a scotch comb. Always work small areas of the hair at a time, so that the glue doesn’t dry before you have a chance to style it! When grooming the legs, you want to promote straightness and eye appeal, and keep them looking as natural as possible.

8. Item 7 Final Bloom TIPS AND TRICKS- GROOMING THE BODY Grooming the body is really simple! All you need to do is take the scotch comb and comb the hair upwards and forwards. Then spray the Final Bloom, which is an oil based conditioner on the hair coat. Be sure to evenly distribute it, and spray with an arms length distance from the animal so that the spray does not go on too thick! Avoid spraying large amounts. A product to make your animal shine in the show ring!

9. Item 8 Adhesive Remover TIPS & TRICKS- REMOVING SHOW DAY PRODUCTS An effective way of taking show day products out of the cattle’s hair. No oily residue is left behind after washing the product out. Spray evenly through the hair on all areas that were sprayed with product, and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then wash out the adhesive remover.

10. Item 9 Shavings Fork TIPS & TRICKS This lightweight shavings fork is a must when exhibiting cattle. You can remove shavings, flatten them out, and put more in! When creating a bed for your animal, make sure that the shavings are distributed evenly throughout. The end of this fork is great for patting the bed down and making sure that your animal will be as comfortable as possible!

11. Although this item is not included in the package, I thought I would give some helpful tips as to how to set up an animal properly! Showstick TIPS AND TRICKS- SHOWMANSHIP The purpose of showmanship is to present an animal in a manner that will develop the best possible impression on the judge. A showstick allows you to set up your animals feet in a position that will benefit them. Carry the showstickin your left hand, with the hook pointing down. The forefeet, and one hind foot (preferably the one closest to the judge) are directly under the animal, and one hind foot more under the animal. Often all four feet should be planted squarely under the animal. When scratching the underbelly of the animal, make the stroked relaxed and calm, do not vigorously saw at the underbelly. The showstick can be used as a source of relaxation for the animal if used correctly.

12. I hope you enjoyed my tips and tricks that have helped me become successful in the beef cattle industry! Thank you so much for supporting Summer Synergy and all of the youth agricultural enthusiasts. Summer Synergy Senior Marketing Project 2013 Created by: Jessica Sperber