Growing up, showing your own livestock and being the child of a distinguished livestock evaluator isn’t always easy. Just ask Mark Hoge. However, because he “suffered from the randomness of being Dan Hoge’s son,” he decided early on, if he was ever afforded the chance to judge a show, he would be positive and do what he believes in. “I always told myself if I ever got the […]
Mark That Card – Breeding Heifers
Placing 1-3-2-4Cuts 3-2-5 I like the breeding heifer calves 1324. The cattle up top are good but when you study them from the side, that is where 1 couples her stoutness and body shape with the added intangibles of look, balance and extra quality. Now don’t get me wrong, I never questioned the brood cow […]
Through the Judge’s Eyes: Callis Looks for Courteous Confidence
Brandon Callis is no stranger to the show ring or the cattle industry. He grew up with grandparents who raised both registered Brahman and commercial cattle in South Texas, and his dad was a 4-H Extension Agent, demonstrating at a young age how to make an impact on youth. Callis was active in 4-H and FFA and showed several of the smaller […]
Tips and Tricks on Getting New Show Projects Acclimated
The time has come. You’ve traveled many miles, evaluated several dozen head of livestock, and made some significant purchases for your next show livestock projects. The animals are now in your barn, their new home, and it is time to get them tamed down and broke to lead so you can work with them. This […]
How to Keep Your Animals Healthy in the Fall
The fall sniffles. They are real for humans, dogs, cattle and swine. Take the day to night temperature fluctuations and add the stress of weaning, transitioning to new environments, feed regimens and being with new people and routines and that is a lot for a young animal. It’s no wonder that one of the most anticipated times […]
3 Tips to Starting Cattle Projects on the Feed
The crisp feeling in the air, calendars flipped to September and kids back in school are good indicators of shopping for your next show calf projects. It doesn’t matter if it’s your first calf or not, each project starts with anticipation of a new show season and a set of new goals and shows to […]