Dairy cattle showmanship

Halter breaking

Showing dairy cattle provides dairy farmers with opportunities to buy, sell, and select functional cows for their herds. Dairy shows serve as important business opportunities and social events, attracting people of all ages. These shows also play a key role in inspiring young people to become involved in the dairy industry.

By showing cattle, farms can "compete" to showcase the animals they have raised, which highlights the hard work and dedication involved. Farms that participate in multiple shows and gain recognition can promote their farm's reputation and status.

The seven breeds of dairy cattle shown at these events are Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Milking Shorthorn, Guernsey, Holstein, Red & White Holstein, and Jersey. To register for a show, farmers must submit payment and the animal's registration, including breed, birthdate, dam, and sire.

Young show heifer

Difference between a heifer and a cow

A heifer is a female dairy animal that has not yet given birth to a calf. It is considered a heifer from birth until it gives birth, typically around two years of age. Since a heifer has not calved, it does not have a fully developed udder and, therefore, does not produce milk.

Once bred, a heifer is pregnant for nine months and, after giving birth, is then considered a cow. During pregnancy, the udder begins to develop further. After calving, a cow will nurse its calf briefly and then typically be milked two to three times daily. Cows produce about 80 pounds of milk per day, though some can produce well over 100 pounds.

After a cow becomes pregnant again, it will be "dried off"—meaning it will stop being milked—about three weeks before calving to prepare for the next birth.

Selecting a heifer or cow for show

Heifers are judged in three categories: dairy strength, rear feet and legs, and frame. Dairy strength is the most important factor when selecting a calf or heifer for a show. Calves are the hardest to judge because their dairy traits are not yet fully developed, making evaluation more difficult. Heifers should have a strong chest with depth and openness to their ribs.

The next most important category is rear feet and legs. Heifers should have correct leg structure and be strong in their pasterns. If a heifer struggles to walk as a young animal, it will likely become weaker as it ages.

The third category is frame, which refers to the heifer’s overall stature. Heifers should have a correct rump shape, a straight top-line, and a natural uphill stance when walking.

When judging milking cows, the same three categories are considered, but the udder is also evaluated. The udder is the most important category for milking cows, accounting for 40% of the score. A well-attached fore and rear udder, visible median suspensory ligament (crease), and good teat placement are key factors. Additionally, milking cows should have bloom and capacity in their udder, with a level udder floor (no tilt or reverse tilt). As cows age, a deeper and slightly uneven udder is acceptable.

Halter breaking and training

It is best to start training a calf, heifer, or cow to be shown as young as possible, using continuous short sessions. Rope halters are typically preferred over leather halters for training, and treats can be used to reward correct behavior. The animal should be trained to hold its head high, walk slowly without running into the showman, and respond to pressure applied on the halter. When standing still, the animal's front feet should be squared with each other. For cows, the rear leg on the side opposite the judge should be slightly back, allowing the judge to get a clear view of the udder.

Preparing for a dairy cattle show

To prepare for a show, the animal needs to be clipped and washed prior to the show date. Washing the heifer or cow is essential since they live in a barn and can get very dirty. Soap, water, and various types of brushes are used to clean the animal. It’s important to use the right shampoo, as products not meant for animals can dry out their skin. Body clipping is standard, with all hair removed except for the topline and under the belly. The topline refers to the animal’s back, which runs straight along the top of the body. The hair along the spine should be left standing, groomed with hairspray, and blended to create a longer, sharper appearance.

Hooves should be trimmed before the show to prevent foot rot and improve the animal’s appearance, allowing it to walk more comfortably. The topline should be left to be done on the show day. This is achieved by using a brush and a high-power hair dryer to blow the hair against the grain, making it stand up, and then blowing on the sides to angle the hair into a prism shape along the cow’s back. The topline is then clipped to be as straight as possible, with a slight upward slope. Preparing the topline requires practice and can be time-consuming to achieve a show-ready look.

Ensuring the cow has a full udder is also crucial for the show. This may require adjusting the cow’s regular milking schedule the day before and the day of the show. A full udder means having as much milk as possible without it leaking. Typically, cows are milked every 12 hours, but for a show, showmen often "bag" the cow’s udder, meaning the cow may go 14–16 hours between milkings. Many showmen use a product called Final Mist, a spray applied to a sponge or towel and wiped onto the animal's ribs to give it a shiny appearance and highlight the ribs.

At the show, the animal should have access to plenty of water and be fed according to its normal routine to avoid upsetting its stomach. Beet pulp or other filling supplements can be used to give the animal a fuller body appearance. If the animal eats the beet pulp dry, it will consume more before feeling full. Bedding should be checked and changed as needed to keep the animal clean and dry. Animals should not be tied with show halters for long periods, as pressure from the chain shank can irritate the cow’s chin. Rope halters should be tied with a quick-release knot to allow the showman to gain control quickly and prevent harm to the animal.

Finally, it is important to wash the cow after the show to remove all chemicals, using a product that breaks down the adhesives applied to the topline.

Showmanship Overview

Showmanship involves the showman being judged on their knowledge of and presentation of the animal in the ring. The judge may ask questions about the animal's birthdate, breed, sire or dam, pedigree, diet, calving date, or any other relevant information. Therefore, the showman should be prepared to answer questions when asked.

Heifers are shown in a clockwise circle, with the showman walking backwards while keeping eye contact with the judge at all times. The animal should be led from the left side, maintaining a slow but steady pace. When the judge signals to stop, the animal should be set up, and the showman should position themselves at an angle facing the animal. The three common ring practices are parading around the ring, side-by-side lineup, and nose-to-tail lineup.

Showmanship is sometimes judged concurrently with the animal’s judging, or it may take place before or after the regular classes. Unlike regular classes, showmanship is divided by the age of the showman, not the age of the animal. In this class, the quality of the animal is not as important as how well the showman can control the animal, how thoroughly they have prepared it for the show, how much knowledge they have about dairy cattle and their specific animal, and how they present themselves in the ring.

For junior shows, white pants and shirts are worn. The showman should maintain a pleasant posture and expression while looking at the judge.

Show lineup

Scoring

The scorecard for dairy showmanship, created by the Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, is used by the judge to make placement selections. Although the judge does not keep score on a card, their decisions are based on these point values:

• Frame: 15 points
• Dairy Strength: 25 points
• Rear Feet and Legs: 20 points
• Udder: 40 points