Fall Senior Yearlings II
Last week the question was posed by a reader in regards to dropping the Fall Senior Yearling class from the fall shows because it goes against the industry standard of freshing at 24 months. Here are a couple of opinions that feel otherwise!
“After reading the comment about dropping Fall Senior Yearlings from the fall shows, I cant belive that anyone would want that. The standard is 24 months for freshening for many but for many other people the standards are changing. We also have the Fall Senior Yearling in Milk class at many of the fall shows. So if a Fall Yearling freshens, she can join that class. If people want to extend their freshing standard for their heifers, they have that right. It is hard to find people who don”t anymore, especially if they are someone’’s show animal and would like to have them be fresh for the next show season. Therefore we should have Fall Senior Yearling classes at the fall shows!!! As we also talk about dry cow and bull classes, we shouldn”t have either of them. Many times people don”t take dry cows to shows, the same with bulls, but we do find that they have them available. I don”t think it is up to those of use who are not Chairs, Managers or even Board Members. It is up to the Show Managers and the board.”
Nate Oleniacz
“I think that dry cows, bulls and fall senior yearling classes need to stay! Some cows look the best in their dry period and most fall senior yearlings that are out on the tanbark during the fall are not due until early winter. If a senior yearling is due in the fall then she can be shown as a milking senior yearling…I think thats why the class was added. I dont think its a big deal if they freshen over the “industry standard” of 24 months. Personally, all of my senior yearlings are due in December. It keeps them dairy for the shows since a lot of times senior yearlings are heavy with calf. If the idea of dropping classes keeps being thought of, there won”t be any classes left! And I think the Produce of Dam needs to stay as well.”
Josh