Bringing Your Calf Home: How to Start Your 2026 Project Off RITE

For youth exhibitors and show families across the Northwest, right now is the time many are bringing home their calves for the 2026 show season. Whether this is your first steer or your tenth, those first few weeks can make or break the project.

We teamed up with our Platinum Sponsor, Show-Rite, to share some must-know tips for giving your new show calf the best possible start.

🐂 Don't Rush It: Settle in First

Bringing home a calf is exciting—but it’s easy to get ahead of yourself. The barn is clean, the feed is ready, the halter is hanging… and you can’t wait to start training. But remember: your steer or heifer just experienced a big change—new place, new people, new routine.

Let them settle in for the first 3–5 days:

• Keep things quiet and calm

• Let them explore the pen and learn where food and water are

• Monitor closely for stress or sickness

• Keep feeding simple and consistent

Trust takes time—and it’s trust that leads to success in the ring later.

💡 Build Trust with Routine

Once they’re settled, start a routine of calm, quiet contact. Let them get used to your presence—feeding, standing quietly nearby, talking to them, or lightly brushing them over the fence. Trust builds when animals know what to expect.

Start small:

• Scratch the shoulder or belly while feeding

• Walk in and out of the pen slowly

• Don’t rush into haltering or tying until they’re comfortable

As Show-Rite says: “Take things slow, earn their trust, and set yourself up for success.”

🧪 Feed Right from the Start

Nutrition is a huge part of starting strong. Your calf needs to adjust to your feed and water sources while supporting growth and immune health.

Products like Cattle Chubby and Cattle Chrome from 4M Livestock are perfect additions as your calf transitions to a new environment:

• Cattle Chubby adds safe, consistent bloom and energy

• Cattle Chrome supports skin, hair, and hydration—especially in stressful transitions

Pair that with a strong base ration or Show-Rite starter program, and you’re on the right track.

📅 What's Next?

Once your calf is eating, calm, and trusting you:

• Begin basic halter breaking—10–15 minutes at a time

• Start brushing and working hair if weather allows

• Keep up with daily routines—small wins every day matter

Remember, jackpot season kicks off soon, and Spring is closer than it feels. Start now and do it right—you’ll be miles ahead when show season begins.

🔍 Looking for a Calf?

If you’re still shopping for your 2026 steer or heifer, check out the PacWest Showman Beef Breeder Directory. These breeders don’t just sell quality cattle—they support the families who raise them.

Many still have calves available this fall—reach out today and ask questions. The right breeder is part of your success.

💬 Final Word

At PacWest Showman, we’re proud to work with sponsors like Show-Rite who invest in helping kids succeed beyond the backdrop. Keep an eye on their social channels for a new series launching next week!

Until then—settle in, slow down, and start your 2026 project the RITE way.