Tatum Piere

Feature 4

Posted 2014-12-05 10:36:49 | Views: 1,131

The Most Comfortable Show Clothes! (And Where to Get Them)

We at The Topline understand just how hard it is to find the perfect fit for one of the most important components of dairy showmanship, the show whites. It’s a typical Minnesotan show day, which means hot, humid, and mud puddles everywhere. Iodine spills, cow snot, and dirt all mixed in together before the show even starts. Not only that, but the scratchy and rough fabric of long pants irritating to the skin. The showmanship judge has also looked at the showman only once because it’s obvious the showman is uncomfortable and not having fun. Don’t even get us started on the painful, sharp feeling when a showman has been standing for too long in show boots that no longer fit properly. This article will inform all dairy showman that have ever been in the position of being put last simply because their jeans were not the right shade of white.

Socks & Boots

Almost all showmen could agree the first body part to start aching would definitely be the feet. That’s why it is critical that the shoes and socks (more so the shoes), would be the biggest investment when it comes to show clothes. The shoes will, in theory, last much longer than the typical shirt or even a pair of white jeans. It’s very important that the showman realizes that they get what they pay for, and the more they pay the more quality they’ll have when it comes down to the most vital article of show clothing. At The Topline we’ve put together a list of high starred shoes and socks.

Coming in at number one for socks, we have from footsmart.com, World's Softest Classic Collection Crew Socks, Pair Item #: 61641. “Cushiony terry lines the sole, enhancing shock absorption and cradling your foot. The contoured heel and toe pockets prevent slipping and bunching” (FootSmart). This versatile pair of socks repels moisture, which is perfect for the unfortunate muddle puddle splash or for washing cows, because there’s no denying the fact that sometimes the situation is unavoidable. This special pair of socks also comes in ten colors, great for personalization!

Boots, on the other hand, can be tricky. There’s lots the showman has to consider when purchasing the best form-fitting pair that there is to offer. Not only that, but the showman must take into account the hours straight that they will be standing up on their feet trying to maintain that painful smile. In reality, show boots are not cheap, and many showmen may cringe at the idea of investing in an expensive pair of boots.

Luckily, for the very low price of $85.00, a male showman can possess the Challenger Slip Resistant Boots, sported by Dickies. ”For enhanced fit and comfort, the collar and tongue of these are both padded. In addition, this padded collar will keep debris, sticks and stones from getting inside.” (Dickies). Not only are the Challengers comfortable, but they also come in a striking rich red color, which will stand out in any judging area.

Women can have the satisfaction of owning just as stylish of boots with the Justin® Ladies' 8 in. Aged Bark Brown Gypsy Workboot, for only $59.99. These boots are especially “Made tough to last until the job is done” (Tractor Supply Co.). Which, in this case, is hours upon hours of showing! Not only will showgirls have the opportunity to be protected with the built in safety toe, the pink accents and white trim will bring a customized experience into the show ring.

Pants

The struggle of finding white pants that are appropriate for the show ring (boy or girl), is all too real for any show-er that goes through spontaneous grow spurts. There are more possibilities for showgirls rather than show boys because white pants are now “in” for the ladies, but for boys, unfortunately, the hunt for the perfect show whites begin almost a whole year before the show takes place.

Although it’s challenging to find good, sturdy show clothes, for guys, one company that always pulls through would be Wrangler. In fact, Wrangler offers the durable Men's 936 Cowboy Cut Slim Fit Jeans. This fancy pair of white jeans also comes in color of tan, black, or wheat, just in case the show boy appreciates the style so much they want extra pairs. These pair of jeans are only $25.18 when ordered through the Langstons website and it’s also written that these jeans are “The very same five-pocket styling that made the Original Wrangler Cowboy Cut Jean a legend” (Langtons). Which comes in handy for all the ribbons that the show boy will be receiving the day of the show!

Girls have it a lot easier, but at the Topline we found the perfect style and flare for women in the show ring. Kohl’s offers the Chaps Straight-Leg Pants, which the show girl couldn’t get whiter if they tried! Kohl’s writes “These women's Chaps pants are a wardrobe staple” (Kohls). The jeans are on sale for $38.99, perfect for the overall showing experience! The bottoms of the jeans will tuck perfectly into the boots, or over them as well if that’s what the show girl prefers.

We know how expensive and costly showing may be, not including the money that needs to be spent on the animal themselves (See our other article, “How to Get the Perfect Topline)! That’s why we hope that shopping for the showman doesn’t have to be as stressful and clustered as it has been in the past. We believe there are so many options for the show boy or show girl to stand out in the ring, and everyone just needs to find their perfect fit.

Works Cited

"Chaps Straight-Leg Pants - Women's." Kohl's. Kohl's Illinois, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.

“Dickies Boots: Men's Waterproof DW7512 Challenger Slip Resistant Boots." Dickies. Working

Person Enterprises, n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014

“Justin Ladies' 8 In. Aged Bark Brown Gypsy Work Boot." Tractor Supply Co. Tractor Supply

Co. n.d. Web. 05 Dec. 2014.

"World's Softest Classic Collection Crew Socks, Pair." :: Lounging / At Home. FootSmart, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2014

“Wrangler Men's Pro Rodeo Cowboy Cut® Slim Fit Jeans." Langstons. Langstons, n.d. Web. 05

Dec. 2014.

Feature 2

Posted 2014-11-24 10:41:51 | Views: 1,094

Many children, and many adults for that matter, have had the questions of “how did all these animals get here?” For most animals, these questions have been answered; the dairy breed of Jerseys being one of them. The Jerseys are a fascinating breed of cattle, both dairy and overall. Many people are not aware of how useful to society they really are.

Jersey History

Believe it or not, Jersey cattle originated from the, Island of Jersey, which is located towards France within the English Channel. Oklahoma State writes, “The Jersey is one of the oldest dairy breeds, having been reported by authorities as being purebred for nearly six centuries.” Since the early fifteenth century, Jerseys have been one of the most desirable and yielding breeds of dairy cattle. No wonder they were shipped off to the New World for the colonists to use as well! “At that early date, the cattle of Jersey island were commonly referred to as Alderney cattle, although the cattle of this island were later referred to only as Jerseys” (OK State).

One of the major pros of Jerseys would be their climate lenience. Jerseys have been known to be adaptable to nearly all climates, within reason. They have the ability to form thick coats of hair and they possess a type of skin that enables them to expend heat easier. This flexible quality made the Jerseys prime for the long, brutal, and uncleanliness trip to America.

Take a look at some major events in history that have an impact on the dairy cattle industry. They've been around in America for a lot longer than most people might think, over 400 years! According to Dasc, there are some famous milestones in the Jersey world.

Major Events in Dairy History

1611-First cows arrived at the Jamestown Colony

1810-First dairy cooperative in the U.S. organized in Goshen, Connecticut

1851-First commercial cheese factory established in New York

1856-First commercial butter factory established in New York

1868-The American Jersey Cattle Club was founded in America.

1884-Milk bottle invented

1906- First dairy show recorded in Chicago

1930- First dairy judging, titled Hoard’s Dairyman show

1940-American Dairy Association founded.

1940-Purebred Dairy Cattle Association formed.

1943-The PDCA Dairy Cow Unified Score Card was first copyrighted.

1967-World Dairy Expo founded and holds first show.

As the reader can see, there are many important milestones that the Jersey breed and even the whole dairy industry has come a long ways since they were first used and raised. Some of these events are known or recognized by people that aren’t familiar with the dairy industry, such as the milk bottle. This goes to show how influential dairy cattle can be.

Major Points of Showing Jerseys

Although it’s quite ridiculous, and a pain to keep up with laundry, the official show clothes for the showman of all breeds of dairy cattle are white pants and white shirts. Rumor states the tradition started with the milkmaids (a woman who would milk cows for a living), who wore white while milking cows. It must’ve stuck because there is hardly a judge that will allow the showman to wear anything but all white. It has also been noted that wearing white brings out and highlights the natural beauty of the Jersey.

The most commonly heard sentence spoken from city fair goers about Jersey cattle would be “Oh my! They are so skinny! Do they ever get anything to eat?” Fact is, yes, all the time. Jerseys don’t typically gain weight in their ribs, however it’s mostly in their belly and legs. Actually, the nice, long ribs on Jerseys are what dairy judges look for in jerseys and the majority of the other diary breeds as well (not to eat of course). Other significant features that are looked for are a nice round udder, which accounts for 40% of the stated scorecard above, straight and even back, and a smooth walking stride that is not wobbly and shaky.

People underestimate the importance of Jerseys and even their distant dairy cousins of the other dairy breeds. Even though they have been known of since the early fifteenth century, jerseys did not originate in America, but they were brought over in 1611, to the New World to become a major source of butter, cheese, and cream. Jerseys are the most low maintenance breed of dairy cattle, as they adapt well to climate changes and are low to health problems. It’s mandatory that all showmen wear white when showing a Jersey, as it brings out the good qualities of the cow. It also is a prime measurer for showing how dirty you get. Judges like to see a deep ribcage, a plump and full udder, a straight back with no strain on any other body part, and a nice walking gate that resembles the Jersey walking on glass. Even though Jerseys won't always be the first breed people think of when they think of cows, Jerseys are undoubtedly one of the more important breeds of America.

Works Cited

Briggs, Hilton M. "Jersey." Breeds of Livestock. Breeds of Livestock, 22 Feb. 1995. Web. 27

Oct. 2014

Tory, and 2010 Virginia 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl, St. Chapter 1: Dates in Dairy History (n.d.): n.

pag. Dasc. Web. 27 Oct. 2014

History of Jerseys

Feature 3

Posted 2014-11-07 10:32:49 | Views: 1,209

How to Get the Perfect Topline

Any decent showman would know how important the topline is in a dairy show. That’s why it’s crucial that the showman is properly equipped when it comes to forming the crystal fine trims on the back hair of the cow. When it all comes down to it, there are five basic necessities; clear magic, a hair brush, a blow dryer (with nozzle), baby powder, and a freedom clipper. This article will tell a showman all there is to know about these products and which brands are the best routes to go in order to wow the judge with a stunning topline.

Clear Magic

Clear magic is glorified hairspray, but instead of the usual 1-5 level, (flexible, strong, super strong), consider this stuff a 10. Clear magic is the Holy Grail when it comes to keeping a topline looking at its best. Sullivan Supply carries both types of Doc Brannen’s “magic”, clear and black. For the low price of $7.50 a can, who wouldn’t want what’s best for their cow? “Simply spray on and work into hair for 3 to 4 minutes with comb or brush to obtain desired hair position” (Dairy Show Products). Easy peasy! Just like hairspray. Be warned, too much of Clear Magic concentrated into one spot may lead hair loss on the cow.

Hair Brush

A specific hair brush may seem overdramatic and unnecessary, but little do some showmen know the texture that needs to be accomplished when it comes to achieving a topline’s full potential. Little Brook Dairy uses the classic Denman Topline brush. This brush is absolutely perfect for the back brushing motion of creating a topline, and its versatile grip is great for when hands are covered in miscellaneous substances such as baby powder and clear magic. This product is also available at the Sullivan Supply for the price of $8.50, and it even comes in a choice of two varieties, 7 or 9 rows.

Blow Dryer with Nozzle

This item has much more leeway than the hair brush and clear magic, virtually any hair brush that has a nozzle attachment will do the trick. Mills Fleet Farm carries an extraordinary hair dryer from Conair for a relatively low price of $21.00. “Say goodbye to the tangled cord! This hair dryer's cord retracts at the push of a button” (Mills Fleet Farm). What better type of hair dryer than one that can retract its cord with a push of a button?! This is perfect for the crazy and hectic morning of a show when people are running around looking for show numbers and combs. A retractable cord would be one less thing for a showman to worry about on their big day.

Baby Powder

Like the blow dryer, this product has lots of leeway as well. The goal of baby powder is to act as a base for the clear magic and to aid the clear magic into keeping the hair exactly how the showman placed it before they walked into the ring. Sullivan Supply carries a specific brand of baby powder that’s actually called and made for toplines. The Ramer brand comes in four ounces and Sullivan Supply sells it for about $9.75. Not too shabby if the showman wants the cow’s topline to be looking its best. We suggest investing in this brand of powder because in order to have a stunning topline overall, a showman must have a good base to start off with.

Freedom Clipper

Its possible for the showman to miss parts of hair when grooming around the topline and towards the spine, and it happens all too often. But using a regualr clipper is too big and frankly a risk, because the showman might over clip and make the topline appear unnatural and sloppy. That’s why Oster supplies a PowerPro Ultra Cordless Clipper. Unfortunatly, this is a very expensive piece and is quite the investment; however it is cordless and rechargable. The Cheshire Horse.com offers this particular clippers at $239.00.

Conclusion

Overall, for the price of $285.75, any showman can get the beautifully sculpted topline that they deserve. Creating a topline is a piece of aft, and it’s important to have the necessary tools. But remember showman, neglected toplines after the show can and will lead to hair loss, which won’t be beneficial at the next show! Always remember to wash out the product in the topline to restore the hair’s natural texture and softness.

Works Cited

"Conair Cord Keeper Styler - Mills Fleet Farm." Mills Fleet Farm. n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014.

"Dairy Show Products." Dairy Show Products. Sullivan Supply, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014.

Feature 1

Posted 2014-10-15 10:27:02 | Views: 1,163

Do you know the Body and Structure of Your Jerseys?

When people think about dairy cows and where their milk comes from, there’s probably a low amount of people that think of the cows that “make the chocolate milk.” They've probably never even seen a picture of a brown cow, let alone know they exist. Jersey cows in our opinion are the most underrated breed of dairy cattle, and what people don’t know about them is that they’re the friendliest, smallest, and basically most worthwhile breed of cows to own and raise, not that we’re biased or anything.

Distinctive Features

One of the first things people need to know about the Jersey cow is that they are one of the smallest breed of dairy cattle. With males maxing out at a little less than a ton, and fully grown females clocking in-between 880 and 1,100. In return for their small size, they are also minimum maintenance. Starting with the head on the front of the Jersey, some well-defined features about the Jersey’s include a light tan to a dark brown coat, with a white band around the nose, and more times than not a dark switch on the tail. Jerseys are highly distinctive, for the people that do know what Jerseys are and what they look like can recognize them almost instantaneously. Jerseys are a close second to the widely known breed of the Holsteins, who sport black and white spots instead of the more attractive tan.

Another feature that’s quite overlooked on the Jersey’s would be their dark brown, almost near black, eyes. In addition to their dark eyes, they also can claim the fact that they have extremely long eyelashes, with the emphasis on long. These eyelashes help protect the abnormality large eyes from dust and debris, as they cannot defend their eyes any other way. Speaking of eyes, Jersey’s eyes are so big, they have a full 360 panoramic vision (Dairy Moos).

Functions and Fun Facts

Amazingly, even though the average Jersey cow drinks in-between thirty and fifty gallons of water a day, they still can produce about eight gallons of milk a day (Dairy Moos). That eight gallons of milk may be used for ice cream, cream cheese, or just plain milk, it’s all up to the creamery when they receive the milk that’s shipped from the farm. Jersey’s milk is more specifically made for ice cream and butter, since it has more of a creamy property It’s pretty crazy how that’s enough water to sustain a half ton animal that produces eight gallons of milk. After all, 40 gallons is only one bathtub full, which you’d think is hardly enough to support all the cows jaw movements!

That’s right, a Jersey moves their jaw about 40,000 times just in one day, which averages out to about 50 times a minute (Dairy Moos). Cows have what is known as “cud.” Cud is regurgitated grass, hay, or whatever the cow ate that day that has already been chewed up and made it to the first section in the stomach, so basically one level less of puke. Yep, they chew that stuff all day! Except when they’re eating new food that will later be spit back up by the rumen.

The Stomach

The what? The rumen. Moving down to the stomach of a Jersey, the rumen is the first compartment in the four parts of the cow’s stomach. Contrary to popular belief, a cow doesn’t have four stomachs, it has four compartments, each which all have their special purpose. In order, it goes rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The one that’s most like the human stomach would be the abomasum because that’s what breaks down the food and all the nutrients are absorbed by the intestines. Last summer, select Minnesotans were given the opportunity to interact with a cow that had a “window,” which is a hole that’s cut into the side of their stomach that allows people to feel the inside. Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt the cow, in fact, they just think they have cud to chew so they automatically start chewing! Pretty funny thing to watch actually.

The Udder

In the lower and underneath area of the Jersey, we’re now onto the legenDAIRY udder. The biggest area of a Jersey that is judged would without a doubt be the udder. The udder accounts for approximately 40 percent of the “scorecard” that judges use in professional dairy shows. Any person on the street would tell you that the udder is the most important part of the cow. Because the udder gives the milk not only to humans but also to the baby calves before they are weaned away from the mother and put into calf hunts.

People in the showing industry will go great lengths to show off the udder of their Jersey and highlight the udder if that’s the Jersey’s main strength. Some dairies have been known to put lotion, makeup, and baby powder on the Jersey’s udder to magnify the udder and hide the flaws that may be present. But in order to make the cow’s udder appear big, it must be big to begin with. Therefore the showman might interfere with their Jersey’s personal milking schedule. Typically, cows are milked every 12 hours, so twice a day.

Unfortunately, with all the glands and fluids in the udder, it makes the udder quite vulnerable to a disease known as mastitis. Mastitis is, in complex terms, “the inflammation of the mammary gland and udder tissue,” (AHDB). Mastitis is in simple terms bacteria growth in the milk ducts. The milk that is produced by a cow that has mastitis, if it produces any at all, is untreatable and humans are unable to drink it, leaving a deficit for the dairy farmers. Mastitis is contagious and could spread easily to other cows, so that’s why it’s taken very seriously. Cows are given antibiotics to treat mastitis and require extra labor in order to keep the disease controlled to keep the dairy at the most minimum loss as possible.

Conclusion

All in all, Jerseys are quite the interesting breed of cow. Jerseys have been known to be the friendliest breed of dairy cows, and also the smallest. Jerseys have a distinctive white band around their nose and are usually a tannish color for a coat. Jerseys are also well credited for their creamy milk, which is used for ice cream and butter. Not just Jerseys, but all cows have four compartments in their stomach, with each compartment serving its own special purpose. The udder is the most important part of the Jersey, and it accounts for 40% of the Jersey’s scorecard when it’s being judged. Mastitis is an infection of the udder, which is highly contagious, but highly preventable as well. Next time you’re at the Minnesota State Fair, or even at your local county fair, don’t forget to sneak a peek at your new favorite breed of dairy cattle. They’ll look at you with their big brown eyes and long eyelashes and you won’t be able to look away! We at the Topline can guarantee you’ll fall just as head over heels in the love with them as we did.

Works Cited

AHDB. "DairyCo." Mastitis in Dairy Cows. N.p., 2014. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.

“Interesting Facts about Cows.” Dairy Moos RSS. N.p., 2 Dec. 2012. Web. 05 Oct. 2014

About The Author

Posted 2014-09-22 10:49:52 | Views: 1,129

About the Author

Hi! My name is Tatum Piere and I have been active in the dairy showing business since I was eight years old. I show Jersey cattle and only Jersey, I’m very loyal to the small and friendly breed of cows that I've grown up to be familiar with and fall in love with. Never have I ever even associated with any other breeds of dairy cows, it’s just not my style!

When my family bought a dairy farm back in 2006, my cousins and I were ecstatic! Finally we would have a whole farm all to ourselves where we could run around and do stuff that normal kids do. None of us had ever been scared or intimidated by the hard hoofed moo-moo’s, so it was fair to say owning a farm of 300 Jersey’s would be so much fun, and believe me when I say it was and still is!

There wasn't a day that went by that we didn't climb on top of the hay bales and play with the baby day old calves. In addition to doing some daily feeding, we also had to train for the county fair every August. Jersey’s are known for their gentle nature, so it was no surprise that my cousin and I didn't have much trouble walking them like dogs! Despite the slobber and the occasional crushed toes, the purple ribbon at the end made it all worth it.

Throughout the years of showing I've learned a lot about self-determination and self-confidence. Even if you don’t have a clue what you’re doing, smiling is key! Some of those lessons are universal for a lot of things in life, and that’s why I’m so appreciative of my favorite Jersey cows.

Cover Page

Posted 2014-09-19 10:22:07 | Views: 1,129

The Topline

How to get the perfect topline

Do you know all about the body

and structure

of your

Jersey cows?

June 2014

Most comfortable show clothes!

(and where to get them)

Including the history of Jerseys

Back Next