Before we get into daily grooming, there’s something important to understand:
Genetics matter.
As an industry, we’ve spent years selecting for traits that win in the show ring—hair, bone, and slower growth patterns. Those traits don’t always translate to commercial settings, but in the show world, they matter.
So here’s a question worth asking:
Are you saving money by buying a cheaper calf? Or costing yourself more in time, effort, and frustration trying to make one into something it’s not?
Good genetics don’t do the work for you, but they make everything easier.
Understanding the Hair Cycle
Hair growth in cattle follows a cycle:
~20 days of shedding
~100 days of growth
That’s roughly a 120-day cycle. If you have a target show, count back 120 days.
That’s when your daily grooming program needs to start.
Step 1: The Shedding Phase (First 20 Days)
At the beginning of your 120-day window, your goal is simple:
Remove all dead hair.
Use a shedding comb (Weaver or Sullivan work well) and comb the calf thoroughly:
• Go in all directions
• Cover the entire body
• Avoid sensitive areas like flanks and armpits
You’ll notice less hair coming out each day. That’s how you know you’re progressing.
After about 20 days, this phase is done.
Step 2: Daily Wash & Dry Routine
Every day starts the same way:
Rinse → Blow Dry → Train Hair
• Rinse the calf thoroughly
• Blow dry at a 45° angle toward the head
• Do NOT create lines in the hair
How you dry the hair is how it will train.
And this part matters more than most people think:
Get the calf completely dry.
If you don’t:
• You risk fungus (especially in areas like the chest)
• You slow hair growth
• You make hair harder to train
Step 3: Condition the Hair
Apply a daily conditioner and comb it in according to directions.
You don’t need the most expensive product, just something consistent you can use daily.
Watch for:
• Scratching
• Redness
• Irritation
If you see those, switch products. No conditioner is worth fighting the animal’s skin.
Step 4: Brush—A Lot
This is one of the most overlooked steps.
Use a rice root brush and brush the entire animal thoroughly.
Why it matters:
• Trains the hair
• Removes dandruff
• Stimulates blood flow to hair follicles
And most importantly:
Brush with intention.
Train the hair from day one to go where you want it. It will save you a massive headache on show day.
Managing Temperature (The Real Key)
Hair growth is directly tied to temperature management.
If You Have a Cool Room:
Use it, but don’t abuse it.
Cool rooms are tools, not shortcuts.
If overused:
• Calves can go lame from lack of movement
• Transitioning to show conditions becomes difficult
• Appetite and hair can suffer
If You Don’t Have a Cool Room:
You can still grow plenty of hair.
• Keep calves in shade during the day
• Use fans for airflow
• Keep them clean and dry
• Turn them out at night for exercise
A simple rule:
If it’s above 65°F, get air moving.
Summer Management (Advanced Tip)
In hotter weather, cooling becomes even more important.
One method that works well:
• Keep a cooler with ice water
• During peak heat, pour cold water along the calf’s topline
• Brush it in with a rice root brush (toward the head)
• Leave fans running to keep the cooling effect going
This helps regulate body temperature and supports hair growth, but don’t start too early in the season when it’s still cool.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, this all comes down to two things:
Keep them clean. Keep them cool.
Everything else builds off of that.
And just like anything else in livestock, your environment matters.
Pay attention. Adjust when needed. Keep improving your system. Because the people who are best at this aren’t just following a routine—
They're constantly refining it.
What’s the cornerstone of your daily care routine? I'd love to hear what works for you. Reply to this newsletter or leave a comment below.
