The show cattle industry has a cheating problem, and Kolten says it’s time to stop pretending everyone doesn’t see it.

In this episode of The Cattle Coach Show, Kolten tackles the practice of backdating show cattle and why lying about an animal’s birth date doesn’t just affect one class or one show. It impacts exhibitors, judges, breed associations, data, and ultimately the integrity of the industry itself.

And the argument that “everybody does it” isn’t good enough.

Kolten breaks down why backdating can actually work against an animal as it matures, why judges shouldn’t be responsible for policing dishonest birth dates, and why sacrificing integrity for a ribbon contradicts the values the livestock industry says it wants to teach the next generation.

At the end of the day, the message is simple:

Don’t sacrifice your moral compass for the sake of competition. Just do right.

Subscribe to The Cattle Coach Show for more conversations about show cattle, ranching, breeding, business, and building an operation you can be proud of.

#CattleCoach #ShowCattle #CattleIndustry #StockShow #ShowHeifers #CattleBreeding #Livestock #Ranching

Learn From Kolten: https://www.cattle-coach.com/cattle-coach-academy-sign-up-pageWant to learn more about cattle, breeding, genetics, show cattle, and building a better cattle operation? Check out the Cattle Coach Academy at the link above.In this episode, Kolten takes us behind the scenes at the ranch during calving season and breaks down what he looks for in a newborn show calf — even at just 6 days old.How much can you actually tell about a calf that young? More than you might think.Kolten walks through the traits he starts studying from the moment a calf hits the ground, including vigor, structure, feet, bone, skull shape, hair, color, muscle, temperament, genetics, and overall build. We also take a closer look at a calf out of a $30,000 donor and one of Kolten's favorite bulls and see how close the mating came to producing exactly what he had envisioned.You'll also see the realities of raising cattle in the Texas heat, why newborn calves are sometimes separated from their mothers during the hottest part of the day, how calves are tagged and vaccinated, and some of the management decisions that go into keeping cattle healthy and developing properly.If you're interested in show cattle, show steers, cattle genetics, livestock judging, breeding cattle, embryo transfer cattle, calf evaluation, ranching, cattle management, or the cattle industry, this episode gives you a real-world look at how those decisions are made.Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes cattle content, ranch management, show cattle education, breeding conversations, and practical lessons from the ranch.In this episode:• Evaluating a 6-day-old show calf• What makes a good show steer• Calf structure and hoof shape• Cattle genetics and breeding decisions• Newborn calf care• Managing cattle during extreme Texas heat• Ear tagging and vaccinations• Comparing calves side-by-side• Show cattle development• Ranch management and stewardship#Cattle #ShowCattle #ShowSteers #Ranching #CattleGenetics #Livestock #CattleRanching #CalvingSeason #CattleBreeding #CattleCoach

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten sits down with Adam and Kara Potts for a conversation about the side of the show cattle industry that doesn’t always get talked about.The Potts family had built the life they thought they wanted: a growing cattle operation, a family they loved, success in the show ring, and goals they were determined to reach. But somewhere along the way, the trophy became more than a goal. Winning became the measure of success, and they realized the pursuit of it was beginning to affect their business, their family, and the way they experienced the industry they loved.Adam and Kara share how financial pressure brought them to a breaking point, the moment their faith became real in a completely different way, and why surrender changed their perspective on success. They also explain why they now believe, “The reason we show is to lose,” and how learning to lose well can build better kids, stronger families, and a healthier perspective on competition. Cattle Coach - PottsThis is a conversation about cattle, competition, marriage, money, faith, raising kids, and realizing that sometimes getting everything you thought you wanted still isn’t enough.If you’ve ever chased the banner, built your life around the next win, or wondered what all of this is really supposed to be about, this episode is worth the listen.

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten shares a perspective he didn’t fully understand until becoming a show dad himself: why some families eventually walk away from the show cattle world.

Showing cattle can demand an incredible amount of time, money, sacrifice, and commitment. But when the pursuit of winning begins costing your marriage, your relationship with your kids, or the health of your family, the price is too high.

Kolten talks about learning to recognize when ambition has crossed the line, why families need to regularly check in with each other, and how the hard seasons of showing cattle can either tear a family apart or refine it. The goal isn’t simply to survive the fire. It’s to come through it stronger, closer, and better than you were before.

Going all in isn’t the problem. But everybody involved has to understand the price, and even a good thing can be pursued the wrong way when the heart behind it gets out of order.If you’re raising show cattle, raising kids in agriculture, or chasing big goals as a family, this one is worth hearing.

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The State Fair of Texas is right around the corner, and if you’re planning to show in Dallas, there are a few things you need to know before you get there.Kolten sits down with State Fair of Texas Livestock Show Director Emily June Williams to talk about what exhibitors and show families can expect this year—from livestock check-in and common mistakes to important updates surrounding New World screw worm requirements.Emily also shares what happens behind the scenes to prepare for more than 14,000 livestock entries, what first-time show families should know, and the one mistake they see exhibitors make every year that can ultimately keep an animal out of the show ring.Plus, they talk State Fair traditions, Big Tex, fair food, and what makes the livestock show experience in Dallas so special.Whether this is your first trip to the State Fair or you’ve been showing there for years, this episode will help you show up prepared.🐂 Want to raise better cattle, build a stronger operation, and make money doing it? Check out Cattle Coach Academy at the link below.Subscribe to Cattle Coach for more conversations about showing cattle, raising champions, and building a profitable cattle operation.

Everything you’ve done for the last 365 days comes down to this.

In the final episode of the How to Raise Your Own Grand Champion series, Kolten Thigpen breaks down what it takes to finish strong when you finally arrive at the show.

From keeping your calf eating and drinking in a new environment to exercise, show-day preparation, choosing the right class, understanding the judge, and making the right first impression in the ring, Kolten walks through the details that can make the difference when it matters most.

Because after a year of feeding, working, practicing, planning, and investing, it can all come down to about 15 minutes in the showroom—and the first 15 seconds may be the most important.

In this episode:
• Preparing your calf once you arrive at the show
• Keeping feed and water intake consistent
• Why exercise matters during show week
• Choosing the right class and show order
• Preparing your showman for the ring
• Why first impressions matter to the judge
• How to eliminate the “bad seconds” in the show ring
• Why the price you paid for your calf doesn’t determine the outcome
• Finishing the year knowing you left no stone unturned

It’s the fourth quarter. The chips are on the table. Now it’s time to finish strong.

Want more tips for building a successful show cattle operation? Check out Cattle Coach Academy.

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You can spend the money. You can buy the calf. But you still can’t buy a champion.

In this episode of Cattle Coach, Kolten sits down with legendary ag teacher and stock show figure Wade Shackleford for a conversation packed with decades of experience in the show cattle industry.

Wade shares the lessons behind more than 110 breed champions, what separates great showmen from average ones, why feeding and consistency matter more than people think, and why deep pockets alone will never replace hard work.

They also get into how the stock show world has changed, cattle classification, judging, picking calves, the rising cost of showing, the changing role of ag teachers and county agents, and some of the biggest problems Wade sees in the industry today.

From the feed bucket to the show ring, this episode is full of practical advice, strong opinions, and stories from someone who has spent a lifetime developing winning cattle, winning showmen, and young people.

If you show cattle, raise cattle, judge livestock, or have kids involved in the stock show world, this is one you’ll want to hear.

Subscribe to Cattle Coach for more conversations about raising champions, building better cattle, and succeeding in the cattle business.

Winning Grand Champion doesn’t happen by accident.In this episode of The Cattle Coach, Kolten continues the **Growing Your Own Grand Champion** series by breaking down one of the most important parts of the process: preparing your calf for show day.The real work for a specific show can start six weeks before you ever step into the ring. From choosing the right show and understanding the judge to dialing in your feeding schedule, practicing at home, preparing for travel, and making sure your calf peaks at exactly the right time—every detail matters.In this episode, Kolten covers:• Why show preparation should start weeks in advance• How to research a judge and understand what they prioritize• Choosing the right calf for the right show• Adjusting feeding schedules around show time• Getting your calf comfortable with a show halter• Preparing for travel, stress, and schedule changes• Why every show family needs a checklist• How small details can make the difference in the ringThe goal isn't to simply arrive at the show looking good. The goal is to have your calf at **12:00 when it matters most**.If you want to compete at the highest level, preparation has to be intentional. Grand Champions aren't made by luck—they're built through preparation, consistency, and doing the little things right.Subscribe to **The Cattle Coach** so you don't miss the final episode in the series, where Kolten breaks down **showing your Grand Champion**.If this episode helped you, share it with another show family and leave your questions in the comments.Have a blessed day, and we'll see you on the next episode of The Cattle Coach.

Want to learn more from The Cattle Coach?Join the Cattle Coach Academy: https://www.cattle-coach.com/Would Dave Ramsey finance a show steer? Probably not — and once you break down the numbers, it’s not hard to see why.In this episode of The Cattle Coach, Kolten takes Dave Ramsey’s approach to debt, risk, and financial decision-making and applies it to the show cattle industry.From financing a steer to investing in a show heifer, there’s a big difference between buying an animal because you want it and making a purchase that actually makes financial sense.The show cattle game is simply too expensive to approach without a plan. Kolten breaks down ROI, risk vs. reward, the long-term earning potential of heifers, and why an impulsive purchase can quickly turn into an expensive lesson.He also tackles a problem that’s become far too normal in the cattle business: taking possession of an animal before actually paying for it.And if you are going to borrow money for cattle, you’d better be able to explain exactly how that investment is supposed to pay you — and your lender — back. That means having a real business plan, understanding your risks, and having a Plan B, C, and D when working with livestock inevitably doesn’t go exactly as planned.Whether you’re raising show cattle as a family project or trying to build a profitable cattle business, this episode will challenge you to think differently about where your money is going — because winning a blue ribbon and making a good financial decision aren’t always the same thing.Subscribe to The Cattle Coach for more conversations about building better cattle, stronger businesses, and making decisions that set you up for long-term success.#TheCattleCoach #ShowCattle #CattleBusiness #ShowSteers #ShowHeifers #CattleIndustry #Ranching

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Buying the right calf is only the beginning. The real work starts the day you bring them home.

In this episode of The Cattle Coach, Kolten breaks down what happens between purchase day and show day—and why that daily work is where grand champions are actually made.

From creating functional facilities and reducing stress to feeding consistently, building the right routines, practicing showmanship, and intentionally working with your animal, Kolten walks through the habits that can make or break your success in the show ring.

You'll learn why consistency matters so much with cattle, when being “consistently inconsistent” can actually make your animal better, and why every part of your routine should have a purpose.

You can't just buy your way into the champion circle. You've got to put in the work.

Subscribe to The Cattle Coach for more practical cattle knowledge, show cattle advice, and lessons from inside the industry.