Showing (the Warts question) - The DCS 2005 directive

[Ted Neal]

The 2005 UK Show Schedules are now landing on mats all over the country. The DCS has said that any beast showing signs of a wart (some growths may not be a wart), are to be asked to leave the judging ring.
The DCS are keen to have as many animals as possible in the showring; but as those who show know it is not a cheap excercise. At most shows you need to come second to get at least your entry fee back. Whilst some shows offer free entry to classes they get you on stall fees (between £10-£15) plus you have to be a member of the particular Show Society. All in all an expensive excercise. Obviously no-one will enter an animal that has warts; but as entries have to be in about 8 weeks before the show - there is possibility that a wart may grow and most herds do not have the numbers to substitute or are not allowed to.
I think that the Dexters are the only breed to make this rule.
Should it be rescinded ?

PS - Congratulations to the East of England Show, who are to give entrants their stall fees back IF they appear in the ring and to the Suffolk who give every non-prize winning entry that is forward £15. However both Societies require you to be a member. It is the sort of thing to encourage entries.

[Mark Bowles]

Dont get me going on warts,they are playing havoc with my yearling heifers.
I penciled in 6 heifers to show in the under 18 month classes this year and befor it gets going i am down to only 2.The 4 have either a single small wart on a teat or good sized angleberries.I am getting an antidote injection made up to cure the angleberries, i really hope it works, my best heifer has 4 including 2 growing from the end of her teats.
On the show subject, are we saying that other cattle breeds accept warts, i must admit to seeing some Angus with them at shows.
Apart from loosing entry fees at shows due to withdrawing entries due to warts, what about the various breed sales.
I would like to support Melton Mowbray sale this year but to enter a young animal that could grow a wart between entry and sale day could be embarrasing and costly.
Would an animal be rejected at inspection at the sale for carrying a wart?
Could someone in an official capacity make the instruction clear for all to see.
Im still very much looking forward to the new show season,
starting at Leicester on 1/2 May.
Mark

[woollard]

I read with interest all the comments concerning warts - I'm a firm believer in thinking that stress brings out the warts which all cattle are likely to get at some stage. This year I have weaned my calves a bit later i.e at eight months, and the one steer that got stressed up about it, has developed warts around his mouth! I don't like seeing warts in the show ring, but we are the only breed that makes a fuss about it. When I started showing 14 years ago, I entered my heifer in a class in which there was one other calf - absolutely covered in warts - to my horror she won!! I'm sure that even if we don't think we have warts, there will be one lurking in the coat somewhere that we haven't seen, the odd one in a not very prominent position does not worry me, but if they are very obvious and plentyful, then I do think that animal should stay at home.