Q&A With Fluffy Cows Groomer/Fitter, Kendall Bremer Of Iowa
By Amanda Radke
Contributing Editor Beef Magazine, Agriculture Speaker, Tri-State Livestock News, Farmers’ Advance
Meet The People Behind The Fluffy Cows Part 3: The Fitter
By Amanda Radke
In this series, we will explore the people who are involved in raising, caring for and showing the fluffy cows we love. Today, we meet the fitter — the person(s) who work to fluff and puff all of that hair on show day.
In case you missed it, meet a:
Youth Exhibitor, Ashtyn Danker
http://mattlautnercattle.com/?p=59526
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Judge, Matt Leo
http://mattlautnercattle.com/?p=59725
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Now, onto the fitter. Kendall Bremer is one of those fitters. Bremer hails from Iowa, where his family runs Bremer Show Cattle. They offer 75 show heifers each year in a first-come first-serve sale starting Oct. 1. Bremer was born into the show cattle business, and we catch up with him for a few minutes to explain what he does as a fitter, and why it is a fundamental part of the show ring.
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Q: How did you learn how to fit cattle?
A: I learned a lot from watching my older brothers, plus getting lots of critiques as I tried it myself. I would watch and then go do. That’s the trick to learning. Trial and error.
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Q: How would you describe the role of a fitter at a cattle show?
A: When we are fitting — we are a mix of an artist and a hairstylist. We do it to make the calf look more desirable by adding substance and dimension, or taking away some substance or dimension. We try to correct some of the flaws of the animal to enhance their best traits and meet what is accepted in the industry as the “ideal” calf.
Q: What would you say to the naysayers that show cattle are just hair, not beef?
A: I would tell them that we sold the Reserve Grand Steer at the Iowa State Fair last year. His carcass was USDA Choice with a 16.9 inch ribeye and a Yield Grade .9. That was the best carcass ever harvested from the Iowa State Fair. If selected right, you can have fluffy cows that meet the carcass requirements to succeed as well. Sometimes it’s the best of the best, as well. The whole point behind a terminal steer shows is to highlight what’s underneath the fluff, as well.
Editor’s note: USDA Choice refers to a quality grade, which tells a consumer at the store just how much fat (flavor & marbling) is found in the beef. On the scale is Prime, Choice and Select. Yield grade is an indicator of external fat (marbling is the internal flecks of fat you see in your steak). The scale for USDA Yield Grade is 1-4 (1 being the leanest).
Q: How do you respond to the folks who are saying that fluffy cows are “too cute to eat?”
A: We have to remember what the purpose of their life is. The perception might be that they are cute, but the reality is that these cattle are making beef. We treat these cattle as good as ourselves, but in the end, these steers are meat animals.
On the other hand, when somebody buys a bull or a heifer, it’s not just hair either. They are also thinking of it as an investment for an animal that will go on to produce good calves in their herd.
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Q: If you could offer advice to youth showmen on making their calves look the best they can, what would it be?
A: Get involved in 4-H and FFA. Take advantage of programs like Sullivan’s Supply’s Stock Show University. I’ve been an instructor at those, where we spend up to two days working with the kids to teach them how to clip and fit these animals. The real foundation behind these shows is educating youth. We’ve got to teach these young people how to do the fitting and clipping, so they can do it themselves. Stock Show U is great because you are still able to work with a professional and learn so much from the program.
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Editor’s Note: Sullivan’s Supply is a business that sells the hair adhesives (glues, paints, hairsprays, combs, jumbo blowers, etc.) to make those fluffy cows shine in the show ring. Their youth program helps to teach kids how to work with the hair and make the cattle shine.
As Seen On The Matt Lautner Cattle Blog