Friday, August 26, 2011

Cattle fitters or 'show jocks' are busy at fairs

California rancher Darrell Hansen (right) and partner James Vietheer are among many state fair competitors who go to great lengths to groom livestock before judging. Called "show jocks" on the circuit, cattle fitters take their jobs very seriously. "Show champion animals can fetch auction prices that are double those that fall short of the winner's circle," P.J. Huffstutter of the Los Angeles Times reports. (Photo by Huffstutter)

Presentation is so important during competition that some people cheat. People have been caught drugging bulls with Clembuterol to add muscle and "injecting vegetable oil between their skin and muscle tissue to give them a smoother look," Huffstutter reports.

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