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Hair Dye for Cattle | Tips from Stock Show University
Before most shows, one of the items on the to-do list is to dye your animal’s hair. During this Stock Show University Tip, we will be discussing the different hair dye products that Sullivan Supply has to offer, along with tips and tricks on the dying process in your barn.
When choosing a hair dye for your animals, would you like a product that delivers better coverage, a richer hair color, easy to apply, cost-effective, and more gentle when used properly? Sullivan Supply has you covered! For black cattle, refresh your animal’s hair back to a long-lasting, brilliant black with Sullivan’s BLAQ livestock dye. BLAQ, color for black colored livestock. ENVY, color for dark red livestock, and FYRE, color for medium red livestock, were specifically formulated to be a long-lasting dye that, when used properly, won’t irritate the skin and hide of the animal.
Now, that you have a dye purchased, you might be wondering what is the best way to dye your animal. Stock Show University recommends that you start with a clean, dry, and clipped animal—along with you wearing older clothes (even when you do all the steps correctly, it might be a little messy). No oils should be applied to the animal’s hair before the dying process. When prepping your animal, make sure they are tied in a shady area, out of direct sunlight. If you are wanting to dye your animal, and they do have some white on them, spray Sullivan’s Hocus Pocus on those areas to prevent the dye sticking to that part of the hair coat. You also can apply Hocus Pocus to the ear tag as well, so it does not also get stained. If the tail is white, you may grab an AI glove to cover the tail from preventing it from getting mixed with the color dye, or you may use a tail clamp. Lastly, to protect sensitive areas on your animal such as the udder, rectal area, under the tail, etc., spray Sullivan’s Revive on those areas to help avoid irritation.
Once your animal is ready to go, you will need to mix the dye bottle and the activator bottle into a Top Gun bottle and sprayer or a Heavy-Duty Pump-Up sprayer. Directions for mixing are on the dye box, and each kit covers a 1,200 pound animal. Once mixed, put on plastic or latex gloves and spray ⅓ of the dye on each side of the animal, using the remaining ⅓ on thicker haired areas on the animal. If you are dying the tail switch, do that part last, as the animal might switch their tail. Once all the dye is in, let the dye sit on the hair for a maximum of 30 minutes. While the dye is sitting, comb in with an old SMART comb or a Smart Scrub Brush to work the dye into the hair. Note—make sure your comb and scrub brush are oil free before you start combing the dye into the animal. You may also put a fan on them during this process to help the dye set into the hair coat.
Once the dye has been in for 30 minutes, start rinsing your animal until the water coming off the animal is clear. After this, wash your animal with Sullivan’s Volumizer shampoo like normal. Rinse out the soap and dry your animal. Apply Sullivan’s Revive or Revive Lite onto the animal’s hair to help condition the hair as well as bring out a deeper color within the hair. After this process and days after, continue your normal daily care routine with Sullivan’s Revive/Revive Lite and Sullivan’s Kleen Sheen to keep your animal’s hide healthy.
For more tips and video tutorials from Stock Show University, visit https://www.sullivansupply.com/stock-show-u/online/.

Illinois Stock Show University Grad Program | May 5th & 6th
Join us in Galva, Illinois on May 5th and 6th for our two-day Stock Show University Grad Program. Be sure to follow the link below to sign-up!
Sign-up Link: Click Here
Youth Beef Forum Stock Show University Clinic | Lindsay, Ontario, Canada on April 28th
Stock Show University Iowa Grad Program – Day Two
Professor Keaton Otto demonstrates how to clip the correct shape into a front leg.
Master Professor Josh Elder and Deb Vorthmann talk about the proper way to fit and clip a top line and tailhead.
Master Professor Tracey Coffland works with Renne Piekema to understand the clipping techniques on a rear leg.
Clayton Walker uses Sullivan’s White Powder’ful to fit the perfect tailhead.
Sam Jordan works on clipping the belly of his heifer.
Bode Drunkenmiller was showing off his skills today. Great Job, Bode.
Winners in the 14-21 year old division goes to: Best Fitter: Jenna Reeter, Best Clipper: Clayton Walker, Best Showmen: Logan Rozenboom, Most Determined: Renee Piekema, Most Improved: Pacey Hawkins, GO Getter: Kolton Knopp
Winners in the 8-13 year old Division goes to: Best Fitter: Bode Drunkenmiller, Best Clipper: Ty Recker, Best Showmen: Aubrey Snuggs, Most Determined: Sam Jordan, Most Improved: Hannah Woods, Go Getter: Kayley Lancaster.
Stock Show University | Texas Grad Program Day 2 Candids
Barydee Thorne learns some clipping tricks from master professor Jeff Sargent.
Kaylee Martinez gets some hands on clipping practice with Site Manager and Show Manager – Hillsboro and Professor Josh Nelson.
Professor Valentine Del Rio giving showmanship advice to Steely and Gentry Gotchner.
Award Picture:
(Back row left to right)
Master Professor Jeff Sargent, Founder of Sullivan Supply and Stock Show University John Sullivan, Senior Most Determined award winner Daylin Watkin, Senior Best Showman award winner Megan Holmes, Senior Future Professor award winner Connor Fisher, Senior Bet Clipper award winner Kylee Evans, Senior Most Improved award winner Kolby Bruhn, Senior best fitter award winner Caleb Hines, Professor Eli Smallwood and Site Manager and Show Manager – Hillsboro and Professor Josh Nelson.
(Front row left to right)
Junior Future Professor award winner Ranch Gotcher, Junior Best Showman award winner Steely Gotcher, Junior Most Determined award winner Braydee Thorne, Junior Most Improved award winner Gentry Gotcher, Junior Best Fitter award winner Jacob Hines, Senior Go Getter award winner Dakota Busby, Junior Go getter award winner Loralie Webb, Junior Best Clipper award winner Karamie Gilbert, Manager of Stock Show university and The Pulse – Hillsboro Tylee Williams and Sales Representative and Professor Michale Luna.
It's Stock Show University Grad Program Season!
Check out the full Stock Show University Grad Program schedule to see if there are any in your area! Also, check out the daily schedule to see what you can expect when you attend!
Go to www.sullivansupply.com for more inforation on individual programs and to register!
Stock Show University Texas Grad Program | Day One
Great group at the Texas Grad Program this weekend.
Professor Michael Schertz helps Brooke Reynolds clip her heifer.
Site Manager and Show Manager – Hillsboro and Professor Josh Nelson shows Cullen Tingle some clipping techniques.
Braydee Throne takes it all in as Professor Eli Smallwood shares some clipping advice.
Master Professor Jeff Sargent helps Daylin Watkin Clip her heifers top.
Stock Show University Iowa Grad Clinic – Day One
We have a great group of students at the Iowa Grad Program!
Even on a cold spring day, the professors demonstrate how to wash your calf.
Professor Joe Herr helps Ty Recker with a top line on his calf.
Professor Keaton Otto works with the Mel Engelka on clipping a tail head, as Lidia and Chad look on.
Master Professor Josh Elder works with the kids to demonstrate how to use a rotobrush.
Professor Deb Vorthman demonstrates how to part a tailhead for the best results this summer.
Sullivan's Stock Show University Texas Grad Program | THIS WEEKEND
Sign-up today for our Stock Show University Grad Program in Texas THIS WEEKEND, April 21st and 22nd!
Sign-up link: www.eventbrite.com
Stock Show University Iowa Grad Program | THIS WEEKEND
Don’t forget to sign-up for the Iowa Stock Show U Grad Program that is being held THIS WEEKEND, April 21st and 22nd, in Osceola, Iowa!
Sign-up Link: www.eventbrite.com