Beef Cattle Evaluation

Back to Basics  Why?  Livestock Improvement  Find functional and useful cattle  3 Areas  Breeding Heifers  Breeding Bulls  Market Steers  3 Considerations  Goals of the operation  Breed  EPDs

Areas of Evaluation  Breeding Heifers and Bulls  Structure  Volume  Composition  Balance  Growth  Femininity/Scrotal Size  Market Steers  Composition  Volume  Structure  Balance

Structure  Angles  Shoulder  Topline  Hooks to Pins  Joints  How they walk  Long full stride  Cover track  Bone Mass  Indicates longevity

Volume  Depth  Length  Width  Spring of rib  Why  Room for calf  Feed Efficiency  Feed Intake

Composition  Fat  Measure 12 th -13 th rib  5/8 inch  Indicates finish  Yield grade  Affects fertility  Muscle  Amount of Product

Growth  Frame Size  Short/Moderate/Tall  Impact on breeding  Market Weight: lbs

Femininity (Heifers)  Do they look like females  Smooth & Clean fronted  Head Indicators  Refined lines and angles  Appropriate Parts  Vuvla size  Teat placement  Can they go out a perform in their environment Scrotal Size (Bulls)  Fertility  larger

Balance  How well they put everything together  Eye Appeal  Too much???

Sample Class 