1. Feeder Cattle Grading
GRADING FEEDER CATTLE
The process of grading feeder cattle is a projection of maturity based on frame size, muscling, and the sex of the calf.
Livestock Knowledge CD

2. Large framed, heavy muscled steer could grow to 1400 before maturity
1400 lbs
Large framed, heavy muscled steer could grow to 1400 before maturity
Muscle
Fat
Frame
GROWTH CURVES
900 lbs
Small framed, light muscled heifers stop at 900 lbs

3. Evaluating Frame Size
Hip
Height
Flank to Flank
Chest to Ground

4. What Makes the Grade on Frame Size?
Steers
Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0.4 inches backfat)
Heifers
Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0.4 inches backfat)
Large – over 1,250
Medium – 1,100 to 1,250
Small - under 1,100
Large - over 1,150
Medium – 1,000 to 1,150
Small - under 1,000

5. Evaluating Muscle

6. Muscle Grades #1 #2 #3 #4 = Thick Or Heavy Muscling = Average Muscling
= Thin Or Light Muscling
= Extremely Light Muscling (Starved Jersey)

7. # 1 Muscle
1--
1++

8. # 2 Muscle
2--
2++

9. # 3 Muscle
3--
3++

10. # 4 Muscle

11. Muscle Grades
# 1
# 2
# 3
# 4

12. Possible Feeder Cattle Grades
Large Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Medium Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Small Frame #1,#2,#3 or #4
Inferior – This grade will include sick unthrifty cattle and double muscled cattle due to their inability to Quality grade.

13. Old calves for their weight are usually lowered one frame score
Old calves for their weight are usually lowered one frame score. Indicators of age include the tail significantly below hocks, the degree of twist in switch, and a wide muzzle.

14. FAT
FAT
FAT
MEDIUM
SMALL+
Feeder calves with excess condition, or fat, are usually lowered a frame size based on the assumption the calf has reached maturity. If excess fat is present, muscle should be reevaluated to ensure thickness is not due to fat.

15. Test Your Feeder Cattle Grading Skills

16. #3 Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large++
Heifer
650 lb

17. #1++ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large-
Steer
750 lb

18. #2 Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium
Steer
520 lb

19. #1-- Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large-
Steer
725 lb

20. Frame Size = Small
#2+ Muscle Grade
Steer
475 lb

21. #3 Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large+++
Heifer
810 lb

22. #2+ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Heifer
635 lb

23. #3 Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium-
Heifer
640 lb

24. #1 Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Steer
690 lb

25. #1+ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large
Steer
810 lb

26. #2-- Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Small
Heifer
515 lb

27. Inferior Grade
#3+ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Large+
Heifer
585 lb

28. #2++ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Steer
600 lb

29. Inferior Grade ??
#3++ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Steer
575 lb

30. #3+ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium++
Heifer
775 lb

31. #1- Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Steer
685 lb

32. #4+++ Muscle Grade
Frame Size = Medium+
Steer
605 lb

33. YOU ARE READY TO GRADE FEEDER CATTLE33
YOU ARE READY TO GRADE FEEDER CATTLE