Livestock Evaluation Flashcards
What is the criteria for evaluating breeding heifers and bulls?
1.) Structural correctness
2.) volume and capacity
3.) muscle
4.) balance and basic build
5.) femininity and masculinity
What is the criteria for evaluating market steers and heifers?
1.) muscle (product)
2.) degree of finish (fat)
3.) volume and capacity
4.) structural correctness
5.) balance and basic build
Structural correctness of cattle
-very important priority and trait when evaluating breeding animals
-indicator of longevity, durability, soundness, and can affect performance
-evaluate: feet, pasterns, hocks, knees, rump, shoulder
Post legged
extremely straight hind legs
-hock angle is too small
Sickle hocked
extremely curved hind legs
-hock angle is too big
Is post legged or sickle hocked better?
sickle hocked
Bowlegged (pigeon-toed)
-rear view
-hocks point outwards
Cow hocked (splay footed)
-rear view
-hocks point inwards
Over at the knee (buck-kneed)
knees appear slightly over line from shoulder to hoof
Back at the knee (calf-kneed)
knees appear slightly behind the line from shoulder to hoof
Weak pasterns
pasterns are set closer to the ground
Splay footed (toed out)
-front view
-toes point outward
Pigeon-toed (toed in)
-front view
-toes point inwards
Volume and capacity of cattle
-mainly concerned with fetal growth and development
1.) Body width
2.) Depth of body
3.) length of body
4.) base width
Balance and basic build of cattle
1.) levelness of topline
2.) balance between body width, depth, and length
3.) smoothness of front end
4.) blending of shoulder, ribs, and hip
Muscle in cattle
1.) shape over the top
2.) thickness in quarter
3.) width between rear legs
4.) dimension of forearm
Femininity of cattle
1.) refinement of head
2.) length of neck
3.) angularity of neck
4.) blending of shoulder and forerib
Masculinity of cattle
1.) muscling
2.) scrotal circumference
3.) testicular development
Butts, nuts, and guts
Finish of cattle
-amount of fat cover
-related to intramuscular fat
-top
-body depth
-brisket
-tailhead
-udder or cod
-shoulder
-over ribs
-flank
What is the criteria for evaluating breeding ewes and rams
1.) structural correctness
2.) volume and capacity
3.) growth and frame size
4.) muscle
5.) balance and style
6.) breed character
7.) femininity and masculinity
What is the criteria for evaluating market lambs?
1.) muscle
2.) trimness (fat) -want less fat
3.) balance and style
4.) frame size
5.) structural correctness
Structural correctness in sheep
-mouth
-feet
-pasterns
-hocks
-knees
-rump
-shoulder
-legs
Is bowlegged or cow hocked more common?
cow hocked
Undershot (bull dog mouth or monkey mouth)
-bottom jaw juts out
-hard to graze
-genetic
Overshot (parrot mouth)
-top jaw juts out
-hard to graze
-genetic
Is an undershot or overshot jaw worse?
undershot jaw is worse
Muscle in sheep
-forearm
-top (rack and loin)
-loin
-hip or rump
-leg
-stifle
-hindsaddle (last rib to the back of the sheep)
When looking at breed character pay attention to wool on what body parts?
-legs
-cap
-cheeks
What should breed character be based on?
-ear size and shape
-wool location
-muzzle width
-color of fleece
-horned or polled
Volume and capacity in sheep
-length of body
-overall width (base width)
-depth of body
-bone structure (want heavy boned)
Growth and frame size of sheep
-big enough to grow and produce
-met the breed standard for size
-average daily gain
-weight per day per day of age
-height
-length of spine
Balance and style (eye appeal) of sheep
-contribute to the overall appearance
-smoothness of shoulder
-smoothness of neck shoulder junction
-straightness of top
-uniform depth of body
-level hip
-level dock
-head carriage
Femininity in sheep
-refined head and neck
-extended front end
Masculinity in sheep
-muscling
-testicular development
Trimness in sheep
-breast
-forerib
-ribs
-top
