Livestock Evaluation and Cattle Market Priorities
In this visual guide, various aspects of livestock evaluation, focusing on cattle breeding, market priorities, muscle indicators, body parts of a cow, finish indicators, structural evaluation, rib and feeding ability assessment, and balance along with eye appeal considerations are discussed in detail. The images provide insights into key evaluation criteria such as muscle correctness, structure, movement, finish indicators, and overall body balance for evaluating livestock effectively.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
CATTLE Breeding Heifers Bulls Market
MARKET CATTLE Priorities Muscle Correctness of Finish Structure and Movement Rib and Feeding Ability Balance and Eye appeal
MUSCLE INDICATORS Forearm Rib Loin Hip Stifle Quarter Base Width
Loin and Ribs Loin and Ribs Quarter Quarter Hock Hock Forearm Forearm Stifle Stifle
FINISH INDICATORS Brisket Down top Over Ribs Around Tailhead Drop to flank Cod fat
Down Top Down Top Fat Fat Brisket Brisket Over ribs Over ribs Drop to Flank Drop to Flank
EVALUATING STRUCTURE Front foot alignment Shoulder angle Strength of topline Levelness and length of hip Set to hock Set to pastern Heaviness of structure
Levelness of hip Levelness of hip Strength of topline Strength of topline Shoulder angle Shoulder angle Set to hock Set to hock Front Front f foot alignment oot alignment Set to pastern Set to pastern
EVALUATING RIB/FEEDING ABILITY Steers should possess dimension to their skeleton in terms of chest width and center body shape Width of chest Depth of body Rib shape Uniformity of body depth
Rib shape Rib shape Depth of chest Depth of chest Width of chest Width of chest
EVALUATING BALANCE AND EYE APPEAL How well the animal fits together Length of neck Levelness of topline and hip Smooth pattern General attractiveness
Length of neck Length of neck Levelness of topline Levelness of topline
BREEDING CATTLE Priorities Functionality Growth Performance Balance and Eye appeal Muscle Femininity/Masculinity
FUNCTIONALLY Structural Correctness Optimal Rib Shape design Depth of rib Spring and shape of rib
GROWTH PERFORMANCE It is important to choose cattle that have the ability to gain weight while possessing an optimal frame size to limit mature weight and maintenance costs Length of Face Length of cannon Length of body Weight of animal
BALANCE AND EYE APPEAL Similar as in market steers proportional Very important to look for attractiveness and refinement in the head, neck and shoulders of heifers
Feminine Feminine Masculine Masculine
MUSCLE Important, but not as much as it is in market cattle Want to select heifers that are not excessive in their degree of muscle Too Much Muscle!!! Too Much Muscle!!!
SHEEP Breeding Rams Ewes Market
MARKET LAMBS Priorities Muscle Correctness of finish Growth/weight Skeletal correctness Balance and eye appeal
MUSCLE INDICATORS Forearm Rack Loin Hip Leg Base width
Loin Loin Rack Rack Hip Hip Leg Leg Forearm Forearm
FINISH INDICATORS Breast/Chest Plate Forerib Over Ribs Flank Twist
Over Ribs Over Ribs Breast/Chest Breast/Chest plate plate Flank Flank Fore ribs Fore ribs
GROWTH INDICATORS Length of cannon bone Height at top of shoulders Length of body Weight
Length of body Length of body Height @ top of shoulder Height @ top of shoulder Length of Length of cannon bone cannon bone
SKELETAL CORRECTNESS Proper angle to shoulder and knee Appropriate set to pastern Levelness of top and dock set Square set from hock to ground from behind Heaviness of structure
BALANCE AND EYE APPEAL Similar to other species Proportionalism Trim Chested Length and smoothness of front end Level topline and square hip Attractive rib design
BREEDING SHEEP Priorities Growth and performance Functionality Balance and appeal Muscle
GROWTH AND PERFORMANCE A extremely important factor Ability to offer future growth Length of face and cannon bone Length of body
FUNCTIONALITY Similar to breeding cattle Rib Structural correctness Pasterns Length of stride
BALANCE AND EYE APPEAL Proportionalism Length and smoothness of front end Cleanliness through shoulder and chest Levelness of topline and hip
MUSCLE Indicators will be similar to market lamb evaluation Excessive musculature should be avoided
SHEEP Breeding Boars Gilts Market
MARKET HOGS Priorities Muscle Content Lean Growth Skeletal Width and Dimension Structural Correctness Balance and Eye Appeal
MUSCLE CONTENT Forearm Blades Loin Ham-Loin Junction Hip Stifle Ham
Loin Loin Blades Blades Ham Ham Stifle Stifle Forearm Forearm
LEANNESS Absence of fat deposition Jowl Over blades Elbow pocket Loin edge Seam of Ham Lower one-third of body
Loin Loin Blades Blades Jowl Jowl Elbow Pocket Elbow Pocket
