Livestock and Poultry
Evaluation
Animal Science II
Performance Data Beef Cattle
 Reproductive performance
– Conception rate
– Calf crop percentage (born)
– Calf crop percentage (weaned)
– Calving interval
• length of time between calving for each
cow in the herd that is breeding age
Performance Data Beef Cattle
 Reproductive performance
– Birth weight related to calving
difficulty
– Fertility testing of bulls
• should be tested before each breeding
season
Performance Data Beef Cattle
Calving difficulty score
12345-
No difficulty. No assistance
Minor difficulty. Some assistance
Major difficulty. Mechanical assistance
Cesarean birth or other surgery
Abnormal presentation
Performance Data Beef Cattle
 Bull Performance
– Information varies from breeder to
breeder
– 15-20 different types of data
• Average daily gain
• Scrotum circumference
Performance Data Beef Cattle
 Growth and Gain Performance
– Weaning weights adjusted to 205
days
– Yearling (365 days) and long
yearlings (452 or 550)
– Post weaning rate of gain (minimum
of 140 days on test)
– Weight per day of age
Performance Data Beef Cattle
 Weaning Weights adjusted to 205
– standard basis
Actual weight - Birth weight
X 205 days + Birth weight
Age in days
Performance Data Swine
 Sow Productivity
– Fertility (number of pigs per litter)
– Litter weight at weaning
• best overall measure of sow productivity
because it is affected by the number of
pigs weaned and milk production
Performance Data Swine
 Growth Rate
– Adjusted days to 230 pounds
– Rate of gain=pounds of gain on test/
days on test
– Feed efficiency= amount of feed/
amount of gain
– Carcass merit
• Backfat thickness (less is better)
• Loin-eye area
• Percentage of lean cuts
Performance Records Poultry
 Past performance
– Pedigree
• Gives records of ancestors
 Present performance on individuals
and siblings
 Rate of gain and feed efficiency
Production Records
 Heritability Estimates
– Vary by trait ranging from 0 to 70
– Fertility is 0 to 10 percent
• management affect more than genetics
– Loin-eye area is fastest improved by
selective breeding
• 70% in cattle
• 50% in swine
Production Records
 Sow productivity index
– uses a formula that included the
number of live pigs born and adjusted
21-day litter weight for individual sow
comparison
Production Records
 Use of Data Records
– In most cases the highest number is
better
– Exceptions:
• birth weight
• calving difficulty
• backfat thickness in swine
Production Records
 Estimated Breeding Value (EPV)
– Estimate of the animal true breeding
ability
– Expressed as a percentage to the
average of the animal to which the
bull is compared
• 105 is 5% above the average
• 95 is 5% below the average
Production Records
 Expected Progeny Difference (EPD)
– Bulls can only transmit 1/2 of its
superiority as shown on its EPV.
– If the EPV is 106 that is (106-100=6)
which is then halved to make three
percent (6/2=3)
– Females transmit the other half
Production Records
 Pedigree Index (PI)
– The closer the animal is to the bull
being evaluated the more effect their
performance traits have
Poultry Production Records
 The type of record use to select by
pedigree are past performance
records
 Present performance records are
used to select physical appearance
Judging Livestock
 Physical Characteristics
– Confirmation
• Appearance including frame size, fat, etc.
– Structural soundness
• More important today because of
confinement operations with concrete
floors
– Especially swine and dairy
Judging Livestock
 Commercial producers are more
interested in performance records
while breeders are concerned with
pedigrees and breed
characteristics
Judging Poultry
 Most producers have no input in
selection because they are
contract farmers
 Broilers
– Must be healthy and well fleshed with
normal conformation to produce a
grade A carcass dressed
Judging Laying Hens
 Laying hens are evaluated on the
ability to produce eggs
 Things to consider
– Present production
– Past production
– Rate of production
Judging Laying Hens
 Present production
– Large bright red comb
– Softy waxy comb
– Bright eyes
Judging Laying Hens
 Past Production
– Production indicated by yellow
pigment left in the body
– The more eggs produced results in
less pigment
– A soft pliable abdomen and moist
enlarged and bleached vent indicates
that the hen is currently in
production
Judging Laying Hens
 Pigment bleaches beginning in:
• vent
• eye ring
• ear lobe
• beak starting at the base
• front shanks
• rear shanks
• tops of toes
• hock joint
Ready to Cook Broilers and
Turkeys
 USDA grades A, B, & C
– determined by:
• Confirmation
• Exposed flesh on breast and other parts
• Missing parts
• Broken and dislocated joints
Ready to Cook Broilers and
Turkeys
Factor
Exposed Flesh
Breast
Elsewhere
A
None
1 ½ inch
B
1/3
flesh on
each
part
Disjointed and
broken bones
1 disjointed 2 disjointed
no broken no broken
Missing Parts
To the
Wing tip and
second wing
tail
joint
C
No
Limit
No
Limit
Grading Eggs
 Interior quality determined by
candling
– AA, A, B or Reject
– Bloody eggs are rejected
 Exterior quality
– A, B or Dirty
– Any surface matter grades “dirty”
Grading Eggs
 Interior quality (air
AA1/8”
A3/16”
BOver 3/16”
cell size):
(dime)
(nickel)
(quarter)