SELECTION & JUDGING OF BEEF CATTLE
Selection of Beef Animals
-A valuable tool for selecting ___________________ heifers and ________ bulls is the
_____________ score.
-It is used by state and USDA cattle ____________ in beef ________________________ testing
programs.
-The frame score is a ______________________ based on observation and height measurements
when calves are evaluated at __________ days of age.
-An __________________ of the expected size of the animal when it reaches
_________________ can be made from its frame ___________.
-The use of the frame score in herd ___________ __________________ provides a more
__________________ prediction of expected _________________ change in the herd.
Frame Score
-Frame scores are made on a _______________ of _____ to _______.
-The ___________ breeds of beef cattle are usually covered by body types ____ through ______.
-_____________, Simmental, and similar-size cattle of other breeds usually ____________ the
use of body types ____ through ______.
-The ______ of the animal is a __________ in determining its _________ score and ______
height.
Continued.
-_______________ conformation scores are also determined for the animal. These __________
use a ______ of 1 to ______, as follows:
1) an exceptionally ________ calf
2) ________ light muscled
3) _______ muscled
4) ______________ muscled
5) ______________ muscled
6) _________ heavy muscled
7) double ________________
Continued.
-A _______________________ score on a scale of _____ to _______ is also determined for the
animal.
-Low scores indicate ________________ animals.
-Scores of ______ through ________ indicate animals that are _________ average for
___________________ characteristics.
-Scores of ______ through ______ indicate animals that are ___________ or slightly ___________
average for ___________ of the desirable characteristics.
-Scores of _______ through _______ indicate ________________ animals that are _________,
well-______________, well- ___________________, and have __________________ frame.
-__________________ animals are also _________________sound, have adequate
_____________, and are highly _____________________ in _______________ and _______
character.
-Animals with _____________________ scores in the _____ to _______ range should be
considered for _________ __________.
-Replacement _____________________ should have conformation scores in the _______ to
________ range.
-_____________-framed cattle generally should ________ be considered for ________
replacements even if their ________________________ score is acceptable.
Conformation
-________________________ refers to the _____________________ of the live animal.
-It includes the ________________ structure, __________________, ________ balance,
_______________________ of the animal’s lines, and structural _________________________.
-_________________________ conformation of the beef animal includes:
1) long, _______, _________-sided body
2) no excess fat on the _____________, foreflank, or ________________
3) no extra ____________ around the __________, ____________, or sheath
4) __________________ muscled forearm
5) proper _________________ to the ______________ of the shoulders
6) _______________ musculing throughout the body
7) _____________________ development of the _________, rump, __________, and rib
Continued.
-An animal with the proper ______________________ will produce the _______________ amount
of high-____________ ______________.
-It will have a ___________________ of less-_________________ bone and internal organs.
-_________-value wholesale cuts come from the ___________, rump, loin, and _______.
-____________-value _________________ cuts come from the ___________, brisket,
____________, plate or ______________, and shank.
-______________________ is the use of high-frequency ______________ waves to measure
_________ thickness & _________-eye area.
-It is a useful tool for selecting ________________ animals for breeding purposes.
Performance Records
-One of the best ways to ________________ beef animals is on the basis of
____________________ records.
-Performance _________________ refers to an animal’s own performance in _______________ to
important ___________________ traits.
-_______________________ testing=refers to measuring a ___________ cow’s production by the
performance of its ______________________
-___________________ testing=refers to the _____________________ of a bull by the
performance of a ___________________ of its offspring
-Overall __________ evaluation programs are often referred to as _____________________
testing.
-This may include ____________________ and _________________ testing.
-______________________ testing=a method of __________________ records on beef cattle
herds to be used for ____________________ the most ___________________ animals.
Performance Testing Records are used to:
-________ low-producing cows
-____________ on __________ calf crop
-Select _______________________ heifers and ___________
-__________________ the _______________________ of each bull
-Improve herd ______________________
-Improve the _____________ of calves produced
-____________________ the weaning ____________ of calves produced
-Give ________________ more information
-Provide ________________________ records
Continued.
-__________________ weight is adjusted to a _____ day weight so that all calves in the herd can
be __________________ to an ____________ basis.
-This weaning weight is ________________ for the __________ of the calf, the age of the
_______, and the __________ of the calf.
-The _________________ for the 205 day weight _________________ is:
Continued.
-If the _______ was not ____________ at birth, _______ pounds may be used as the
_______________ birth weight.
-Calves must be weighed between ________ and _________ days of age to be considered
_______________ age and have _________ day weights and weight ratios calculated for them.
Pedigree
-Record of the __________________ of an animal.
-It usually contains only the _____________ of the __________________.
-In some cases, it may contain ___________________________ data.
-Only the most ______________ ancestors are of importance in ____________________.
-Sometimes the _____ of a _______________________ becomes a fad.
-Cattle ___________________ must be careful not to keep ____________ animals just because
they ___________________ to a given ____________________.
Other Factors in Selection
-__________________ should test ________________ for brucellosis, and
____________________.
-It is best to buy ______________ that have been calf-_____________ vaccinated.
-Check for _________________, _____________________, and lumpy jaw
-The __________________ in the show ring are the result of what the ____________________
wants in the _________________________.
-Show ring winners are often ___________________ animals to select for
____________________ purposes if they meet ______________________ of conformation and
________________________ records.
Selection of the Herd Bull
-When __________________ females are selected from the __________, ___________ of the
heifer’s _____________ makeup comes from the last _____ bulls used in her _______________.
-A major _____________________ in the improvement of the __________ industry has been the
_________________________ of ________ summaries.
-Sire _________________=provide information on __________ that are economically important to
cattle _______________
-It includes:
1) Info regarding __________ of the bull to transmit _____________ rate to his
offspring
2) Info about expected _________, weaning, and __________________ weights
3) Sometimes, _________________ info (i.e. rib-eye area, fat _________________,
___________________ scores, & carcass _______________.
4) Carcass data is important when ___________________ sires to produce animals to
meet current market _______________ for ________________ meat.