Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
The rules for this career development event are to be utilized in conjunction with the rules contained in the
introduction section of the Arizona Association FFA Career Development Event Manual.
I.
Purpose
To provide a competitive event for agricultural education students, emphasizing skills in dairy cattle
selection and dairy herd management. The recognition portion is both to reward and encourage more
students to enter the dairy industry and to select a team to represent Arizona at the National FFA level.
II. Event Description
Get involved in this CDE to improve your skills in dairy cattle selection and herd management. At the
competition, members complete a written exam, evaluate dairy cattle on physical characteristics and give
oral reasons explaining their various classes. Team members also cooperatively analyze a herd record.
III. Standards
1.1 9.4 31.1.1c
4.10 9.8 31.4.2c
Select dairy cattle possessing desirable traits utilizing selection tools including but not limited to pedigrees,
sire selection, linear evaluation, herd record evaluation, a dairy management exercise and production
records.
IV. Objectives
 To provide agricultural students with dairy interests a practical experience that will serve them well in
industry positions or in management of a modern dairy herd.
 To develop students' skills in observation, analysis and communication and team collaboration.
 To provide experience in the evaluation of dairy cattle type, production records and dairy herd
management.
 To encourage agriculture instructors to seek assistance from various resources in the dairy industry
(Examples: dairy breed associations, artificial breeding associations, state extension dairy specialists,
state DHI associations, dairy equipment manufacturers, local dairy farmers and breeders, etc.)
V. Event Format
A. TEAM MAKE-UP
A team will consist of four members, all four score will count.
B. GENERAL RULES
A. Participants will report to the event superintendent for instructions at the time and place indicated.
B. The most current and updated information (DHI, linear, body scoring, etc.) will be used as industry
standards change.
C. Computer score sheets will be used in the event to record all responses. These forms must be
completed within the time allotted for each section of the event. No additional time will be
permitted to transfer responses to computer score sheets. Responses that are not correctly
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Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
recorded on the computer score sheets cannot be considered due to the large number of
participants' responses that must be processed.
D. Official FFA Dress is required during the event. Black jeans are permissible. Hats/caps are not
permitted.
E. The Dairy management event will have two formats; one for even years and one for odd years
unless a two-day event is implemented and then all events will be used following the national event
format. Even year events will include three placing classes, one set of oral reasons, one sire selection
class, dairy management exercise, and linear evaluation. Odd year events will include three placing
classes, one set of oral reasons, one pedigree selection class, dairy management exercise and team
herd record evaluation.
C. EQUIPMENT
Participants are urged to bring clipboards that are free of markings or notes. Blank sheets of paper will
be permitted for note taking. Participants must bring two (no. 2) pencils.
D. EVENT COMPONENTS
A. Online Exam
Team members will take a 50 questions online prior to the event. The State FFA Office will provide
further information regarding the administration of the exam.
B. Herd Record Evaluation
1. Members of a team will collaborate to analyze individual cow production records (DHI) of a 5075
cow herd. Individual cows are to be selected according to their appropriate status for culling,
breeding or other management decision categories. Answers will be recorded on the provided
team answer form. (See sample herd production form and questions on "Dairy Cattle" pages
5-8.)
2. Each cow will have an assigned point value that will accumulate points toward team score only.
Individual scores and rankings will not be affected.
3. The herd record management exercise is worth a maximum of 150 points. Members will have 30
minutes to complete it.
C. Dairy Management Exercise
1. The exercise will consist of a 50-question written test involving dairy management practices and
DHI records.
2. Students will analyze individual cow production records and/or herd management summaries
answering seven questions on even years, and eight questions on odd years concerning their
use in making management decisions. The remaining 17 or 18 questions will be concerned with
various dairy management and industry related topics. (See sample quiz and herd summary on
"Dairy Cattle" pages 47-49.)
3. Appropriate information necessary to answer the DHI questions will be provided.
4. The dairy management exercise is worth a maximum of 50 points. Participants will have a
minimum of 20 minutes to complete the exercise.
D. Pedigree Class
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Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
1. One class of pedigrees (no animals present) will be ranked as to their indication of the animals'
ability to transmit superior production and type traits to offspring. This exercise is worth 50
points for a perfect placing.
2. Other factors include completeness (number of daughters or records), accuracy (reliability),
level of performance (type and production) and profitability.
3. See sample pedigrees and reasons on "Dairy Cattle" pages. These pedigrees were placed 2-1-3-4
with cuts of 4-3-7.
E. Sire Selection Exercise
The sire selection exercise requires members to use linear descriptive traits for one cow and sire
summary information to make corrective matings. Participants will rank four potential mates for
each cow. (See sample problems and reasons on “Dairy Cattle” pages)
1. Linear evaluation and production information on the cows will be provided along with the
transmitting ability estimates of the sires.
2. A maximum of 50 points can be earned in this section.
3. A minimum of 15 minutes will be allowed for this exercise.
F. Linear Evaluation
1. Five Holstein cows will be evaluated using the 15 major traits recognized in the "Holstein
Association Linear Descriptive Traits Worksheet."
2. Cows will be numbered 1 to 5.
3. Participants will be afforded a close-up view of each cow as she is paraded near them.
Evaluations will be completed at a distance of approximately ten feet from each cow.
Participants will not be permitted to handle them.
4. Correct evaluation of the 15 traits of each cow is worth 30 points (150 point’s maximum). This is
a team activity.
a. Two points will be awarded for each trait scored within four points of the official judges'
score.
b. One point will be awarded for each trait scored within five to six points of the official judges'
score.
c. A minimum of 30 minutes will be allowed for the linear evaluation.
G. Evaluation and Selection
1. Three classes of four dairy animals each will be placed on type. Classes will be selected from the
recognized breeds of dairy cattle. The class selection committee, however, shall give priority to
selecting quality cattle in the breeds available, and not be obligated to having all breeds
represented in the judging classes. Classes will consist of heifers, young cows or mature cows.
2. Participants will be permitted to view the animals from all angles but will not be permitted to
handle them.
3. Animals will be numbered 1-2-3-4 left-to-right as viewed from the rear.
4. Each class is allowed 50 points for a correct placing (150 points maximum).
5. Participants will have a minimum of 15 minutes to place each class. For classes on which oral
reasons will be given, participants will be given a minimum of 15 minutes.
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Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
H. Oral Reasons
1. Oral reasons will be required on one class, which will be designated by the event superintendent
prior to the actual judging of the class.
2. Participants may not use notes during delivery of reasons, with the exception of a card showing
only their placing order.
3. The class is allowed 50 points for a perfect set of reasons (50 points maximum).
4. Participants will have at least 15 minutes to prepare each set of oral reasons. No more than two
minutes may be used to deliver the reasons before the judges.
VI. Tiebreakers
In the event of a tie, rankings will be determined based upon the online exam scores.
VII. Awards
Awards will be presented at an awards assembly. Awards are presented to teams as well as individuals
based upon their rankings.
VIII. References
Arizona FFA Online CDE Test Bank (to be distributed by CD annually)
Annual Cow judging Event official entry form and booklet with color pictures of the five classes of dairy
cows to be judged before March 15 of the event year. Available after January 1 of the event year. Hoard's
Dairyman. Free.
"Hoard's Dairyman judging Guide," a 34-page booklet describing the scorecard breakdown and how to
evaluate each class plus 20 practice judging classes. Hoard's Dairyman. Approx. cost $ 3.00.
"Introduction to Dairy Judging and Oral Reasons," 43-minute video that discusses the fundamentals of
dairy cattle judging, preparing and presenting oral reasons plus sample reasons from the University of
Wisconsin-Madison students (CEV00503Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc. Approx. cost $89.95.
“Judging Dairy Cows," 28-minute video that provides a basic introduction to judging, review of scorecard
categories, judging tips and practice class with reasons (CEV00501Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc.
Approx. cost $79.95.
"Judging Dairy Heifers," 18 minute video that provides a basic introduction to judging dairy heifers,
scorecard categories, judging tips and practice class with reasons (CEV00502Q). Creative Educational
Video, Inc. Approx. cost $79.95.
"Practice Dairy Heifer judging," 27-minute video that provides five practice classes with views from rear
and top and with animals walking and posing-four breeds (CEV00507Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc.
Approx. cost $69.95.
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Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
"Practice Dairy Cow Judging," 31-minute video that provides five practice classes with views from rear
and top and with animals walking and posing plus close-ups of udders-three breeds (CEV00506Q).
Creative Educational Video, Inc. Approx. cost $69.95.
"Practice Dairy Cattle judging I, II, III, IV," 38-minute video that provides classes of heifers and cows of
various breeds (three to four classes per video plus linear evaluation on 11) with views from rear and top
and with animals walking and posing plus close-ups of udders-three breeds (CEV0051 1 Q, CEV00513Q,
CEV00514Q, CEV00515Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc. Approx. cost $69.95 per video.
"Linear Evaluation of Dairy Cattle," 38-minute video that identifies parts of a cow, 15 primary linear traits
and classification of two cows (CEV00510Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc. Approx. cost $89.95.
"Practice Linear Evaluation," video with sample evaluation of six Holstein cows for 15 traits with official
scores (CEV00516Q). Creative Educational Video, Inc. Approx. cost $69.95.
"Dairy Cattle Judging and Evaluation," 120-minute video that provides a dairy cow introduction to judging
and three practice classes (IMS Cat. # 9557). Instructional Materials Service. Approx. cost $60.00.
*Note: videos also available from Sat Texas A&M University under the same title and for the same price.
"Techniques of Judging Dairy Cattle" (5th edition), revised 50-page booklet with helpful pictures of dairy
cows and heifers, showing ideal parts and defects. Sample reasons included. Excellent for the
inexperienced judge. Hartman. Approx. cost $7.50.
"Linear Classification Program," revised 16-page booklet with complete introduction to the current
descriptive type traits in the Holstein classification program. Holstein Association. Approx. cost $ 1.00.
Judging Slides, two sets-1) Holstein only (12 classes) and 2) Colored breeds (15 classes, three per breed)
heifer and cow classes with side view of each animal plus composite of all four. Includes audio tape with
official reasons by outstanding young dairy animals. (1990) Agri-Graphics. Approx. cost $80.00 per set;
$150.00 for both sets.
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Dairy Cattle Evaluation
Career Development Event
Revised December 2011
Scoring summary (w/percentages)
Class/Category
Online Exam (Team Score)
Workplace Employability Skills (Team Score)
Three Placing Classes (Team Score)
Oral Reasons (Team Score)
Sire (Even Years)/Pedigree (Odd Years) Selection (Team Score)
Management Exercise (Team Score)
Team Event/Herd Record Evaluation (Team Score)
Points
(used for onsite
tabulation)
200
200
600
200
200
200
150
Percentage of
total score
10%
15%
33%
11%
11%
11%
8%
100%
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