Note Taking Guide
Topic # 3061
Livestock Evaluation
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Success in the production of livestock depends on the ability to select animals efficient in their _______________ and _______________ capabilities.
Develop ability to recognize carcass and breeding merit, as well as, understand the
__________________ value differences when comparing livestock.
To Predict Production Performance...
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Rate of __________ is amount of weight gained on a per day basis.
Feed _______________is the amount of feed consumed divided by the amount of weight _______________. Approximate estimate for each specie (lbs. of feed/lbs. of gain): Cattle 7:1, Sheep 5:1, Swine 3:1.
 Livestock with greater __________, __________, and depth of __________ tend to have a greater ability to grow and gain at a faster rate.
 Performance capabilities are difficult to predict from ____________ evaluation.
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Production and performance records of relatives are good indicators.
_______________ records of relatives help to estimate growth potential of the individual.
Terminology used is:
- ____________: birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, etc.
- ____________: 21 day litter weight, days to 230 lbs., sow productivity index, etc.
- ____________: type of birth (single, twins, triplets), 90 day weight, ewe index, etc.
 There is no agreement as to the ideal size or weight of any species. This is influenced by:
- _______________: feed prices, production costs, supply and demand for meat.

- _______________: fat content and portion size of product.
- _______________: Amount and quality of feed resources, temp., rainfall, etc.
To Predict Reproductive Performance in Beef Cattle:
 Calving ease may be estimated to a certain extent by estimating:
- Width b/t __________ bones. More width generally indicates greater width in the birth canal.
- Slope of __________. Pin bone should be slightly below the hook bone when the animal is viewed from the side.
- _______________ should blend smoothly into the neck at both the top and bottom of the shoulder when viewed from the front.
 Milking ability may be estimated by:
- ____________ development, __________ placement, and __________ quality.
- Examine past production record of the dam and female offspring of the sire.
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Production records from the ____________ are the best way to evaluate reproductive performance and capabilities.
_______________ soundness:
- If properly designed, an animal should have free, easy movement.
- If an animal has _______________ problems at an early age and light weight, it will only be magnified in later life.
- The animals _________________________ should indicate a long, productive life.

To Predict Reproductive Performance in Sheep:
 Production records from the __________ are used extensively. They should provide the following:
- Multiple __________ ability.
- Number of lambs ____________ vs. number born.
- Weaning ____________, milking ability.
 Skeletal correctness
- Straight lined, _______________, and legs are straight, and set wide apart, both front and rear.
- Must have freedom of movement.
 Growth potential
- Select sheep that have the ability to grow ____________.
- _______________: length, width, and depth of body.
To Predict Reproductive Performance in Swine:
 Production records are very useful in identifying superior individuals.
- ____________ size, number of pigs born vs. number raised.
- Litter ____________.
- Slow productivity index.
- Days to__________ lbs.

 Skeletal correctness
- It is essential that hogs are structurally correct because many are raised in
____________________ systems (i.e., concrete slotted floor buildings)
- More early level rump and top, sound feet and legs, width of body, and long and fluid stride.
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____________ potential: Hogs with more capacity have a tendency to grow more
____________.
Milking ability
- Select gilts that have a minimum of _____ functional, evenly spaced nipples on each side of the underline.
- Nipples should be _______________.
- Avoid an underline that has several abnormalities (i.e., pin nipples, inverted, etc.)
What is an Ideal Market Animal?
Beef:
 Ideal market beef should:
- _______________ grade few choice which means marbling in the meat and under 24 months of age.
- Yield grade__________ which means a minimum of fat and more muscle.
- Average back fat of _____ in. (measured at 12th rib.)
 Ideal market beef should:
- Required ribeye area. Base 600 lb. carcass needs __________ square in.

- Yield a carcass weighing between _______________ to best fit market demand.
 The consumer's recent trend toward health awareness has influenced the meat industry tremendously. For example:
- USDA grading procedures have changed. Greater value for__________________ cattle.
- Poultry and fish consumption have _______________ greatly due to their lower fat and lower cholesterol content.
- The fat content in _____ cuts of beef rank between the chicken breast and thigh. (Not as fat as consumers think.)
- The beef market is now focusing its promotion on what consumers want - -
_______________.
 Packer concerns:
- Cattle are purchased by the pound - fat is worth about_____ of what lean meat is worth.
- Consequently, the packer loses money on __________ cattle.
 Producer concerns:
- Fat is less efficient to produce than muscle so cattle gaining fat eat the same amount of feed but gain less _______________.
- Packers__________ want to buy cattle that are excessively fat.
Swine:
 Ideal market hog should:
- Be __________ and heavy muscled.
- Have a width through a ham equal to or greater than the width through the
_______________ and both should be wider than the back.

- Have average back fat thickness of less than _____ inches (measured at the 10th rib).
- Have a minimum of _____ in. of loin eye.
 Ideal market hog should:
- Should be yield grade U.S. No. 1, which depends on the amount of____________ and
- Carcass merit is an indication of the amount of _______________ the carcass contains.
Sheep:
 The ideal market lamb should:
- Be heavily muscled with superior conformation and _______________.
- Have a _____ square in. ribeye or larger.
- At market weight have __________in. of back fat (measured at 12th rib) and be uniform in its fat cover.
- Have a leg score of _______________ or better.
- Be uniform in its thickness from head to ____________.
 The reasons for the change in the market ____________ desired today are very similar to the reasons for the change in the type of market ____________.