Introduction ToDairy Cattle EvaluationIntroduction ToDairy Cattle Evaluation
Mr. WeaverMr. Weaver
ObjectivesObjectives
Identify the parts of a dairy animal.Identify the parts of a dairy animal.
Determine five critical areas on a dairy animalthat should be considered to maximize milkefficiency.Determine five critical areas on a dairy animalthat should be considered to maximize milkefficiency.
Analyze dairy animals using determined partsand five critical areas.Analyze dairy animals using determined partsand five critical areas.
Poll
Topline
Back
Chine
Loin
Rump
Hip
Thurl
Tailhead
Pin Bone
Tail
Thigh
Stifle
Hock
Switch
Dew Claw
Pastern
Hoof
Heel
Sole
Knee
Point of Elbow
Brisket
Dewlap
Point of Shoulder
Parts of the Dairy Cow
Throat
Jaw
Muzzle
Bridge of Nose
Forehead
Neck
Withers
Crops
Barrell
Heart Girth
Ribs
Rear Udder Attachment
Rear Udder
Fore Udder
Flank
Teats
Fore Udder Attachment
Milk Veins
Milk Wells
Chest Floor
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Why Judge Dairy Cattle?Why Judge Dairy Cattle?
~ Gain a better understanding of what makes aproductive and functional dairy cow~ Gain a better understanding of what makes aproductive and functional dairy cow
~ Improve observational skills~ Improve observational skills
~ Learn how to present yourself in a clear manner~ Learn how to present yourself in a clear manner
~ Have fun~ Have fun
Dairy Cow UnifiedScorecardDairy Cow UnifiedScorecard
40%Mammary System40%Mammary System
20% Dairy Character20% Dairy Character
15%Frame15%Frame
15%Feet & Legs15%Feet & Legs
10%Body Capacity10%Body Capacity
Mammary System – 40 %Mammary System – 40 %
Udder DepthUdder Depth
How high above the hock is the udder?How high above the hock is the udder?
Teat placement & SizeTeat placement & Size
Where are the teatsplaced on the quarters?Where are the teatsplaced on the quarters?
–Pay particular attention tothe front teats.–Pay particular attention tothe front teats.
Teats should be about 2inches long andcylindricalTeats should be about 2inches long andcylindrical
Rear Udder Width &HeightRear Udder Width &Height
Rear udder width ismeasured at theattachmentRear udder width ismeasured at theattachment
The higher the rearudder the better!The higher the rearudder the better!
Fore Udder & UdderQualityFore Udder & UdderQuality
Look at the length &smoothness of thefore udderattachmentLook at the length &smoothness of thefore udderattachment
Look at the balancefrom both side andrearLook at the balancefrom both side andrear
Look at the veiningof the udderLook at the veiningof the udder
Dairy Character – 20%Dairy Character – 20%
What is dairy character?What is dairy character?
~ Dairy character indicates the ability of the cow toefficiently convert feed to milk.
~ Evidence of dairy character includes flat bone andangularity
Rib & BoneRib & Bone
Look for rib that sweepsback toward the flankLook for rib that sweepsback toward the flank
Look for ribs that arewide apart and flatLook for ribs that arewide apart and flat
The bone should also beflat & refinedThe bone should also beflat & refined
Cleanliness &AngularityCleanliness &Angularity
Look for sharpwithers, hips &pinsLook for sharpwithers, hips &pins
Clean down theneck and thighClean down theneck and thigh
Frame – 15%Frame – 15%
Components of FrameComponents of Frame
•Rump•Rump
•Stature•Stature
•Front end•Front end
•Back•Back
•Head & Breed Character•Head & Breed Character
Rump, Stature & BackRump, Stature & Back
••The rump should have a slight slope from hips to pins.
••The rump should be wide from hip to hip and pin to pin.
••Stature is how tall the cow is at the withers.
••The back should be slightly higher at the withers thanhips and straight all the way across.
Rump, Stature & BackRump, Stature & Back
Front End & StrengthFront End & Strength
Front end assemblyis the shoulder andchest
–It should be smoothand tight
Strength = width ofchest & muzzle.
Head & BreedCharacterHead & BreedCharacter
Look for:
a feminine head
correct breed colorsand shape of head
Deep jaw & widemuzzle
Feet & Legs – 15%Feet & Legs – 15%
Components of Feet and Legs:Components of Feet and Legs:
•Feet – deep heel, short toe•Feet – deep heel, short toe
•Rear legs – straight from rear•Rear legs – straight from rear
•Rear legs – moderate angle from side•Rear legs – moderate angle from side
•Pasterns – short and strong•Pasterns – short and strong
Legs – Side ViewLegs – Side View
••View the rear legsfrom the side
•• The leg shouldhave a moderateangle to the hock
••The hock should beclean and flexible
Body Capacity – 10%Body Capacity – 10%
Body capacity is simply the volume of the cow
––( Length X Width X Depth )
Look for:
–– a long body
–– a wide chest
–– a deep barrel
Length & Depth ofBarrelLength & Depth ofBarrel
Lets Practice!Lets Practice!
Here is a practice class of Brown Swiss cows…
Look at each cow and think about the parts of theUnified Scorecard.
Then write down several things that you like ordislike about that cow.
Finally, write down how you would place the class
Brown Swiss - Cow ABrown Swiss - Cow A
Brown Swiss - Cow BBrown Swiss - Cow B
Brown Swiss - Cow CBrown Swiss - Cow C
Brown Swiss - Cow DBrown Swiss - Cow D
Time for Decisions…Time for Decisions…
Which cow has the best udder? What about 2nd.Best?Which cow has the best udder? What about 2nd.Best?
Which cow has the worst udder?Which cow has the worst udder?
Which cow has the most dairy character?Which cow has the most dairy character?
Which cow has the least dairy character?Which cow has the least dairy character?
What do you think?What do you think?
Which cow had the best frame? The worstframe?
Which cow had the best feet? the worst feet?
Which cow has the most body capacity? theleast body capacity?
Did you see what thejudge saw?Did you see what thejudge saw?
UdderA C D BUdderA C D B
Dairy characterC A D BDairy characterC A D B
FrameA C B DFrameA C B D
Feet & LegsC D A BFeet & LegsC D A B
Body CapacityA D C BBody CapacityA D C B
How did you do?How did you do?
Did you see it like the judge did?Did you see it like the judge did?
Even if you didn’t, that’s O.K.Even if you didn’t, that’s O.K.
Learning to judge Dairy Cattle takes timeLearning to judge Dairy Cattle takes time
As long as you’re willing to learn and are havingfun judging can be a great experience!As long as you’re willing to learn and are havingfun judging can be a great experience!
Did you see what thejudge saw?Did you see what thejudge saw?
The judge’s final placing was…The judge’s final placing was…
A C D BA C D B
To read what the judge had to say about this class of cows go to:To read what the judge had to say about this class of cows go to: