Beef Cattle Selection

California State StandardsAnimal Science Pathway

D5.1 Evaluate a group of animals for desired qualities and discern among them for breeding

selection.

Question of the Day:• What hybrid did we “create” in class

yesterday?

Objective:• Today I will understand how to select beef

cattle for breeding as demonstrated by my placement of the final class of 4 Angus heifers.

Beef Cattle BasicsFemale= Cow (older than 3 years)Heifer (Younger than 3 years)

Male=Bull

Evaluating Breeding Beef Cattle

3 traits to evaluate:1. Conformation/

Soundness2. Volume/Capacity3. Muscling

Conformation The skeletal and muscular structure

of an animal.

• Good conformation

• Bad conformation

Conformation Includes:

• Feet and Legs View from front,

back, and side

• Topline

1 2

3

Which is Correct?

Topline

Volume/Capacity Who can hold the most water?

• Length of body• Depth of side• Spring of rib

Which one has more capacity?

1

2

Muscling Where do you

see muscle on a beef heifer?• Stifle• Round/ Quarter

Overall width and depth

1

2

Check for Understanding What are the 3 traits we are

evaluating for in breeding beef cattle?

What are the 3 things we look for to show us capacity?

Where are two places to look for muscling?

Activity Using the qualities we just discussed (conformation,

capacity, and muscling), please place the following 4 Angus heifers first through last and then give an explanation using comparisons. • Example: Placing: 4-1-3-24 was the most capacious and had the best feet and leg structure.

Additionally, she had the straightest, most level topline and was the widest at her stifle.

1 was also very capacious and had a level topline, however she was slightly more cow-hocked from behind and narrower at her stifle, so she went second.

3 was no where near as capacious as 1 or 4 because she was shallower through her ribs, even though she was level through her topline and stood on square feet and legs.

2 simply couldn’t compare with the class. She was the lightest muscled as shown through her quarter and has the least capacity since she was short bodied and narrow from topline to the bottom of her rib.

Important: you MUST include your explanation!

Class 1 of Angus Heifers

1

3 4

2