The physical structure of cattle is one of the most important qualities that a breeder must consider and be able to recognize when setting up a solid and reliable livestock breeding activity. When we talk about the conformation of cattle, we refer to the bones and muscle structure of the animal and, therefore, to those desirable and undesirable morphological characteristics. Therefore, it is a definition that includes all the important areas of the animal's build, from the legs and spine (i.e. the back line) to the hind parts, neck and head.
The musculoskeletal structure is a more important factor in the male bovine than in the cow, although the latter must also have a good conformation and be in such physical condition that it can be considered a good, solid and productive head of cattle, suitable for 'farm.
Steps
Step 1. Start by looking at the pictures
You can begin to assess the conformation of a male bovine, cow, beef or heifer by looking at the pictures on the internet or in some book or magazine with cattle. Local agriculture and livestock newspapers may be another suitable source, as they often carry advertisements for sales of the "best male cattle" based on their breed (including Angus, Red Angus, Hereford, Simmental, Limousine, Beefmaster, Brahman, etc.).
If you do a web search, typing "cattle sale" or "cattle sale" in the Google or Yahoo! search entry, you will find several photos of cattle that you can study. Usually images of this type are the best to use to arrive at a careful analysis of the physical conformation of these animals
Step 2. Begin by looking at the general condition and body first, before diving into a thorough study that goes from head to tail to paws
The following instructions cover the ideal characteristics of a typical bovine and what its imperfections might be.
Part 1 of 7: The General Conformation of the Body
Step 1. The general conformation of the body of a male bovine or a cow should have a thoracic depth that adequately accommodates the muscular structure
It is preferable that these animals have a build that is neither too long nor too short, because in the first case they tend to have a very low quality carcass and, moreover, mature later, while those with a shorter build tend to put on fat faster than expected and also have quite low growth levels.
Step 2. A cattle should be well kept throughout the lower and breast area to avoid excessive waste
At the same time, it is preferable that it has a good thoracic depth such as to constitute an adequate implant base for the body structure. The thoracic floor, as well as the rib line, should show an appropriate tightness of the muscular system, an indication of a valid productive aptitude. An adequate distance between the front and hind legs also indicates the presence of good muscles.
Part 2 of 7: Formation of the Backline, Shoulders and Chest Circumference
Step 1. The topline
The topline covers the spine from the neck to the end of the tail. Most of this area is made up of the last 2/3 of the animal, which goes from the central part of the shoulders to the rump. The topline should be straight, with no protrusions or bumps protruding along the spine.
- Carp-backed cattle (with a kyphotic attitude) are subject to a severe selective process, as this characteristic inhibits reproductive and walking abilities over long distances, even if in the long run it does not produce spinal or lower limb injuries. It is not that bad in cows, but it can result in a breeding process over time.
- Bovine-backed cattle (with a lordotic attitude) are also subject to a rather rigid selective process, since this feature can prevent movement and the ability to correctly shift weight on the legs. This type of defect is generally attributed to an excessive length of the back and results in a general weakness of the structure of the vertebrae, leading to an irregularity of the lumbar muscles. A good lumbar musculature indicates a high reproductive capacity, while when it is unsuitable or weak it is a sign of poor fertility of the animal.
Step 2. The shoulders
Good shoulder width in both cows and male cattle suggests good capacity for the rib cage, where the heart and lungs are located.
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In male cattle. Generally, the wider the shoulders are, the better. A male should have shoulders 5 cm or more wider than the rump. The broad shoulders denote virility in the animal and constitute the highest index of reproductive efficiency. If it has this conformation, it means that it is able to procreate, when coupled with the correct female phenotype capable of generating impeccable male specimens. If female calves are born, they will soon be able to reach the period of development, to procreate and wean a robust calf. The characteristic of broad shoulders is usually accompanied by the presence of a larger scrotum, together with a short neck and a rump as wide as the front, also these signs of virility in the animal.
One year old male cattle with good shoulder width are the result of a fairly regular gestation period, healthy birth weight levels, easy calving and normal weight at weaning
- In cows. The width of the shoulders must not exceed that of the rump by more than 1.27 cm. Too wide and deep shoulders lead to reduced reproductive abilities and a lack of good milk production. Too narrow or shallow leads to greater care and even reproductive problems, as well as the increasing risk of genital anomalies in children as well.
- The shoulders of the cattle should be of a uniform length and not exceed the topline (otherwise they are referred to as "coarse-shouldered" cows). Furthermore, it is advisable that they are neither open nor extremely robust (where they can exceed the width of the rump by more than 5 cm), as they can present difficulties during childbirth.
Step 3. The chest circumference
This is the part that goes from the shoulders and ends behind the elbow. The presence of a good depth of the thoracic circumference is a sign of a strong ability to adapt to the forage by the animal and an efficient conformation of the feet and legs. The chest circumference should be equal to or greater than the topline. The closer you get to these measures, the more adaptable, vigorous and efficient the animal will be.
Smaller thoracic circumferences are not recommended, because they negatively affect the shape of the front feet (which, for example, can point outwards), do not allow you to graze well and increase the care of the animal
Part 3 of 7: Formation of the Croup and Hips
Step 1. Characteristics of the croup:
the rump should be deep, wide, long and uniform at the height of the upper part. It is preferable that the lumbar area in males protrudes slightly from the dorsal line of the croup.
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Croup length in males and females.
The measurement should be neither too high nor too low. Too high croups often imply poor virility and, consequently, great care and assistance especially in grazing. The shorter animals tend to finish later and require a more energetic diet to reach the optimal weight. The ideal length of the croup in females ranges from 38 to 40% of 2/3 of the topline.
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Width of the rump in males and females.
The wider the rump, the better. Wider croup and hips in females indicate excellent childbirth and high fertility, but also early development and low levels of care. The broad rump in males is associated with other characteristics, such as broad shoulders and a short neck, which are also hallmarks of virility.
Step 2. Formation of the hips
If the circumference of the hips is higher than the thoracic one, the higher the reproductive capabilities of the female will be. The reason lies in the fact that the side is right in the back of the animal.
Part 4 of 7: Head conformation
Step 1. The forehead:
the forehead (from the highest point of the head to just before the eyes) in the male should be wide and spacious, but not so much that it looks as if he has a "flattened head", or smooth and bony without too many characteristics typical of bovine virility.
- In most males, such as in the Charolais and Hereford breed, the curly hair on the head is commonly a good index of fertility and virility.
- Males that do not involve difficult births (i.e. those male cattle that are fathers of small and light calves, according to breeding standards) tend to have a smaller head, in proportion to the rest of the body, than males who do not have this. genetic particularity.
Step 2. In adult females and heifers (and even in steers) the head characteristics should be opposite to those possessed by an adult male
The appearance, therefore, will be more feminine and gentle than that of the male of his own breeding. For example, Hereford or Charolais cows and heifers do not have the curly foreheads of males of their own breed.
Step 3. The eyes:
funny even if it doesn't seem like it, the structure of the eye in cattle is very important, especially in areas where tall plants, dust and other external elements can easily enter, causing a series of problems, such as conjunctivitis or tumor formations. This kind of problems cause serious eye diseases in those animals that do not have pigment around the eyelids and tend to have an unfortunate eye conformation.
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The ideal eye structure in a bovine should not exhibit exophthalmia or be characterized by eyelashes parallel to the ground.
The eyeball should appear well placed in its orbital location. Cattle with these properties have eyelashes that extend parallel to the lateral areas of the face, not to the ground.
With good pigmentation (not partial) in and around the eye, the animal will be less exposed to any injuries and eye diseases, but also to the glare of sunlight, UV rays and problems caused by flies
Step 4. The mouth:
the jaw of a bovine should have a rather uniform structure and not be characterized by mandibular or maxillary prognathism. In addition, it is preferable that there are no abscesses, swellings or other injuries and wounds that could prevent the animal from chewing properly or gaining weight, as it usually should. Often, the mandibular and maxillary prognathism are genetically transmitted defects.
Note, however, that young calves with these characteristics tend to grow more than usual, developing a normal mandibular and maxillary conformation in adulthood. However, this particularity can be aggravated in other specimens, whose killing will be inevitable
Step 5. The teeth:
having teeth in good condition affects production, since they are necessary for grazing and chopping food into small pieces. Teeth worn on the gums affect the health, pregnancy and production of the animal.
- Depending on the vegetation in which they are immersed, most corrosive agents, on average, begin to take effect between five and seven years of age. By the age of twelve, many or most of the teeth take on a triangular shape or wear out at the base of the gums. Environments with sandy soil have significant consequences on tooth wear, higher than in other types of territories.
- Male and female cattle with worn or deteriorated teeth on the gums should be eliminated from the herd.
Part 5 of 7: Neck conformation
Step 1. The conformation of the neck in males is very important
A good specimen should have a fairly thick crest over a short neck. The short neck is a sign of libido and high testosterone levels, as are a large circumference of the scrotum (associated with high hormone levels) and a rather evident musculature in the shoulders. Short-necked males tend to generate females characterized by a wide rump (deeper in the posterior parts) and early development.
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Males with the longest neck.
On the contrary, these other specimens (also characterized by a more sparse crest) develop with delay, have low libido, low testosterone levels, a slender constitution and generate slow-developing females. Due to their general lack of virility and superior genetic properties, it is not worth it to breed longer necked male cattle.
Step 2. The shape of the neck in females should be neither too long nor too short
Long-necked ones tend to be dairy cows and carry high care. This occurs because they tend to overproduce milk and due to their milk capacity they develop and reproduce late.
- For their part, cows that have short necks have a conformation more similar to males with large shoulders, little milk capacity and lack of qualities typical of female specimens.
- A cow should have a neck that is half the length of the overall body length, therefore neither too long nor too short.
Part 6 of 7: Conformation of the Scrotum and Breasts
Step 1. The conformation of the scrotum:
A cow's scrotum should be shaped like a soccer ball and, for most of the first year of life, its circumference should be between 90cm and 1m, depending on the breed. Smaller cattle tend to have a smaller scrotal circumference than large ones. Irregularly shaped testes (uneven size, epididymis not found at the base of the testicle, etc.) can be transmitted genetically. The conformation of the scrotum in male offspring could worsen and in females the conformation of the breasts could decrease their milk capacity, lead to enlargement and mastitis, but also to stop the production of milk soon.
Step 2. Nipple and breast conformation:
a cow should have a udder with uniform quarters and a small nipple. The nipple size does not have to be large, otherwise it is more difficult for the newborn calf to latch on and suck or take in the colostrum properly.
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The udder should be hidden between the hind legs with a uniform floor and without showing any quarter (that is, no quarter must be larger than the other). In addition, it should blend harmoniously with the lower part of the belly, without creating any V or slit with the belly, and that it develops from above behind the hind legs, without leaning forward or backward towards the back.
The median suspensory ligament is responsible for the correct attachment of the udder to the animal's body. A weak suspensory ligament causes the breast to hang out of the body, subjecting it to serious problems, such as mastitis, and the risk of injury
Step 3. A fragile udder conformation in a dairy or beef herd reduces udder health for all livestock
As occurs in dairy cows, producers who choose to have a milk production that does not compromise maternal weaning weight and that is based on the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) values, are able to obtain a fair genetic control on the quality of the milk. breast.
Therefore, it is always better to combine genetic notions with the environmental conditions in which you decide to raise your livestock and not resort to extreme measures, especially with beef cows
Part 7 of 7: Conformation of the Feet and Legs
Step 1. The legs should naturally assume a linear position, each at the four corners of the animal and be reasonably straight
The movements of the animal should be characterized by a free and free gait, not uncoordinated, slow, rigid or reduced. Animals with uneven, small, curved, or misshapen toes or crooked feet usually become lame.
Step 2. Conformation of the forelegs
The most common problems affecting the front legs and feet concern the varus knee, the valgus knee and the toes in or out.
- Knee varus cattle tend to have excessive knee tension, which makes them appear arched at their knees instead of standing straight.
- Knee-valgus cattle are the opposite, that is, they have the knee that tends to go backwards, pushing the feet forward.
- Toe-pointed or "flat-footed" cattle have knees that point towards each other, causing the front feet to move outward, rather than straight. In this case, they tend to have an oscillating gait in which the feet go out and back in.
- Cattle with toes inwards are the opposite of the previous ones (the knees point outwards instead of inwards) and therefore move on the contrary: swinging their feet first internally and then externally while walking.
Step 3. Formation of the hind legs:
the most common problems affecting a bad conformation of the hind legs always start from the hock and from the pasterns. If they are positioned incorrectly, then this affects the attitude of the feet. For example, a cow-hocked cow will have the typical gait of cattle with the toes inward on its hind legs, while one with a varus knee will have the typical gait of cattle with the tips out.
- Cattle with valgus or "flat feet" are those that have hocks that point towards each other.
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Cattle with varus knee or with toes inward are the opposite of the previous type, that is, with the hocks that each point in the opposite direction of the other.
Both constitute bad conformations of the legs, which force the animal to make crooked movements and rotations during walking
- Animals with joint problems may have a slight curvature in the hocks. In this case, they are prone to limp and often have a short, uncertain stride. In English they are defined as post-legged.
- Animals that have the opposite problem to the previous one, on the other hand, have an excessive angle at the hocks which leads to insist on the heels of the foot, thus weakening the hocks. In English they are called sickle-hocked.
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A closing attitude to the hind legs occurs at the point where the legs tend to come together so as to prevent the front of the animal from being seen.
- Animals with this bad conformation may also have slightly valgus knees and be subject to inflammation and bruising due to frequent rubbing of the hind legs.
- Animals with closed legs tend to walk by placing one foot on the other or moving it towards the center of the body.
1152624 2b21 Step 4. The fingers:
the structure of the toes of the bovine affects mobility and position. Cattle that have large toes do not walk normally and walk insisting on the back of the hooves instead of resting on the whole foot.
- Fingers with uneven width and length affect mobility and weight distribution over the whole animal.
- Male cattle that have one finger thinner than the other that grows even more than the other (among other things, this is a heritable condition), will be prone to limp and lose adequate mobility. It is advisable to kill livestock with these characteristics.
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Other abnormalities of the fingers, on which to pay attention, are:
- Short hooves worn on the fingers, which indicate that the foot has been dragged according to the animal's gait
- Long and narrow hooves with little thickness, which are often associated with the weak conformation of the hocks and pastorals, and sometimes scissor-shaped hooves (when the toes cross and grow on top of each other).
Advice
- The most important characteristics to note in cows are their rear reach, udders, typical properties of female cattle, feet and legs, and overall tonnage range.
- The most important features to note in male cattle are the feet and legs, the shoulders, the neck, the rump and the scrotum, but also the whole of its virile power.
- Some photographs may be difficult to evaluate compared to others depending on the angle at which they were taken and the height at which the photographer was taking them.
Warnings
- Sometimes an image doesn't tell the whole story: in other words, things aren't always what they seem in photos.
- Don't get confused by the terminology and the like, especially if you've decided to give up on the Bovine Engineering site. Use your basic knowledge of correct conformation to start making your first assessments of cattle.
- It may be a little more difficult to assess the conformation of cattle in person. However, especially if you spend your time without being in a hurry, you may find it much easier to formulate a close assessment rather than using a two-dimensional image taken from a newspaper or computer.
