Style and balance deals with how well all the pieces of the heifer fit together. Points to consider when evaluating style and balance include straightness of the top line, the balance between body width, depth and length, smoothness and angularity of the front end, and the blending of the shoulders, ribs, and hips.

Above, the left picture illustrates a heifer that is unbalanced due to a neck that is too deep with additional skin on the dewlap, and a coarse shoulder that gives the heifer an appearance of being heavier in her front end than in the back end. The heifer in the right photo lacks style as she is open shouldered, short necked, and pinched in her forerib.

Below, the heifer on the left blends beautifully from head to neck-shoulder-rib showing excellent style about her front two thirds. The heifer on the right shows good style and balance, being straight in her top line, long and clean necked, and fairly well balanced in terms of body width, depth, and length.