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Ranking of Traits for Beef Heifers
The ranking of traits in the order of
their importance for beef heifer judging is as follows:
- Soundness and structural correctness
- heifers should enter the herd with the ability
to walk long distances while grazing and remain
in the herd for a long time.
- Capacity or volume - heifers need good
capacity or volume so they can convert forage
to meat or milk and have the ability to maintain
their body condition in a pasture environment.
- Style and balance - longevity demands
that the parts be put together correctly and
that those parts be strong and proportional
so that all carry their share of the load.
- Degree of muscling - muscle (meat)
is the end product of beef cattle production,
so heifers must have adequate muscling. However,
muscle in excess may limit the function and
production of the heifer.
- Femininity - this trait is referred
to as the "pretty" trait. Simply put, heifers
should like heifers and not like a steer or
a bull.
If one were judging bulls rather than heifers,
the ranking of these traits and the order of their
importance would need to be rearranged. For bulls,
the ranking of traits would be: (1) soundness
and structural correctness, (2) capacity or volume,
(3) degree of muscling, (4) style and balance,
and (5) testicular development. Testicles should
be large and extended away from the body for maximum
fertility. Small or twisted testicles should be
significantly discounted.
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