Determining degree of muscling should
start with evaluating thickness through the center
of the quarter. The second view should be an evaluation
of base width. A steer that is heavy muscled will
typically have good width between its rear feet
when it stands and walks. The final view should
be evaluation of muscle expression over the top.
Heavy muscled steers will have a butterfly shape
down the top.
Thin Muscle
Average Muscle
Thick Muscle
Super Thick
The four steers shown in these pictures illustrate
animals with thin, average, thick, and super thick
muscling. Note the difference in base width among
these steers.
Evaluating Degree of Muscling
