Indispensable „nuts and bolts“
collectively provide the supporting framework for the muscles and organs” (Atlas of Anatomy). There are 215 bones in cattle (average of what I delved into) and they are already well developed at birth. Fundamentally these bones are located in the same relation to each other and are essentially of the same shape. On the other hand, muscle and fat vary greatly. Experts have proven that the skeleton grows proportionately and each part has a constant percentage to the total. For example, the length of the rump in a short and long animal is just about the same percentage of the animals’ total length. More on this further on.
Muscle contributes to the conformation of the animal and is of economic impor
tance since we sell beef and beef is muscle. Anatomy studies show that all cattle have the same number of muscles and they are attached to the skeleton in the same location. It is also well documented that there is no animal with well developed muscles in one part of the body and poorly developed muscles in another part. If a bull is poorly muscled in one part then he will be poorly developed all over. More detail in the chapter on muscling.
Fat deposit is influenced by age, sex, feed and rate of maturity (early or late). It influences the palatability of the meat. In essence fat is a storage medium of excessive energy reserved for re using at any time. It is expensive to produce, around six times more than
muscle and extra costs occur to trim it off the carcass. Refer to how to appraise the difference between fat and muscle in chapter 19.
Skin and hair play an important role in the animal’s adaptability. The hide is the largest single part of the body, provides protection against heat and cold and serves as medium to get rid of excessive heat. I will elaborate in another chapter.
Nature’s growth pattern
Science has shown that skeletal growth in height matures much faster than width, depth and weight. In one month old SF heifer calves (German Fleckvieh data) the wither height (best indicator size) was already
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„If you get all the facts, your judgement can be right. If you don‘t get all the facts, it can‘t be right.“
(BM Baruch)
60 % matured compared to only 10 % in weight. According to another study beef cattle reached about 80 % of their mature height at weaning but only 45 % of their mature weight. Data from many publications show that large animals (high frame score) have a slower rate of maturity, finish at relatively heavy body weights and have a faster growth rate. Shorter or dumpy cattle are just the opposite. Size and related matters are discussed in a separate chapter.
Desirable and undesirable relationships between traits
Judges have to be familiar with the genetic correlations between traits which are observed in judging and use them in their comment. It makes your comment so much more interesting and educational. These correlations occur when selecting for a particular trait results in changes in another trait or character.
They may produce desirable or undesirable changes. If the correlation is positive, then selection for improving the first character, results in an increase in the second character in the progeny. If the correlation is negative, selection for improving one trait will result in a decrease of the other trait. Let’s look at a few examples applicable to beef SF:
o Weights are related at all ages of an animal’s life. The heaviest weaners also tend to be heavier at future weighing. Unfortunately there is also an undesirable genetic correlation between these weights and birth weight suggesting that there is a strong possibility that the bull with for example high weaning and yearling
weight EBV’s will sire calves with high birth weights and consequently increase calving problems.
o Similarly selection for low birth weights will have a negative effect on weaning and yearling weight.
o In countries where cow maintenance is of economic importance (food input costs) constant selection for heavy weight
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In many suckler SF countries the ideal is an average birth weight, fast growth to a maximum profit marketing stage followed by a moderate mature size so that lifetime maintenance energy for the breeding herd is minimized.
© BAYERNGENETIK
EBV’s will also increase cow size and therefore maintenance cost.
o Because of the positive genetic correlation between milk and cow maintenance requirement, selection for increased milk would lead to increased feed cost for maintenance.
o In dual SF udder score and more specific a prominent median suspensory ligament and a tight udder is correlated with longevity.
o In the US they scored 7500 US Simmental cows and found the following correlations: ( I ) continuous selection for femininity may result in cows that
lack muscle and capacity; ( II ) selection for change in rear leg angle will result in a corresponding change in pastern angle; ( III ) selection for higher capacity cows will result in increased muscle score and ( IV ) selecting females with shallow udders will result in an improvement
in udder attachment and a decrease in teat size.
We can avoid all these undesirable genetic correlations to a large extent by maintaining a balanced approach and always avoiding extremes.
Useful judging terminology
I compiled the following from many sources and own inventiveness:
Conformation or general appearance is defined as „The symmetry, size and shape of the various body parts relative to each other” or „The general appearance of the animal in terms of satisfying the observer’s appreciation of what is a desirable appearance.” In laymen’s terms it is how the SF animal is put together. In a country with a Breed Standard an animal with a good conformation will conform to the norms in that standard. An animal with for instance straight hocks has a poor conformation.
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Hardy against unfavourable hot and dry conditions. © F Dell
Structural correctness or soundness in general refers to the correctness of an animal’s bone structure or the manner in which the bones of the skeleton fit together to produce the proper angles to thrive in the environment it has to produce. It is an important component of „conformation“.
Functional efficiency is how efficient the animal produces and reproduces in its environment.
Hardiness or robustness
(antonym soft) is the ability to survive and produce under stressful conditions such as poor feeding (drought), unfavourable temperature (heat or cold), high humidity, long distance walking and high parasite infestation. Zebu cattle are known for their hardiness. A Simbrah is hardier than a beef SF and beef type SF is hardier than a dairy SF.
Adaptability (antonym unsuitable): The ability of an animal to adjust and thrive in a new environment
or production system. A well adapted animal is quickly in harmony with its new environment which can be a production system like a feedlot or „hardiness” against adverse conditions. In the 1960’s I was involved with the import of hundreds SF from Europe to Africa and noted that some animals adapted well and others not although they were imported by the same breeder and were treated alike.
The term thickness as opposed to thinness is used by many to express the beefiness of an animal. It can arise from muscling, fat and/or hair coat. In beef SF we aim for thickness due to muscling and the judge must be sure that it is not caused by excessive fat. In some countries thickness is added artificially by combing/brushing long hair up giving the animal a fluffy appearance.
Capacity (antonym narrow) is another judge’s term which describes an animal
The term thickness as opposed to thinness is used by many to express the beefiness of an animal. In beef SF we aim for thickness due to muscling and not due to over fatness or disguised hair coat.
with well sprung ribs, width and depth. Depth of flank is not a prerequisite for capacity.
Fleshing ability is described by Hammack as „the body’s capacity to fatten and retain fat. It tends to drop with increases in genetic body size, maintenance requirements relative to size, milking level and inherent muscularity.
Animals poorly adapted to their environment generally are low in fleshing ability. Easy fleshing cattle tolerate periods of nutritional energy deficiency more easily and therefore may reproduce more consistently, but they also over fatten more readily in the feedyard (feedlot) unless properly managed.”
Use this term only when comparing SF of the same
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© J Hattingh
sex, age group and production category. A mature SF dairy and beef cow cannot have the same fleshing ability because of different breeding aims. In some countries they call it constitution which signifies the appearance of an animal in terms of how well (or poorly) it is adapted to its environment. A healthy well fleshed animal denotes a good constitution. Under more extensive conditions lactating SF cows often lack constitution because „they give themselves to the calf“. If this is not managed correctly reproductive efficiency may be reduced. On the other hand we don’t want a well fleshed SF cow with a second rate calf next to her.
Heritability
The higher the heritability the more of what you see as judge will be passed on to the offspring and the more weight the trait should carry in assessment or appraisal. Low heritable traits are
not a good indicator of the animal’s genetics. A heritability of 10 % suggests that the genetic component, which is passed on to the offspring, is only 10 % and 90 % is environment.
Some judges don’t emphasise or use heritability differences in their merit appraisal. Example: You have to decide between two alike bulls of the same age, the only difference worth mentioning is that bull A’s scrotum circumference is on the small side and bull B is sickle hocked. The choice should be easy because the possibility of „scrotum bull A“ transmitting his problem to the offspring is double that of bull B’s „problem“.
The following heritability estimates are for beef and dual purpose cattle type traits which are evaluated visually in the showring (summarized from many sources):
High: Weight, stature/ height/size/frame score, body length, muscling, capacity and scrotum circumference.
Moderate: Femininity, hip width, hip slope, animal score at weaning, yearling pasture score, udder depth and teat size.
Low: Hock angle or set, pastern angle, udder attachment and udder form.
The judges „10 commandments”
In 1980 I compiled these for a SF judge’s symposium. I don’t know about other countries but in Africa they are still valid today.
1. „Consumerism” must prevail. Traits that are important to the commercial bull buyer must enjoy the highest priority.
2. Functional and economical characteristics must receive priority throughout your appraisal.
3. Always remember, nature does not tolerate extremes.
4. Value assessment or merit appraisal according to the breeds preference characteristics is of vital importance.
5. Discard overfed animals: you are judging breeding animals and not fat stock show animals.
6. There must be no secrets in the show ring. Don’t be scared to ask for measurable aids like fertility records or performance.
7. Always be honest, fair and impartial. Previous placing by well known judges must not influence your decision.
8. Don’t be bothered about what the spectators think of your placing –place according to your knowledge, observation at judgement day and your value assessment.
9. Explaining your rankings to the audience is just as important as judging; it’s fair towards the spectators, the owner and the animals.
10. Motivating your ranking is not possible without thorough knowledge of anatomy, livestock terminology, diplomacy and proper etiquette.
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