When choosing cattle for breeding, look out for positive traits that will be passed on to the offspring. And avoid negative traits.

When choosing cattle for breeding, look out for positive traits that will be passed on to the offspring. And avoid negative traits. Breed societies have a range of characteristics to look for when selecting cattle for breeding. But these and other records aren’t always accessible to emerging farmers.

Therefore, as the Agricultural Research Council (ARC’s) Animal Production Institute notes, visual appraisal – examining the animal yourself – is the main “selection aid” used by emerging farmers. There are two kinds of characteristics to look for – positive ones, and those undesirable ones that show the cow or bull isn’t going to be a good buy.

Hooves
An undesirable sign here is laminitis, a very serious hoof disease. The gene that makes an animal prone to laminitis can be passed on from generation to generation. This means the offspring are also likely to get it.

Black and amber hooves are harder and less prone to hoof problems than white hooves. With certain cattle, the toes grow toward each other, or the hooves open up between the toes. This is also undesirable.

Depth of heel is also important. If depth of heel isn’t present, the animal’s weight rests on the hind part of the hoof and outgrowth occurs more easily.

Source: Beef Cattle Management, ARC-Animal Production Institute.

Read more about the rump, back legs, pasterns, knees, tail and temperament in the 29 July 2011 issue.

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Tags: cattle, breeding, hooves, offspring