Quality animals are important when purchasing cattle for breeding, showing, or slaughter.It doesn't take much if you know how to judge heifers.Make sure the animal is strong and healthy by examining its body and face.You might have to check the udders if you're buying heifers.You can pick a high quality heifer after a thorough examination.
Step 1: The feet should be on the ground.
When the heifer is standing, check its hooves.The weight should appear evenly distributed so that the feet sit on the ground without bending.While heifer's hooves point slightly outward, they should lay flat on the ground.
Step 2: Check the alignment of the hips, hocks, and hooves.
Imagine you're drawing a line down the heifer's back legs from the hips to the hooves.The line should be straight for each leg, with no bending between the hip and hoof.This shows that the heifer is a healthy one.Unless you're looking directly at the back legs, you shouldn't notice a bend in the knee.Imagine a bend at an angle of about 145 degrees.There is a joint below the heifer's knee.
Step 3: Look for large hooves.
Bigger hooves mean more support and healthier cattle, so go for the heifers with the largest hooves.Optimal support is provided by the toes on the hooves being roughly even in size.Feet should rest on the ground.
Step 4: Check for leg problems.
Poor quality heifers have poor bone structure in the back legs.Check the back legs to make sure they're not bent at the knees.A knee that does not bend is a sign of a poor quality heifer.The knee bends too much.This is too much bend if the knee bends to the point.If the knees turn inward, this is a sign of poor quality as it will cause stress on the hooves.
Step 5: The best option is for the shoulders to be tight.
Run your hand over the heifer's shoulder if you're able to.The shoulder should feel smooth and the muscles should be tighter near the point.
Step 6: To make sure the rump is level, trace the hooks and pins.
The heifer's rump has a pin on it.The hook bone and pin bone are found at the end of the rump and just before the tail.The pins should be level with the hooks.You shouldn't notice the downward slope.To find the heifer's hooks, you have to feel it.Poor quality heifers should not have hooks visible, as this is a sign.
Step 7: Take a look at the back and loin.
The loin is near the cattle's rump.Go back to the heifer's loin with your hand.The muscles in the loin should become stronger with a straight back.If a heifer's back feels weak in the loin, choose a different one.
Step 8: Take a look at the ribs.
Each rib should be able to feel on its own.They should look towards the rear.They should be relatively straight and flat.
Step 9: Look at the eyes.
The eyes should be clear.Don't look at eyes that are crossed or bulging.Glassy or cloudy eyes can be seen as being blind in one or both eyes.
Step 10: If you want a bigger muzzle, go for it.
A heifer's muzzle should be visible.A heifer with a narrow muzzle may look like a bird.This is referred to as "parrot face" and is an undesirable quality.
Step 11: There are feminine facial qualities to look for.
If you're burying heifers for a show, look for feminine characteristics near the face.A narrow neck and head with delicate and refined features is what you should look for.The shoulders that bend into the neck are considered feminine because they are not associated with the face.
Step 12: The ribs are used to measure capacity for working cattle.
A heifer's capacity is the amount of body volume it has.The stronger the animal, the easier it will be to work on a farm.The ribs are used to measure body capacity.Ribs should widen the heifers body, pointing from the torso, and have a noticeable bend that can be seen easily.Ribs that are straight or unnoticeable are not good for a heifer.
Step 13: The body depth is important for working cattle.
One way to measure body capacity is to view a heifer from the side.From the front to the back, the depth should be uniform.The heifer's torso should make up 50% of his height from the back to the ground.The heifer's torso and legs should be the same length.
Step 14: Evaluate muscling for cattle.
Better quality beef cattle can be found if there is more muscling.To check muscling, look at the rear and loin.There is a heifer at its side.A loin with a butterfly shape is what you should look for.The base of the heifer's rear is near the top of its hind legs.A well-muscled heifer has an equal width of muscle near both the base and top.
Step 15: The udders of dairy cattle are examined.
Udders should have the same width near the top and bottom.The heifer's udders should be slightly rounded and the teats plump with clear space between them.The teats should be similar in size and shape to a cylinder.