Beef Cattle Conformation Basics

When performing a visual evaluation of the animal, note the following features in particular: frame size, muscle and body structure, and breed character.

In a breeding herd, you need to select animals that possess traits for a long life, reproductive efficiency, efficient feed to meat conversion, and a type that will produce desirable carcass composition and performance. The ability of the individual animal to meet these requirements is shaped by heredity and the environment.

Today, production records are used to determine an animal’s genetic potential and its response to the environment. But these records do not tell the whole story. Physical characteristics remain important, and visual evaluation is still a key part of the selection process.

It takes training and experience to accurately evaluate features. The following is merely a broad guideline of what to look for:

BODY STRUCTURE

The neck should be moderately long (an indicator of growth). The loin and rump should be long, wide and level, so that the top of the animal is long and strong. Extremely short-bodied and short-legged cattle are associated with excessive fat and inefficient growth. Excessively long legs and long bodies are associated with late maturity and low quality grades.