COLLECTING DATA ON MATURE dams
Ensure you can make profit-minded herd decisions by collecting data on mature cow performance.
COLLECT IN THE CHUTE
Dams must be weighed 45 days before or after weaning a calf. A body condition score must be reported with the weight.
When to score:
Dams should be scored 45 days before or after weaning.
How to score:
Dams should be given a score between 1-9.
- Severely emaciated - All ribs and bone structure easily visible. Very little visible muscle tissue, physically weak.
- Emaciated - Similar to score one, but not weakened. Little visible muscle tissue.
- Very thin - No fat on ribs or brisket. More apparent muscling than on condition score two. Backbone easily visible.
- Thin or with ribs easily visible, but shoulders and hindquarters show fair muscling. Backbone visible.
- Moderate to thin - The last two or three ribs can be seen. Little evidence of fat on brisket, over ribs, or around tail head.
- Good condition - Smooth appearance throughout. Slight fat deposition on brisket and over tail head. Ribs covered, and backs appear slightly rounded.
- Very good condition - Brisket full. Tail head shows pockets of fat. The back appears well rounded due to fat. Ribs are very smooth.
- Obese - Back square due to fat. Brisket distended. Heavy fat pockets around tail head. Neck thick.
- Rarely seen - Very obese. Similar to condition score eight, except more extreme. Heavy deposition of udder fat.
How-To: Body Condition Scoring Cattle
Height should be measured in inches directly over the hook bones while the dam is standing up straight with her head in a normal position.
Curious how hip heights factor into frame scores?
When to score:
Females can be scored yearly after reaching 320 days of age.
How to score:
Dams should be scored independently on claw set and foot angle on the combined worst foot. All dams in a group should be scored by the same person. Both are scored on a scale from 1-9. Refer to the Foot Scoring Guide linked below.
What to know:
Diet-type must be submitted with a foot score.
0—Unknown
1—0% concentrate (no grain, on pasture, some hay)
2—Less than 50% concentrate (e.g. whole corn silage or supplemented with hay)
3—Greater than 50% concentrate (e.g. full feed, show feed, bull test diet)
How-To: Foot Scoring Cattle
MORE DATA, MORE INSIGHTS
When to score:
Cattle must be at least 320 days of age and can be scored yearly in April, May or June.
How to score:
Cattle are scored on a 1-5 scale.
Score dams from 1 to 6 as they are leaving the chute:
- Docile, mild disposition
- Restless, quieter than average
- Nervous, typical temperament is manageable
- Flighty, wild, jumpy, and out of control
- Aggressive, added aggressive behavior
- Very Aggressive and extremely temperamental
When to Score:
Twenty-four hours before or after calf birth, which is when the udder would be fullest.
How to Score:
Evaluate both the teat size and udder suspension on a scale of 1 to 9 on the combined worst quarter for both traits. Females should be given a separate score for both traits.
Teat: Consider both length and diameter.
Udder: Evaluate on suspension – ranging from very pendulous to very tight.
MAXIMIZE YOUR DATA
Earn MaternalPlus®
As part of AHIR’s Inventory Reporting herds can earn MaternalPlus® by reporting additional data including weaning weights. MaternalPlus® females display the logo on pedigree look up.
Program benefits
EPDs Explained
Collecting and submitting data on your herd improves the accuracy of your cattle's EPDs. It is important to understand how the data is used in individual EPDs.
Learn more
Earn MaternalPlus®
As part of AHIR’s Inventory Reporting herds can earn MaternalPlus® by reporting additional data including weaning weights. MaternalPlus® females display the logo on pedigree look up.
Program benefits
EPDs Explained
Collecting and submitting data on your herd improves the accuracy of your cattle's EPDs. It is important to understand how the data is used in individual EPDs.
Learn more