Live Animal Evaluation

Using

Linear Measurement
Produced by

Laurel Hoffman

Form Follows Function

Function Follows Form

Structure = Function
Improve the Structure
Improve the Function

Linear Measurement is a tool

that enables the livestock
producer to identify structural
weaknesses and strengths that
are genetic and thus inheritable.

Premises
9 Wide shoulders with a deep chest is critical for
optimum grass utilization.
9 A wide rump is a major indicator for femininity.
9 Wide shoulders and a large crest is the major indicator
for masculinity.
9 Correct top line and bottom line with a full loin is
necessary for high carcass yield.
9 A fully functioning glandular (endocrine) system is
required for optimum reproductive performance,
adaptability and disease resistance.
9 The bovine body is to be balanced for true functionality
and longevity.

Linear Measuring defined

It is a method used for selecting bulls
& cows that will have:
The highest levels of reproduction
The ability to efficiently utilize grass (forages)
Low maintenance requirements
The ability to produce meat that is predictable in
q both quantity and quality. (using other visual clues)

Linear Measurement - Female

8 Measurements

Rump length

The 2/3 measurement

or
Body Length

Neck measurement

Rump length should be 38-40% of the body length.

18"

46"

She has a 39% rump length.

Rump Length %

Closer to 40% - the higher

in reproductive performance
(less calving difficulties), the
wider the shoulders must be
for balance, maximum meat
on the rump.

There should be no chine bone or tail bone protruding above the flesh on the top line.

Rump length % sets the standard for degree of femininity

(reproduction performance) and also volume of meat.

Hooks and pins should not protrude but have good covering.

Top Line & Neck Length %

The neck length should be half of the body

length or 1/3 of the top line. (69-46-23)

When the body is too long:

Loin looses normal shape
Less likely for balance
(heart girth wont match top line)

Higher maintenance
Lower forage efficiency
Stress easier
Reduced reproduction
Later maturing

Heart Girth

Equal to the Top line. Greater is preferred.

Large hearth girth necessary for:

Vigor
Adaptability
Forage efficiency
Wide shoulders
Meat volume

Narrow (pinched) Heart Girth

Create glandular dysfunction

Susceptible to stress and disease
Poor utilization of grass
Fragile fragile calves
Good heart girth

Flank Measurement

Larger than the hearth girth.

Rump Width
Shoulder Width

Rump Height

A frame score of 4 (48) or less is recommended.

Rump Width % - compares the rump width

to the rump height. (want a ratio of 40% or greater)

Adjusted Rump Width

Rump should be 2.5" wider than the

rump length at 12 months of age.

Adjusted Shoulder Width

Shoulder width is to equal rump length.

Balance is key
Linear measuring shows body correlations
and where an animal is balanced or not.

Balanced animals are:

9 Higher in meat volume (retail product).
9 More efficient in utilizing grass/forages.
9 More resistance to stress lower in maintenance.
9 More feminine and or masculine higher in fertility.
9 More profitable especially if you direct market.

Balance: rump height = body length

hearth girth top line
shoulder width = rump length

Healthy Endocrine Gland System

Pituitary The Conductor of the Orchestra, affecting
all hormonal functions.
Thyroid Metabolism, growth, development
Pancreas Enzymes for Digestion, insulin
Adrenal Energy (steroidal hormones)
Thymus part of lymphatic system, production of
T cells for immune function.
Liver Metabolic processes, filter for blood ,
micronutrient storage and release (immune response)
Gonads Growth & Fertility

Diagram
shows
location
of glands.

Hair swirls are an

indication of
glandular
function.

Adrenal

Thymus
Pancreas

Do you want a good cow?

Do you want a cow that you

can make progress with?

Grass Genetics

Linear Measurement - Male

9 Measurements

Top Line 3 Measurements

True Top Line is 1.5 x body measurement.

Example: 48" x 1.5 = 72" True Top Line

Heart Girth Equal or Greater than Top Line

Body is too long: heart girth cannot match

top line, not balanced, irregular shaped
loin, loss of red meat.

Rump Length is to be 38-40%

of the body length.

Adjusted Neck Length = Neck length minus body length.

Example: 23" - 25" = -2" Adjusted Neck Length

Adjusted Shoulder Width is shoulder width

minus rump length.
Shoulders are to be a minimum
2 wider than rump length.

Ruggedness
Adaptability
Masculinity
Early Maturity

Rump Width % is the rump width

divided by rump height.

Goal is a minimum of 44%

(46-50% is reaching ideal)

Flank Measurement

Equal or greater than the top line. Deep flank

represents early maturity, wide across the top with
thick loin ($).

Identifying Masculine Bulls

Wide Shoulders Deep Chest
Very Pronounced Crest
Scrotal Size (correct shape)
Coarse Hair (on head, neck & shoulders)
Wide Head and Muzzle
Clubby Tail
All indicators of testosterone production

Scrotal
circumference
should be 38-40cm
at a year of age.

Misshaped
right testicle

Correct

Correct

Degradation has
occurred

Misshaped left testicle

All are deformed and dysfunctional on some level resulting in compromised sperm production.

Example from Linear Measurement Program

Cow Master Sheet

For assistance call
Breed: Angus
ID
834
6399
A797
A492
A489
2701
6188
665
1505
A528
6194
A311
1507
7535
A143

Girth
72
71
71
73
70
70
74
75
74
72
71
70
74
69
69

Date: 11/22/05 Kendall Shrock

Flank
76
80
80
77
78
76
80
84
86
80
74
73
79
78
76

Rump
Length
18
17.5
18.5
18
18
18
18
19
18
18
18
17.5
18
18
18

Topline
69.5
73
72.5
71
75
71
73
73.5
74
73
72.5
71.5
74
71.5
71.5

2/3
Rump Shoulder Rump Tender
Ribeye
Topline Width Width Height Factor Marble Area
48
21
19
50
2
4.2
0
48.5
21
19
51.5
1.5
7.57
0
48
21
18.5
51
1.5
7.35
0
47.5
21.5
19.5
50.25
2
3.6
0
48
20.5
18.5
51.25
1.5
9.9
0
47.5
20.5
19
50
1.5
6.86
0
48.5
21
18.5
51.75
1.5
7.4
0
49
21.5
18.75
51.75
1.5
4.6
0
48.5
21
19.25
50
1.5
7.8
0
48.5
19.5
19
51.25
1.5
5.3
0
47.5
20
19.5
51.5
2
4.5
0
47
20
19
50.5
1.5
5
0
48.5
20
20
50.5
1.5
5.9
0
48
19.5
18.5
50.5
1.5
5.6
0
48
20
18.5
50
1.5
4.5
0

Back
Fat
0.27
0.25
0.25
0.22
0.36
0.33
0.43
0.29
0.31
0.49
0.25
0.17
0.45
0.36
0.24

Clip Id
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265

Cow Sheet
For assistance call
Bree Angus
Date: 11/22/05 Kendall Shrock

Rank ID

2.98
2.35
2.05
3.53
1.40
1.70
2.78
2.83
2.48
1.40
1.13
1.38
1.88

834
6399
A797
A492
A489
2701
6188
665
1505
A528
6194
A311
1507

Girth
0+
2.50
-2.00
-1.50
2.00
-5.00
-1.00
1.00
1.50
0.00
-1.00
-1.50
-1.50
0.00

Rump
Length
Flank
%
36 40%
3+
4.00 37.5%
9.00 36.1%
9.00 38.5%
4.00 37.9%
8.00 37.5%
6.00 37.9%
6.00 37.1%
9.00 38.8%
12.00 37.1%
8.00 37.1%
3.00 37.9%
3.00 37.2%
5.00 37.1%

Rump
Width %
40%+
42.0%
40.8%
41.2%
42.8%
40.0%
41.0%
40.6%
41.5%
42.0%
38.0%
38.8%
39.6%
39.6%

Adj
Shoulder Neck Tender
ADJ.RW Width Length Factor Marble
-2.0
2.5" + -0.5 to +2 to+0.5 1 to 2
3.79+
3.00
1.00
-2.50
2.00
4.20
3.50
1.50
0.25
1.50
7.57
2.50
0.00
0.50
1.50
7.35
3.50
1.50
-0.25
2.00
3.60
2.50
0.50
3.00
1.50
9.90
2.50
1.00
-0.25
1.50
6.86
3.00
0.50
0.25
1.50
7.40
2.50
-0.25
0.00
1.50
4.60
3.00
1.25
1.25
1.50
7.80
1.50
1.00
0.25
1.50
5.30
2.00
1.50
1.25
2.00
4.50
2.50
1.50
1.00
1.50
5.00
2.00
2.00
1.25
1.50
5.90

USDA
Quality Ribeye Back
Grade
Area
Fat

CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
SELECT
PRIME
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE
CHOICE

N/A

.15+

0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00

0.27
0.25
0.25
0.22
0.36
0.33
0.43
0.29
0.31
0.49
0.25
0.17
0.45

Ranking score from 1(lowest) to 5 (highest). 3.5 and above is preferred.

Clip
Id

251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263

Summary

GENETIC PROGRESS
REQUIRES
EARLY MATURING

MASCULINE BULLS
Will increase
Adaptability (resistance to disease and stress)
Production (grass utilization)
Reproduction (herd fertility)
Net Profits (SUSTAINABILITY)

Early Maturity
Is Key

If you can measure it.

You can manage it.
Linear Measuring Calipers are
available from
Gearld Fry
501-454-3252
wgfry@windstream.net

SELECTING FOR GOURMET BEEF

Thick, soft, pliable hide
Slick, shiny hair coat
Streak down back
Short, fine cannon bones
Clean hocks
High butterfat milk as indicated by
yellow flakes in ears and end of tail,
bald udder.

A Mind Is Like A
Parachute.
It Only Works
When Its Open

If You Change
Nothing.
You Stay
As You Are.