Breeding Trait Option Definitions
Many of the StockMate Breeding Traits have dropdown options that are a list of numerical numbers that have industry meaning. The source and definitions for the values are provided here, to be used as guidelines.
However, if your operation has different definitions for the values this is completely acceptable and results can be interpreted as required on a company basis.
Calving Ease
Score | Code | Definition |
1 | Unassisted | Cow calved unassisted (no calving difficulty) |
2 | Easy Pull | One person without mechanical assistance |
3 | Hard Pull | One person with, or two people without, mechanical assistance |
4 | Surgical Assistance | Veterinary intervention required |
5 | Malpresentation | E.g. Breech |
Sheath Score
Source: NSW Agriculture, Better Bull Buying Manual, 1998
Temperament
| Score | Code | Description |
1 | Docile | Mild disposition, gentle and easily handled, stands and moves slowly during handling, undisturbed, settled, somewhat dull, exits crush calmly. |
2 | Restless | Quieter than average but slightly restless, may be stubborn during handling, may try to back out of the crush, some flicking of tail, exits crush promptly. |
3 | Nervous | Manageable but nervous and impatient, a moderate amount of struggling, movement and tail flicking, exits crush briskly. |
4 | Flighty | Jumpy and out of control, quivers and struggles violently, may bellow and froth at mouth, continuous tail flicking, defecates and urinates during handling, frantically runs the fence line and may jump when penned individually, exhibits long flight distance and exits crush wildly. |
5 | Aggressive | May be similar to score 4 but with added aggressive behaviour, fearful, extreme agitation, continuous movement which may include jumping and bellowing while in crush, exits crush frantically and may exhibit attack behaviour when handled alone. |
Muscle Scores
| Score | Code | Description |
| A | Very Heavy Muscling | Extremely thick through stifle area. Muscle seams or grooves between muscles are evident. 'Apple bummed' - when viewed from the side the hindquarters bulge like an apple. |
| B | Heavy Muscling | Thick stifle; rounded thigh when viewed from behind. Some convexity in hindquarter from side view. Flat and wide over top line - muscle is at the same height as backbone. |
| C | Medium Muscling | Flat down thigh when viewed from behind. Flat and tending to angular over the top line. |
| D | Moderate Muscling | Narrow stance. Flat to convex down the thigh. Thin through stifle. |
| E | Light Muscling | Dairy type - very angular. Sharp 'tent topped' over top line. Virtually no thickness through stifle at all. Stands with feet together, concave thigh. |
Source: Breedplan, Recording Muscle Scores Tip Sheet, 2023.
Source: Breedplan, Recording Muscle Scores Tip Sheet, 2023.
Front Legs Front View
Source: International Committee for Animal Recording: Confirmation Recording for Dairy and Beef Cattle, 2015.
Front/Back Feet Claw Set
Source: Angus Australia, 2023
Front/Back Feet Angle
Source: Angus Australia, 2023
Back Legs Rear View
Source: Angus Australia, 2023
Back Legs Side View
Source: Angus Australia, 2023
Hair Coat
Score | Coat Type | Description |
1 | Very short | Coat sleek, hairs short and coarse, lying flat, just able to be lifted by the thumb |
2 | Fairly short | General appearance smooth-coated. Hairs easily lifted, usually fairly course |
3 | Fairly long | Coat not completely smooth, somewhat rough, patches of hairs being curved outwards, or whole coat showing sufficient length to be ruffled |
4 | Long | Hairs distinctly long and lying loosely; predominately coarse |
5 | Hairy | Hairs erect, giving fur-like appearance. Fingers are partly buried in the coat. Fine hairs of under-coat give soft handle |
Reproductive Tract Score
| Score | Uterine Horns (diameter, mm) | Ovarian Length (mm) | Ovarian Height (mm) | Ovarian Width (mm) | Ovarian Structures |
0 | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil |
1 | Immature, < 20 mm, no tone | 15 | 10 | 8 | No palpable Follicles |
2 | 20-25 mm, no tone | 18 | 12 | 10 | 8 mm Follicles |
3 | 20-25 mm, slight tone | 22 | 15 | 10 | 8-10 mm Follicles |
4 | 30 mm, good tone | 30 | 16 | 12 | >10 mm Follicles, CL possible |
5 | > 30 mm | >32 | 20 | 15 | CL present |
Source: Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians “Veterinarians Examination of Bulls” handbook; edited by M McGowan, D Galloway, E Taylor, K Entwistle and P Johnston.
Semen Density
Score | Gross Appearance | Approximate Sperm Concentration 10 Sperm/ml |
0 | clear to cloudy | 0 - 200 |
1 | cloudy to milky | 200 - 400 |
2 | milky | 400 - 800 |
3 | thick milky | 800 - 1200 |
4 | creamy | 1200 - 1800 |
5 | thick creamy | 1800 + |
Semen Mass Activity
Score | Microscopic Appearance |
0 | no swirl - nil or sporadic oscillation of individual sperm |
1 | no swirl - generalised oscillation of individual sperm only |
2 | very slow distinct swirl |
3 | slow distinct swirl |
4 | moderately fast distinct swirl |
5 | fast distinct swirl - appearance of good quality semen |
Source: Australian Association of Cattle Veterinarians “Veterinarians Examination of Bulls” handbook; edited by M McGowan, D Galloway, E Taylor, K Entwistle and P Johnston.
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