1 GRADING FEEDER CATTLE The process of grading

1 GRADING FEEDER CATTLE The process of grading feeder cattle is a projection of maturity based on frame size, muscling, and the sex of the calf.

2 Large framed, heavy muscled steer could grow to 1400 before maturity GROWTH CURVES 1400 lbs Fat Muscle Frame Small framed, light muscled heifers stop at 900 lbs

3 Evaluating Frame Size H i p H e i g h t Flank to Flank Chest to Ground

4 What Makes the Grade on Frame Size? Steers Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0. 4 inches backfat) Heifers Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0. 4 inches backfat) ¨ Large – over 1, 250 ¨ Large - over 1, 150 ¨ Medium – 1, 100 to 1, 250 ¨ Medium – 1, 000 to 1, 150 ¨ Small - under 1, 100 ¨ Small - under 1, 000

5 Evaluating Muscle

6 Muscle Grades #1 = Thick Or Heavy Muscling #2 = Average Muscling #3 = Thin Or Light Muscling #4 = Extremely Light Muscling (Starved Jersey)

# 1 Muscle 7 1++ 1 --

8 # 2 Muscle 2++ 2 --

9 # 3 Muscle 3++ 3 --

10 # 4 Muscle

Muscle Grades 11 # 2 # 3 # 4

12 Possible Feeder Cattle Grades g Large Frame #1, #2, #3 or #4 g Medium Frame #1, #2, #3 or #4 g Small Frame #1, #2, #3 or #4 g Inferior – This grade will include sick unthrifty cattle and double muscled cattle due to their inability to Quality grade.

13 Old calves for their weight are usually lowered one frame score. Indicators of age include the tail significantly below hocks, the degree of twist in switch, and a wide muzzle.

14 FA T FAT MEDIUM SMALL+ Feeder calves with excess condition, or fat, are usually lowered a frame size based on the assumption the calf has reached maturity. If excess fat is present, muscle should be reevaluated to ensure thickness is not due to fat.

15 Test Your Feeder Cattle Grading Skills

16 Frame Size = Large++ Heifer 650 lb #3 Muscle Grade

17 Frame Size = Large. Steer 750 lb #1++ Muscle Grade

18 Frame Size = Medium Steer 520 lb #2 Muscle Grade

19 Frame Size = Large. Steer 725 lb #1 -Muscle Grade

20 Frame Size = Small Steer 475 lb #2+ Muscle Grade

21 Frame Size = Large+++ Heifer 810 lb #3 Muscle Grade

22 Frame Size = Medium+ Heifer 635 lb #2+ Muscle Grade

23 Frame Size = Medium. Heifer 640 lb #3 Muscle Grade

24 Frame Size = Medium+ Steer 690 lb #1 Muscle Grade

25 Frame Size = Large Steer 810 lb #1+ Muscle Grade

26 Frame Size = Small Heifer 515 lb #2 -Muscle Grade

27 Inferior Grade Frame Size = Large+ Heifer 585 lb #3+ Muscle Grade

28 Frame Size = Medium+ Steer 600 lb #2++ Muscle Grade

29 Inferior Grade ? ? Frame Size = Medium+ Steer 575 lb #3++ Muscle Grade

30 Frame Size = Medium++ Heifer 775 lb #3+ Muscle Grade

31 Frame Size = Medium+ Steer 685 lb #1 Muscle Grade

32 Frame Size = Medium+ Steer 605 lb #4+++ Muscle Grade

33 YOU ARE READY TO GRADE FEEDER CATTLE