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Stock judging: dairy cows
When stock judging dairy cows, the tips below should help you to understand what to look at.
Read more information on stock judging
Character
The cow should show dairy character:
- Being fine throughout
- Fine and supple skin
- She should show longevity and angularity – with ‘dairy triangles’
Stature is important; barrel or ribcage length and width is very important, giving her excellent body capacity, a well-balanced capacious udder, and she should stand and walk well on all four legs.
Points to look for
Good |
Poor |
Long, feminine head |
|
Bright eyes |
|
Broad muzzle |
|
Good |
Poor |
Blends to finely set, angular-shaped shoulder |
U-shaped |
Good |
Poor |
Level |
Weak over loin |
|
High tail head |
Good |
Poor |
Plenty of length and depth for forage conversion |
|
Plenty of width and well-sprung ribs |
|
Good |
Poor |
Plenty of length and depth for forage conversion |
|
Plenty of width and well-sprung ribs |
|
Good |
Poor |
Fore attachment must be strong and carried well forward, blending into a deep, capacious body |
Pendulous and fleshy |
Pink, fine-textured skin |
|
Plenty of width to rear, with strong attachment |
|
Prominent milk vein |
|
Even-length teats in the centre of even quarters |
|
Good |
Poor |
Stands and walks well on four well-shaped legs |
Closed-hocked or sickle-hocked |
Up on pasterns |
Overgrown clees will make them overstretch |
Plenty of heel depth |
Lameness on parade |
|
Down-at-heel |
Useful links
Download our guide to stock judging
If you would like a hard copy of A guide to stock judging please contact publications@ahdb.org.uk or call 0247 799 0069.
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