Stock judging: dairy cows

When stock judging dairy cows, the tips below should help you to understand what to look at.

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

1. Head

Good	Poor
Long, feminine head
Bright eyes
Broad muzzle

2. Neck

Good	Poor
Blends to finely set, angular-shaped shoulder	U-shaped

3. Top line

Good	Poor
Level	Weak over loin
	High tail head

4. Body capacity

Good	Poor
Plenty of length and depth for forage conversion
Plenty of width and well-sprung ribs

5. Hindquarter

Good	Poor
Plenty of length and depth for forage conversion
Plenty of width and well-sprung ribs

6. Udder

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

7. Legs and feet

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.

Topics:

Selection and carcase classification

Sectors:

Dairy

Tags:

Young Farmers stock judging YFC Dairy