Linear Type Evaluation Frame-15% Dairy Character-20% Linear - - PDF document

9/18/2008 1

Linear

Ben Krahn Oregon State University Dairy Research Center

Linear Type Evaluation

• Frame-15%
• Dairy Character-20%
• Body Capacity-10%
• Feet and Legs-15%
• Udder-40%

Purebred Dairy Cattle Association

Linear Type Evaluation

• 50 point scale
• Comparing against ideal
• Objective comparison
• Breed Classification

Frame 15%

• Rump
• Stature
• Front end
• Back
• Breed Characteristics

Rump

• Width between pins
• Slight slope from hips to pins
• Thurls wide and centered between pins

Rump Width

• 5-Extremely Narrow

2.5”

• 25-Intermediate

4.5”

• 45-Extremely Wide

6.5”

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Rump Angle

5-High Pins 1.5” 25-Slight Slope 1.5” 45-Extreme Sloped 4.5”

Stature

• Measured at the point of withers
• Height at point of withers and pins should

be proportionate V i b b d

• Varies by breed

Breed

45 35 25 15 5

Holstein

59 57 55 53 51

Jersey

53 51 49 47 45

Stature in Inches by Breed

Linear Score

• B. Swiss

60 58 56 54 52

Guernsey

59 57 55 53 51

Ayrshire

57 55 53 51 49

Shorthorn

58 56 54 52 50

Strength

• 5-Extremely Narrow
• 25-Intermediate
• 45-Extremely Strong and Wide

Dairy Character-20%

• 5-Extremely Tight
• 25-Intermediate
• 45-Extrememly Open

Body Capacity-10%

• 5-Extremely Shallow
• 25-Intermediate
• 45-Extremely Deep

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Feet and Legs-15%

• Foot angle-Pasterns
• Rear legs

– Rear view – Side view

Foot Angle

• 5-Extremely Low
• 25-Intermediate 45 degrees
• 45-Extremely Steep

Rear Legs-Rear View

• 5-Extreme Hock-In
• 25-Slight Hock-In
• 45-Tracks Extremely Straight

Rear Legs-Side View

• 5-Extremely Posty
• 25-Intermediate
• 45-Extremely Sickled

Udder-40%

• Udder Depth
• Front Teat Placement
• Rear Udder

– Height – Width

• Fore Udder
• Teat Length
• Udder Balance and Texture

Udder Depth

• 5-Extremely Deep
• 2”
• 25-Intermediate

2”

• 45-Extremely Shallow

6”

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Front Teat Placement

• 5-Extremely Wide
• 25-Centrally Placed
• 45-Extremely Close

Rear Udder Height

• 5-Extremely Low

13.3”

• 25-Intermediate

10.5”

• 45-Extremely High

8.7”

Rear Udder Width

• 5-Extremely Narrow

5”

• 25-Intermediate

5.5”

• 45-Extremely Wide

7.5”

http://www.usjersey.com

Udder Cleft

• 5-Extremely Weak flat

1”

• 25-Intermediate

1.25”

• 45-Extremely Strong

2.5”

Fore Udder

• 5-Extremely Loose
• 25-Intermediate
• 45-Extremely Strong

Teat Length

• 5-Extremely Short

1.25”

• 25-Intermediate

2.25”

• 45-Extremely Long

3.25”

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Udder Tilt

• 5-Extreme Rearward Tilt

2.5”

• 25-Nearly Level
• 45-Extreme Forward Tilt

1.5”

References

• Purina Mills

– http://dairy.purina-mills.com

• Holstein Association

– http://www.holsteinusa.com

• American Jersey Association

American Jersey Association

– http://www.usjersey.com

• Hoards Dairyman

– http://www.hoards.com

• World Holstein Friesian Federation

– http://www.whff.info