Knowing the score with cattle classification
This year sees the introduction of four new traits in type classification for dairy cattle as well as three new composites.
Dairy cattle breeding changes over time to respond to market requirements. This leads to new or different bloodlines coming to prominence within breeds and inevitably the linear conformation or "type" of cattle changes as a result.
The core role of classification is to record type in cattle and provide composite scores that enable the identification of animals that are capable of a long productive life.
As dairy cattle populations change in type, then classification sometimes also needs to evolve to record and monitor those changes.
Udder tilt, height at front end, loin strength and thurl position are the four new traits to be scored in heifers and cows, applying across all dairy breeds classified by NBDC, including Holsteins and British Friesians.
Udder tilt is a recent phenomenon appearing in dairy cattle, whereby in particular the rear udder sits markedly higher than the fore udder, which is undesirable.
Height at front end and loin strength are introduced to monitor the skeletal structure, with the aim of promoting sound spine and rump conformation.
Thurl position will also be scored to provide more information on rump conformation. These new traits bring the total number of individual traits scored up to 24.
Body conformation and dairy strength are being replaced by three new composites – Dairy Capacity, Rump and Dairy Character.
The new traits and composites will not have a major effect on the overall score of most animals and the current overall score classes remain unchanged.
Type classification score: 90-97 Excellent, 85-89 Very Good, 80-84 Good Plus, 75-79 Good, 65-74 Fair, 50-64 Poor.
If you wish to discuss the new classification system, please contact me on 07860 438510 or Darren Todd at darrentodd@nbdc.uk
Meurig James is Holstein UK's head of breed development.
