On 14 June, our farm hosted a training on the assessment of exterior traits of beef cattle that was organised by the Animal Breeders Association of Latvia. CHAROLAIS, LIMOUSIN, SIMMENTAL, ANGUS and WAGYU suckling cows and heifers were inspected and evaluated at the farm.
Suckling cows and heifers were evaluated according to the linear scoring method. The linear scoring of exterior traits is based on assessing the characteristics regardless of each other; the evaluated traits are genetic and economically important. The exterior linear assessment is performed after the first and the third or fourth calving. According to the new Cabinet Regulation No. 227, for pure-bred bulls this assessment is performed prior to commencing the pure-bred breeding, i.e., at the age of 3 or 4 years and at the age of 5 years. Exterior traits are evaluated by a certified animal expert evaluator.
In the linear scoring of exterior traits, most characteristic exterior traits are described on a linear scale, e.g., on a scale from 1 to 9 that can be evaluated in both final parameters and both are undesirable (the desirable result is 5), while a range of traits must be advanced towards 9. Animal breed must be taken into consideration in the evaluation. In total, 19 parameters are taken into consideration in the assessment of exterior traits and they are combined in 3 groups: body, muscular system and legs. The assessment of exterior traits should be started from the front side towards the sides, back and top side.
Suckling cows and heifers at the farm KOLUMBI are evaluated accordingly and, on the basis of the assessment, the farm becomes aware of the required improvements.
We express our gratitude to the Animal Breeders Association of Latvia for the opportunity to be in the position of the evaluated farm and we also appreciate the recommendations and instructions given by the evaluators to ensure further growth!
Respectfully, owner of the farm Dace Meldere
