With the Pharo Cattle Company® Bull Workdays just around the corner, here are some reasons as to why this is such an important exercise and service to PCC® customers.
A bull should be able to lift his head and see into the next county.
Skeletal structure is paramount to functionality and longevity. The skeleton starts at the nose and ends at the tail switch. Understanding skeletal structure is key to selecting profitable cattle. A strong jaw and wide muzzle are essential for foraging and also an indication of overall skeletal width and strength.
The angle at which the neck escalates out of the top of the shoulder is governed by the angle of the scapula. A well-angled shoulder allows an animal to lift its head with ease. Too high an angle can result in a narrower chest floor and less heart girth, so balance is key.
A straight shoulder restricts an animal’s ability to naturally lift its head. This also causes less flexibility at the knee and less cushion in the pasterns, which will compromise foot shape and structure.
Many educators and cattle consultants love a dead-level top line. That is only good if the spine is relaxed while the animal is on the move. A tighter spine will cause an animal to arch up on the move, and this limits longevity and athleticism.
Some angle from hip to pin is vital for a couple of reasons. Firstly, that angle opens up the birth canal and allows for a far greater pelvic opening for calving ease purposes. Secondly, correct hip to pin angle allows for good angles on the hock joint and pastern. This allows for flexibility on the move. This will also govern foot shape and structure.
Base width and chest floor are an indication of true skeletal width. This is important to allow for rib shape and rumen function. An opened up fore-rib in ruminants allows for additional organ capacity.
Width between the pins and wide hips in females illustrates hormonal balance, as does length of body relative to height.
In bulls, the width at the thighs and stifle joint indicates hormonal balance. Wide hips are a feminine trait. Width over the chine bone and top of the shoulders is a masculine trait.
Excessive bone is antagonistic to fertility. Extremely fine bone is antagonistic to longevity. Balance is key. Excessive length of the long bones indicates late maturity and leanness. Short cannon bones indicate high inherent body condition and early maturity.
Softness and cleanness of joints is essential. Avoid round bone and big, coarse joints.
An animal that appears comfortable, has a loose skeleton, and is flexible on the move will logically be structurally sound with longevity built in.
Don’t compromise on structural soundness, ever. There’s profit in longevity.
Quote Worth Re-Quoting
“There’s no shortage of remarkable ideas. What’s missing is the will to execute them.” ~ Seth Godin
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