COLLECTING DATA ON YEARLINGS
A complete guide to ensure you collect all the data you need on your yearlings.
when to weigh
For yearling weights, animals should be weighed between 320 and 440 days of age. All animals within the group should be weighed within a three-day window.
Curious how we calculate adjusted weights at birth, weaning and yearling ages?
WHILE IN THE CHUTE
How to score:
Cattle should be scored from 1-6 between 320 and 440 days of age as they are leaving the chute.
- Docile, mild disposition
- Restless, quieter than average
- Nervous, typical temperament is manageable
- Flighty, wild, jumpy, and out of control
- Aggressive, added aggressive behavior
- Very Aggressive and extremely temperamental
When to measure:
Must be taken between 320 to 440 days of age but does not have to be collected at the same time as yearling weight.
Scrotal measurements taken during a breeding soundness exam (BSE) may be used if the BSE took place during the age window.
How to measure:
All measurements should be taken by the same person - in centimeters (cm) with a scrotal measuring tape.
When measuring, pull the testes firmly down in the lower part off the scrotum and place the measuring tape around the widest part.
When to measure:
Measuring hip height is easiest to do when taking yearling weights, which occurs between 320 and 440 days of age.
How to measure:
Hip heights should be taken in inches directly over hook bones while the animal is in the chute. Make sure the animal is standing up straight with head in a normal position.
What to know:
To collect a PAP score, cattle must be at elevation for a minimum of four weeks prior and be between 320 and 720 days of age when measured. Scores can be recorded at a moderate elevation between 4,000 and 5,499 ft. or at a high elevation over 5,000 ft.
Scores must be collected by a trained veterinarian.
How are PAP scores used in the PAP EPD?
ULTRASOUND DATA
While ultrasound data can be collected on a different day from other yearling data, it must be collected in the yearling age window.
When to score:
Cattle must be at least 320 days of age and can be scored yearly in April, May or June.
How to score:
Cattle are scored on a 1-5 scale.
How-To: Hair Shedding Scores
When to score:
Cattle must be at least 320 days of age and can be scored yearly.
How to score:
Cattle should be scored independently on claw set and foot angle on the combined worst foot. All animals in a group should be scored by the same person.
Both are scored on a scale from 1-9. Refer to the Foot Scoring Guide linked below.
What to know:
Diet-type must be submitted with a foot score.
0—Unknown
1—0% concentrate (no grain, on pasture, some hay)
2—Less than 50% concentrate (e.g. whole corn silage or supplemented with hay)
3—Greater than 50% concentrate (e.g. full feed, show feed, bull test diet)
How-To: Foot Scoring Cattle
MORE DATA, MORE INSIGHTS
Why collect:
Feed on test weight and feed on test date are used to calculate yearling average daily gain (ADG).
When to collect:
Feed on test weight must be recorded a minimum of 84 days before the yearling weight.
What to know:
Weaning weight and date can be used as the feed test weight and date if they meet the criteria. However, the yearling ADG will not be calculated using weaning weight and date unless it is specifically entered as the feed test weight and date at the time of yearling data submission.
How to measure:
Use an appropriate pelvic measuring device and record both height and width in centimeters.
For heifers, a reproductive tract score can also be recorded on a scale of 1-5.
- No tone, immature, < 20mm diameter
- No tone, 20-25mm diameter
- Slight tone, 20-25mm diameter
- Good tone, 30mm diameter
- Good tone, erect, > 30mm diameter
Disposal codes count
Best practice is to record yearling data before an animal is disposed.
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