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Dairy Cattle Judging Techniques

Fourth Edition

George W. Trimberger, William M. Etgen, and David M. Galton

An essential guidebook for anyone involved in the evaluation of dairy cattle! Over 475 photographs showing both the desirable and detrimental characteristics a judge must be familiar with make this the best-illustrated text in the field. The subject matter includes complete background for precise type evaluation, selection within the herd, show-ring judging, fitting and showing, show-ring procedures, placings and reasons in youth and college student judging contests. Among its special features, the volume (1) emphasizes the combination of outstanding production and functional type traits that get sustained and efficient production for a successful and profitable operation; (2) discusses the usefulness of functional type traits in breeding programs, the association of these components with high production and longevity, and the association of type with production for cattle sales; (3) shows the relationship between ideal functional confirmation and high lifetime productivity; (4) explains linear classification techniques, and describes type classification procedures in detail; (5) presents the most widely used and successful method of judging cattle and defines the modern, ideal type for each breed; and (6) features a chapter relating entirely to 4-H and FFA youth judging.

$63.95 list, 356 pages

10-digit ISBN: 0-88133-678-5

13-digit ISBN: 978-0-88133-678-8

© 1987

“Students find this book helpful in the study of visual traits among cattle. This is an excellent reference for building an image of ideal models of the different breeds.”  — Joel Hillin, Tarleton State University

“It gives both strong and clear points of cattle with many good pictures and detailed discussion.”  — Lee Tigert, Northeast Texas Community College

“The standard by which other evaluation texts are judged. The chapters discuss the various points with detailed descriptions that are extremely valuable to the beginner as well as the experienced judge.” — James E. Umphrey, University of Florida

“This is an excellent reference text for training students in dairy cattle evaluation. It is suitable for all ages, from youth to adult, and provides excellent photographs for illustration.” — Warren Gilson, University of Georgia

“Outstanding for its illustrations of both good and bad examples of dairy cattle type. Furthermore, the extensive specific terminology offered is very helpful to beginning judges and a good review for others with previous experience.”  — Dale Olver, Penn State University

“The book is outstanding. It not only describes techniques of judging and evaluation, but it also emphasizes every point with excellent photographs and examples.”  — Andrew Conroy, University of New Hampshire

Table of Contents

1. A Practical Philosophy of Judging

2. Skeletal Structure and Parts of a Dairy Cow

3. Use of the Unified Score Card for Type Evaluation

4. Comparative Judging Techniques and Type Standards

5. Evaluation of Defects

6. Head and Neck Characteristics

7. Shoulder Conformation

8. Judging Feet and Legs

9. Body Capacity

10. Toplines

11. Udder Shape and Attachments

12. Dairy Character

13. General Appearance

14. Reasons for Placing the Classes

15. Judging Dairy Cows

16. Evaluation of Dry Cows

17. Judging Dairy Bulls

18. Judging Dairy Heifers

19. Judging Group Classes

20. Show-Ring Techniques and Procedures

21. Fitting and Showing Dairy Cattle

22. Judging of Fitting and Showmanship

23. Youth Judging

24. Useful Rules and Grading of Placings for Comparative Judging

25. Practical Importance of Type and Herd Classification