Page 12 - Waiterenui Angus Sale 2021 ebook

MEASURING www.waiterenui.co.nz

Linear measuring

Linear measuring produces an accurate standard for reproductive RUMP LENGTH % The percentage the rump makes up of the 2/3
performance and maintenance efficiency of grass fed cattle. It body length. A range of 36 to 40 percent is ideal. Rump length
measures phenotypic expressions of testosterone production in percent in the bull influences the neck length in his daughters.
the male and estrogen in the female, and is a formalization of Lower rump length percent increases neck length in daughters –
what we subjectively refer to as balance and type. Important indicative of higher maintenance and tendency to over-produce
areas in the bull are shoulder width, neck length, scrotal size and milk.
conformation, and the heart girth to top line ratio.
RUMP WIDTH % Rump height divided into rump width. Should
SCROTAL Ideally the scrotum should be 38 to 40 centimeters. be 44% or greater. Greater is better. High rump width percent
It should be football shaped with the epididymis on the very is indicative of early maturity, testosterone and ease of keeping.
bottom. There should be no nipples on the neck of the scrotal ADJUSTED SHOULDER WIDTH Shoulder width minus rump
sac. All Waiterenui sale bulls have been independently evaluated length. Should be 50mm or greater. A high indicator of
for scrotal soundness. masculinity, reproductive efficiency and ability to withstand stress.
FRAME Taller animals gain weight longer. They take longer to Correlated with uniform gestation length, uniform birth weights,
achieve puberty and longer to finish, especially off grass. Tall ease of calving and more uniform weaning weights.
animals have less meat yield than short thick animals and are ADJUSTED NECK LENGTH Actual neck length minus half the
higher in maintenance requirement. body length. Short necks are a good indicator of libido and high
GIRTH The closer the heart girth is to the top line or greater, the testosterone production. Bulls with shorter necks sire early
more efficient, adaptable and vigorous the animal is. Larger is better. maturing daughters with wide rumps.
FLANK The difference between rear flank and heart girth is RANK Higher is better.
correlated to fertility. Rear flank should be 50mm larger than
girth, or greater. High flanked cattle are high maintenance, lack NOTE: Figures will be available
substance and are very undesirable. on Sale Day.

P age 10 | W aiterenui Angus | Passion Per formance Profit