WHY PRECONDITION

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GRADING FEEDER CATTLE
The process of grading feeder cattle is a
projection of maturity based on frame size,
muscling, and the sex of the calf.
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GROWTH CURVES
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Evaluating Frame Size
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What Makes the Grade on Frame Size?

• Steers
• Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0.4 inches backfat)

• Heifers
• Frame Size/Finish Weight (at 0.4 inches backfat)

• Large over 1,250
• Medium 1,100 to 1,250
• Small - under 1,100

• Large - over 1,150
• Medium 1,000 to 1,150
• Small - under 1,000

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Evaluating Muscle
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Muscle Grades

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4

Thick Or Heavy Muscling Average Muscling
Thin Or Light Muscling Extremely Light
Muscling (Starved Jersey)
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1 Muscle
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2 Muscle
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3 Muscle
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4 Muscle
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Muscle Grades
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Possible Feeder Cattle Grades

• Large Frame 1,2,3 or 4
• Medium Frame 1,2,3 or 4
• Small Frame 1,2,3 or 4
• Inferior This grade will include sick unthrifty
  cattle and double muscled cattle due to their
  inability to Quality grade.

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Old calves for their weight are usually lowered
one frame score. Indicators of age include the
tail significantly below hocks, the degree of
twist in switch, and a wide muzzle.
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FAT
FAT
MEDIUM
Feeder calves with excess condition, or fat, are
usually lowered a frame size based on the
assumption the calf has reached maturity. If
excess fat is present, muscle should be
reevaluated to ensure thickness is not due to fat.
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Test Your Feeder Cattle Grading Skills
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Frame Size Large
Heifer 650 lb
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Frame Size Large-
Steer 750 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Steer 520 lb
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Frame Size Large-
Steer 725 lb
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Frame Size Small
Steer 475 lb
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Frame Size Large
Heifer 810 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Heifer 635 lb
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Frame Size Medium-
Heifer 640 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Steer 690 lb
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Frame Size Large
Steer 810 lb
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Frame Size Small
Heifer 515 lb
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Inferior Grade
Frame Size Large
Heifer 585 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Steer 600 lb
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Inferior Grade ??
Frame Size Medium
Steer 575 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Heifer 775 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Steer 685 lb
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Frame Size Medium
Steer 605 lb
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YOU ARE READY TO GRADE FEEDER CATTLE