A total of 209 cows at various stages of lactation were assessed. Now researchers at the aia associazione italiana allevatori.
Recorded Body Measurements Note I Height At Withers Ii
Cow body measurement. Ultrasound scanner manual observation and a still digital image of the cow. This method allows you to determine the average weight of a cow or a bull in a more adult age. For example if a beef cow has a heart girth equal to 70 inches and a body length equal to 78 inches. Thats nearly 1 ton. Body measurements for weight estimation of cattle buffaloes and calves. Oblique length is measured from the middle of the shoulder to the end of the thigh.
A cows weight can vary between 1000 and 1800 lbs. The methods used to measure body condition were. 1 but normally for the assessment of a dairy cow the body part names shown in fig. Using the measurements from steps 1 and 2 calculate body weight using the formula heart girth x heart girth x body length 300 animal weight in pounds. Gilbert rp1 bailey dr shannon nh. But her size depends on a variety of factors like age feeding genetic potential and other factors.
1research station agriculture canada lethbridge alberta. For comparison each measure was expressed as a body condition score bcs on a scale of extremely thin 1 to very fat 5 in quarter intervals. Rome italy have developed an alternative vision based system that can calculate the circumference of the chest of cattle from which it can then estimate their body weight. Body measurements for weight estimation of cattle buffaloes and calves. 3 measurement methods and standard measurements. Measure the length of the animals body as shown in distance a b in the illustration.
Body parts of a bullcow have names fig. To use the table you also need to determine the volume of the chest and the length of the cows body along an oblique line. A full grown holstein cow weighs an average of about 1500 lbs. For that reason many farmers estimate the weight of cattle by taking manual measurements of their girth using a tape measure and a conversion chart. The body weight estimates of measurement techniques evaluated in this study deviate from the true weight measured by weighbridge. Linear body measurements of cattle before and after 20 years of selection for postweaning gain when fed two different diets.
Except for agarwals formula and rondo tape techniques in jersey cross cattle the body weight estimates of all techniques are within 20 of true weight which is acceptable for dosing with veterinary drugs williamson 1970. Leach roberts 1981.
Gallery of Cow Body Measurement
