3 measurement methods and standard measurements. The methods used to measure body condition were.
Freestall Dimensions The Dairyland Initiative
Cow body measurement. Now researchers at the aia associazione italiana allevatori. 1research station agriculture canada lethbridge alberta. Body measurements for weight estimation of cattle buffaloes and calves. 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. Thats nearly 1 ton. A full grown holstein cow weighs an average of about 1500 lbs.
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. A total of 209 cows at various stages of lactation were assessed. Gilbert rp1 bailey dr shannon nh. But her size depends on a variety of factors like age feeding genetic potential and other factors. Oblique length is measured from the middle of the shoulder to the end of the thigh.
Ultrasound scanner manual observation and a still digital image of the cow. Body parts of a bullcow have names fig. Linear body measurements of cattle before and after 20 years of selection for postweaning gain when fed two different diets. 1 but normally for the assessment of a dairy cow the body part names shown in fig. 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. 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.
The body weight estimates of measurement techniques evaluated in this study deviate from the true weight measured by weighbridge. A cows weight can vary between 1000 and 1800 lbs. Leach roberts 1981. 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. Body measurements for weight estimation of cattle buffaloes and calves. 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.
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. Measure the length of the animals body as shown in distance a b in the illustration.
Gallery of Cow Body Measurement
