CASE ASA Lesson 9.2

Quality

A combination of the skin, hair, coat, head, throatlatch, feet, and bone structure.

Expected Progeny Difference (EPD)

A score used to measure the amount of performance difference in the offspring of a certain parent as compared to the performance level of the herd or breed average.

Criteria

A standard of judgment or criticism; a rule or principle for evaluating or testing something.

Capacity

Amount of body volume.

Milk EPD

Beef EPD that estimates genetic contribution from a cow's milk production on calf weaning weight of offspring

Birth weight EPD

Beef EPD that estimates genetic contribution to birth weight of offspring.

Weaning weight EPD

Beef EPD that estimates genetic contribution to growth on calf weaning weight of offspring.

Yearling weight EPD

Beef EPD that estimates genetic contribution to growth on yearling weight of offspring.

Selection

Choosing certain individuals for breeding purposes in order to propagate or improve some desired quality or characteristic in the offspring.

Lean

Designating an animal lacking in condition of flesh or finish.

Breed character

Details of conformation or color, e.g. shape of horns in cattle, size and shape of ear in swine, etc., which distinguish a breed of animals.

Cannon

That portion of an animal's leg, ankle, or pastern from the knee to the fetlock in the front legs or the hock to the fetlock, ankle or pastern in the rear legs.

Finish

The degree of fatness. This term is often used interchangeably with condition but as finish, the fat should lay smoothly over the body in a proper degree to suit the market.

Muscularity

The degree of muscle.

Condition

The degree or amount of fat on a breeding animal.

Artificial insemination

The deposition of spermatozoa in the female genitalia by artificial means rather than by natural means.

Masculinity

The desirable characteristics of a male animal.

Femininity

The desirable traits of a female animal.

Udder

The encased mammary gland with teats or nipples as in a mare, ewe, sow or cow.

Style

The manifestation of those characteristics, which contribute to the general beauty, pleasant appearance, and attractiveness of an animal.

Sex character

The peculiarity of appearance, other than the presence of sex organs, that distinguishes one sex from another, such as the thick neck and bold, rugged head of a bull as contrasted to the more finely turned neck and head of a cow. Technically, these are secondary sex characteristics.

Structural soundness

The physical condition of the skeletal structure, especially the feet and legs, of an animal.

Balance

The skeletal and muscular makeup of an animal, which gives the animal visual appeal. A well-balanced animal's body parts appear to fit together and blend harmoniously and symmetrically.

Conformation

The type, form, and shape of the live animal, usually with reference to some performance characteristic.

Evaluation

To examine and judge carefully; appraise.