Collecting Mature Cow Weights
Mature cow weight assesses the weight of mature females, and are measured in in kilogram units.
Recording mature cow weight data
Mature cow weight should be recorded using an appropriate (and accurate) scales, recorded to the nearest kilogram.
Do not guess/estimate weight or use measuring tapes to calculate weight. Either weigh the cows using appropriate scales or don’t record weights.
When should mature cow weight be collected?
Mature cow weight measurements should be taken when the 200 day weights for the progeny of the females are recorded, which will normally be at, or near the time of weaning.
Measurements can also be repeated at the start of joining and pre-calving for any members who are willing to collect multiple measurements throughout the year.
- Management group information should be recorded for any cows or group of cows that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to measurement that may affect their weight.
- Management group information should be specified for any cows or groups of cows that have been managed differently in previous years where the difference in management is still considerably affecting their weight relative to other cows born in the same year. For example, cows that may not have weaned a calf in the previous year, cows that have previously been part of the show team but are now part of the main herd, or in situations where some cows of the same age were calved down at different ages (e.g. 2, 2.5 and 3 years of age).
- Mature Cow weights should be recorded for the whole mob. Collecting “occasionally” scores, or only collecting weights for a subset of cows is of no value.
- Mature cow weights should be recorded for all females in a mob on the same day. Mature cow weights for cows that have been collected on different days will not be directly compared.
- The time of the production cycle at which mature cow weights have been recorded should be carefully noted when submitting measurements to Angus Australia. i.e. weaning, pre-calving or joining.
- Consideration should be given to also collecting mature height and body condition score measurements in association with mature cow weight measurements.
- When recording mature cow weight there are some additional consideration for the inclusion of the data in the current TACE (TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation) analysis. Additional information on the collection of mature cow weight can be found in the “Collection Guidelines for TACE” booklet. Copies are available from Angus Australia.
Angus Australia acknowledges the funds provided by the Australian Government through the Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company (MDC).
This resource was created as a result of a collaboration between Angus Australia and Meat & Livestock Australia Donor Company (MDC) (Project P.PSH.1063).
