Combined Scale Weight, Height at Hips and Visual Condition Score as an Indicator of Functional Body Size in Range Cows

Thirty-five range cows of various breeds were obtained for the study. Body measurements taken were live weight and hip height and all cows were condition scored for level of fatness. The cows were slaughtered and the following morning several carcass measurements were taken and the plate was removed from the left side. These plates were boned and the remaining flesh ground for chemical analysis of percent carcass fat. Regression equations were calculated for estimating percent carcass fat from condition score, weight:height ratio and hip height (R2=.765). However, condition score alone is the single best estimator for percent carcass fat (R2=.759)