Cow Classification Scheme

About
The
Scheme

As the British Bazadasie Cattle Society is one of the smaller beef cattle breed societies in the UK, it is not practical for us to have Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) like some of the more numerous breeds such as Limousin or Charolais.

However, we are keen to ensure the quality of Bazadaise cattle registered in the UK, As an aid to that, the French Bazadaise Society have made their Cow Classification Scheme and their Classifying Technician available to us.

Bernadette Darcos is employed full time by the French Bazadaise Society and is the Classifier for all French Bazadaise cattle.

In 2010 Bernadette came over the Channel and spent a week with us travelling between Ireland, England and Scotland. She classified 36 cattle from 6 herds using the French scoring system. All the animals put forward for classification were rated above average, scoring between 60 and 74. (The maximum score is 100, pass is 50).

Bernadette was very impressed with the quality of the cattle she saw and is willing to come over again to assess more cattle. Here is an example of the results from a cow classified in 2010.
It's in French, of course!
Click on the image to enlarge.

How the Classification works

This is a points system and the results are put on the animal’s pedigree. All the breeder has to add is the birthweight and ease of calving.

The points system is divided into 4 areas in order of importance as per the breed definition.

Muscular development (70 points)
Skeletal Development (50 points)
Functional Attributes (50 points)
Quality of breed. (30 points)

The overall mark or ‘note global’ is the total of the 4 areas divided by 2 to give a mark out of 100.

Muscular Development is sub-divided into 7

Width across shoulders	Dessus d épaule	10
Width across back	Largeur du dos	10
Roundness of hindquarter	Arrondi de culotte	10
Width of hindquarter	Larger de culotte	10
Width of loin x 1	Épaisseur du dessus	10
Width of loin x 2	Épaisseur du dessus	10
Length of hindquarter	Longer de culotte	10
		Total score of 70

Click on image to enlarge

Skeletal Development is sub-divided into 5

Length of back	Longueur du dessus	10
Length of pelvis	Longueur du basin	10
Width of haunches	Largeur aux haunches	10
Height / growth development	Développement x 2	20
		Total score of 50

Click on image to enlarge

Functional attributes (soundness/straightness) is sub-divided into 5

Width of muzzle	Larger du muffle	10
Front leg balance/straightness	Aplomb avants	10
Rear leg balance/straightness	Aplombs arrières	10
Straightness of back/topline	Rectitude du dessus	10
Pelvic slope	Inclinaison du basin	10
		Total score of 50

Click on image to enlarge

Breed quality is sub-divided into 3

Eyes, membranes, size of head	Muqueuses + éclairage de la tête	10
Colour of coat	Robe	10
Overall quality of the breed	Harmonie	10
		Total score of 30

Click on image to enlarge

These scores describe the cow's beef attributes and are added to the cow’s maternal performance record together with her calves' growth rates. The results don't reflect the true maternal attributes of the cow until the weights of her calves are recorded.

These marks consist of the following:-

Condition	Note d’état	10
Width of chest	Larger de poitrine	10
Depth of chest	Profondeur de poitrine	10
Circumference of stifle	Larger aux trochanters	10
Width at base of pelvis	Larger aux ischions	10
Setting on of tail	Attaché de queue	10
		Total score of 60

To meet the breed quality standard, cows must gain 50 points or more (out of 100).

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