Foot scores of cattle 1. Variation among subjective scores of Angus cattle from different herds and sire groups

Abstract

Abstract Foot scores of cattle of about 20 months of age were recorded for 577 Angus bulls and heifers born in 1979 (year 1) on 10 farms, and for 450 similar cattle born in 1980 (year 2) on 8 farms, 7 farms being in common. Cattle were scored in dirt yards for back feet and front feet structure separately. Two scorers produced repeatable results: after allowing for fixed effects, the residual correlation between their 2 sets of scores was 0.64. Scores obtained for front v. hind feet were positively related, correlations ranging from 0.44 to 0.49. For the main effects on foot score, there were significant effects of herd in year 1 (P<0.01), but they were significant according to only one scorer in year 2 (P=0.05). Calf sex, age of dam, and age of calf were not significant sources of variation. The residual correlation between weaning weight and foot score was 0.09. Three of 6 regression estimates of foot score on weaning weight were significant (P< 0.05), the average of 6 estimates being +0.38 σ per 100 kg...