Linear body measurements and other birth observations on beef calves as predictors of preweaning growth rate and weaning type score

Since birth type showed only a low association with weaning type and preweaning gain, it is of no practical interest whether or not type at birth can be expressed by certain body proportions, which themselves are not high enough correlated with the two weaning traits to be of any predictive value. The high association between birth weight and the linear body measurements suggests that birth weight is as good a measure of a calf's merit at birth as any other birth observation. Birth weight should be considered a useful selection criterion for Angus and possibly Hereford calves, but not for Shorthorns, except that extremely small calves should not be kept as breeding stock. Neither body measurements nor type at birth can be recommended as selection criteria as their use would not be likely to result in an improvement of the more important weaning traits.