Expert: Karin - 12/30/2011

Question
Hi.
I need to do presentation for my farm lesson about breeds and production systems, I understand mostly what I need to do but I have problem with one point, which is 'class of stock'. I don't really understand what that mean. Can you explain to me the class of stock for Holstein in milk production and Hereford in meat production? I will be really grateful for you help.
Thank you,
Ewelina

Answer
Hi Ewelina,

I believe "class of livestock" refers to the age or sex group for a particular kind of livestock.  Class includes, for the breeds you indicated, lactating cow or freshening cow, freshening heifer, springing cow or heifer, bred cow, yearling steer, yearling heifer, calf, bull calf, heifer calf, mature bull, dry (non-lactating) cow, bred heifer, feeder steer, finisher steer, first-calf heifer etc.  Springing cow/heifer, freshening cow/heifer, first-calf heifer, bull calf, heifer calf, dry cow, lactating cow are classes primarily used for dairy cows like Holsteins, and yearling steer/bull/heifer, feeder steer/heifer, finisher steer/heifer, calf, bred cow/heifer, bull, bull calf, heifer calf, dry bred cow, etc are such terms used for beef cattle like Herefords.  

I believe the class names for what you use for a particular type of animal (beef or dairy) may be different for your area or country, since the terms above are primarily what are used here in Canada and the USA.

Hope that helps,

-Karin