Rear udder height

The distance from the vulva to the point where the udder goes into the body wall is judged in scoring rear udder height (see bottom part of figure 5). The higher the rear udder attachment, the higher the score for rear udder attachment.


The relation between rear udder height and culling rate

A high-attached udder is preferred; the higher, the better! It gives the udder more storage capacity for milk and consequently anables a higher milk production. From research studies it is known that high-yielding cows have higher attached rear udders than average. Moreover, these udders are kept further from the ground. From figure 5 it can be seen that rear udder height of 8 and 9 (highly attached) show the lowest culling rates. Besides rear udder height, rear udder width and strength of attachment are taken into account in scoring total udder. Rear udders that are pinched and narrow in their attachments are penalized. Extra information is obtained about the strength of the rear udder attachment when the cow is walking. The rear udder quarters should be of equal size.


Veepro Magazine, April 1995, Volume 23

Dutch Cattle