Show ring age determination

Art, not an exact science

Abstract

As long as there is competition involved in livestock shows, there will be the tendency among some breeders to attempt to bend the rules on age. This same holds true, and even more so, with performance tests and bull test stations today. As long as there is this determination among breeders to win, there will be a need for some method to determine accurately the ages of cattle. Though we realize the imperfections of the system, “mouthing”is the best measure we have been able to come up with. Though breeders may curse it. argue its
merits with rancor, pro and con, or shout about its injustice, there are few who would argue that it has made a valuable contribution to protect the credibility of the industry, cattle competition, including shows and bull gain test stations.