Area of a 174 cm pelvis
Area of a 46 cm head circumference
These circles demonstrate the differences between the
smallest head circumference in this year’s sale, 42 cm
and the average head circumference of 46 cm. These
measurements, taken at birth around the poll and
under the chin of the calf are shown here in relation
to a 174 cm pelvic measurement. Average pelvic areas
for two-year-old heifers range from 170 to 174 inch-
es. A 50 cm measurement is roughly measures the
same size as a 174 pelvic area, proving the point that
a head circumference above 48 is too large to ensure
calving ease in first-calf heifers.
7
. .
Area of a 42 cm head circumference
H
EAD
C
IRCUMFERENCE
G
UIDE
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For the past several years, we have been taking a head circumference (HC)
measurement on all calves at birth. This was a practice first initiated by Kim's
parents, Doug and Linda Andersen at Panhandle Cattle Company, and after
hundreds of calves to compare and analyze anecdotally, we are certain that this
shape measurement is as meaningful as the birth and calving ease EPDs to pre-
dict future calvability in cattle.
The average head circumference in this year’s Cross Diamond offering is 45.5
cm. The average birth weight is 83.5 pounds. We recommend a HC of no
more than 46.5 cm for use on heifers.We strongly believe the HC measure-
ment, along with birth weight and calving ease direct (CED) EPD will be ben-
eficial to you in determining the calving ease of the bulls in the sale offering
We have printed the head circumference measurement in the catalog for your
reference. We have also tried to “bird dog” the bulls we think will work best
on heifers, considering the measurements of birth weight and head circumfer-
ence and the EPDs of CED (calving ease direct) and BW (birth weight).
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