On what basis are beef animals primarily judged?

Beef animals are primarily judged based on conformation, which refers to the physical form and structure of the animal. Conformation is crucial as it relates to the animal's musculature, frame size, and overall body shape, all of which are indicators of the potential meat quality and yield. Proper conformation ensures that the animal has enough muscle mass in the appropriate areas—such as the hindquarters, shoulders, and back—which directly correlates with desirable beef cuts and overall yield.

While weight is an important factor in the evaluation of beef animals, it is secondary to conformation, as an animal with good conformation can produce more quality meat regardless of its weight. Beef yield, while also significant, is generally assessed in relation to conformation, as a well-conformed animal is expected to have a higher meat yield. Coat quality, although it may give some indication of the animal's health or breed characteristics, is not a primary criterion for judging beef animals in terms of their meat production capabilities.