What Phenotype Really Means: Function First
Jorgensen Land & Cattle ·
What Phenotype Really Means: Function First
On The Source, Jamie Wolf asked his co-host, Cody Jorgensen, to define phenotype. Cody's answer isn't about what looks good in a show ring.
Phenotype Is About Function
"When I think of phenotype, I think probably more about function," Cody says. Functional cattle are the key to a good phenotype. He gives two examples: a cow that can walk a mile from water once or twice a day without trouble, and a bull that can mount a cow on his back legs without tripping, falling off, and breaking his tool.
The traditional checklist is still important: clean-fronted, up-headed, good tail head, not too much set to the leg, depth of flank. But Cody says those traits mean the most when viewed through function.
Soundness, Not Denver
Jamie adds that type and kind really come down to structural correctness and soundness, the things that let a cow be a cow. "We're not talking about trying to win Denver," he says, but cattle still have to have a look you like to look at.
Phenotype Got Us Here
Before today's data, cattlemen had only what they could see. Udder structure is a good example: the perfect udder was prized because it meant less trouble for the cow, the calf, and the person dealing with them. Phenotype made progress before there was data, and Cody is thankful to have both now.
Even Cody's grandfather Martin, who believed that if a cow could get up and walk to the bunk, that was all you needed, eventually admitted he was wrong. Selecting on performance alone without watching phenotype leads to bad feet, too little stifle, and too much set to the leg.