Evaluation of disposition scores of Limousin beef cattle

Abstract

In December 1990, the North American Limousin Foundation (NALF) hosted a breeders symposium in Manhattan, Kansas, in an effort to take an unbiased look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Limousin breed of beef cattle, and develop guidelines as to where and how the breed would fit into the future of the beef industry. This conference included not only Limousin breeders, but also seedstock producers of other breeds, feeders, packers, and other industry leaders. From this diverse group came the recommendation that disposition was the number one trait the breed needed to improve. The NALF Board of Directors acted upon this recommendation and in January, 1992, the Association started collecting data on docility. A disposition score from one to six was assigned to each animal by the caretaker while the cattle were processed at weaning time. This score was recorded on the application for registration and collected by the association on any animal that had data submitted, either for purposes of registration or for the compilation of performance data. This thesis utilizes the data collected to research disposition.