B C A D is my placing in this class of Milking Shorthorn cows. B places over C with her advantage in her overall strength, width, and length of body. In addition, B has a higher and wider rear udder attachment with less quartering between her fore udder and rear udder than C. I will grant C is cleaner in the neck and shoulder areas than B.
In the middle pair, C places over A for having a more youthful appearing mammary system, with less depth of udder in relationship to the hocks. C is also smoother and tighter in her fore udder as it attaches and blends into the body wall. However, A has a stronger loin with greater width of rump through the hips and pins when viewed from the rear.
In the final pair, A places over D for her more correct thurl and rear leg placement and strength of pasterns. Additionally, A is a stronger topped cow, especially in the loin, with more width of rump than D. A is also wider at the top of her rear udder than D. While D is clean and long in her head and neck, she lacks the correctness in her thurl and rear leg placement to merit a higher placing in this great class of Milking Shorthorn cows.

About the judge. . .

LARRY TANDE, Medford, Minn., placed the MILKING SHORTHORNS. Since 1970, Tande has judged over 500 shows, placing cattle in the U.S., Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Spain. He was the official judge for both Milking Shorthorns and Brown Swiss at World Dairy Expo. Tande serves on the Holstein USA board of directors, sits on the executive committee, and chairs the show committee. For 42 years, Tande held various positions in the University of Minnesota Extension service, including district director. He and his wife, Carolyn, have a 35-cow Holstein herd that has 14 EX, 15 VG, and 5 GP with a BAA of 111.4. The cows lactation average is 28,500 M, 984 F, 808 P.

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