Frame Scoring Highland Cattle.

Reprinted from The Highland Cattle Society (Scotland) Newsletter.

The Use of Frame Scores

Breeding livestock cannot be selected on one factor alone but the use of height measurement and frame scores can be an aid to the selection and production of a growthier type of Highlander.

The frame score system (FSS) of measuring and assessing the growth potential of cattle was developed at the University of Missouri and has been adopted by the majority of cattle breeders throughout the world to the extent that it is now an international measurement of frame size.

A frame score is obtained for an animal by taking a height measurement at the rump which in conjunction with the animal’s age can be converted into a score. It is a proven fact, all things being environmentally equal, that a calf born with a larger frame size than its contemporaries will maintain that advantage throughout life and end up the taller more mature animal. It is upon this fact that the use of frame scores is based. The measurements within a frame score bracket are merely the growth pattern of an animal from month to month until maturity.

A bull at 7 months old measuring 38” will be classified as Frame Score 2 and will end up at a mature height of approximately 49” whereas a bull of Frame Score 4 would be 42” at 7 months old and should produce a mature height of 53”

It is one might think easy to visually compare cattle the same age and select the tallest and growthiest but the advantage of the frame score system is that you can measure bulls of different ages and convert these measurements into a frame score thereby assessing the growth potential and maturity size of cattle at different stages of life.

It is interesting to note the frame scores and relative prices of Highland bulls at the Oban, Scotland, February 1989 Sale :

Frame Score	Total Number	Average Prices £
4 and over	7	£2602
3	16	£3,058
2	16	£1,588
1	4	£817

Champion Bull — Frame Score 3.5

Reserve Champion — Frame Score 4

The table below shows clearly where the requirements of bull purchasers lie. The frame score system can be used to measure and eliminate those uneconomical bulls at an early age and save on expensive feed bills.

Frame scores are not being recommended as a yardstick to see who can produce the largest, hardiest and uneconomical Highlander on four bad legs. Other breeds have done that. The frame score system is to be used in conjunction with other economically important factors to assist in the production of Highlanders that can claim a place in the cattle industry of the future.

Frame Score Chart

Reprinted from The Highland Cattle Society (Scotland) Newsletter.

Measurements have been converted to millimetres (the original article was in inches)

Age in Months	Frame Score	Frame Score	Frame Score	Frame Score	Frame Score	Frame Score
	1	2	3	4	5	6
6	889	940	991	1041	1092	1143
7	914	965	1016	1067	1118	1168
8	940	991	1041	1092	1143	1194
9	965	1016	1067	1118	1168	1219
10	991	1041	1092	1143	1194	1245
11	1016	1067	1118	1168	1219	1270
12	1041	1092	1143	1194	1245	1295
13	1054	1105	1156	1207	1257	1308
14	1067	1118	1168	1219	1270	1321
15	1080	1130	1181	1232	1283	1334
16	1092	1143	1194	1245	1295	1346
17	1105	1156	1207	1257	1308	1359
18	1118	1162	1219	1270	1321	1372
19	1124	1175	1226	1276	1327	1378
20	1130	1181	1232	1283	1334	1384
21	1137	1187	1238	1289	1340	1391
22	1143	1194	1245	1295	1346	1397
23	1149	1200	1251	1302	1353	1403
24	1156	1207	1257	1308	1359	1410
Maturity	1194	1245	1295	1346	1397	1448

Measurements above have been converted to millimetres (the original article was in inches, see below)

For those that prefer imperial measurements here is the original chart in inches ...