How to interpret beef-class structural assessments

The Beef Class Structural Assessment is a system used by Simmental New Zealand to help breeders evaluate the structural soundness, temperament, and overall quality of Simmental cattle. This guide explains how Beef Class scoring works and how it is used to support consistent selection of strong, functional, and high-performing animals across the breed.

By understanding Beef Class ratings, breeders and commercial cattle producers can make more informed decisions when selecting Simmental bulls and females for breeding programs, ensuring improved herd performance, longevity, and productivity in New Zealand beef systems.

 

 

For docility: 1 is ideal (docile), 3 is less ideal (restless) and 5 is aggressive. (Scores of 1 and 2 are preferred).

For traits scored 1-9:

  • 4 and 6 show slight variation from ideal but this includes most animals. Any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be acceptable in any breeding programme.
  • 3 and 7 shows greater variation and would be acceptable in most commercial breeding programmes, but seed stock producers should be wary.
  • 2 and 8 are low scoring animals and should be looked at closely before purchasing.
  • 1 and 9 should not be catalogued and are considered culls.

Beef-class scoring table (pictured right)
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Beef-class structural assessment form
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