Certainly one of the most important functional traits of a beef cow is udder and teat conformation. Anyone who has ever attempted to milk out a sore balloon-teated cow can certainly relate to the need for good udders.

Udder and teat soundness is a concern for a number of reasons, including:

1) labor associated with extra costs and reduced convenience;

2) longevity, which may be reduced because of injury or mastitis;

3) calf performance, which can be affected by a reduction in milk flow or lower colostrum intake by newborn calves that have difficulty nursing over-sized teats; and

4) most udder and teat characteristics appear to be hertiable.

That last point means that there definitely is variation in the udder quality and conformation of daughters from different sire groups. Thus, change can be made through selection.

It is vital to be able to recognize the desirable, as well as the faulty, udder. An ideal udder is snugly attached, symmetrical and of moderate length. The quarters should be evenly balanced, with the teats of medium size and length.

The teats should be placed squarely under each quarter. A side view of the udder should show a level udder floor without any quartering.

The median suspensory ligament is the center support that ties the udder to the cow's body wall. A strong median suspensory ligament is essential to a satisfactory mammary system. A cow that does not have a strong center is subject to several serious udder problems.