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One Last Sway-backed Debate
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<blockquote data-quote="KNERSIE" data-source="post: 601789" data-attributes="member: 4353"><p>For the sake of finishing what I started I'll make on more post on this subject and after that I'm done.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Novatech has it correct, when I asked what you see between the 12th rib and the pelvis, the answer is simple. Nothing. There is no skeletal structure supporting the spine making it the weakest point in the bovine spine. Add to this that the weight of the pregnancy and the full rumen is carried directly under this unsupported area its easy to understand why cattle break down here.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>I was hoping to get this response... Indeed why did mother nature make such an obvious design flaw? </p><p></p><p>Again not too difficult an answer, look at photos of a cheetah at full speed, his spine will be completely arched up when his feet are together and hyperextended when he's stretched out in mid stride. Without this unsupported area there simply won't be the flexibility needed for mobility.</p><p></p><p>Another reason is because the rumen need room to expand with the forage consumed, especially if its low quality mature or dead grass and also to accomodate the gasses that form as a byproduct of ruminant digestion. If there was ribcage in this area the rumen could only expand forward putting pressure on the other internal organs. The same applies for the growing foetus in a pregnancy.</p><p></p><p>The reasons are clear why there can't be skeletal support at the bottom of the spine, but surely there must be support? And this is where it all falls into place. The spine is supported on the top by the bovine Longisimmus Dorsi muscle, or the eye muscle in simpler terms. A strong top indicates a strong bovine longisimmus dorsi muscle and strength of muscle is directly related to its circumference. In humans weight training make you stronger and your muscles bigger, same applies to cattle.</p><p></p><p>So by selecting for a straight level topline you are selecting for a more pronounced bovine longisimmus dorsi muscle, this muscle is measured at the 12th rib to determine REA. So by selecting for a good top you are also selecting for REA and get longevity as a bonus. All this you've just achieved without even looking at an EPD. OWT, witchcraft, peasant wisdom, call it what you like, if you're willing to really try and understand how the bovine anatomy works alot falls into place with just common sense.</p><p></p><p>Lastly, do you know why there is a REA EPD and not a topline EPD?</p><p>The simple answer is the REA is easily quantifiable and can easily be used in the matrix used to calculate EPDs. Its not the case with toplines.</p><p></p><p>Herefordsire, I hope you are satisfied with my explanation, I shall not make any further posts on this subject.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="KNERSIE, post: 601789, member: 4353"] For the sake of finishing what I started I'll make on more post on this subject and after that I'm done. Novatech has it correct, when I asked what you see between the 12th rib and the pelvis, the answer is simple. Nothing. There is no skeletal structure supporting the spine making it the weakest point in the bovine spine. Add to this that the weight of the pregnancy and the full rumen is carried directly under this unsupported area its easy to understand why cattle break down here. I was hoping to get this response... Indeed why did mother nature make such an obvious design flaw? Again not too difficult an answer, look at photos of a cheetah at full speed, his spine will be completely arched up when his feet are together and hyperextended when he's stretched out in mid stride. Without this unsupported area there simply won't be the flexibility needed for mobility. Another reason is because the rumen need room to expand with the forage consumed, especially if its low quality mature or dead grass and also to accomodate the gasses that form as a byproduct of ruminant digestion. If there was ribcage in this area the rumen could only expand forward putting pressure on the other internal organs. The same applies for the growing foetus in a pregnancy. The reasons are clear why there can't be skeletal support at the bottom of the spine, but surely there must be support? And this is where it all falls into place. The spine is supported on the top by the bovine Longisimmus Dorsi muscle, or the eye muscle in simpler terms. A strong top indicates a strong bovine longisimmus dorsi muscle and strength of muscle is directly related to its circumference. In humans weight training make you stronger and your muscles bigger, same applies to cattle. So by selecting for a straight level topline you are selecting for a more pronounced bovine longisimmus dorsi muscle, this muscle is measured at the 12th rib to determine REA. So by selecting for a good top you are also selecting for REA and get longevity as a bonus. All this you've just achieved without even looking at an EPD. OWT, witchcraft, peasant wisdom, call it what you like, if you're willing to really try and understand how the bovine anatomy works alot falls into place with just common sense. Lastly, do you know why there is a REA EPD and not a topline EPD? The simple answer is the REA is easily quantifiable and can easily be used in the matrix used to calculate EPDs. Its not the case with toplines. Herefordsire, I hope you are satisfied with my explanation, I shall not make any further posts on this subject. [/QUOTE]
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