What is the measure of a livestock animal's fatness called?

The measure of a livestock animal's fatness is referred to as condition score. This method evaluates the amount of fat covering the animal's body, which provides important information regarding its overall health, nutritional status, and suitability for breeding, meat production, or dairy purposes. Condition scoring helps in assessing whether an animal is too thin, too fat, or just right for its intended purpose.

Fat depth specifically refers to the thickness of fat over certain areas of the animal's body and can be a component of assessing condition score, but it does not encompass the holistic approach that condition scoring offers. Weight gain measures how much weight an animal has gained over time and does not directly assess fatness. Body length is a measurement of the size of the animal and does not provide information regarding fatness or body condition. Thus, condition score is recognized as the most comprehensive and effective way to evaluate an animal’s fatness.