First molar eruption in cattle and its use in age determination

Two studies were undertaken into the intraoral eruption of the first molar in live cattle. The first was a longitudinal survey using monthly observations of Welsh Black bulls and the second involved 300 animals of both sexes and varying breeds, reared under different management systems, using the cross-sectional technique. There were significant differences between the ages at most successive molar codes in both studies. However, a comparison between the two studies showed the mean age at each stage of molar development was higher in the longitudinal study and at three stages this was significant. The age range for each molar code, obtained from the two studies combined, varied between 2.0 and 4.7 months but indicated that the eruption of the first molar tooth was of use in age assessment.