96 TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



THE BREEDING OF BEEF CATTLE. 



By JAMES WHITAKER, of Galt. 



During the past season the cattle industry has been a very profitable 

 one to those who were able to hold their stock during the period of low 

 prices and drought, which were the means of crippling the cattle business 

 greatly. This, together with the fact that less consideration is given to 

 exceedingly large herds and more attention to the infusing of better 

 blood, has been the means of inspiring confidence in this branch of 

 industry and causing a majority of the former breeders to again turn 

 their attention in this direction, thereby encouraging the starting of 

 many new herds. The industry is once more on a stable foundation, 

 with every indication pointing to an improvement in the quality, good 

 prices, and a supply not exceeding the demand. 



To be a successful breeder of good cattle one must have a clear concep- 

 tion of what constitutes a good animal and the characteristics that make 

 the real excellence of the herd. In beef type the first thing to consider 

 is general beef form — low, broad, deep, and smooth, with the parts that 

 give the best priced cuts evenly covered. The back and ribs should be 

 particularly well covered: these parts fully developed are essential to 

 make both good breeders and feeders. Besides form, the animal should 

 possess a smooth, soft skin and heavy but fine coat. To a certain extent 

 it should show some style or life, a clear eye and clean bones — all good 

 signs of feeding quality. Extraordinary size is not necessary; it usually 

 makes rough-boned, coarse animals. Confine yourself to medium size, 

 with a vigorous constitution, which nearly always belongs to an animal 

 with a broad forehead, good brisket, and full heart girth. The aptitude 

 of the animal to take on flesh is vitally essential to the beef producer 

 as well as to the show breeder, and. while the fattest show cattle are not 

 always the best breeders, it is a safe plan to follow closely their line of 

 breeding, since the show breeders must necessarily be governed by the 

 demands of the beef producers. Very frequently the fattest stock are 

 sold first, simply because they appear much better than cattle which 

 have not so much fat yet are in reality just as good. 



Kndeavor to see as many produce of the cow and get of the bull as 

 possible. In this manner the value of the sire or dam as breeders is 

 much better demonstrated. In young animals this cannot be done, and 

 the individual must show for itself. When selecting a herd you cannot 

 rely upon pedigree entirely; individual merit is an important factor. 

 If fine pedigrees always made fine animals, breeders could raise such 



