324 ANNUAL. REPORT OF THE Off. DoC. 



butcher. The best type for the feeder is that animal which will put 

 on the largest amount of flesh in the shortest length of time and with 

 the least expenditure of feed, at the same time having such form 

 and quality as will enable him to be marketed to advantage. The 

 best animal for the butcher is one which will produce the highest 

 percentage of net carcass with the largest proportion of high priced 

 cuts. It is not always the case that the best animal for the butcher 

 is the best one for the feeder. For butchers who are willing to dis- 

 criminate between good and poor animals because they are able to 

 make considerable difference in the price of different parts of the 

 carcass, it pays the feeder to select animals more largely from a 

 butcher's standpoint. On the other hand, if the butcher does not 

 discriminate between the good and poor animals because he must 

 sell all his meat at practically the same price per pound, it is to 

 the advantage of the farmer to select only those animals which will 

 put on the largest amount of flesh and put it on most rapidly. 



The type of animal best adapted for beef production is low, blocky, 

 rectangular in shaps with short neck, short legs, loose mellow skin, 

 firm elastic flesh and quiet, gentle disposition. Such an animal will 

 sell for the highest price in IJie market when properly fattened. 

 Animals of the pony type are to be avoided; they are usually not 

 profitable feeders because they do not gain well; although they may 

 sell for a good price when marketed. The narrow backed, flat sided 

 animal with long slender neck and thick hide will not take on flesh 

 rapidly and even when fat, does not appear so. 



A heavy, mossy coat of hair is an indication of good powers of as- 

 similation. Short and even hair indicates a delicate constitution, 

 rough and staring coat indicates poor digestion, while a coat of long 

 dead hair would indicate a stunted period of some time in life. 



The man who ships to a large center can afford to pay more atten- 

 tion to the type of animal selected and can pay a higher price in 

 order to obtain the desired type than can one who feeds for the local 

 butcher. The local butcher in general is not able to make much 

 distinction in price between choice and ordinary animals. 



Table I is intended to show why the local butcher can usually af- 

 ford to pay more for a common animal than the city packer, but can- 

 not pay relatively so much for the prime steers. The local butcher 

 must obtain a higher price for his meat because he cannot sell the 

 by-product to so good advantage. This table has been for the most 

 part computed from figures furnished by Swift & Co. ^ 



