General Discussion 



387 



group gained from 140 to 159 pounds; and the "Low" group gained 

 less than 139 pounds. The data showing the effect of the size of the 

 animals on the rate of gains made by them are given in Table XIV. 



TABLE XIV.— SIZE OF STEERS AS AFFECTING THE AMOUNT OF GAINS 



Of the 16 steers that made good gains ten were large, four medium, 

 and two small. There seemed to be a slight tendency for the medium- 

 sized steers to make larger gains than either of the other lots. The 

 small steers made distinctly less gains than the medium or the large- 

 sized animals. 



In order to make a comparison of the size of the animals and the 

 average gain made by them, the Table XV has been prepared. 



TABLE XV.— ACTUAL GAINS MADE BY THE STEERS CLASSIFIED AS LARGE. 

 MEDIUM AND SMALL 



There was little or no difference in the average gain made by 

 steers from the large, medium or small groups. The three groups 

 varied only from 169 to 173 pounds. 



A further study of the animals shows that there was a greater 

 range among the individuals of the same groups than the average of 

 the different groups. The study, however, goes to indicate that there 

 may be a slight advantage in selecting medium-sized, blocky steers 

 that are smooth in conformation, in preference to the large, coarse 

 steers or the small, fine animals. It was unfortunate that the indi- 

 vidual dressing percentage could not be secured for each of the ani- 

 mals, for probably there is a closer relationship between the dressed 

 percentage and the size than in any other respect. 



