642 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



2. Form. A straight top line is desired because slaughter tests have 

 ■ disclosed the fact that a droop in front of the loin usually means a thin 



loin, and a thin loin gives undesirable cuts. A full for-flank and low flank 



with not too much belly gives a straight underline. A full fore-flank 



means strong constitution. A low flank means a good doer, and is usual- 



^Jy associated with a large percentage of natural flesh 



.< muscle) 10 points 



Deep, broad, low-set steers are good doers — profitable to both feeder 

 -and butcher. The steer in the illustration would be cut 1 on top line, 

 because of droop and rise, and 1% on underline, because the high flank. 



3. Quality. A fine, thick, furry coat of hair is associated with consti- 

 tution and good doing qualities. Fine hair means a fine texture of flesh. 

 A mellow, pliable skin is associated with a large percentage of natural 



WEIGHT AND VALUE OF CUTS. 



flesh and good doing qualities. It is at this point that the student 

 familiarizes himself with "handling" qualities. He should never stick 

 the fingers into the sides and back of the animal. "Handle with a flat 

 hand, so as to ascertain the touch with the forepart of the flnger. tips." 

 By having good handling qualities pointed out to the bad, and to dis- 

 criminate between them. With experience he is able to correlate hand- 

 Hng with the appearance of the coat. A thick furry-looking ooat is 

 usuall associated with mellow handling, while a straight, stiff, wiry hair 

 is associated with coarse,stiff handling, and this means coarse-grained 



flesh and a slow doer — an unprofitable steer 10 points 



4. Condition means the degree of fatness, as judged by the fullness 

 at tongue root, covering the spine and rib; fullness 

 of purse and flank 10 points 



