JUDGING BEEF CATTLE 



239 



The well-fattened animal shows plumpness of body. His 

 more exposed portions, like the hips and shoulder points, 

 are covered with flesh. When a fat steer moves, the flesh 

 about his breast and in his flanks shows more movement 

 than is seen in a thin-fleshed animal. The hand may also 

 assist the eye in inspecting fat cattle. When using the hand, 

 the ends of the fingers are kept together, and are pressed 

 along the middle of the back and on the sides over the ribs. 



Figure 93. Judging beef cattle. Feeling for depth of covering of the back. 

 Photograph by the author. 



The thickness and firmness of covering is easily determined 

 by the touch. A mellow, yet firm resistance to the hand 

 pressure should be felt. A common custom among buyers 

 of fat cattle is also to feel the covering of the end of the 

 rump and the point of the shoulder, and to grasp in the 

 hand the hind flank, which should be low and full in a well- 

 finished beast. A thin, hard covering at these points shows 

 that the animal lacks in condition. 



After giving the necessary consideration to general ap- 

 pearances, our attention will next be given to the detailed 



