CATTLE 287 



8. Beef Breeds 



Larger profit can be secured from dairy than from beef 

 cattle with the same amount of feed, but dairy animals re- 

 quire a much greater amount of labor and a more costly 

 equipment. The work necessary to care for fifteen or 

 twenty dairy cows will be sufficient to tend two hundred 

 beef animals. Properly managed, the raising and feeding 

 of cattle for beef can be made highly profitable. 



The beef-producing type. Beef and dairy cattle 

 differ widely in their type. For the production of beef, 

 the animal must be able to use a large proportion of its 

 food in the putting on of flesh ; it must also have a form 

 capable of holding a large amount of muscle and fat. 



The beef animal should have a conformation that (1) 

 favors the production and carrying of flesh; (2) supplies 

 the best proportion of good cuts of meat on the block; (3) 

 indicates good constitution and feeding capacity. 



The form of beef animals.^Instead of the wedge con- 

 formation of the dairy cow, beef cattle should in their shape 

 present a series of rectangles; that is, they should be 

 "blocky." The body is reasonably long, and deep, with 

 short sturdy legs. The whole form presents a plump, full- 

 shaped appearance. The back is broad and straight, with 

 ribs well arched to give breadth to the body. The quarters 

 are well filled and thick. The skin is pliable, rather thick, 

 and the coat smooth and glossy. 



Judging beef cattle with the score-card. Because of 

 the difference in type between dairy and beef cattle, it is 

 best to use separate score-cards in judging them. Secure a 

 score-card from your state college of agriculture or the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. After studying 

 it and judging one or more animals under the direction of 

 the teacher, each member of the class should judge several 



