FARM AKIMALS. 31 



The Western range cattle are classed with the Texas rattle, 

 because fonnerly they were made up largely of Southern cattle 

 which were driven northward to winter on the ranges north of 

 the quarantine line. Now, however, a large percentage of the 

 animals in this class are bred on the ranges of the West and 

 Northwest. All the cattle in this class are branded. 



2. Distillers. — These are cattle that have been fattened on 

 the by-products of distilleries. Formerly only inferior grades 

 of cattle were purchased for feeding on distillery residues, but 

 at present many feeders of better grades are used. When sent 

 to market these cattle are preferred to many of the same grade, 

 because they dress out a higher percentage of beef. 



3. Bahy Beef. — This term applies to choice or prime fat steers 

 between i and 2 years old, weighing from 800 to 1000 lbs. 



4. Export Cattle. — The cattle exported are in the main good 

 to choice steers, weighing from 1200 to 1500 lbs. Comparatively 

 lew prime beef steers are brought for export, because of the 

 high price they bring in the home market. 



5. Shipping Steers. — This term applies to the animals pur- 

 chased in the Western markets for shipment to the large Eastern 

 markets of the United States. They are mainly of medium 

 and good grades, and range in Aveight from 1150 to 1600 

 lbs. 



6. Dressed Beef Cattle. — This class includes such cattle as are 

 purchased by the large packing firms of the Middle West. The 

 packers prefer medium to choice steers, weighing from 1200 to 

 1400 lbs., to make up the bulk of their purchases, but conditions 

 of supply and demand cause them to purchase animals of a much 

 wider range in grade and weight, the extreme range in weight 

 being from 800 to 1700 lbs. 



7. Stags. — This class includes such animals as have reached 

 or at least approached maturity before castration and hence have 

 the general conformation of bulls. Comparatively few of these 

 come to the general markets, and they are of a wide range in 

 quality, condition, and weight. A few are good enough for 

 export, while the poorest must be sold for canners. (See Mum- 

 ford, Bull. No. 78, Illinois Experiment Station, also Plumb, 

 Marketing Live Stock, Farmers' Bull. No. 184.) 



