TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 39 



may dress out equally high, and yield equally valuable carcasses; 

 the difference is that the first steer forces his good points to the 

 attention of the buyer and shows for all he is worth, while in 

 the case of the second steer, the buyer is left to discover the 

 animal's good points without any assistance from the animal. 

 Cattle with style sell more readily and at slightly higher prices 

 than cattle without style. 



Size and weight vary according to age, sex, breed, and fat- 

 ness. Disregarding breed differences, for this factor need not 

 be considered here, the following figures represent fair standards 

 of weight at different ages for well-fattened steers: 



At birth 70 pounds 



6 months 450 pounds 



12 months 850 pounds 



18 months 1100 pounds 



24 months 1300 pounds 



30 months 1475 pounds 



36 months 1600 pounds 



Age from the teeth. The ages of cattle may be determined 

 with a fair degree of accuracy by an examination of the teeth. 

 There are eight incisors in the lower jaw of mature cattle. There 

 are no incisors in the upper jaw, but a tough fibrous pad instead, 

 amply suited to the grazing habits of cattle. The dentition at 

 various ages is as follows: 



12 months. All calf teeth in place. 



15 months. Center permanent incisors appear. 



18 months. Center permanent incisors in wear. 



24 months. First intermediates up. 



30 months. Six broad incisors. 



36 months. Six broad incisors in wear. 



39 months. Corners up. 



42 months. Eight broad incisors in wear. 



