TYPES AND MARKET CLASSES OF LIVE STOCK 



109 



Medium steers. These are of about average quality and 

 condition, lacking to a marked degree the finish and quality 

 demanded in a prime steer. They are generally too paunchy 

 and too lacking in condition and quality to dress a high per- 

 centage of beef or show a good proportion of fat. The beef 

 from such steers is not good enough to meet the demands of 

 dealers in beef of the best quality, nor is the proportion of the 

 high-priced cuts large. 



Common rough steers. This is the lowest grade of steers 

 coming to the market. They are very much lacking in form, 



Fig. 24. Choice Fat Steers. 



quality, and condition. Steers of good quality that are not fat 

 enough to be classed as beef steers are classed among the better 

 grades of stockers and feeders; therefore, this grade includes 

 only those steers which are too thin to sell among the higher 

 grades of beef cattle, and too coarse and rough to be sold as 

 stockers and feeders. 



Heifers. Two to four heifers mixed in with a load of fat 

 steers may be passed without any cut in price if they are similar 

 to the steers in all respects except sex. However, this class is 

 a fat-steer proposition, and market reports always give separate 

 quotations for fat steers and fat heifers. 



