344 Effective Farming 



as oxen are unsurpassed. The Devon is not now especially 

 popular in the United States, due probably to oxen not being 

 used extensively as beasts of burden. In size the animals 

 are smaller than Red Polls, mature bulls ranging in weight 

 from 1500 to 2000 pounds and mature cows from 1100 to 1400 

 pounds. The color is solid red, a rich bright red being the most 

 desired shade. In conformation the animals incline more 

 toward the beef than the dairy type. The cows are fair milk- 

 ers and, although the steers fatten more slowly than those of 

 the beef breeds, they produce meat of good quality and fine 

 texture. 



181. Market classes and grades of beef cattle. Variations 

 in the weight, condition, quality, and age of the beef cattle 

 sent to the live-stock markets make it necessary to establish 

 different market classes and grades. Often, however, owing to 

 the fluctuation in the supply and demand of cattle on the market, 

 there is variation from day to day in the classes. For example, 

 a lot of cattle one day might class as butcher stock and another 

 day, when the demand for cattle was less, they might class as 

 stockers and feeders. (See Table XIV.) Nevertheless, the 

 classes are fairly distinct and breeders and feeders of beef 

 cattle can, by studying the published market reports, keep 

 familiar with market conditions. In Table XIV are given the 

 market classes and grades of cattle on the Chicago market, as 

 published in an Illinois Station bulletin by H. W. Mumford. 



Beef cattle are steers ready for the block. (See Fig. 132.) 

 They are in demand by exporters, packers, and shippers. Ex- 

 porters usually send them to England, packers slaughter them 

 for dressed beef, and shippers send them to some other live- 

 stock market. Butcher stock includes cattle that have been 

 " warmed up," a term used to designate cattle that have been 

 on full feed only a short time and are not, therefore, in prime 

 condition. It also includes the better grades of heifers, cows, 

 and bulls that can be slaughtered for dressed beef. Canners 

 are inferior animals that are used for canned meat. Cutters 



