BEEF CATTLE 389 



excellence in the head, while of little value in themselves, are 

 given much weight by the judge because they are a very reliable 

 index to the general conformation and quality of the animal. 



506. The neck. Passing to the right of the animal, observe 

 the length and depth of the neck. It should be short and full, 

 blending smoothly into the shoulders, making a full shoulder 

 vein. In bulls there should be a prominent crest, indicating 

 masculinity. A slight crest is often noticed on fat steers and 

 very fat cows. An excessive amount of pendulant skin under the 

 throat, or dewlap as it is called, is objectionable and unsightly. 



507. The shoulder and forelegs. The shoulder should be 

 compact on top and blend smoothly with the heart girth on the 

 sides. Shoulders which stand out from the body are nearly 

 always poorly covered and give the animal the appearance of 

 having a shallow girth. There should be considerable width 

 through this region, giving large chest capacity and a wide breast, 

 which should be full in front of the chest and symmetrically 

 rounded off below the junction with the forelegs by a neat, 

 full brisket with little dewlap. The forelegs should be short, 

 with fine, smooth shank covered with fine hair and skin. 



508. The chest. The heart girth should be full and even with 

 the shoulders. Any depression behind the shoulders means 

 either coarse shoulders or poor spring of forerib and lack of 

 width through the chest. The narrow-chested steer is usually 

 an unprofitable feeder. 



509. The loin. Reference to the accompanying diagrams 

 (Figs. 196, 197, and 198) shows that the high-priced meat is 

 found on the back and loin. In the live animal the loin is usu- 

 ally considered as that part of the back between the hooks and 

 the last rib. It should be broad and heavily muscled. The 

 thickness of the loin may be determined by pressing the palm 

 of the hand against the side of the loin, with the fingers above 

 and the thumb below. This observation should be made on 

 the right side so as to avoid an effect of bloating which often 

 modifies the contour of the left side. The covering should be 

 thick, smooth, and firm, yet yielding slightly to the touch. 



