EXERCISE 65 

 COMPARATIVE JUDGING OF CATTLE 



Object. To place the animals of a class of cattle accord- 

 ing to their worth. 



Explanation. When a stockman goes into a herd of 

 cattle, or when a judge goes into a show ring, he has in 

 mind the type of animal that he desires for his purpose. 

 If the judge is placing a class of beef cattle, he examines 

 the entire class, keeping in mind the ideal beef animal, and 

 chooses that individual for first which most nearly meets 

 this ideal. In the same way he places in the order of their 

 merit the other animals of the class. In a similar manner 

 the judge of dairy cattle, keeping in mind the ideal dairy 

 cow, awards the places in the dairy cattle class. 



It is necessary for the beginner who wants to become pro- 

 ficient in judging cattle to study the characteristics of the 

 individuals of the class and to become familiar with the char- 

 acteristics that affect value. After becoming familiar with 

 each animal the beginner can place it according to its 

 merits. 



Equipment. A class of four good dairy cows, or a class 

 of four good beef steers, all the animals of the class to be of 

 about the same age and same condition of flesh. 1 



1 In selecting a class of animals for this exercise the instructor 

 should be governed by the relative importance of the two classes of 



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