7/0 CYCLOPEDIA OF LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



VIII. Special Classes. 



The above general classes really comprise everything in the way of 

 cattle sent to the markets. But there are a number of special classes 

 generally recognized which require to be named and defined. 



(1) Texas and Western range cattle. — A few years ago the typical 

 Texas steer had very long horns and long legs, was thin and narrow- 

 bodied, and carried a large deep brand ; and most of the cattle which came 

 from Texas were of this description. But this type is rapidly disappear- 

 ing. Animals of the best beef breeds have been imported into the State 

 and used for breeding purposes, especially for crossing with the native 

 stock, so that now many of the Texas cattle compare favorably with those 

 from other sections of the country. There is, however, a very wide range 

 between the best and the poorest. 



The Western range cattle are classed with the Texas cattle, because 

 formerly they were made up largely of Southern cattle which were driven 

 northward to winter on the ranges north of the quarantine line. Now, 

 however, a large jjercentage of the animals in this class are bred on the 

 ranges of the West and Northwest. 



All the cattle in this class are branded. 



(2) Distillers. — These are cattle that have been fattened on the by- 

 products of distilleries. Formerly only inferior grades of cattle were 

 purchased for feeding on distillery residues, but at present many feeders 

 of better grades are used. When sent to market these cattle are preferred 

 to others of the same grade, because they dress out a higher percentage 

 of beef. 



(3) Baby beef. — This term is applied to choice or prime fat steers be- 

 tween 1 and 2 years old, weighing from 800 to 1,000 pounds. 



(4) Export cattle. — The cattle exported are in the main good to choice 

 steers, weighing from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds. Comparatively few prime 

 beef steers are bought for export, because of the high price they bring in 

 the home market. 



(5) Shipping steers. — This term applies to the animals purchased in 

 the western markets for shipment to the large eastern markets of the 

 United States. They are mainly of medium and good grades and range 

 in weight from 1,150 to 1,600 pounds. 



(6) Dressed beef cattle. — This class includes such cattle as are pur- 

 chased by the large packing concerns of the Middle West. The packers 

 prefer medium to choice steers, weighing from 1,200 to 1,400 pounds, to 

 make up the bulk of their purchases, but conditions of supply and de- 

 mand cause them to purchase animals of a much wider range in grade 

 and weight, the extreme range in weight being from 800 to 1,700 pounds. 



(7) Stags. — This class includes such animals as have reached or at 

 least approached maturity before castration, and hence have the general 

 conformation of bulls. Comparatively few of these come to the general 

 markets, and they are of a wide range in quality, condition, and weight. 



