BREEDS OF BEEF, CATTLE 279 



sible to secure a two-year-old inferior feeder, as inferior steers of this 

 age would possess neither the weight nor the flesh demanded in the 

 feeder class. As a rule, we may classify as feeders, steers weighing 

 900 pounds or more that are eighteen months old or older, and that 

 are fleshy enough so as not to render an extended period of low 

 feeding necessary. Manifestly the slower maturing, lower grades 

 will always be the older animals when feeding weights are attained. 



The individual steers comprising this fancy grade possess out- 

 standing quality. They are the kind from which car-load show cat- 

 tle are produced. Those who have attempted to collect such a group 

 of cattle know how very scarce they are. Such feeding cattle are 

 very seldom seen in any of our feeding-cattle markets, for when such 

 a bunch is known to be for sale it is usually eagerly sought, hence it 

 is unnecessary to ship them to the market to find a buyer. 



Grade Q. Choice Feeders. The steers in this group are unques- 

 tionably choice. They possess large frames and perhaps average six 

 months older than the fancy selected grade, though still younger 

 than grades 4, 5, and 6. Owing to their more advanced age and the 

 appearance of being more growthy, thi a grade of steers is frequently 

 selected by experienced feeders as the best calculated to produce the 

 largest and most rapid gains of any in the market. They are the 

 heaviest cattle and perhaps, everything considered, carry slightly 

 more flesh than the others, although grades 1 and 2 are similar in this 

 regard. They are high-grade steers, uniform as to size, color, and 

 conformation. Fed to a finish, steers of such quality ought to pro- 

 duce prime steers of sufficient merit to sell at the top on any ordinary 

 market. 



Grade 3. Good Feeders. The quality and finish so manifest in 

 the choice and fancy grades are not so much in evidence in this 

 group, although it is easy to see that beef blood still predominates. 

 While these cattle possess a strong infusion of beef blood, they do not 

 meet the requirements of the ideal feeder in type or conformation. 

 They are inclined to be upstanding, while some of the steers are 

 rather plain in their rumps. They lack that attractive uniformity 

 that characterizes grades 1 and 2. As to condition they are hardly 

 as fleshy as the grades already described. It should not be gathered 

 from what has been said that these are an undesirable grade of feed- 

 ing cattle, for they are not. In fact, cattle of their quality are not 

 at all plentiful in the markets of our country, and can only be pro- 

 duced by the use of bulls of some of the beef breeds. 



Grade 4- Medium Feeders. Undoubtedly the most noticeable 

 characteristic of this grade is its lack of uniformity in color. This 

 suggests their probable mixed breeding. The lack of uniformity is 

 not by any means the main difference between this and the better 

 grades. A closer study reveals a coarseness and angularity not at all 

 characteristic of those of better quality. There is a plain, old style 

 appearance about them that is very evident. The cattle appear to be 

 close to three years old. Experienced feeders would select now and 

 again a steer from this grade that would be expected to make large 



