224 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



60. The remaining 40 per cent would represent wastes, such 

 as skin, feet, head, internal organs, loose fat, contents of 

 stomach and intestines, etc., which are of little value com- 

 pared with meat. 



Dressing percentage is partly determined by the condition 

 and partly by the conformation of an animal. One in good 

 condition will have a higher percentage than one in poor 

 condition; one having a blocky conformation, a higher 

 percentage than one with an angular, paunchy conformation. 



Loin cut of prime steer showing well marbled 



appearance of the meat. 

 (Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station.) 



A beef animal in good condition should have a dressing 

 percentage of 60 or more. 



Economical gains. The three characteristics just dis- 

 cussed are important from a buyer's standpoint. Animals 

 having good distribution of flesh, indications of quality, and 

 a high dressing percentage always command a higher selling 

 price than those which do not possess such points. The 

 farmer is interested not only in producing animals that will 

 sell well, but that will also take on weight and condition for 

 market with the lowest possible consumption of feed. This 

 object is secured in part by intelligent feeding, but largely 

 by a choice of animals capable of making gains with low 



