PRODUCTION OF BEEF CATTLE 



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feed requirements. It happens that animals desirable from 

 the standpoint of market demands for beef are, as a rule, 

 able to make rapid* and economical gains. 



Conformation of beef cattle. Experience has shown that 

 a certain type of animal, known as the beef type, combines 

 to a great degree the four desirable traits already described. 

 The chief points that distinguish this type are as follows: 

 The body is short and deep with top and underlines parallel; 

 neck, short and thick; legs, short; ribs well arched and ex- 

 tending back toward the points of hips; thighs, full and deep; 



Three aspects of a beef animal showing rectangular conformation. 



A. As seen from front. 



B. As seen from behind. 



C. As seen from the side. 



shoulders and hips, smooth; skin, mellow and pliable; head, 

 long and broad, with large muzzle and clear prominent eyes. 

 A score card for judging beef cattle will indicate the various 

 points in greater detail. 



Breeds of beef cattle. The specifications of the beef type 

 just described will be met by a good representative of any 

 of the common breeds of beef cattle. Although there is no 

 one breed that can be regarded as best under all conditions, 

 it will be worth while to consider somewhat in detail the 

 leading characteristics of the four most important breeds: 

 Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen-Angus and Galloway. 



