CHAPTER XXXIX 

 DUAL-PURPOSE TYPE OF CATTLE 



Dual-purpose and general-purpose type of cattle mean the same 

 thing. This comes in between the beef and dairy type, combining 

 in one animal the valuable qualities of meat and dairy types. 

 This class has been under special discussion for some years, and 

 strong arguments have been advanced in its behalf. It is not 

 proposed to go into a detailed discussion of this type, it is not 

 necessary, but rather to emphasize the essential features. 



The dual-purpose and beef type compared show marked differ- 

 ences. The dual-purpose animal is narrower of body and scarcely 

 as well rounded as the beef type, does not naturally carry so much 

 " condition," is more lean of neck, sharper at withers, narrower at 

 the thighs, and longer of leg than is common with true beef cattle- 

 One receives the impression that relatively the dual-purpose type 

 is of greater length. In the case of the cows the udder is most 

 essential in good specimens of the dual-purpose type, milk pro- 

 duction being of special importance. 



Dual-purpose and dairy type compared show the former to be 

 fuller in the breast, thicker at withers, broader backed, thicker 

 and heavier at the hind quarter and twist, and generally more mas- 

 sive than the latter. The form is somewhat smoother and less 

 muscular, the tendency being towards higher condition. When 

 in high milk flow dual-purpose cows often lose flesh and incline 

 to the dairy conformation, but when dry they usually flesh up to 

 a marked degree. The writer has seen dual-purpose cows that 

 have been regarded as dairy-type animals by men rated as good 

 critics. It is difficult, in fact, to draw the line between these 

 types in cases of certain individuals that vary according to their 

 condition, when each tends to approach the other in conformation. 

 For example, the American Brown Swiss Cattle Association has 

 classed this as a dairy breed, yet if one is to judge the Brown 

 Swiss as seen either in its native home or America, it will be 



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