Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 115 



3. Quality. — The indications of quality in beef cattle have been 

 discussed. Quality and good breeding are usually found in company, 

 and good breeding surely "tells" in the feed-lot. Quality also insures 

 smoothness and a higher dressing percentage, points of much impor- 

 tance in the eyes of the buyer of fat cattle. Coarse, staggy heads and 

 necks indicate late castration. Stags sell at a discount on the fat 

 steer market. 



4. Constitution and thrift. — ^A wide, deep chest, full heart-girth, 

 and deep, broad body are evidences of a strong constitution. Avoid 

 that steer which has quality carried to the point of delicacy, as only 

 vigorous, rugged cattle make big gains on feed. When choosing be- 

 tween two steers, one of which is too refined in head, hide, and bone, 

 and the other a trifle too rugged, or what might be termed slightly 

 on the coarse order, it will usually be wisest to select the more rugged 

 steer; he will usually consume more feed, gain more consistently, and 

 make his gains at less cost than will the over-refined animal. 



A thrifty, healthy steer makes known the fact in a bright, clear eye, 

 sleek coat of hair, and a loose, sappy hide. He is wide awake and 

 gives evidence that he "feels good." Avoid the steer with the small, 

 dull eye; tight hide; dry, staring coat; hanging head; and lifeless gait. 

 Red blood and good health indicate ability to assimilate feed and make 

 gains. 



5. Natural fleshing. — This refers to lean meat or muscle. As 

 previously pointed out, feeding does not add muscle to an animal; the 

 muscle must be born on the steer. The cattle feeder's job is to fatten 

 beef, and he must buy the beef or muscle when he buys his steers. 

 Look for muscular necks, backs, loins, and rounds. Such steers bring 

 the best prices when properly fattened. 



6. Condition counts in judging feeders. The more fat a feeder 

 steer carries, the quicker and cheaper he may be finished. Type and 

 price being equal, fleshy feeders are more desirable than thin ones. 

 Furthermore, if the steer is too thin he cannot class as a feeder, but 

 instead is classed as a stocker. Stockers are thin enough to make gains 

 in condition on grass or roughage. Feeders carry more flesh and are 

 ready for the feed-lot. Experienced cattle men buy as much condition 

 as possible when they buy their feeders. 



7. Breeding. — Steers of good beef breeding are much preferred 

 over those which have more or less of a scrub or dairy ancestry. We 

 look for evidences of beef breeding in the form, quality, fleshing, and 

 color of the animals. The beef-bred animal is more rectangular in 

 build, more compact and blocky, and lower set than the dairy-bred 

 steer. The steer of beef breeding is plumper and thicker in his muscles 

 throughout. The dairy-bred steer stands high off the ground, has a 



