Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 121 



branded cattle from Texas and the West. Natives and westerns have 

 practically the same uses and both are found in all market classes, 

 except that western cattle supply no milkers and springers, and com- 

 paratively few veal calves. 



Western cattle are much more uniform than natives, being largely 

 of beef breeding, mostly Hereford. An infusion of Shorthorn breeding 

 is noticeable in many of the cattle from the Dakotas, Wyoming, Color- 

 ado, and Utah. Western cattle are frequently distinguished by the 

 name of the state from which they come to market, as "Texans," 

 "Montanas," "Wyomings," etc. 



Natives include all types, breeds, and kinds of cattle, of beef, 

 dairy, and nondescript breeding. The term "southerns" is applied to 

 natives produced in the southern states, particularly to cattle from 

 sections in the Middle South where the breeding is inferior. 



As a rule, branded cattle sell at a discount because of the damage 

 to the hide. In cases of brands on the body, the damage to the hide 

 is estimated anywhere from 5 to 15 cents per cwt., according to size and 

 location, and in extreme cases where there is a big, sprawling side brand, 

 covering a large part of the surface, the discount will be very much 

 higher, as it practically spoils half the hide. 



Grassers and fed cattle. — "Grassers" are cattle direct from pas- 

 tures without grain feeding. "Corn feds" are cattle from corn-belt 

 feed-lots. "Fed westerns" are western cattle that have been finished 

 on a ration of corn or other concentrates, usually in the corn belt. 

 "Grass westerns" are cattle direct from western ranges. Many grass 

 cattle sell as stockers and feeders, and after being fattened in the feed- 

 lot they return to market as fed cattle. Grass cattle are subject to 

 greater shrinkage in shipping than are fed cattle. "Short feds" are 

 moderately fat cattle marketed after a 60- to 90-day feeding period. 

 Cattle coming from a very short feed are often described as "warmed 

 up;" they show some effects of grain feeding, but are considerably 

 lacking in finish. 



Grass cattle, both westerns and natives, are most numerous on the 

 market during September, October, and November. The closing of 

 the pasture season and the approach of winter bring the heavy runs 

 which feature the fall months. The movement of cattle from Texas 

 and the Southwest usually begins in May and continues into October, 

 and other western cattle direct from range pastures make a heavy run 

 from August 1 to December 1. 



Fed cattle are most numerous during the late winter and spring 

 months. Thin grass cattle are taken out for feeding in the fall and 

 early winter after the corn crop is harvested, and most of these are 

 finished and returned to market during the winter and spring before 



