Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 123 



times higher prices are paid for one weight than another. At times 

 choice medium-weights sell higher than choice heavy-weights, and vice 

 versa. Light weights are frequently referred to as "yearlings." Baby 

 beeves are included here, together with all other steers weighing less 

 than 1,100 pounds and carrying sufficient finish for block-beef pur- 

 poses. At times choice and prime light-weight steers bring the highest 

 prices, the prices paid for the different weights varying in relation to 

 supply and demand. 



Heavy steers, weighing 1,300 pounds and up, supply heavy car- 

 casses weighing about 750 pounds and up. These are used by hotels, 

 restaurants, and clubs in large cities. James Brown, in charge of 

 cattle buying for Armour and Company, states ^ that the demand for 



Fig. 31. — Prime beef steers. 



heavy finished cattle takes only about 15 per cent of the receipts. He 

 states that the demand for such cattle is steady and that the supply 

 is frequently limited from August 1 to February 1, excepting cattle 

 finished for fat-stock shows and for the Christmas trade. At such 

 times steers weighing 1,400 pounds or over often bring $1 to $2 more 

 than smaller steers of the same grade. Late March and April may 

 bring too many heavy steers, and a few too many can readily glut the 

 market, resulting in a lower price for heavy weights than for the 

 lighter beeves. 



The divisions of the beef steer class according to weight (and 

 corresponding divisions in other classes) have been commonly referred 



Progressive Beef Cattle Raising, Armour and Company, 1920, p. 



