134 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



A feeder is usually a steer, older, heavier, and carrying more flesh 

 than the stocker, and is suitable for placing in the feed-lot immediately 

 for fattening on a grain ration. However, a large number of calves 

 sell as feeders, including mixed lots of steer and heifer calves. These 

 constitute the only important exception to the above general state- 

 ments. Stocker and feeder calves commonly weigh from 350 to 450 

 pounds. Popular weights for stocker cattle range from 450 to 700 

 pounds, and the most popular range in weight of feeder steers is 800 

 to 1,000 pounds. Feeders of these weights are usually long yearlings 

 or two-year-olds. At times fleshy feeders weighing 1,100 to 1,200 

 pounds are in strong demand for a short feed. 



Fig. 41. — Choice feeder steer. 



Feeder steers. — On the market the term "stocker" or "feeder" 

 used without a qualifying word is always understood to mean a steer. 

 The grades of feeder steers are fancy selected, choice, good, medium, 

 and common. 



Fancy selected feeders. — Very few of the fancy grade reach the 

 market, as breeders fortunate enough to own thin steers of such quality 

 usually hold them until finished as prime steers, or sell them direct to 

 cattle feeders at good strong prices. Fancy selected feeders must be 

 uniform in size, type, and color, and show unmistakable signs of good 

 breeding. (See Fig, 27, page 109.) They are practically above criti- 

 cism, possessing in a high degree the form, quality, constitution, and 

 fleshing of an ideal feeder as described in Chapter VII. 



