136 Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 



a good wintering, be suitable for grain feeding. The grades are fancy- 

 selected, choice, good, medium, and common. These grades are very- 

 similar to the grades of feeders which have been described. 



Stocker and feeder calves. — During the fall months many western 

 calves, both steers and heifers, are sold at weaning time for stocking 

 and feeding purposes. With increased attention to baby beef produc- 

 tion, the well-bred feeder calf has become popular. Uniformity and 

 good breeding are especially important in calves intended for the feed- 

 lot. Lack of uniformity among young animals becomes magnified as 

 they develop, and baby beef production demands good breeding as a 

 guarantee of early maturity, or finish at a young age. Most calves 

 started on feed in the fall and early winter are finished for the June 



Fig. 43. — Medium feeder steer. 



market following the spring run of heavy beef steers. Some are con- 

 tinued on feed through the summer and marketed in September. 



The grades of stocker and feeder calves are fancy selected, choice, 

 good, medium, and common. Only the better grades are commonly 

 sold as feeders, the lower grades being used as stockers. Steer calves 

 are preferred, especially for feeding. The grade depends on the form, 

 quality, constitution, breeding, and uniformity, corresponding to like 

 grades of feeder steers. Many choice and fancy western calves are 

 now sold direct from the range to corn-belt feeders. Auction sales at 

 western points and in the corn belt, and sales on mail order and at 

 private treaty on the range now take a large number of the best calves, 

 such as the S. M. S. brand and Highland Hereford Association, both 

 of Texas, and others of similar quality. 



