Types and Market Classes of Live Stock 157 



this prime essential in present-day beef production is characteristic of 

 cattle that have the blocky, compact, low-set type. 



Weight requirements. — When cattle intended for breeders are in 

 high condition, the standards for weights at various ages are as follows: 



Age Weight of bull Weight of cow 



Pounds Pounds 



6 months 600 500 



12 months 1,075 750 



18 months 1,275 975 



24 months 1,500 1,150 



30 months 1,800 1,350 



36 months 1,975 1,475 



42 months 2,100 1,550 



Breeding cattle should not be kept in high condition, but that is 

 the only satisfactory basis for fixing weight standards. In applying 

 these standards due allowance should be made for lack of fat, depend- 

 ing upon the condition of the animal, 'the above figures are for pure- 

 bred bulls and high-grade cows such as should be used in market beef 

 breeding herds. The weights given for bulls thus represent higher 

 standards than those for the cows. The difference in the matured 

 weights of the two sexes as given above, while largely due to sex, is 

 due in part to higher average merit in the bulls than in the cows. 



The beef bull. — In general appearance the beef bull is nearly 

 identical with the steer, being wide, deep, compact, straight lined, and 

 low set. When in use as breeders, bulls are seldom kept in high condi- 

 tion, hence in studying the form certain allowances should be made 

 for lack of fatness, as this has much to do with the appearance of 

 blockiness and massiveness presented by the animal. The bull should 

 have plenty of size and we should not demand the same degree of 

 refinement in bone that is desired in the steer, yet quality should be 

 easily apparent. ^ The hide should roll up mellow and loose in the 

 hand, showing medium thickness, and the hair should be soft and fine. 

 Even when in medium-fat condition, the fleshing should be abundant 

 and smooth. The head should be clean-cut, wide, and short, though 

 larger than the steer's, with heavier horns, and a more burly appear- 

 ance generally. The eye shows more animation or spirit, and a more 

 resolute expression. Such a head is indicative of masculinity which is 

 insisted upon by all breeders, it being an evidence of potency or breed- 

 ing capacity. The bull at maturity should show a powerfully muscled 

 neck with a pronounced arch or crest, this also indicating masculinity. 

 The crest should come forward close to the head, and the neck should 

 be short. Masculinity is again shown in the shoulders by a heavier, 



iThe range cattle breeder places particular emphasis on heavy bone. The 

 conditions under which range cattle are produced make the maintenance of size and 

 vigor in range cattle a problem, and this the western breeder attempts to solve in 

 part by the constant use of heavy-boned bulls. 



