MARKET CLASSES AND GRADES OF SHEEP. 619 



desirable weight for grain-fattened yearlings is from 85 to 90 

 pounds. Choice yearlings are usually in better condition than 

 choice feeder lambs because low condition in yearlings is more 

 objectionable to the packer than the same condition in lambs, and 

 thus yearlings higher in condition than choice feeder lambs are 

 placed on the feeder market. It is one of the objects of the pur- 

 chaser of yearlings to make a profit by increasing the value per 

 pound of the original weight through the process of finishing. If 

 he succeeds in making the spread between the cost and the selling 

 price per pound sufficiently wide he is not so much concerned about 

 keeping them for a long period to secure a large increase in weight. 

 See plate 30. 



GOOD YEARLING FEEDERS 



As in the lamb feeder class, so here, unevenness in weight, con- 

 dition, conformation or quality may cause yearlings to be placed 

 in this grade. It is a lack of uniformity in some one or more par- 

 ticulars more than in anything else that causes yearlings to grade as 

 good. As quality is greatly emphasized in the yearling feeder class 

 anything showing coarseness could not grade as choice and would 

 have to fall into the good or a lower grade. See plate 31. 



COMMON YEARLING FEEDERS 



Feeders of this grade are deficient in quality and usually heavy 

 in weight. If yearling feeders are heavy in pelt, coarse in bone 

 and weigh 80 to 85 pounds, they will likely sell as sheep when fin- 

 ished and, therefore, the feeder buyer cannot afford to pay as much 

 for yearlings of this description as he can for a lighter, smoother 

 kind. See plate 32. 



FEEDER WETHERS 



Of the wethers sold from the range for feeding purposes the 

 greater number is shipped direct to western feed lots, hence the 

 supply on the Chicago market is extremely meager. 



The grades are as follows: CHOICE, GOOD, MEDIUM, COMMON. 



CHOICE FEEDER WETHERS 



To be considered choice feeders, wethers must be of good con- 

 formation, highly developed in quality and uniform in weight and 

 condition. The extremely thin wether is not particularly sought 

 after because it is mainly a question of price with the purchaser of 

 feeder wethers and if wethers of medium condition can be secured 



