A short, straight back indicates strong muscular development 

 and a tendency to mature early. Other things being equal, the steer 

 with the broadest and thickest back will be the most valuable as the 

 highest priced cuts of meat are taken from the back and loin. For 

 this reason, feeders should be selected which will develop wide, 

 thick backs in order that they may sell for top prices when fat. 

 A desirable depth of body and spring of rib, result not only in ai 

 greater proportion of high priced meat but also give the steer the 

 capacity for a large development of vital organs and ample room 

 for a large digestive system without any tendency to paunchiness. 



Capacity for feed is essential in a feeder as the body must be 

 maintained and provided with heat and energy before any of the 

 food is stored in the form of fat. All that the steer can consume, 

 digest and assimilate above maintenance requirements, is used for 

 production ; hence the greater the capacity, the greater the propor- 

 tion of feed that is utilized for production and the less for main- 

 tenance. 



Short, straight legs, together with a short, deep, broad body, 

 are associated with early maturity. This is desirable from the pro- 

 ducer's standpoint as it enables him to market his cattle as feeders 

 weighing 1,000 pounds at 18 to 20 months instead of keeping them 

 a year longer in order to attain the same weight. The early matur- 

 ing steer will also sell for a greater price per pound, as the experi- 

 enced feeder has learned that they will not only make rapid and 

 economical gains but will finish quicker than those which are slower 

 in maturing. Not only is this type more desirable to the producer 

 and to the feeder, but also to the packer, as the early maturing 

 kind yield a higher dressing percentage, thicker cuts and greater 

 proportion of high priced meat. 



