12 WISCONSIN BULLETIN 224 



Select steers with short legs, for short legs decrease the amount 

 of offal and increase the killing percentage. Also, short legged 

 animals do not travel about much. They thus save their energy 

 and use their feed for gain. A strong bone without coarseness is 

 to be desired. Too much refinement is associated with a weak 

 constitution. 



Symmetry of outline, or balancing of parts, is a very important 

 point in selecting steers. By symmetry is meant a general uni- 

 formity throughout with no part out of proportion with any 

 other part. Depth of chest should be balanced by depth of twist, 

 and width of shoulders should be accompanied by width through- 

 out. ; ; 



FIGURE 7. A POOR FEEDER B GOOD FEEDER 



Note shape of head and lack of capacity Note capacity and large heart girth, 

 and indications of constitution These steers come from the same lot 



and had received the same care and 

 treatment. B was born with greater 

 possibilities. 



In addition to the foregoing points, the steer should have a 

 pliable skin of reasonable thickness, covered by a heavy mossy 

 coat of hair. Pliability of skin and mossiness of coat indicate 

 thrift and general well being. Thickness of skin and hair indi- 

 cates good constitution. 



i . . ' 

 CLASSES AND GRADES OF CATTLE ON THE MARKET 



Beef cattle on the market are classed according to the commer- 

 cial use for which they are adapted. ' ' Class ' ' designates the use 

 to which an animal is to be put. " Grade " indicates the quality 

 or degree of fitness of the animal in that class. The same grades, 

 prime, choice, good, medium, fair, common, and poor or inferior, 

 run down through the classes from the best to the poorest in the 

 order above named. 



