238 



JUDGING FARM ANIMALS 



or members handle contrary to the rules above given, you 

 may then make a contrary judgment." The use of the 

 hands in examining animals being judged, is highly im- 

 portant, at least in determining the depth and condition 

 of the flesh. However, from a modern view-point, judges 

 often handle to an unnecessary degree, and the tendency 

 now is to use the hands as little as possible consistent with 

 arriving at sound judgment. 



The head of the beef animal, in general, should appear 

 comparatively short and broad, as this represents the head 

 conformation of the good feeder. Such a head is correlated 

 to the short neck, wide back, deep body and short legs. 

 The muzzle should be broad and wide, with a mouth of good 

 feeding capacity. The narrow, pinched mouth will be found 

 among animals with narrow heads giving evidence of lack 

 in constitution. The animal with wide, capacious muzzle 

 and muscular lips, when on pasture grazes more easily, 

 manipulates the tongue more freely, and secures food more 

 readily than would be possible with a smaller, less expansive 

 mouth. If the muzzle is broad, then the nostrils are more 



likely to be large, 

 an important point, 

 as these are the 

 gateways through 

 which free and full 

 admission of .air to 

 the lungs is .se- 

 cured. The eyes 

 should be fairly 

 prominent and 

 placid of expres- 

 sion, indicating the 

 quiet feeder. Many 

 people prefer to 

 see the whites of 



Fig. 132. "The head of the beef animal, in ^he 6V6S clear and 

 general, should appear comparatively short and ,, 



broad." as free as possible 



