JUDGING BEEF TYPE OF CATTLE 245 



should be well placed, the toes being of medium length and 

 pointing forward. The natural curves of the leg joints 

 tend to direct the toes outward, but the wider the spread 

 of the feet, the more the arm will be thrown in against the 

 chest, thus crowding that part. Therefore, it may be con- 

 sidered that there is a direct relationship between the 

 position of the feet and the width of chest. The hoofs 

 should be of medium length, so as to give the animal level, 

 true footing. If the hoofs grow too long the toe points 

 will turn up and the heels will come down, and give a 

 weak position to the legs. It seems strange that such should 

 be the case, but it is true that occasionally one will see ani- 

 mals in the show ring with such abnormally long hoofs as 

 to reflect on their care. Judges should discriminate against 

 such animals. 



The body of the beef animal, giving evidence as it does 

 of constitution, digestive capacity and high-priced cuts, is 

 credited with a maximum number of points on the score 

 card. The chest should be deep and wide, thus providing 

 ample room for the vital organs the heart and lungs. 

 The chest, as measured back of the shoulders, should show 

 a strong heart girth. In a cross section of this part, a 

 much greater curve is found on the lower side of the chest 

 than over the top, but the latter should have as much width 

 as possible. Just back of the shoulders, over the upper 

 part of chest, but below the back line, are the crops. Here 

 is usually to be found some depression, which is associated 

 with thickness of chest and the capacity to carry flesh. The 

 model beef animal will be full and strong of heart girth, 

 show almost no perceptible falling away at the crops, and 

 be covered here with a smooth, firm layer of flesh. This 

 kind of conformation is much sought by intelligent cattle- 

 men, who recognize that it is associated with the best 

 feeders, and most vigorous animals, which, when fattened, 

 are most in demand on the market. The judge will be 

 justified in placing a premium on chest character. The 

 back of the beef animal should be wide and level, and be 



