CHAPTER XXIII. 



JUDGING BEEF CATTLE USED FOR BREEDING 

 PURPOSES. 



THE beef animal, for breeding purposes, should possess 

 all the desirable features of conformation found in the non- 

 brrcding animal that is to yield a maximum of returns over 

 the block. Comparison of a prime steer and a superior 

 type of breeding bull, will show a close resemblance between 

 them in form and quality. The breeding animal, however, 

 must possess certain characteristics of importance. These 

 are the distinctive features of sex, constitutional vigor, size, 

 an inheritance of natural fleshing, and breed character. 

 Judges will differ somewhat in their relative estimate of 

 values of these characteristics. The following discussion, 

 however, gives first consideration to sex. 



(A) JUDGING BEEF BULLS. 



Sex character in the beef bull is manifested in the size 

 and character of head, in the thickness of neck and frontal 

 development, the sexual organs, and temperament. The 

 head of the bull should meet all the requirements of the 

 good feeder, but what is most important, it should be strong 

 and dominant in expression, with full forehead, expressive 

 eyes, strong but not coarse horns, and a thick covering of 

 hair over the upper portion of head. Such a head, proudly 

 carried, speaks for the dominant sire and constitutional 

 vigor, most essential features of the male. The testimony of 

 generations of great stockmen emphasizes the fundamental 

 importance of the head as showing sex and indicating breed 

 ing capacity. We are told l that Thomas Bates was so ira- 



] Shorthorn Cattle. Alvin H. Sanders, 1900, p. 86. 



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