44 METHODS IN JUDGING AND SELECTION 



or largely apparent, should be detected with promptness. 

 The possession or acquirement of this faculty is not always 

 deep seated, yet it is a foundation principle in live stock 

 judging. The degree of possession or attainment of keen 

 observation measures one of the important attributes of a 

 keen live stock judge. 



Comparative Qualities. The individual animal is measured 

 by a standard, which may be real, written or pictured in the 

 mind or on canvas. Under any condition, it is the standard 

 by which the judge pronounces the value of an animal. 

 In a class a comparison of the animals under judgment is of 

 greatest concern to the judge. While the written or oral 

 standard is involved in selecting the best individual in the 

 class, thereafter this individual becomes the ideal by which 

 the other animals are rated. Comparison not only involves 

 a strict analysis of the form of each animal, but a comparison 

 of the simultaneously located parts to determine the com- 

 parative degree of merit. This comparison must of necessity 

 be in accordance with the purpose or utility standard for 

 the animal under observation. The viewpoint becomes of 

 special significance at this time, as animals have component 

 values which differ, depending on type, breed, or class con- 

 formity. 



Balance of Points. The balance of points involves deeper 

 thought and greater responsibility than any other factor 

 mentioned, as it is on the equated knowledge that a decision 

 is reached. Individuals differ greatly in merits and faults, 

 both as individual units and in the correlation of parts within 

 the individual. If all animals differed precisely the same 

 in their component parts, and if there was a fixed value to 

 these parts for every purpose of animal formation and 

 design, judging would be simple indeed. Because of the 

 great variation in animal conformation, as related to the 

 location of merits and faults in the individual structure, it 

 becomes necessary to balance the points of form which are 

 at variance. For example, it is easy to decide on the 

 objectionable features of an open shoulder or a flat rib in a 

 fat steer class. It is not so easy, however, to decide on the 

 relative merits and demerits of an animal with a low back, 



