CHAPTER II. 



JUDGING CATTLE. 



109. Method of Examination. In judging cattle in the 

 show ring the most satisfactory plan is to make a very 

 careful scrutiny of the animal as it stands before you; 

 then approaching it from the front, notice the head and 

 neck before placing the hands upon the shoulder to re- 

 view the various parts of the body. 



I. JUDGING BEEF CATTLE. 



110. Method of Handling. In judging beef cattle it is 

 of much importance to see that they stand properly and 

 are not held so as to hide any natural defects which other- 

 wise would be easily seen. They should stand on a surface 

 as level as possible with the legs naturally placed under 

 them, with the head held straight forward. By variations 

 from this it is quite possible to hide from the examiner as 

 he makes his first inspection many of the natural defects. 

 It becomes very easy to vastly improve the handling quali- 

 ties of an animal by turning the head towards the judge 

 or to make the top or lower lines more level by choosing 

 an advantageous position. In moving towards the animal 

 from in front, note the characteristics of the head and neck 

 quickly and then placing the hand upon the shoulder and 

 using the tips of the fingers feel the compactness of the 

 shoulder, its covering and the smoothness with which it 

 fits to the body. From this point it is usual to pass to the 

 back, handling this region very carefully as the back rib 



